Unplug - Discover - Connect
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July Greetings from the Executive Director
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Happy July to all of our ELC Family! People have been suggesting that I should put a red and a white streak in my hair for Fourth of July, so if that happens I’ll be sure to post an updated photo on social media. Our good friend Dr. David Cox decided he wanted to get in on the Blue Hair for the Blue Planet campaign and has issued a $10,000 donation challenge to the community. When goal is reached, he has promised to die his wonderful white beard blue! Thank you David for carrying on the tradition. I’m going to try to make mine last through til your goal is met so I can pass the torch.
We have made the decision to close our indoor campus again for now due to the increase in cases, however we have so many fun things planned for you at the ELC. The outdoor campus is open seven days a week with reduced admission ($5). We have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, including our guided pontoon and kayak trips, lagoon island family adventures, two new themes for our wildly popular Nature Near You Kits and the Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup 7/25. July is plastic-free month, so expect to see lots of tips on our social media about how each of us can do our bit to be a part of the solution.
Behind the scenes, we are busily creating campus improvements, putting together our nature art exhibits, and working on exciting programming and events. Stay tuned for a big announcement in the next few days that puts YOU i
n the fun spotlight!
Be well, be kind to one another, and be calm, cool, and connected!
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In Gratitude,
Barbara Schlitt Ford
Executive Director
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Join us for Biology and Brews
on Thursday, July 9 from 5-6 p.m.!
In this virtual happy hour event, author Melanie Peffer will be breaking down the biology of topics like fermentation, re-usability, biodiversity and de-extinction.
Pour yourself a glass, sit back and relax while learning about the book, Biology Everywhere and the science of everyday life. Attendees may purchase a book online prior or during the event at
biologyeverywhere.com.
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Dr. Dave's Blue Beard Challenge
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Former ELC volunteer and staff Naturalist in the 1990’s, David Cox has been an avid supporter of the ELC. The kids dubbed him Dr. Dave. He served on the ELC Education Committee for years, and helped design and layout the boardwalk system and canoe dock. More recently, he was a member of the ELC Master Planning Group and has conducted environmental surveys, worked on permitting for future improvements to the campus and serves on the ELC Landscape Advisory and Interpretive Plan Committees.
Now, Dr. Dave wants to raise unrestricted funds for future successes of the ELC through the Dr. Dave’s Blue Beard Challenge. Help assure the future of the ELC by making him walk around as a true Bluebeard.
Dr. Dave's goal is to reach $10,000 by the end of August. Please support the ELC and donate below!
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Lagoon Island Family Adventures
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Lagoon Island Family Adventures is a private family excursion for groups of up to
eight people
, allowing families to enjoy outdoor summer fun safely together. This
two-hour program
is led by an ELC Environmental Educator. The price of these private excursions is $80. Scholarship opportunities are available.
Family adventurers can choose three activities, including seine net fishing, campfire cooking, survivor hour, nature journaling and an aquarium experience. ELC’s classic activities include canoeing, pond dip netting and benthic exploration are also among the opportunities to choose from.
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Want to help Celebrate Mangroves and Clean Our Waterways?
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Join us on July 25 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the 13th Annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup! Join the ELC team and sign up for the Wabasso Causeway (SR 510) Boat Ramp.
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We are also celebrating the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem by cleaning up the mangrove habitats and being a part of the solution to pollution.
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Stay Calm, Cool and Connected with ELC's Cooling Fandanas
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Our new calm, cool and connected fandanas can be used as a face mask for protection! This fandana's tubular shape accommodates a variety of styles and lets you wear as a neck gaiter, headband, face covering and much more!
The fabric is designed to wick moisture and perspiration while cooling your skin. This fandana is washable and reusable. Purchase yours today, only $10! We can mail them directly to your house!
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The lens offers an opportunity for him to frame those precise moments in nature that can never be replicated and turn them into art. Now living in Vero Beach, Brian spends his free time exploring the local shores and parks – seeking out nature’s next big moment.
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Recently introduced to pastels and oils as art mediums, and becoming inspired by the beauty of the natural landscape, has led to the creation of her first pieces with a delicate blend of representational art with a bit of abstraction.
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Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and deep relaxation that also promotes healing. It is based on the idea that you are connected to an unseen energy that flows through all living things and directly affects your health.
Nestled in Nature, Reiki at the Environmental Learning Center harnesses a beautiful, harmonizing environment to help us release tension and surrender to ease. As Reiki healing energy flows, you can naturally enter a peaceful, meditative state in which gentle but powerful repair and restoration can occur.
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‘Species Spotlight’ ELC Flora & Fauna:
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Wildflowers are blooming at the ELC! Over 3 years ago, this area was used for a seed bomb making activity during EcoFest, and now we are reaping the benefits. Come see the spectacular site in our field, and track what you find with the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
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July 14 is Shark Awareness Day, so this month we are highlighting the bull shark, found right here! The Indian River Lagoon is known as the most significant bull shark nursery on the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Learn more about how University of Florida monitors this shark by clicking the button below.
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Amy is from Fayetteville, Arkansas where she grew up exploring the Ozark Mountains. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in psychology followed by her master’s degree in education from Vanderbilt University. After graduation, she moved to down to Florida for a job that was supposed to last only a few months. A series of events, however, led to her staying in Florida for the past 10 years working in numerous jobs focusing on environmental and science education. In addition to her role at the ELC, Amy is life-long learner. She has received graduate certificates in free-choice learning and fisheries and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in natural resources from Oregon State University. Despite her busy schedule, Amy still finds time for many hobbies, including playing the fiddle and SCUBA diving. Her favorite part of living in Florida is diving in the springs or taking a trip down to the Keys to explore the reefs. Amy married her husband Jeffrey five years ago, and together they have two rescue dogs and one fish.
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Michael Ball, expert naturalist and self-taught botanist, became one again with the bountiful earth that he loved so greatly.
Those closest to Michael Ball have requested that a permanent plaque be created and displayed at the ELC in his honor.
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Our team of Environmental Educators have some new and exciting things to share with you! Click on the button below to learn about all things education!
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Nature Near You is a take-home STEM kit for ages 6-11.
This kit comes fully equipped with supplies and instructions for 6 hands-on activities and includes virtual meetings with ELC educators and fellow nature explorers and links to exciting instructional videos.
There is a $10 fee to cover the cost, with a suggested donation of $15.
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Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
Keep an eye on ELC's Social Media for ways to make positive changes in your life.
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Our guide, Jennifer Satterly took this beautiful photo on July 1 during a sunrise tour.
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Go exploring on a Guided Kayak Tour! Adventure out onto the Indian River Lagoon, while our Environmental Educator provides information about the most bio-diverse estuary in North America.
Tours are offered every Monday 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Click the button below and select "Guided Kayak Tour".
Private kayak tours are also available. Email
Angie@DiscoverELC.org
or call (772) 589-5050 ext. 104 to set up a tour.
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Looking Back at Last Month
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Last month the ELC launched our new Nature Year You Kits with great success! Thanks to the support from the the Association of Science and Technology Centers, Voya Financial and the Indian River Garden Club we were able to give away 50 kits to Dasie Hope and GYAC (Gifford Youth Achievement Center.) In July we are offering 2 new kits!
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Thank You and Happy Anniversary Mr. Schidel!
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A special thank you and happy anniversary to Thomas R. Schidel for his one year anniversary of his first gift towards the Thomas R. Schidel Education & Event Pavilion.
ELC is excited for this wonderful addition to our campus. Groundbreaking should occur in the Fall with an estimated completion date of March 2021. The pavilion and oval will allow for events on the main stage for 80 guests, the summer kitchen for 60+ guests and the added oval field will provide combined space for concerts, live theatre, educational programs as well as farmer’s markets, outdoor movies and art shows for up to 1,000 guests.
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The ELC is in search of GreenTeen! or adult volunteers to join us and improve our campus! Are you looking for something rewarding to do? We have plenty of campus improvement projects that will require the ability to use tools. Join our team and email
Nancy@DiscoverELC.org
to learn more.
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Recycle Your Empty Ink Cartridges at the ELC
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Drop off your empty ink cartridges at the ELC entry pavilion and we will make sure they get recycled instead of ending up in a landfill! We have partnered with the Recycling Club on this project to help make the world a better place, one step at a time!
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Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Support the Environmental Learning Center by starting your shopping at
smile.amazon.com
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