WABASSO — After nine years as the lead environmental educator at the Environmental Learning Center, Heather Stapleton has been named Education Director. She oversees two full-time and two part-time environmental educators and a growing number of trained volunteers who assist in education programs.
“Heather’s knowledge base is phenomenal. She always presents programs in an interesting and upbeat manner. She’s creative and always thinking of new ways to involve people in the mission of the ELC,” explained Eileen Connelly, a member of the ELC Board of Trustees and Education Committee Co-Chair.
“Heather Stapleton is truly the driving force behind ELC’s mission, our programs, our campus improvements, and our conservation practices. Her passion for conservation is immediately felt in even a short conversation with her. She is extremely capable in organizing our year-round schedule of field excursions, green living workshops, walks, talks, and summer ecology adventures,” added ELC Executive Director Holly Dill.
Ms. Stapleton graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies, political science and French. Her prior experience includes serving as an environmental education coordinator with the Peace Corps in Benin, West Africa, and as an instructor at Sound to Sea Environmental Education Program in North Carolina.
Most recently she received the highest professional level certification from the National Association of Interpretation in 2010 as a Certified Interpretive Planner.
The Environmental Learning Center is a non-profit nature center located on 64 acres of Wabasso Island north of Vero Beach. It is open for public visitation year-round.
Facilities include hands-on exhibits, aquariums, touch tank, elevated boardwalks through a forest, picnic pavilions, and gift shop. ELC’s cell phone audio tour and field guides greatly expand a visitor’s experience in learning about the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem.
A broad range of outdoor adventures are offered, including summer excursions for students.
Visit www.DiscoverELC.org for a complete schedule or call (772) 589-5050 for a schedule to be mailed.
Admission to the ELC is $5 per person, children 12 and under are free, and ELC members receive free admission year-round. The first Saturday of every month is free to all.