Paul Kroegel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Kroegel
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Memorial to Kroegel in Sebastian
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| Born | January 9, 1864 |
| Died | January 1948 (aged 83–84) |
Paul Kroegel was a German immigrant who moved to the United States. He became a hero for birds in Florida. He helped create Pelican Island, which was America's very first national wildlife refuge. Kroegel is known as a "Great Floridian" for his important work in protecting nature.
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Paul Kroegel: A Champion for Wildlife
Early Life and New Home in Florida
Paul Kroegel was born in Chemnitz, Germany, on January 9, 1864. In 1881, he moved to Sebastian, Florida, with his brother, Arthur, and their father, Gottlieb. They settled on a piece of land called a "homestead." This land was on a shell midden, which is a mound made of old shells. It was located on the west bank of the Indian River Lagoon. From their home, they could see Pelican Island.
Protecting Pelican Island's Birds
Pelican Island was a small island, about five acres in size. It was covered with mangrove trees. Thousands of brown pelicans and other water birds used the island to rest and build their nests. At that time, there were no state or federal laws to protect these animals. Paul Kroegel took it upon himself to guard the island's birds. He often stood watch with his shotgun to keep them safe.
Important naturalists, who are scientists who study nature, visited the area. They stayed at a nearby place called Oak Lodge. Among them was Frank Chapman (ornithologist), a bird expert from the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
In 1901, two groups, the American Ornithologists' Union and the Florida Audubon Society, worked together. They pushed for new laws in Florida to protect non-game birds. These were birds that were not hunted for food. The Florida Audubon Society hired four wardens to protect water birds from hunters who sold them. Paul Kroegel was one of these wardens. Sadly, two of the wardens were killed while doing this dangerous work.
America's First Bird Refuge
President Theodore Roosevelt gave even more protection to the birds. On March 14, 1903, he signed an official order. This order made Pelican Island the very first federal bird reservation. This was the start of a large network of 55 bird reservations and national game preserves. These places were the first steps toward what we now call the national wildlife refuge system.
Paul Kroegel was hired as the first manager of this new national wildlife refuge. He worked in this role until 1926. The Audubon Society paid him $1 per month. This was because the government had not set aside money to pay for the refuge at first.
Later Life
In 1905, Paul Kroegel also helped start the St. Lucie County Board of Commissioners. This was a local government group. He passed away in Sebastian, Florida, in 1948.
