While Mother Nature generally provides the entertainment at the Environmental Learning Center, with birds chirping, frogs croaking, fish splashing and a cacophony of insects buzzing, this year’s Lagoonapalozza augmented those sounds with a man-made musical component.
The family-friendly nature and music festival, which took place on the 64-acre campus, was a way to spread the word about the importance of preserving the Indian River Lagoon, one of Florida’s most biodiverse estuaries.
After a week of cold, rainy weather, families were thrilled to enjoy a sunny day with milder temps, as they explored and participated in the hands-on activities designed to showcase the ecological importance of the lagoon.
Folks learned from environmental partners about water quality issues, the loss of habitat and seagrasses, coastal projects, the water cycle, and the steps everyone can take to contribute to the lagoon’s preservation. People also enjoyed walking along the ELC trails, visiting the touch tank, going on pontoon tours, getting up close and personal with reptiles, enjoying the nature playscape, and trying their hands at dip netting.
Armed with camping chairs and blankets, attendees were also found gathering throughout the day in the Central Meadows near the Thomas R. Schidel Education and Event Pavilion where they enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment provided by local musicians.
To expand the audience, the ELC held a Lagoon Love art and poetry contest that asked artists and writers to communicate their love of the lagoon through creative expression.
“Traditionally, the ELC has always done EcoFest to bring the community together around nature-related fun and education,” explained Barbara Schlitt Ford, ELC executive director.
“A few years ago, we switched to LagoonFest, and the focus became more on lagoon-related nature.”
This year, to create more interest, they decided to broaden the scope by adding a music component, while also taking advantage of the new pavilion.
“We thought it would draw out additional people that might not have come just for a nature fest but will come for the music and a nature fest where they can wander around and learn things that they didn’t even know they wanted to know,” said Ford.
She noted that the mission of the nonprofit is to educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being.
“It’s a way to bring everybody in the community out to enjoy the outdoors, some music, food and fellowship while they learn about taking care of the planet,” added Ford.
On March 1, the ELC will host its major fundraiser, Mangroves, Moonlight & Mykonos (M3). For more information, visit DiscoverELC.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
