INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Environmental Learning Center celebrated National Estuaries Day last Saturday, providing visitors a chance to learn why ecological conservation is vitally important, while affording them an opportunity to enjoy outdoor fun on the Indian River Lagoon, designated as an “estuary of national significance” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Estuaries, where salt and fresh waters mix, have been recognized nationally since 1988.
The warm day was cooled by a nice breeze off the water as guests toured the ELC campus, walking the trails, making the rounds of activities, and learning about all the ELC has to offer. Visitors dipped seine nets in the pond to view some of the many creatures that call it home, enjoyed canoe rides and walked through a fascinating Interactive Discovery Station Museum, brought to the event by the Crystal Springs Foundation and Zephyr Hills.
Children especially enjoyed getting up close and personal with marine life as they hoisted up crabs and small fish from the pond, and encountered other marine life in the ELC Discovery Station’s 145-gallon Touch Tank. A canoe ride under a canopy of mangrove trees was hugely popular, as visitors viewed the natural habitat of water crabs, otters, dolphins, small fish and the occasional snake slicing through the water.
“I just wanted my kids to come and experience nature,” said Ciara Mills who brought her three children and a group of friends. “They enjoyed the fish in the Touch Tank but they were really excited to go out on the water. They did not experience ELC in school like I did so I wanted them to come and learn about it today.”
“The seining, where they bring in the nets on the pond and identify all the critters, is a lot of fun but it also teaches them to appreciate why we need to protect our lagoon,” said volunteer coordinator Nancy Puglio, adding that the event was designed to teach the public about ways to keep the lagoon healthy.
“Educating the children here is the only way we can keep things healthy and happy in our estuary,” agreed Paige Visser who said she enjoyed volunteering at ELC because it combined her two favorite things – children and nature.
More than 250 volunteers help out at the ELC, including many teens. Without them, Puglio said, events wouldn’t be possible.
“ELC was a big part of my elementary school life and now I volunteer for fun,” said Charter High School student Ryan Nelson, manning the Touch Tank. “They taught us to count all the animals and make sure they are okay and we learn about them so we can tell people when they ask. The kids are learning while it also puts a smile on their face.”
Visitors to the ELC campus are invited to stroll about the bio-diverse 64-acre campus, which includes boardwalks, nature trails, interactive exhibits and the Nature Nook gift shop. A nominal $5 admission (free to members and children under 12) helps supplement the operating expenses of the programs. Admission is free the first Saturday of the month.
