VERO BEACH — The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) recently announced a new admission fee schedule. Effective January 1, 2011, the ELC will charge nonmember admission in the amount of $5 for adults and children over the age of 13. Free admission will continue to be extended to children 12 years old and younger. ELC members receive free admission as part of membership benefits. Admissions will be waived for any nonmembers enrolled in a class or program at the center. There will be free admission for everyone on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year. All guests will be asked to check in with a greeter at the Entry Pavilion, whereby every visitor will be given a sticker to wear throughout their visit to the ELC.
“After careful consideration, our Board of Trustees determined that implementing a small admission fee for non-members, would enable us to generate revenue that will help to maintain and make small improvements at the center,” explained Holly Dill, Executive Director of the ELC. “We researched admissions policies at other environmental centers and determined that the small admission fee was well within a reasonable range for the benefits that nonmember visitors receive.”
In addition to free admission, membership benefits include an annual subscription to ELC’s newsletter Habitat, discounts on fees for programs, invitations to member-only events, a 10% discount in The Nature Nook Gift Shop, and advance notice of field excursions, education programs and summer ecology camps.
The Environmental Learning Center is located north of Vero Beach off County Road 510 at the end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre campus includes exhibit areas, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, gift shop, and visitor center. ELC membership benefits, a list of its many field excursions, including nature walks, canoe excursions, and boating adventures can be found at www.DiscoverELC.org.