Environmental Learning Center
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Venue Rentals
for Events
Immerse Your Event in Natural Beauty
Thomas R. Schidel
Education & Pavilion
The brand-new outdoor pavilion is ideal for all types of events with a capacity to host 1500 guests or more. The pavilion offers shade, cooling overhead fans, a catering kitchen, restrooms, a lounge/dressing area, and two bar set-up/serving areas. The Oval is a large lawn area ringed by native plants and can be tented or serve as a space for guests to sit, play outdoor games or watch entertainment happening on the platform.
Tidal Gallery
The Tidal Gallery is filled with natural light and artwork. It is perfect for a small reception, intimate dinner party, bridal shower or wedding ceremony. If you are renting other spaces at the ELC, this room can be a nice addition for a lounge, indoor bar set-up or photos. Event planners love the possibilities for this beautiful little space.
Lagoon Room
The Lagoon Room is an air-conditioned indoor space perfect for celebrations, meetings, and group gatherings. The natural light adds to the ambiance and the room overlooks native plants and grasses. The Lagoon Room can accommodate up to 100 people in theater seating or 80 at tables. The adjacent Discovery Station can also be rented to provide additional space for guests, food stations or a beverage bar.
Discovery Station
The Discovery Station has the ELC Touch Tank and aquariums. It is a great space to rent in conjunction with the Lagoon Room for extra space and educational entertainment. Take a look for younger-age birthday parties and book a Touch Tank Experience and Nature Scavenger Hunt with our Education Team. The space is flexible enough to be set-up for an elegant dinner party too!
Fort Mangrove
Fort Mangrove is on the boardwalk leading to the ELC Canoe Dock. Book this space for a Happy Hour or Family Picnic before or after your kayak or canoe trip. It is an out-of-the-way spot that might be the perfect place for “The Proposal” or even a small wedding ceremony. This location is a favorite for yoga and meditation.
Outdoor Lawns
The ELC is 64 acres and has a wide variety of lawn spaces to accommodate events and meetings. Corporate meeting planners utilize our outdoor spaces for breaks and meals during multi-day training. Wedding ceremonies can be inside with a cocktail hour or dancing outside. Think of ELC outdoor spaces for family reunions, company picnics, and kids’ birthday parties. ELC can plan activities like nature walks and games to entertain all ages.
Discovery Pontoon Boat
Take a private pontoon boat trip with up to sixteen people for your event. ELC will provide the Captain and a Nature Guide and you bring your food and beverages. You and your guests can enjoy one of the award-winning two-hour Indian River Lagoon tours that ELC is known for. If you have a large group, plan for a number of the 45-minute Quick Trips so everyone can enjoy time on the water. Reach out to us to plan this part of your agenda well in advance. This is one of ELC’s most popular activities.
WEDDING
VENUE
Rent our magical venue for a wedding or rehearsal dinner. Our indoor and outdoor settings make our nature center the perfect place for your special day. We will work with you to customize your event, utilizing your favorite spots on our campus. The green spaces and native Florida backdrop will create a visual masterpiece for you to remember your day.
CORPORATE EVENTS
Treat your staff to a new experience with a beautiful sit-down lunch or dinner and outdoor activities. Get the creativity flowing with the views from our banquet rooms that are captivating, overlooking native plants and grasses. Choose from a wide variety of activities to enjoy.
Suggested team building activities available:
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Canoe Excursions
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Pontoon Boat Rides
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Guided Nature Walks
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Group Dynamics/Team Building Activities
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Nature Scavenger Hunts
CORPORATE RETREATS
Our nature-rich, holistic space provides a platform for creative & productive group engagements. The views from our conference rooms are captivating, overlooking native plants and grasses. We can accommodate up to 100 people in theater seating or 75 at tables.