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Message from Barb
We are having a great summer here at ELC and hope you are too!
Please watch the video below.
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The Boardwalk Project
Under Construction
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The interior campus ramp replacement project is now underway. During the renovation, we will not be able to accommodate wheelchairs or strollers on this part of campus.
The Discovery Station and the Lagoon Room will be open but only accessible using the stairs.
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Thank you to all of our loyal members. We love seeing the renewals and meeting people who are new to the ELC. Our membership offers free year-round admission, access to member events, discounts, and privileges – all while supporting our mission. Take a look at the different options and choose the one that fits you best. Call or come by and we will help you sign up or join online. | |
Sit back and relax as you glide over seagrass beds and search for wildlife on the Indian River Lagoon. Our naturalist guide provides the perfect amount of educational commentary for you to learn more about this unique environment. | | | |
We offer a wide range of activities on the water, so you can experience the natural beauty and tranquility that comes from time spent on the Indian River Lagoon. Come explore the waters and mangrove forests around our lagoon island campus. | | | |
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August 28th Guided Kayak Excursion
Join ELC on a guided kayak excursion through the beautiful and hidden backwaters of the Indian River Lagoon and learn about the history and local ecology. The itinerary includes paddling in open water, mangrove forests, back-water creeks and coves, and an optional hike along the Pine Island.
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The ELC Art Season for 2022-2023 begins with the Indian River Bird and Nature Art Show to benefit Pelican Island Conservation Society. This group supports the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge. There will be a Plein Air Paintout Saturday October 1st from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The show will be in the Lagoon Room and the Tidal Gallery. To apply for the show, contact Deb Avery by email, [email protected]
The ELC's first show of the season will be "It's The Little Things" a 12" by 12" Art Show. See the guidelines and the application on the ELC website with the button below.
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January and February will have a Nature Series Exhibit and the Spring Fling show is March, April and May. Each show will have an Artist Meet and Greet reception. | |
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Walking Meditation
4th Sunday of each month 11 AM-12 PM $15/person
| Join our instructor Elise in the butterfly garden on the 4th Sunday of every month from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM for this relaxing meditation practice. Walking meditation is a 'meditation in motion', great for beginners. It's a practice that is all about being aware of our bodies as we move and being present. | | | |
More Wellness programs are starting in October. Watch our website for details on the Dr. Katie Nall's Qigong classes beginning October 4th and Friday Yoga with Annie resumes on October 7th. If you enjoy Pilates, we will be adding that class selection as well. | |
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Join us on August 28th at 2:00 PM
Join us for pizza, a gopher tortoise presentation and a walk. We will discuss what meeting days and projects we would like to accomplish over the year. Please share this information with any teens you know who want to have a voice and a opportunity to make a difference in our local environment. We can’t wait to see what this group can accomplish in our community.
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On July 23rd, the ELC participated in the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup. Staff and twenty volunteers met at the Wabasso Causeway Park and gathered 40 pounds of trash.
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We are ready to go out again with the International Coastal Cleanup on September 17th at Golden Sands Beach from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. To participate, please reach out to ELC Volunteer Coordinator, Nancy Puglio - Nancy@Discover ELC.org
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Fall Education Opportunities | |
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Lagoon Academy
Homeschool Program
Movement
Get out and about on ELC's Campus and study movement during September. We'll explore how shape and adaptations influence animals' locomotion, discover what motivates an animal to migrate, and test our own navigation skills.
Tuesdays
9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27
10 AM - 12 PM
Wednesdays
9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28
10 AM - 12 PM
$60 for 1 month
Members 10% off
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Little Wonders
A nature enrichment and early literacy program for children 18 months to 4 years old and their caretakers featuring interactive story time, nature, arts, crafts, and so much more!
Wednesdays
$10 Non-Member | $9 Member
9 - 10 AM or 11 AM - 12 PM
Saturdays
Sponsored by Sunrise Rotary Club
Free to Participate
9 - 10 AM or 11 AM - 12 PM
Future Dates & Monthly Themes
August 17th and 20th
Earth and I
September 21st and 24th
Flying and Butterflies
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Sunday is a great day to bring your family to the ELC. Beginning September 4th, we will offer a "Sunday Family FunDay" program from 1:30-2:30 PM. There will be crafts, art and book explorations. All the activities will have a nature theme and this is FREE for members or with a paid admission. This new program is great for K-5 and should be a fun experience for adults as well. | | |
Get together here at the ELC. Think of the Environmental Learning Center for any group gathering. Click the Learn More button below and let us know how we can help you plan a birthday party, holiday celebration, family reunion or corporate event. | |
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 23rd 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM when the ELC and the School District of Indian River County come together for Wild About Wellness. Meet the partners who support mental health at the school district. Learn about the benefits of nature on your health and well being with presentations on Forest Therapy, Nature Journaling, Health and Nature Immersion and Benefits of Volunteering. Our wellness instructors will have short classes and demonstrations. | |
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Become a volunteer at the ELC! Do what you love, while making a difference in our community. You'll meet a social circle of volunteers and enjoy volunteer appreciation events! Our volunteer coordinator, Nancy Puglio, will make sure that you get to do what you love and have fun in the process!
Some volunteer opportunities include:
- Assisting with education programs
- Greeting visitors
- Maintaining our campus (gardening)
- Serving as docents
- Helping with special events and family festivals
- Canoeing and boating
- Photography
- Communications
- Fundraising
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Thank you to our dedicated group of ELC Volunteers! We could not continue to offer such amazing things without all of your help!
Please contact Nancy Puglio, Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected] or 772-589-5050 x107 if you have any questions or you would like to volunteer.
Concierge Volunteers are needed to back up the staff Greeter on Fridays or Sundays. Most concierge volunteers help from 10 AM to 1 PM but any 2-3 hours you can offer would be helpful. Tasks included are answering phones, welcoming guests and program sign-ups. Staff Greeters have other responsibilities and the help provides them the time to focus on other tasks. We have orientation coming up August 10th and September 8th.
On Saturday, September 24th from 9:00-11:00 AM, we will have a paddling class for volunteers. We have several events coming up where we will need Canoe Paddling Volunteers.
We will be hosting three IRC School District Family Fun Day events in the fall. The dates are Saturday, September 10th, Saturday, October 1st, and Saturday, November 5th. These events are for 10 AM - 2 PM. ELC will need twenty volunteers to help with Touch Tank, Parking, Welcome Center, Crafts, information volunteers, membership volunteers and canoe volunteers. If you haven’t already please let Nancy know if you can help at [email protected] or 772-589-5050 x107.
We are often asked for volunteer hours when submitting applications for grants. Please submit your volunteer hours at the following link:
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Lagoon Adventures Summer Camp 2022 | |
This is the last week of Summer Camp here at the ELC....it is one for the record books. Special thanks to our education staff, summer interns, volunteers, scholarship donors and the over 350 families who sent their campers to have fun. The campers learned new skills while immersed in nature, made new friends and had many memorable adventures. | |
Make Plans for these Events and Classes | | |
Join Majorie Shropshire at ELC for a FREE Nature Journaling session on Tuesday, September 6th at 10:00 AM. This workshop will explore the benefits of nature journaling and the ELC campus. You will learn some of the techniques to jumpstart an engagement with "the little things that run the world" and discover joy in small details. | |
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Learn about The Effects of Nature on Your Health and Wellness at the first Eco-Action Society meeting this season on September 15th. The goal of the Eco-Action Society is to encourage local residents to commit to learning about environmental issues facing our planet and to make an earnest effort to model earth-friendly behavior within their spheres of influence. Meetings are the third Thursday of the month from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM September - May. Programming will include presentations from guest speakers, field trips, volunteer/restoration projects, hands-on activities, workshops and documentary screenings. | | | |
Eagle Riders Poker Run for the ELC
The Fraternal Order of Eagles of Sebastian group known as the Eagle Riders have chosen ELC as the beneficiary of a grant and a motorcycle poker run planned for October 15th. The Fraternal Order of Eagles has a rich history of giving and we are fortunate that they have chosen us!
For those who ride, kickstands up time will be 10:00 AM from the Sebastian Eagles Aerie located at 9606 Trade Center Drive in Sebastian. Riders can come earlier for coffee and pastries. The poker run will include stops in other local Eagles Aeries as well as the ELC and will end at the Sebastian Aerie. There will be a pulled pork dinner available for $5, the proceeds of which will also to benefit ELC.
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Save these dates for upcoming events:
Full Moon Walk
October 8th, 2022
Enchanted Lantern Chase
October 29th, 2022
WinterGreen Night Lights
December, 1-3 & 8-10, 2022
Mangroves & Moonlight Annual Gala
January 28, 2023
LagoonFest
April 1, 2023
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Thank you to our Annual Sponsors and Partners! | |
Follow our Social Media Accounts! | | | | |
