INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Need an escape from the daily onslaught of errands, obligations and beckoning cell phones? A visit to the Environmental Learning Center can transport you to an all-too-fragile world rich in nature, peace and beauty.
Whether hiking its trails or canoeing along mangroves in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida’s striking ecological diversity is within close reach on the ELC’s 64-acre Wabasso Island campus.
So where does the learning come in?
ELC offerings are meant to instill an understanding of the natural world and inspire visitors to become active stewards of the environment.
“It’s hard to find a quiet spot out in nature, everyone being so busy,” said ELC education director Heather Stapleton. “Our campus is a little sanctuary.”
Canoe excursions, guided nature walks and gardening clinics are among the activities exposing young and old alike to nature’s abundance. The guided Trek & Tracks walks take place on the first and third Saturday of each month, starting at 9:30 a.m. and lasting about 90 minutes.
Trails wind along native plant gardens, salt marshes and mangroves, where people can see a variety of bird species, land crabs and possibly a dolphin or manatee swimming nearby. The Indian River Lagoon is home to more than 4,000 species, 36 of them endangered or rare.
To capture the genuine ecology of the area, center staff has cut down exotic, invasive trees such as Brazilian peppers and Australian pines and replaced them with indigenous species such as coontie, sabal and cabbage palms, wax myrtle and live oak.
Twice monthly guided canoe excursions take paddlers along a stretch of the 156-mile Indian River Lagoon, exposing them to North America’s most diverse estuary.
“There’s not much that beats being out on the lagoon on a beautiful morning, learning about the estuary,” said Grant Withers, who has guided canoe trips for the last two years. “It’s peaceful and calming.”
During the two-hour excursion, you may see great blue herons, osprey, dolphins, manatees and more.
The trips launch at 8 a.m. the second and fourth Saturday of each month from the boat launch at the center’s campus. People generally paddle as twosomes, but the16-foot sturdy fiberglass canoes can seat three, with all ages and experience levels welcome. People should dress appropriately for the weather and activity.
“The lagoon is hurting,” Withers said, noting that taking people out on the lagoon allows them to see all that it has to offer. “We want them to appreciate what a treasure it is. The lagoon is sick and needs everyone’s help to bring it back to a lively condition.”
The center’s campus also offers Master Gardener clinics each month. People can just drop in and ask a trained Master Gardener to answer their gardening questions. The next clinic is June 7, 10 a.m. to noon.
Whatever the activity, education is key to the mission.
“We want people to appreciate the beauty of the natural resources, but we also want them to understand the delicate balance,” said Holly Dill, ELC executive director.
“People now have a great concern about the degradation of the lagoon. A lot want to know more about what they can do to make a difference.”
The ELC also offers numerous summer camps for youths – ranging from pre-K through high school. These ecology camps focus on nature appreciation, conservation and stewardship, with children spending a majority of the time outdoors learning while playing.
“We want people to unplug the electronics, whether escaping to the ELC, the beach or neighborhood park, and discover the wonders of nature,” Dill said. “So much of our lives revolve around technology these days, we are missing this wonderful world of natural resources.”
Both children and adults can enjoy ELC programs year round. Admission is $5; free for members and children under 13. Admission is free for everyone on the first Saturday of each month. For more details, visit www.discoverelc.org.