Barb's Monthly Message
“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” -Baba Dioum
If you’ve stepped onto campus this summer, you’ve felt the joy that defined the past few months at the ELC. As we wrap up our summer camps on August 7th, having served over 500 incredible young explorers, we are reminded of the profound impact of hands-on nature immersion - whether it was holding a sea star for the first time, mastering a canoe paddle, or observing the diverse flora and fauna along our trails. From the effervescent sound of laughter along our mangrove boardwalks to the excited awe at our aquariums, that magic pervades all 64-acres of our wild Florida habitat.
Seeing that spark of wonder in a child’s eyes as they discover the natural world is the truest reflection of our mission. Field trips, camps, and youth programs have been our foundation for nearly four decades, and as we now reach over 40,000 annual visits, our commitment to inspiring environmental stewardship is stronger than ever.
As the summer break winds down, we want to wish all of our students, parents, and educators a wonderful, inspiring start to the new school year! We look forward to continuing the learning and adventure out on the trails with you this fall.
Thank you for being a part of this growing community of stewards and for walking alongside us on this journey toward a healthier planet for us all. The best is yet to come!
Barbara Schlitt Ford ELC Executive Director | 
