Environmental Learning Center
Environmental Learning Center
Environmental Learning Center
The heart of education, conservation, and our community.
64-acre lagoon-island Nature Center located in the heart of the beautiful and diverse Indian River Lagoon in Vero Beach, Florida.
We are open seven days a week to the public (free to members, or with paid admission). Visit our 2000 gallons of aquariums, touch tank, and live animal exhibits, stroll miles of boardwalk nature trails, and enjoy our many outdoor picnic and play areas and wellness programs. We offer daily pontoon tours, and kayak and paddleboard rentals for eco-adventures, as well as guided nature and bird walks. Group programs are available. We provide a vast array of experiences fostering human connections to the natural world and knowledge about our Florida native environment.
Our Mission is to educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being.
Daily Wild Lagoon Boat & Paddle Eco-Tours
Mondays 9-10 AM Tai Chi & Balance
Wednesdays 1-3 PM Wild Wednesdays – Unstructured Play for Homeschoolers
Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 PM Chair Yoga
Fridays 1-2 PM Yoga
Saturdays 11:30-1:30 PM Unplug + Play
3/5 – 4/30 “Inspired by Nature – Art of the John’s Island Club”
9-11 AM Guided Kayak Excursions 3/26, 4/2, 4/5, 4/9, 4/12, 4/19, 4/23, 4/25 (or by appt)
3/25 9 AM Guided Native Plant Walk – Ansin Riverfront Conservation Area
3/26 Noon “Treasure Hunting Along Florida’s Coast”
3/28 9 AM Ethnobotany Walk
3/29 Noon Reveal the Writer in You with Cricket Freeman
4/3 8 AM Beginners’ Bird Walk
4/3 2 PM Volunteer Orientation
4/5 9-10 AM & 10:30-11:30 Little Wonders
4/6 1 PM veroBEach Kind Youth Day – FREE ADMISSION to the ELC today!
4/15 6-7:30 PM Gifford Youth Orchestra Performance
4/16 Noon Currents & Connections (Lunch & Learn) “An Update on the Health of the Lagoon and Lagoon Project Restoration Funds”
4/23 9-10:30 AM Ethnobotany Walk
ELC provides visitors with hands-on learning opportunities to explore the Indian River Lagoon ecosystems and discover the complex connections between us and the natural world.
ELC inspires conservation by recognizing and appreciating other living organisms and demonstrating how our actions impact the environment and our health.
ELC empowers the community to restore and protect the Indian River Lagoon, an estuary of national significance, by utilizing and sharing its campus for learning, exploring, collaborating, and celebrating.
Join us on Saturday, March 29, at Noon to explore the art of storytelling and enhance your writing skills with Cricket Freeman.
Crab(by) Critters 4/5 ~ 9-10 AM or 10:30-11:30 AM Join us as we explore the critters that crawl, scuttle, and dig around the ELC campus. We’ll find crab homes, create
Join us April 3 at 8 AM for our next Beginners’ Bird Walk. Guests should meet at the Environmental Learning Center Welcome Center by 7:45 AM for an 8:00 AM
Join our Native Plant Specialist, Marc Spiess, for a walking tour showcasing the diverse use of native and introduced plants, from culinary delights to medicinal wonders.
Spring Surprises 5/17 ~ 9-10 AM or 10:30-11:30 AM Take your little one on an adventure as we explore our campus to discover the many surprises and change that happen
Join us for our next volunteer orientation on April 3rd at 2 PM. Orientations take place every first Thursday of the month. Join us for an introduction to the Environmental
Calendar
Monday - Friday | 8 AM - 5 PM
Saturday | 8 AM - 4 PM
Sunday | 8 AM - 4 PM
Copyright © 1988 - 2025 Environmental Learning Center Vero Beach | ELC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) - Privacy Policy
