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Greetings ELC Friends,
Summer camps and travel are memories to be savored, kids are back in school, and our unique and expanded field trip offerings are beginning and booking up fast! Please join us next Friday, September 5th, for the complimentary kickoff of our Artist Meet and Greet series, 4-6 pm. We have a great lineup for you this season. People are realizing what an amazing space the ELC is for gatherings of all kinds, including meetings, retreats, special occasions, fundraisers, and festivals, so expect to see some new things coming your way soon. See why!
Can you believe we just celebrated our 38th birthday?! It all began August 19, 1988. Founding Vice Chair of the ELC Sandy Kahle paid our campus a visit to chat about it. Pictured below is us in front of the new citrus trail sign on our campus that she made possible. Her family also sponsored the Sustainability Walk, which was added to our campus a few years ago. It is supporters like Sandy and her husband George that help the ELC flourish. Click the pic to view a video of Sandy sharing why she loves the ELC and the impact she has witnessed over the decades.
Have you seen our beautiful new entry gates, compliments of the Weghorns, our incredible lagoon mural on the backside of our pavilion, created by the Orchid Island Art Club, and our fantastic flooring and doors funded by the John’s Island Foundation? Many thanks to all who worked to make these additions come to fruition. The campus has many new interpretive signage and features, and the aquariums look fantastic, so we hope to see you soon.
There is a place for you here at your local nature center. Be active in our ELC family as a visitor, member, volunteer, sponsor, and donor. Together, we are making great things happen for our community. We are closed for Labor Day and hope you enjoy some time in the great outdoors this holiday with loved ones!
In service and gratitude,
Barb
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Barbara Schlitt Ford
Executive Director
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As a non-profit that receives no county, state or federal funding, the ELC relies on community donations in order to operate year round.
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RSVP Now
- Family Fishing Fun Day
- September 6, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM at the ELC Pontoon Dock
- $20/family (non-member) 4-person max
- $18/family (ELC member) 4-person max
- Scholarships available (call or email info@discoverelc.org)
- Ages 6+ with an adult present (Catch and Release)
- Learn fishing techniques - equipment and bait provided!
More Details & Register
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New Event Sponsorship Opportunities - Movie Nights & Live Music
- Sponsor a Night Under the Stars at the ELC! Our Disney movie nights offer a unique opportunity for local businesses to gain visibility as an event sponsor, connecting your brand with family, nature, and community fun.
- When summer arrives and the days grow longer, our stage will come alive with Live Music, offering another sponsorship opportunity.
Email give@discoverelc.org to learn more!
ELC EcoAction Volunteer Program Featured in the News
- EcoAction is a volunteer-powered initiative that connects its stable of volunteers with partner organizations to improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon through hands-on citizen science and conservation activities.
Read Article
New & Improved Jr. Naturalist Backpacks
- We just refreshed all the activities available in our backpacks!
Look Inside!
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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.
10/16 from 8 AM - 9:30 AM (every 3rd Thursday)
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.
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Living Lagoon presentation at 11 AM. At noon, meet two of our ELC animal ambassadors and learn about their role in the ecosystem.
- Wellness Activities
- Pilates - Every Monday & Wednesday at 4:15 PM
- Chair Yoga - Every Wednesday at 3 PM
- Yoga - Every Friday at 3 PM
- Walking Meditation - Every 4th Sunday at 11 AM
- Tai Chi - Begins November 14th at 9 AM I Every Thursday at 9 AM
September 6 & 13, October 11 & 18 at 9:30 AM - $45/person
This 60-minute yin-inspired yoga class is held on stand-up paddleboards, ideal for beginners and those seeking to unwind on the water. No paddleboarding or yoga experience is necessary!
Register Here
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- Final week of 2025 Summer Camps
- Dolphin Drift: SUP Yoga
- Wellness Activities - Pilates, Chair Yoga & Yoga
- Weghorn Gate Reception
- Field Trips
- Volunteer Orientation
- Guided Kayak Excursions
- Private Pontoon Trips
- Eco-Action - In-Water Living Docks Installation
- EcoAction: Mangrove Workshop & Oyster Mat Construction
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- Become a Member - Ask about our new gift memberships!
- Donate - Support young minds and wild spaces.
- Sponsor - Support our mission while exposing your company to nearly 40,000 visitors a year.
- 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:
- Scholarships: Did you know 20% of our campers attend camp thanks to scholarships? Please, consider donating today.
- 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.
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Thank You Orchid Island Art Club
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Nearly twenty Orchid Island Art Club members came together to create this massive mural!! A special thanks to Mary Stewart and Rich Brennan.
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Seen Around Campus - Gulf Fritillaries (Diona vanillae)
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This fast-flying burst of orange and black is one of the most common butterflies in Florida. They produce multiple generations yearly and lay eggs on native passionflowers like Corkystem, Yellow, and the striking Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).
A quick tip: when planting for pollinators, purchase true natives from trusted nurseries. Look closely because hybrid varieties like Passiflora “Incense” are often mislabeled as our native passionflower.
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What to Expect During Migration
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Our feathered friends are making their long journey South. We hope to see several warbler species, including our little Palm Warbler, Cat Birds, and White Pelican.
There will begin to be flocks of the same species birds traveling together like chimney swifts recently noticed devouring the abundant population of mosquitoes. Some migratory birds will be traveling through to their destination.
The long journey can be exhausting for the little birds. They can be weak and need rest sometimes ending up in unpredictable locations. Last year we had this little Ovenbird visit the ELC on his journey. He was too tired to carry on with the journey and had to recuperate at a rehab for a couple of days before continuing to his destination.
If you find a bird like we did on the ground and unable to fly without any noticeable injury it could be due to exhaustion from migration. Best to put the bird in a covered box and take it to a rehab facility for recovery.
Migration can be tracked on:
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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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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 SPONSOR
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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
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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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