Environmental Learning Center - An Extension of Your Own Backyard

By Anna Valencia Tillery

Father and child bonding in the great outdoors is just so natural and it is what the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) offers along with so much more! Tucked away near the foot of the Wabasso Bridge, the ELC is a 64-acre island campus that will have families experiencing the natural surroundings and the Indian River Lagoon firsthand, featuring interactive exhibits, walking trails, and water excursions. And for this Father’s Day, a great way to spend quality time could be from a kayak or canoe paddling at your own pace. Or choose to go on a guided tour where you will navigate the mangrove tunnels and learn about the local wildlife, flora and fauna.

If you prefer motor boating, the ELC’s Pontoon Boat Eco-tours picnic areas. From there, explore the miles of trails and boardwalks through the mangrove forest. Check out the Explorer backpacks and go pond dip-netting. Enjoy the Wild Nature Playscape and build a fort. While on property, go on a nature scavenger hunt and see how many mangrove tree crabs, butterflies and gopher tortoises you can find roaming the property. are a great way to spend time as a family and visit the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge or Sebastian Inlet. Book your trip in advance and enjoy the scenery as your captain takes you by the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and mangrove islands where birds, manatees, and dolphins gather. Another option is a sunset cruise with a naturalist guide highlighting the lagoon’s splendor. With the ability to fit 16 guests on board the boat, it is a terrific experience that can accommodate larger groups leaving from the ELC’s own dock. Though, if you wish to do a little river roaming that can be arranged. Offered as a seasonal tour, the Saint Sebastian River will transport you to old Florida with a jungle-like atmosphere home to a great diversity of wildlife. Spot an alligator, a variety of birds, and maybe even a manatee. This trip departs from Dale Wimbrow Park Boat Ramp in Sebastian, Fl. This is the ONLY trip to depart from Dale Wimbrow Park, all other ELC pontoon trips depart from the ELC. Best part, you can bring your own food and drink! What a great way to show off where you live with out-oftown guests; a private boat excursion with a captain; keep in mind if you don’t reserve the whole boat be sure to get tickets in advance as it does sell out often.

Spending time together in the great outdoors is such a special way to create lifelong memories. A Family Membership is a great gift that includes FREE admission plus discounts on purchases and rentals.

(Non-members pay admission of $10 for adults $5 for kids. Admission waived for snap card holders.)

Maybe you want to be a little more hands on? If so, the Discovery Station, Touch Tank and Aquarium will be well worth your time to experience up close. While cooling off inside, you will learn more about who lives in the Indian River Lagoon and how you can help keep our planet clean and green. Talk about a cool space for a birthday party! Then stroll the campus and bring a lunch to enjoy in one of the ELC’s

And with summer here, the ELC is proud to offer up some incredible Summer Camps beginning June 5th and running through August 11th for children ages 6-13 year olds. Sign up your children and choose the weeks that work with your summer plans. Campers will have fun while also activating their senses, learning new skills and making friends. Visit the ELC website to read about Young Explorers (Ages 6-7), Island Adventures (Ages 8-10) and Junior Naturalists each with camps running from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM or 3PM Scholarships available. (The Maggy Bowman Scholarship Fund.) Of course, there is something for the older kids too. Sign up to be a camp counselor and earn volunteer hours while also serving as a mentor for the younger kids. Speaking of volunteers, the ELC is always looking for folks that have time and talent to spare. Even if it is just a few hours each month, the ELC has opportunities to help maintain the grounds, be a guide, work with the children during camps, host field trips or just help out in the gift shop that is full of nature inspired goods. Give the gift of quality time and fresh air this Father’s Day with the ELC.