MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | |
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October Greetings to our ELC Family,
Helene’s message is loud and clear. We must learn to live in harmony with the natural world. This is our focus at your Environmental Learning Center. We foster human connections to nature. We are committed to inspiring a collective positive impact on our world. We are exceeding our stretch goals and ask that you deepen your commitment to supporting our work. Thank you to our stellar staff, volunteers, members, donors, and sponsors. We simply can’t thrive without you!
Continue reading Barb's message
In Service,
Barb
Barbara Schlitt Ford
ELC Executive Director
Barb@DiscoverELC.org
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CPR for the IRL
& Lionfish Derby
Fishing Tournaments
9/14-10/12
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The fishing reports have been coming in and we have some contenders! For the past two weeks, anglers along the Indian River Lagoon have been participating in our CPR for the IRL Fishing Tournament by Catching target species, taking a Photo of the fish, then Releasing it back into the water as quickly and gently as possible. By promoting this method of fishing, ELC encourages sustainable angling practices and brings awareness to this diverse estuary of national significance.
The Lionfish Derby participants are successfully helping to rid our reefs of some of the tasty yet devastatingly invasive Lionfish. Please join this state-wide, no-holds-barred lionfish harvesting extravaganza. Discounted registration available.
It's not too late to enter! You may still register for the tournaments right up until the end as long as you follow the rules and regulations.
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Heartbeat Celebration Awards Ceremony
10/13 - 4:00 PM
Come see who and what wins the biggest tournament prize! This is a family friendly event and you don't need to be a participating angler to attend.
Enjoy live music from the popular band Three O’Clock Storm, BBQ, beverages, beer from Sailfish Brewery, and exciting raffle and auction prizes! Lionfish Central, a non-profit focused on eradicating the invasive lionfish, will also have their lionfish hunting submersible on display.
Tickets include live entertainment, BBQ, two beer passes, and admission to ELC's Discovery Station aquariums, touch tank, exhibits, kid's fishing and activities. Bring your friends! $40pp by 10/10, $45 thereafter (kids $10). There is limited seating, so please bring a lawn chair or blanket. Proceeds support ELC's environmental education programs.
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Pelican Island Conservation Society (PICS) Indian River Bird and Nature Art Show on exhibit at ELC 10/1 through 10/31
Artist Meet & Greet on 10/11
4:30-6:30 PM. RSVP Here
Owl Hoot Walk on 10/25
6:30-8:00 PM. Register through PICS
Learn More Here
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Brown Bag Lunch & Learn
Haunted Indian River County
10/16 at Noon
The Ghost Guy is back and with more haunted stories to tell! Bring your sustainably packaged lunch and hear about the most memorable ghosts in IRC.
11/20 ~ Jane Higgins presenting “Doug Tallamy’s presentation of Native Plants”
Free for Members/$10 at the door for guests. Learn More Here
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Eugenia Chapter Native Plant Society
"20 Easy-to-Grow Wildflowers"
Presented by Jenny Ryan at ELC
10/17 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Participate in a Native Plant Auction then hear useful insights from Jenny, the Operations and Development Coordinator for the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
RVSP Here
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Ethnobotany Walks
10/25, 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
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Not So Creepy Creatures Campfire
10/25 from 6:30-8:30 PM
Bring the family for a night of roasting marshmallows, smores, creature crafts, nature playscapes, and fun facts about Florida's spookier animals: spiders, snakes, bats, and owls!
Free for Members/$25 for a Family.
Register Here
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ELC Volunteer Orientation
10/31 from 2-4 PM
Looking for a rewarding way to share your time and knowledge? Volunteer with the ELC and be part of our caring network of nature enthusiasts. Indoor and outdoor opportunities available.
Learn More Here
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Wild Lagoon Eco-Tours
~ Award-Winning Pontoon Boat Cruises
~ Kayak, Canoe, and Paddleboard Rentals
~ Guided Kayak Excursions (public/private)
Explore thriving ecosystems and diverse wildlife along the Indian River Lagoon.
Discover Your Next Adventure Here
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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
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Guided Nature Walks
9-10:30 AM
11/23, 12/11, and 1/11
~ Sebastian Inlet State Park Hammock Trail
~ North Sebastian Conservation Area
~ Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area
Register Here
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Walking Meditation ~ 4th Sunday each month at 11am
Chair Yoga ~ Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 PM in the Lagoon Room
Yoga ~ Every Friday from 1-2 PM
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 Here
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Immersive Ecological Education
~ Little Wonders (18 months - 4 year old)
Classes meet: 10/19, 11/16, 12/21
~ Y-ELC Youth Environmental Leaders Corps (Grades 6-12) Classes meet: 10/9, 10/20, 11/20, 11/26, 12/5, 12/6
Learn More Here
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Wild Lagoon Field Trips
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 IRL with our fun, immersive activities that will leave a lasting impression.
Learn More Here
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Dates to celebrate this month:
10/10 World Mental Health Day (Highlights the vital connection between mental health and work. ELC staff will gather together to participate in a breathing exercise led by our very own Elise Mahovlich. We encourage everyone to take a moment to do the same for 3 minutes during their work day. Breath of Joy instructions)
10/13-19 National Wildlife Refuge Week (Archie Carr & Pelican Island)
10/14 Columbus Day (We are open. Bring the family and explore ELC!)
10/31 Happy Halloween!
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AED generously donated by the Michael Abt Jr. Have a Heart Foundation | |
Check out these happy faces! | |
ELC boat landed at Spoil Island for exploring | |
80 pounds of trash removed by 90 volunteers at Golden Sands Beach! | |
Y-ELC students at Beach Cleanup | |
ELC outreach at International Beach Cleanup | |
Seagrass Exhibit in the Discovery Station | |
Spooky strangler fig tree at ELC | |
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Thank you Mardy Fish Foundation for providing program scholarships! | |
Getting a closer look with Plankton Lab | |
Lessons at our Seagrass Nursery | |
Beautiful Golden Orb Spider | |
Hermit Crab discovery while seining | |
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WinterGreen Night Lights
December 5 & 6, 2025
5:30-8:30 PM
A treasured community celebration with holiday lights, campfire and smores, crafts, entertainment, and the popular Magical Mangrove Encounter, where we paddle guests by canoe through the illuminated mangrove tunnels at night. A truly unique and memorable experience. (For private group experiences on other nights, email Bookings@DiscoverELC.org.)
Sponsor Event
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Mangroves, Moonlight, & Mykonos!
Saturday, March 1, 2025
6:00-9:00 PM
Save the date for our annual fundraiser with a flair! Experience authentic cuisine, festive friends, and live entertainment that will transport your senses to Greece. Sponsorships available now.
Learn More Here
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Species Spotlight - Did you know?
Firebush (Rubiaceae), is a Florida native plant. It blooms in the fall and provides food and nesting space for birds and other wildlife, like these zebra longwing butterflies fluttering around a firebush at ELC. Check out our Native Plant Nook to see if we have any of these important flowering shrubs currently for sale. Make sure you have plenty of space as they grow up to 20 feet tall by up to 10 feet wide.
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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
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We Appreciate ELC's Funding Partners! | |
Thank you to the Vero Flash for your partnership. | |
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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.” | |
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Environmental Learning Center
255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963
DiscoverELC.org 772-589-5050
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