Pelican Island

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

There is no Pelican Island in the state of Missouri.


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Summary

However, there is a Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, which may be the subject of this request.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida is the first national wildlife refuge in the United States and offers a unique opportunity to observe a diverse array of wildlife species. Visitors can explore the refuge's mangrove islands, saltwater marshes, and coastal dunes. The refuge is home to a variety of bird species, including pelicans, herons, and egrets, as well as sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees.

Some of the points of interest to see at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge include the Pelican Island Trail, which offers a scenic walk through the refuge's mangrove forests, and the Centennial Trail, which commemorates the refuge's 100th anniversary. Visitors can also take a guided kayak tour of the Indian River Lagoon to explore the refuge's coastal waters.

Interesting facts about Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge include its designation as a National Historic Landmark, as well as the fact that it was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. The refuge was originally created to protect the habitat of the brown pelican, which was threatened with extinction due to hunting and habitat loss.

The best time of year to visit Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is during the winter months, when migrating bird species are present in the area. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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