Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge, and part of the Everglades Headwaters NWR complex, located just off the western coast of Orchid Island in the Indian River Lagoon east of Sebastian.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt who signed an Executive Order establishing Pelican Island as a ‘preserve and breeding ground for native birds’ to protect them from market hunters. It was the first time in United States history that federal lands were set aside specifically for the sake of wildlife. Pelican Island was the first component of what eventually became the National Wildlife Refuge System. Today there are 567 National Wildlife Refuges and 38 wetland management districts spanning 95 million acres of land.

To learn more about the history and wildlife at the refuge, meet and greets are happening every Saturday in April from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They also offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to keep the refuge ready for visitors. Volunteers assist staff with grounds and equipment maintenance, clerical duties, biological and habitat projects and visitor outreach.