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Welcome to October at your beautiful 64-acre nonprofit nature center! In September, we were busy working with schools to book field trips for the school year, sprucing up our pontoon boat, adding new campus signage, and planning a great season of events for you!
We are excited to now have a food truck at the ELC at our lagoonside picnic area on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 8 AM to 2 PM! Our pontoon boat is looking tiptop and ready for your outdoor adventures. We’re offering family fishing events and our sunrise, sunset/full moon kayak outings, Little Wonders, and Bird Walks. We’re excited to bring outdoor movie nights to the community. The first screenings planned are the original Little Mermaid and the 2023 remake on Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22. Mark your calendars for these free events, complete with popcorn, a campfire with s’mores, food trucks, our playscape, and a lot of outdoor fun. Check out our adult workshops and kids’ holiday camps!
We have a terrific art gallery lineup for the year, with four beautiful nature-inspired exhibits from September to April. Be sure to come out and enjoy each of them, and join us for free Artist Meet and Greets, complete with refreshments and live music. Remember that the ELC has kayaks and paddleboards for rent and our very own native plant nursery with plants for sale, seven days a week. Our Nature Nook Eco-Boutique is looking better than ever. Please remember us for all of your gifting needs. Plus, we have a full lineup of wellness offerings for you!
Other important dates for your calendar are our WinterGreen Night Lights event on December 12 and 13, and our nature and music festival Lagoonapalooza on Saturday, January 24. Our fundraising gala, Mangroves, Moonlight, and Milan, is on March 14!
Remember the ELC for your special events. We’ve had several corporate retreats and nonprofit strategic planning sessions lately, as well as many kids' birthday parties and baby and bridal showers. You can even get married at the ELC! Private experiences are available for our pontoon, kayak, birding, and native plant tours. Just reach out to bookings@discoverelc.org or call us to set those up.
Annual memberships, volunteering, event sponsorships, and donations are such important ways to support us! Many thanks for your investment in our mission.
We look forward to spending time with you this year on our wild Florida campus in the middle of the Indian River Lagoon.
See you soon!
Barb and the entire awesome ELC Team!
| | As a non-profit that receives no county, state or federal funding, the ELC relies on community donations in order to operate year round. | | |
October 6, 6-8 PM
October 11, 6:30-8:30 AM
November 5, 5-7 PM
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Daily group tours are available or book a private experience.
Private guided tours are available with advance notice, or register for a scheduled tour.
Available 7 days a week!
Contact us to schedule a private tour for your group!
Request a field trip today for your school, team, class, staff, family, co-workers, or friends.
Saturday, November 29 (8:30 AM - 10:30 AM)
Register Here
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10/16 & 11/20 from 8 AM - 9:30 AM (every 3rd Thursday)
RSVP Here
- Nature's Palette Workshop
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11/8, 9-12 PM - A family-friendly art experience where you’ll use leaves, rocks, and flowers to create beautiful, temporary works of art in nature. More Details
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Wellness Activities - Something Offered Every Day of the Week!
- Pilates - Every Monday & Wednesday at 4:15 PM
- Chair Yoga - Every Tuesday at 3 PM
- Yoga - Every Friday at 3 PM
- Walking Meditation - Every 4th Sunday at 1 PM
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Tai Chi - Begins November 13th at 3 PM I Every Thursday at 3 PM
October 11 & 18, November 8 at 9:30 AM - $45/person
Register Here
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“Our day included yoga in the pavilion, a trail-based activity, an afternoon on the water, and a calming tea ceremony. Each experience was beautifully facilitated and contributed to a memorable and meaningful event. I highly recommend the ELC!”
Learn more!
| | ELC EcoAction Volunteers Helping Environmental Partners | | | | September Artist Meet & Greet | | | Staff meeting on the boat | | | More multi-sensory learning | |
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Become a Member - Ask about our new gift memberships!
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Donate - Support young minds and wild spaces.
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Sponsor - Support our mission while exposing your company to nearly 40,000 visitors a year.
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Host Your Next Event at ELC - Host your next event surrounded by nature, tailored to your needs.
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Everyone Welcome
We’re committed to making our programs accessible to everyone:
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Scholarships: Did you know 20% of our campers attend camp thanks to scholarships? Please, consider donating today.
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Free Admission: Offered daily to individuals on public assistance.
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Corporate Sponsorships: Expand Your Reach and Impact
Enjoy Exclusive Visibility and Recognition
- From signage and event exposure to social media and website features, our corporate partners receive prominent recognition in high-traffic channels, enhancing your brand visibility.
Reach an Engaged, Values-Driven Audience
- The ELC reaches over 40,000 visitors annually and engages families, schools, civic leaders, and eco-conscious consumers across the community.
Invest in a More Resilient Future
- Protecting the Indian River Lagoon requires strong partnerships. Together, we can educate, restore, and create a healthier ecosystem for the future.
For more information or any questions, please contact Give@DiscoverELC.org.
| | New in the Living Lagoon - Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau) | | | | |
The Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau) is one of the lagoon’s most unusual residents. At first glance, you might wonder if it belongs on a stage with the Muppets rather than in the water. With its flattened, scaleless body (up to a foot long), big eyes, wide mouth, and fleshy facial flaps, it’s certainly a character. Dark blotches and bars across its body make it a master of camouflage.
The Oyster Toadfish is also extremely tough. It can tolerate poor water quality, survive out of water for extended periods, and even traveled to space in 1998 to help scientists study how balance organs develop in microgravity. Researchers have also studied its loud mating calls, produced when males use their swim bladder to attract females during spawning season (May through August).
Although it has a mildly venomous spine that can cause discomfort, this hardy fish plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Next time you're at the ELC, see if you can spot our Oyster Toadfish. Look closely because they are experts at hiding!
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Please Help Us Protect the ELC
For the safety of our wildlife and the health of our natural habitats, we kindly remind visitors not to bring or release any animals at the Environmental Learning Center. This includes gopher tortoises, birds, snakes, cats, or any other species. Introducing animals to our campus disrupts the balance of the ecosystem we work hard to maintain.
If you have questions about gopher tortoises or local wildlife, please contact: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922) (available 24/7)
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Save the Dates
WinterGreen Night Lights - December 12 & 13, 2025
Lagoonapalooza - January 24, 2026 (10 AM - 6 PM)
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Help us spread the word!
Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be interested in
our ELC offerings.
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| | THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS | | |
Thank you to our partners:
Vero Flash & Gould Cooksey Fennell
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Follow the Environmental Learning Center!
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Environmental Learning Center
255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32963
DiscoverELC.org 772-589-5050
| 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.” | | | | |
