Children flitted about like butterflies last Saturday morning, wanting to make sure they didn’t miss even one aspect of the Environmental Learning Center’s National Estuaries Day celebration.
The event highlights the significance of the Indian River Lagoon, recognizing its ecological standing as one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America. In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency designated the lagoon an “Estuary of National Significance,” one of only 28 in the nation.
Children dip-netting in the pond had a chance to get a close-up view of the numerous juvenile marine life just beginning to develop in the sheltered “sea nursery.” Youngsters who didn’t want to get their feet wet connected with sea life at the ELC’s 145-gallon Touch Tank in the Discovery Station Interactive Museum. Still others enjoyed taking 20-minute canoe rides through dense mangrove forests teeming with life.
And it’s not just the little ones. Adults are equally in awe of the beauty of the lagoon and its diverse ecosystems.
“I lived in the Keys 19 years and I thought I knew a lot about Florida’s environment,” said Linda McNeal, who became an ELC volunteer in June. “But the Indian River Lagoon is different, because this is brackish water. I’ve learn a lot about the differences in the environment and the plants and animals here. I’m so excited; I love it!”
Visitors learned about the area’s varied flora and fauna while strolling along the 64-acre campus’ boardwalk nature trails, stopping periodically to pick up red mangrove propagules from the ground and take them to the native plant greenhouse to be planted for future propagation.
Nance Hatch, ELC director of marketing communications, was raised in Vero Beach and remembers doing just that as a member of the ecology club at Vero Beach High School. “My parents had to put up with me having propagules in mason jars along window sills in the whole house. My parents were very patient,” she adds with a laugh.
Next up, “Nature Nightmares” will take center stage at their Oct. 28 Half-Haunted Halloween event. For more information, visit discoverelc.com.