INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Advertised as “rain or shine,” the Environmental Learning Center’s 19th annual EcoFest, Livin’ for the Lagoon event Sunday at the ELC’s beautiful 64-acre campus was happily sunshine all the way.
A large, age-diverse crowd enjoyed a day of fun, food, music by the River Rats and environmental education at the free event, chaired by Linda Clerch and Maureen Kane. Joined by various environmentally-oriented organizations, the event featured lively and relevant hands-on activities to emphasize ways everyone can protect the health of the lagoon.
Participating for the first time, the Indian River County Health Department promoted its 5210 “Let’s Go!” initiative encouraging more physical activity, less screen time, and healthy eating habits. Dressed as fresh produce, Health Department representatives – Peter Benincasa, banana; Hugo Puerto, grapes; and Julianne Price, carrot – shared healthy food tips as youngsters listened intently.
Rangers Torres and Kirkland of the Florida Forestry Service brought along some heavy-duty forestry equipment as well as their famous pal, Smokey the Bear, all 16 feet of him, wearing his iconic Ranger hat and size 90 jeans.
Michelle Neal grinned while watching her 3-year-old twins, Ripley and Kaley, giggling from the Imagination Station puppet stage. “They’re having fun making projects,” Neal said.
The Wartville Wizard, closely resembling George Henkel, walked about with items from the trash heap Velcroed to his long wizardly cloak. Children were invited to pluck them off and decide which were recyclable, reminding them of the importance of keeping trash out of the lagoon.
Eyes were wide at the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center hut as visitors got close to a beautiful group of raptors: owls, caracaras and hawks. Bart, a red-shouldered hawk, mingled with the crowd on the arm of his longtime friend Tim Brown, TCWC director.
At the chalk art station, Auguste Steinwald, 10, son of ELC executive director Molly Steinwald, knelt on the driveway, carefully completing his drawing of a handsome land crab.
The Treasure Coast Herpetological Society brought its always popular snake exhibit and ELC guides led eager groups on nature walks.
Nigel Falcon and fellow INEOS biofuel plant volunteers invited children to separate items from a pile of trash and decide what category they were. They were also asked, “Can you make ethanol out of pizza?” and got the answer right – yes!
“I loved it so much when I came with my friend last year, we came back this year,” said Vero resident Helen Krizman, with 2-year-old Sebastian happily taking it all in from his stroller. “It’s amazing; it’s so smart, so much to learn for kids and adults. It’s never too early to learn – or too late. This is so dynamic and the kids learn from each other.”
The Humane Society, Marine Resources Council, Mosquito Control District, Harbor Branch, Brevard Zoo, Keep Indian River Beautiful, Pelican Island Audubon Society, Sheriff’s Department, Sebastian Natural Resources Board, Garden Club, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and several other groups each shared their own special gems of wisdom.
With cooperation from the weather, visitors were able to enjoy dip netting, touch tank encounters, canoe excursions and – adhering to the environmental theme – there was even a Dog Poop Relay Race.