The Environmental Learning Center hosted a virtual Cruisin’ for a Cause version of its annual benefit which, in the days leading up to the pirate-themed celebration, offered supporters auction items and ‘Captain a Boat’ opportunities that would enable them to host up to 12 of their best mates on a guided pontoon excursion on the Indian River Lagoon.
Proceeds will support the nonprofit’s mission to “educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being.”
Barbara Schlitt Ford, ELC executive director, and Don Barr, board chairman, invited viewers to “get on board” with the help of 12-year-old ELC environmental steward “Capt. Wyatt,” who took wannabe pirates on a hunt for treasure.
Capt. Wyatt’s adventure showcased community events as well as the hands-on and feet-wet educational programs that feature the local flora and fauna of the 64-acre campus that Ford said is the perfect place to find buried treasure.
With hook and spyglass in hand, Capt. Wyatt tried his luck at solving a riddle found on the back of the treasure map, where X marked the spot at the ELC and the treasure was revealed to be our natural resources.
“They and our environment are priceless. Our natural resources are the real treasures that help sustain us all,” said Ford. “Our environment plays an extremely important role in healthy living and the existence of all life. Just think about how we are so dependent on food and air and water, not silver and gold. Everyone deserves a healthy planet, and it’s up to us to help.”
“We need to help the environment, and it’s up to us to make a difference,” declared Capt. Wyatt, challenging viewers to treat their treasure with care.
“Next time you think about silver and gold as your prize treasure, think about what really matters in life. What never fails us. Nature needs us, and we need nature. Thank you for joining and being part of the solution,” said Ford, before sailing off into the sunset.
A few days after the virtual fundraiser came to a close, the ELC campus was visited by supporters who witnessed the long-awaited groundbreaking for the Thomas R. Schidel Education and Event Pavilion, a central piece in the Master Plan for the ELC.
See the full story about the groundbreaking in our news section.
For more information, visit discoverelc.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
