MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | |
|
A Heartfelt Thank You
Dear Friends of the ELC,
During this month of Thanksgiving, all of us at the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) are filled with immense gratitude for the incredible community that surrounds us. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in making our 64-acre Wild Lagoon nature center a vibrant hub for nature connection, environmental education and conservation. Please take the time to learn about ELC’s impact in our annual report here.
Continue reading Barb's message
In Service,
Barb
Barbara Schlitt Ford
ELC Executive Director
Barb@DiscoverELC.org
| |
See the impact of ELC over the last year. Join us as we make an even bigger difference this year! | |
|
$5 admission 12 yrs and up
FREE under 12
$15 per person ~ Magical Mangrove Canoe Experience
| |
WinterGreen Night Lights
December 5 & 6
5:30-8:30 PM
Bring the family for a fun night of holiday lights, roasting marshmallows by the campfire, smores, food trucks, and crafts. Don't miss our popular Magical Mangrove Encounter, where we paddle guests by canoe through illuminated mangrove tunnels at night. A truly unique and memorable experience.
For private group experiences on other nights, email Bookings@DiscoverELC.org.
Learn More
| |
|
Mangroves, Moonlight, & Mykonos! Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 6:00-9:00 PM
Reserve your spot now for our annual fundraiser with flair! Experience authentic cuisine, festive friends, and live entertainment that will transport your senses to Greece.
Join us!
| |
|
|
Shop our Nature Nook Gifts this holiday season and you'll find unique eco-friendly products your proud to purchase, such as handcrafted jewelry, sustainably made toys, nature based books, native plants, and more. Proceeds help support our eco-education programs, and ELC Members get a 10% discount!
| |
WILD LAGOON BOAT & PADDLE TOURS | |
|
Award-Winning Pontoon Boat Cruises Boarding Daily!
~ Pelican Island
~ Sunset Pelican Island
~ Sebastian Inlet
~ St. Sebastian River (seasonal)
~ Spoil Island Splash (seasonal)
~ Private chartered tours available!
Discover Your Next Adventure!
| |
| |
|
|
Guided Paddle Excursions 9-11 AM ~
November 1, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 29, & 30
Explore thriving ecosystems and diverse wildlife along the Indian River Lagoon.
Private charter tours available or go solo and rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Book Your Next Adventure!
| |
|
Wild Lagoon Field Trips
Did you know? We offer private, customizable ecological field trips for all ages! Request a field trip today for your school, group, team, class, staff, family, co-workers, and friends. Explore the Indian River Lagoon with our fun, immersive activities that will leave a lasting impression.
Learn More
| |
|
|
Wild Lagoon Holiday Mini Camps
11/26, 12/23, 12/27, 1/3
9 AM – 1 PM for Ages 6-10 and 10-16
Looking for something the kids can do this holiday break? Register for our popular hands-on, feet-wet programs that will keep them active and engaged, and out of the house! Register the entire family or drop off a bored kid.
$50 per person / $45 for Members
Learn More and Register
| |
|
"Artistic Views of Nature" Presented by the Sebastian River Art Club on exhibit at ELC ~ 11/1/24 through 1/5/25
Artist Meet & Greet on 11/8
4-6 PM. RSVP Here
Learn More
| |
|
Ethnobotany Walks
11/2, 12/12 from 9-11 AM
Join our Native Plant Specialist, Marc Spiess, for a walking tour of the ELC showcasing the diverse use of native and introduced plants, from culinary delights to medicinal wonders.
Register Here
| |
|
|
"Grounded in Nature: A Day of Renewal" 11/16 full or half day options available.
AM ~ Guided Kayak Excursion
Lunch ~ (healthy food at ELC)
PM ~ Mindfulness Experience led by Veronique Ory (meditation, nature walk, journaling, and yoga)
Learn More and Register
| |
|
|
Student Programs
Little Wonders (18 months/4 yrs old) 11/16 ~ Flowers & Butterflies
9-10 AM Register
Y-ELC (Grades 6-12) 4-6 PM
11/20 Egret Marsh Tour
11/26 Craft Prep / ELC Pontoon Boat Holiday Decorating Register Here
| |
|
|
Broadway Babies ~ A Very Merry Christmas! (0-4 yrs old)
12/7 from 9-10 AM
Featuring a Mommy and Me style musical theatre. Holiday fun for all!
$15 per person.
Register Here
| |
|
|
“Doug Tallamy’s Native Plants”
Brown Bag Lunch & Learn
11/20 at Noon
Presented by Jane Higgins. Bring your sustainably packaged lunch and join us on the 3rd Wednesday of each month for a variety of informative topics.
Free for Members/$10 suggested donation for guests. Learn More
| |
|
|
"Atala Butterflies Get By With a Little Help From Their Friends" Presented by Dr. Sandy Koi on 11/21
5:30 PM ~ Plant Sale
6:30 PM ~ Presentation
The Eugenia Chapter invites you to the next Florida Native Plant Society meeting at ELC featuring Dr. Sandy Koi.
RSVP Here
| |
|
Volunteer Orientation
11/22 at 2 PM
Join us on the fourth Friday of every month and join our caring network of nature enthusiasts. Indoor and outdoor opportunities available.
Learn More
| |
|
Guided Nature Walks
11/23, 12/11, and 1/11
9:00-10:30 AM
~ Sebastian Inlet State Park Hammock Trail
~ North Sebastian Conservation Area
~ Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area
Register Here
| |
|
|
Chair Yoga ~ Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 PM
Yoga ~ Fridays 1-2 PM
Walking Meditation ~ 4th Sunday 11am
Modern life brings noise from all directions. Under all this clamor, nature is speaking to us. Let's set aside time to quiet and listen.
Learn More
| |
|
|
Dates to celebrate this month:
11/28 Thanksgiving - ELC will be closed. We wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. Bring everyone to the ELC the next day for a nature hike and touch tank encounter. View the beautiful artwork on display, or book a Wild Lagoon Boat or Kayak Excursion. There's something for everyone!
11/29 Black Friday - Shop our Nature Nook gifts and plants and find unique eco-items for everyone on your list!
| |
ELC hosted League of Environmental Educators of Florida Conference | |
ELC Outreach at IRL Science Festival | |
Lesson in the ELC Native Plant Nursery | |
Not So Creepy Creatures Campfire | |
Enjoying smores by the campfire | |
Artist Meet & Greet ~ Pam Webb | | |
|
|
Welcome new staff members Chelsie and Brittany | |
Students learning about zooplankton they collected during an ELC Field Trip | |
LEEF participants on Nature Walk | |
Students using a special net to collect plankton off the boat dock | |
Our classes are definitely hands-on and feet-wet! | |
Families having fun on the illuminated playscape | |
Y-ELC Teens on Field Trip ~ Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge | |
Curious kids at the Touch Tank | |
Getting to know Nova the box turtle | |
Liz leading another fun lesson up in Fort Mangrove | |
Heart-shaped leaf discovery | |
|
We love our over 65 Resident gopher tortoises on campus! | | |
|
|
Species Spotlight - Did you know?
Seagrape (Polygonaceae), is a Florida native plant. It blooms in the spring and the edible fruit ripens by late summer. In the fall, it is known for changing colors. It's also known to have hurricane wind resistance and makes a great wind breaker during storms. Check out our Native Plant Nook to learn more about the native plant species found at ELC. You may even find some to take home!
| |
Join or renew online, stop in and see us, or mail a check. | Boat Eco-Tours - Paddle Excursions & Rentals - Aquariums - Touch Tank - Immersive Programs - Wellness Activities - Camps - Customizable Field Trips - Art Galleries - Interpretive Trails - Outdoor Nature Playscapes - Shaded Picnic Areas - Atala Meditation Garden - Eco-Boutique - Signature Events - Indoor & Outdoor Venue Rentals - and More! |
Admission is FREE for Members
$10 adults 12 and up
$5 children 2-11
Children under age 2 FREE
Open 7 Days a Week
Monday - Friday 8 AM-5 PM
Saturday and Sunday 8 AM-4 PM
| |
Thank you to the Vero Flash for your partnership. | |
|
Follow the Environmental Learning Center!
| A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” | |
|
Environmental Learning Center
255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963
DiscoverELC.org 772-589-5050
| | | | |
