Barb's Monthly Message
Welcome to Spring! Next week, our days will be staying lighter later, so hopefully everyone can take advantage of spending more time in the restorative outdoors. (ELC Members - be on the lookout for an email about a new benefit headed your way in connection with the time change!)
We love the energy on campus, with hundreds of people each day participating in our offerings. The school kids are here, dipping their nets in our teaching pond, seining off our immersion dock, canoeing through the mangrove tunnels and on the cove, and just generally having the time of their lives being adventurers and little scientists.
Adults and families have been fishing off our pontoon dock and enjoying some fantastic wildlife viewing. Our three-times-daily pontoon ecotours explore the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge, the Sebastian Inlet, and the beautiful St. Sebastian River. So many folks are getting out on our kayaks and enjoying our art galleries and speaker events.
Huge thanks again to Marc and Cherie Schumann for their incredible generosity donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their nature travel photography exhibit to the ELC!!
We simply couldn’t do it without you - our members, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and guests! There is still time to secure your tickets for our always fabulous gala Mangroves, Moonlight and Milan on March 14th. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 5th.
The word has apparently gotten out that we were voted the number one visitor destination on the Treasure Coast, as our daily drop-in visitation is breaking records. But we still have lots more capacity, so please come visit, share us with your friends and family, and be present for the ELC magic taking place 7 days a week. You’ll be glad you did!
In gratitude and service, Barbara Schlitt Ford ELC Executive Director |
|
As a non-profit that receives no county, state, or federal funding, the ELC relies on community donations in order to operate year round. |
|
March 26 | 4:30-6:30 PM - RSVP for the Artist Meet & Greet Here - Sponsored by Offutt Barton Schlitt CPA and Charles & Nancy Van Dyke |
|
March & April at a Glance |
|
March 2 - Sunset/Full Moon Kayak Tour 3 - Sunset/Full Moon Kayak Tour 5 - Volunteer Open House 7 - Little Wonders 11 - EcoAction Spoil the Lagoon 11 - Sunset Kayak Tour 14 - Mangroves, Moonlight & Milan 19 - Beginners’ Bird Walk 21 - Little Wonders 21 - Vero Beach KINDness Day (Youth Projects Showcase) 26 - John's Island Artist Meet & Greet 28 - Dolphin Drift - SUP Yoga (Buy One, Get One HALF Off) 30 - Spring Break Camp 31 - Spring Break Camp
Guided Kayak Excursions
March 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29
Art Exhibition on View in March
"Inspired by Nature" - Art of the John's Island Club |
April 1 - Sunset/Full Moon Kayak Tour 2 - Volunteer Open House 4 - Little Wonders
5 - ELC Closed for Holiday 18 - Little Wonders 25 - Dolphin Drift - SUP Yoga (Buy One, Get One HALF Off)
30 - Currents & Connections - Speaker Talks
Guided Kayak Excursions
April 1, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 20, 26, 27, 29, 30
Art Exhibition on View in March "Inspired by Nature" - Art of the John's Island Club |
|
Mangroves, Moonlight & Milan is March 14 Our signature fundraising event under the stars, featuring an open bar, a sit-down dinner, and dancing to live music.
Participation Opportunities
Silent Auction
Place your bids on incredible auction items, from a luxury Windsor Equestrian Package and a custom hand-painted surfboard to an exclusive pontoon eco-tour with a curated Italian wine tasting and charcuterie. You'll also find high-end wine collections, a custom pet portrait, a shopping spree at Monkee's of Vero Beach, and plenty more to take home.
Grab your tickets now and come be part of the fun.
|
50/50 Raffle Tickets Available Now!
We’re selling tickets for our March 14th gala drawing! Grab one for $35 or a bundle of 4 for $100. It’s a simple way to support our work, and half the cost is tax-deductible.
You don’t need to be at the gala to win, so feel free to get in on the action even if you can't make it that night. Learn More |
|
Lagoonapalooza 2027 sponsorships are now open, offering full-year recognition and community impact.
Learn More |
|
Explore the Wide Range of ELC Offerings |
|
Tap the image to discover fun facts about the different species you can spot on our campus! |
|
Small actions can make a big impact. Discover this month’s sustainability tip on composting and how you can put it into practice. |
|
Members - New Perk Headed Your Way! |
|
We are currently seeking ELC volunteers for Pontoon Guides, Touch Tank, and Canoe Paddlers. We have an immediate need for Canoe Paddlers to support our education programs during March–April and throughout the summer. |
|
Steve Schlitt
We are so grateful for Steve and the incredible impact he has at the ELC. As a retired science teacher and landscape architect with a degree in Marketing, Steve brings both knowledge and enthusiasm to every program he supports - from paddling alongside students on our Lagoon Days to assisting in a variety of education roles. He also serves as one of our dedicated kayak tour guides and played a key role in getting our Full Moon and Sunset Kayak Tours off the ground. As a retired CFO and business owner, he also serves on our Finance Committee and as Chair or our new Advisory Council. Retirement has never felt so busy!
Steve’s passion for science, the outdoors, memorable guest experiences, and corporate leadership combine to truly enrich every experience he’s part of, and we are so lucky to have him on our volunteer team! |
|
Want to protect the ELC for generations to come? |
A gift in your will — big or small — helps ensure local kids always have a place to explore and connect with nature. It's a beautiful way to leave your mark.
Read How Here |
|
See What Everyone Loved This Month |
|
Top Facebook Post - "Now hiring..."
Top Instagram Post - "What an amazing day ..."
Every like, comment, follow, and share helps us reach more people with our mission. It’s one of the easiest ways to support the work we do! |
|
Looking for a wedding venue as unique as your love story in Vero Beach? From intimate ceremonies on a sunset pontoon cruise to grand celebrations under our moonlit pavilion, the Environmental Learning Center offers 64-acres of breathtaking natural beauty for your big day.
More Details |
|
The Schumann's shared a Travel Photography Talk |
|
| | Feathers & Fins Boat Tour |
"Homeless in a Land of Plenty" Artist Book Talk |
|
Help us spread the word! Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be interested in our ELC offerings. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to receive it regularly HERE! |
|
Thank you to our partners: Vero Flash & Gould Cooksey Fennell |
|
Follow the Environmental Learning Center! |
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.” |
|
|
|
|
