Year end review and look ahead from the ELC
UPCOMING EVENTS
FOREST THERAPY
January 6th & 29th - Rise with the sun and re-energize with the full moon during the ELC's Forest Therapy programs.

Forest Therapy, also known as “Shinrin-Yoku” refers to the practice of spending time in forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness.
*FREE* PRE-K TO 1ST GRADE
WEEKEND WORKSHOP
January 23 - 10 am and 1 pm
FREE for Indian River County children! A hands-on, feet-wet experience for students in grades PreK to 1st and their caregivers.

Children use their senses to explore and observe around the ELC campus using STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) principles.
JUNGLE TRAIL BIKE TOURS
January 8 and 22 - Our Historic Jungle Trail bicycle tours are back!

This tour is a comfortably paced eight-mile tour of the Historic Jungle Trail. The tour starts and ends at Captain Forster's Hammock Preserve and includes several interpretive spots where you will learn about the history of the Jungle Trail, Capt. Forster's Preserve, and more.
WELLNESS WORKSHOP
January 16 - One word can change everything.

You don’t need to get serious and knuckle down with a bunch of goals to see the changes you want for your life. What you need is just one little word. This workshop will help your find your word and introduce a powerful practice to bond with your word for the whole year! Bracelet with word charm included.
HOMESCHOOL CLASSES
Tuesdays & Thursdays in January
Join a growing family of homeschool friends as we explore from Moon to Lagoon!

Students will learn how the Earth and Moon are alike and different, the effects of the moon on the ocean and lagoon, and how scientists explore from Outerspace to the deep sea.
TREASURE COAST KIDS QUEST
Happening now. The ELC is one of 6 spots along the Treasure Coast Kids Quest Scavenger Hunt!

Visit every spot, get your passport stamped, and receive your Treasure! There are passport and contact-free options so you feel comfortable on your voyage! The perfect way to explore with your crew.
OSLO RIVERFRONT CLEANUP
January 9, 9 am - 12 pm. Join Indian River County and partners to start the new year off right with a Coastal Cleanup in one of Indian River County’s most beloved areas.

This cleanup will take place in various areas throughout the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area. Volunteers will be assigned to a Partner Group for a specific area.
WALKING MEDITATION
January 24th, 11 am to 12 pm. If our daily lives are about 'going to' or 'coming from' a walking meditation is simply about being here, happy to be alive!

We'll attune to nature through our five senses in the embrace of the Butterfly Garden.
ARTIST SERIES
J SCOTT KELLY, LOU LOWER
Adventure Photography

December - January
Lagoon Room
TONY ROSA
American Pickers

December - February
Tidal Gallery
SUPPORTING OUR MISSION
Donor Spotlight - Joan Edwards
Joan Edwards is leaving a legacy at the Environmental Learning Center. As a founding member and volunteer, the ELC's famed Lagoon Days started out on her dock over 30 years ago!
PLANNED GIVING
What is planned giving? The Environmental Learning Center and ELC Foundation present our on-demand planned-giving webinar! David Torre, J.D. discusses the "Weather and Climate" of #PlannedGiving in 2020 & Beyond.
A special thanks to Marine Bank & Trust for their recent event sponsorship to the ELC!

The Marine Bank team is actively involved in being a resource to help our communities grow and prosper. Thank you for being a force of nature, Marine Bank & Trust!
The ELC is sponsored by:
Archie S. Wingfield Jr. Charitable Trust
Volunteer Corner
Check out the latest news, activities and volunteering opportunities.
ENVIRONMENTAL INSIGHTS
MANGROVES
by Hayden LaGuardia, age 12
Our new series "Environmental Insights" will feature articles from our community. Contact us if you would like to submit an article!
ELC NEWS
NATIVE PLANT NOOK REOPENING

Starting in mid-January our native plant nook will be buzzing with the excitement of new native plants and the pollinator party they bring! Be a part of the solution. Take a stroll through our Native Plant Garden for inspiration and then purchase your new native plants at the ELC. Our partners at DIGG Gardens will keep us stocked and ready for your native landscaping needs.
LOOKING BACK ON LAST MONTH
WinterGreen Night Lights hosted nearly 1500 guests, over 1000 canoe rides and over 600 s’mores were enjoyed over nine nights of our adapted event. If you missed it, check it out below and join us next year!
ELC Winter Break STEAM Immersion program middle school and high school participants learned to build Remote Operated Vehicles, fly drones, and explored the Indian River Lagoon like real scientists thanks to support from CSAC.
PRIVATE GROUP TOURS
The ELC offers kayak, canoe, paddelboard and pontoon boat private tours daily! A safe way to explore the outdoors and connect to nature with the help of our knowledgeable guides.

The perfect outing for families and friends! Find an affordable activity that gets you outside and moving.
DEADLINE EXTENDED
Talent entries are rolling in and we have extended the deadline to allow for more time for people who have been affected by COVID. Look for more information in Spring 2021!
Our mission is to educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being.

Thank you for the many ways you support our critical mission.
We simply couldn’t do it without you!

#DiscoverELC