The Indian River County Commission has voted to purchase the northern end of Paul Kroegel’s homestead in Sebastian with $400,000 in environmental bond money. Paul Kroegel was instrumental in establishing Pelican Island as the first national wildlife refuge in 1803 and served as the first warden. The parcel available for sale, 2.7 acres where Kroegel’s darkroom and outbuildings stand, does not include the family homestead, which lies to the south and is currently not for sale.