Supporters of the Environmental Learning Center went for a walk on the wilder side of Florida last Sunday afternoon at an inaugural Big Bang Quiet Click fundraiser at Blackwater Creek Ranch west of town – way west of town – where deer and wild turkeys outnumber people.
Roughly 45 participants made the westward trek to the sprawling 1,180-acre property to enjoy a choice of outdoor adventures – shooting sporting clays, getting an expert photography lesson, or taking a swamp buggy ride to see a bit of old Florida.
“Todd Fennell, one of the owners, is chair of the ELC Foundation and a big supporter,” said ELC development director Camille Yates. “He offered to have an event at the ranch. How could we turn him down? We’re so fortunate to be able to get out here and connect with nature. It’s such a nice relaxing afternoon outdoors.”
ELC executive director Molly Steinwald and Dale Sorensen Jr. took the photographers under their wing, with Steinwald providing tips on macro photography and Sorensen on landscape photography. Jeff Luther, retired major chief of staff at the Indian River Sheriff’s Office, supervised the clay shooters, including several who had never fired a gun.
“I would do it again,” said first-timer Paula Sutton, holding an ice pack against a shoulder tender from the recoil. “It’s very exciting; the adrenaline gets going.”
The largest number went with Fennell and Rick Hartley who navigated two enormous buggies with comfy leather seats through some pretty tight spots. With heads often brushing branches, passengers also quickly learned that hearing ‘quack-quack’ meant duck!
“I had people on the buggy who knew a lot more about plants and trees than I do. They were pointing things out that I didn’t know about,” said Fennell. “The best part was when we went across a big dike on this little bridge; we made it with just inches to spare.”
The three groups all gathered back at the lodge to enjoy cold cocktails and talk about their respective adventures. A delicious Florida inspired feast prepared by Adrienne Drew Catering included hors d’oeuvres of gator bites, corn fritters and gulf shrimp. Dinner, served at red and white-checkered tablecloth-covered picnic tables along the length of the porch, featured smothered quail, pork tenderloin and Florida key lime pie.
Chip Watson, who joined Fennell, Bob Fields and Don Proctor Jr. in ownership of the ranch, said he and wife Jennifer got on board last year. “We love it; we’re out here all the time. The kids love it too, away from the TV, iPads and out into nature.”
And that falls right in line with the mission of the Environmental Learning Center.
“It’s exciting. The ELC is a nature center, even though we’re on the lagoon,” said Steinwald. “A lot of people here still equate Florida with the beach but it’s beautiful out here, too. We definitely want the ELC to do a lot more inland.”
“It’s such a great organization,” said Betsy Van Pelt, adding how lucky the ELC was to find a second dynamo in Steinwald, who replaced Holly Dill when she retired. “You have one person who has a wonderful idea and does great things and then you have another person who takes it that much further.”
