October Greetings from the Executive Director |
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Greetings from your ELC family! I am genuinely grateful to you for checking out our monthly update. As Summer reluctantly tries to hand off to Autumn, we realize time is a most precious commodity and are honored that you value our mission and seek ways to support our efforts for the community.
We have quite a lot going on at the ELC - plenty of opportunities for the young and the young at heart to unplug, discover and connect in October. We work every day to create a safe place for you in nature, a haven we hope you will begin to think of as an extension of your own backyard. It is our hope that you will think of the ELC as a top choice to visit to unwind, learn, explore, gather, shop, eat, volunteer and make a difference.
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Members: We appreciate those who recently renewed their memberships and signed on as annual sponsors and hope more of you will do the same.
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Events: Though we did decided not to host our Half Haunted Halloween this year, we do have our special Creature from Preacher Island Halloween pontoon trips and you can come enjoy our ARTober event throughout the month.
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Volunteers: Thanks to the many volunteers that participated in our beach cleanup last weekend. We have volunteer workdays Saturdays Oct 10th and 17th and have ongoing trainings for teen and adult volunteers. If you have interest, we have room for you!
When you do come visit, you will see we are making lots of campus improvements and will have more exciting news coming soon! The ELC is fully open 7 days a week and we hope to see you soon. Be safe and be well, and make time to play outside!
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In Gratitude,
Barbara Schlitt Ford
Executive Director
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Help Revitalize the ELC Campus! |
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We asked, you answered and we listened. The results of our recent Community Feedback Survey showed a desire for upgrades and updates to our campus features. Now it's your chance to leave your mark through a donation towards our revitalization efforts! Commemorate a loved one or special event with an engraved boardwalk plank, help us install a vibrant epoxy art floor in the Discovery Station or put your name on the accoutrements around the new Thomas R. Schidel Education Pavilion & Oval. |
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Spooky Spoil Islands Trip |
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Join our pirate captain for a 2-hour cruise along Preacher's Island, past three other spoil islands and onto Pelican Island. A Nature guide will share the history of Preacher's Island and more. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged! Running 3 days only, so reserve your seat early. |
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Night Time Nature Near You! |
Get to know the "Creatures of the Night" this halloween with our September kit and...
October kit "Plants Plants Plants" available for preorder now!
Each kit comes fully equipped with supplies and instructions for 6 hands-on activities and links to exciting instructional videos.
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International Coastal Cleanup |
Join the ELC, Keep Indian River Beautiful, Coastal Connections, and Indian River County Parks and Recreation for the 35th annual International Coastal Cleanup!
We will be cleaning Wabasso Beach Park and Wabasso Causeway park.
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October 10th Campus Cleanup |
Join us at the ELC on October 10th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm for an outdoor clean up on campus. We will be cutting trees, laying down mulch, pulling invasive species of plants and painting sections of the boardwalk.
We have volunteers from Kiwanis Youth in Action, we are looking for volunteers to facilitate the teen work groups.
Contact Nancy@discoverelc.org
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Walking meditation is back! |
The perfect way to unplug and connect to nature is walking meditation. Join Elise from Living Yoga on the last Sunday of the month to practice this ancient technique of moving meditation in the ELC butterfly garden.
"Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause."
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A celebration of art & artists at the ELC! |
This October the ELC will celebrate nature art by featuring artists who have exhibited at the ELC both past and present. Join a special Meet & Greet with Lisa Rose and Brian LaPersonerie on October 24 with an outdoor cocktail hour and plein air pastel activity. |
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Things to see at the ELC! |
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It's that time of year for the return of the original "snowbirds" and picking those ripened seagrapes to make jelly or wine. Take a pontoon trip to see the white pelicans that returned to Pelican Island! |
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Donor Appreciation - Thank You William & Carol Barrows |
The ELC could not continue to educate, inspire and empower our community without the generosity of our donors! This month we would like to highlight the generosity and long term support of William and Carol Barrows. |
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The ELC offers different opportunities for businesses and individuals to gain recognition in our local community for their commitment to promoting environmental health and human well-being. The ELC offers a variety of sponsorship levels from event sponsorship to naming opportunities.
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This new section is dedicated to our volunteers with upcoming opportunities and news for the month. In October we are planning to reopen the Touch Tank and meeting with Roving Nature Guides. Click the button to read more on our volunteer blog. |
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Visit the gems of the Treasure Coast!
ELC is honored to be a part of the new Treasure Coast Kids Quest. Join a scavenger hunt across the Treasure Coast and get to visit some amazing locations. Visit all 6 locations to earn your treasure. Post your pic and following along on Facebook with @tckidsquest.
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Making a difference one mangrove at a time.
The ELC is excited to announce a new partnership with MANG, an apparel company started by twin brothers from Florida! Learn more about this dynamic duo and how you can get involved to make a difference. Collect a propagule or buy a shirt, it all helps the cause of keeping our mangroves safe and protected.
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Uncovering Indian River's Environmental Edition
Check our very own Kat Redner and the ELC spotlight in the latest episode of Uncovering Indian River! Take a tour of some environmentally focused spots in our county, including the ELC. We are honored to be highlighted and proud to continue our 30 year legacy of educating, inspiring, and empowering environmental stewards!
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This county wide talent contest is now open to all ages! The deadline for entry has been extended until January 15, 2021. There is still time to show off your talent through this community event. |
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Meet the Team - Kat Redner |
Kat Redner was born and raised right here in Indian River County. She grew up with a love for the great outdoors—whether she was in her backyard with her dogs, at the beach or watching a sunrise on the Indian River Lagoon, Kat always finds herself happiest outside. She remembers taking a field trip to the ELC in third grade and enjoying the hands-on education that was offered—she truly believes that people learn best by having these experiences. Kat received her degree in Communications at the Florida Institute of Technology, while she also was a professional race car driver (who would’ve thought, right?)
Kat is the Donor and Marketing Manager at the ELC. In her free time, she is also the host of Uncovering Indian River, a new series on IGTV and YouTube that showcases the incredible things that our county has to offer. She just finished hosting Drive the Palm Beaches, a show on Destination America that features all of the amazing car shows and events in Palm Beach. Kat has always loved automobiles and now owns her dream car that she had saved up for years—a 1967 fastback s-code mustang that she calls “Ellie”.
Outside of her work, she enjoys spending time with family, photography, traveling, and going on walks with her boyfriend, Kirk, and their dogs Oliver and Chalupa (yes, his name is Chalupa and he is a husky-shepherd mix a “shepsky”!).
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LOOKING BACK ON LAST MONTH |
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Get inspired with the first ever edition of ELC's The Junior Interpreter. If you are wondering how you can #SavetheIRL, let our team of environmental enthusiasts tell you! |
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On Sept 26th over 50 people participated in our NOAA Planet Stewards beach cleanup sponsored by Target. We collected 62 pounds of trash in only 2 hours! |
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Our mission is to educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being. |
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