What was the first national wildlife refuge

What is everyday life for an animal can be a shocking moment for a person. Visitors to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah might be amazed to watch American white pelicans devour meals that seem too big to swallow. Photo by Keenan Adams, U.

Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo by Erik Fremstad www. Photo by Henry Kammetler www. Photo of a bird getting a pony ride by Cristina Scalise www. Photo by Tom Koerner, U. Photo by Ginny P. Gillam www. Photo by Steve Hillebrand, U. Photo by Kris Orr www. Photo by John Carr, U. Photo by Jay Fleming www. The electronic edition of The Florida Historical Quarterly , our award winning journal If you would like to receive the print edition of the Quarterly, please notifiy us at: membership myfloridahistory.

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Skip to main content. Search form Search. One small, uninhabited island in the lagoon was well known for the brown pelicans that lived there. The pelican colony was so large that a layer of white guano often blanketed the island, making it appear as if snow had recently fallen, as one naturalist noted in It was not just plume hunters who were after the birds. Fisherman also slaughtered pelicans whenever they could for fear that the birds were stealing their catch.

With populations of other species also dwindling, a local farmer and bird lover named Paul Kroegel took action. When hunters showed up in the area, he would sail out to greet them with a double-barreled shotgun and encourage them to move along, putting his life in danger in the process. The issues for which the Malheur refuge has become a flashpoint are not new, nor are they likely to disappear.

Ironically enough, Malheur has been at the forefront of efforts to push toward a new model of conservation land management, one that brings together users of all kinds to find a middle ground. In , the refuge finished a year conservation plan developed and approved by a diverse group of stakeholders, including ranchers. Right now, occupation or no occupation, thousands of birds are preparing to move north along the Pacific.

As they have for hundreds of generations, they will arrive at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in spring, pass a night or two in the chilly quiet of its ponds, and move on at first light. JSTOR is a digital library for scholars, researchers, and students.

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By: Juliet Lamb. February 4, May 10, Share Tweet Email Print. Have a correction or comment about this article? Please contact us.