ELC's 20th Annual EcoFest: Unplug, Explore, Discover

By Nance Hatch, Environmental Learning Center Director of Marketing Communications

“Unplug, Explore, Discover” is the order of the day for the Environmental Learning Center’s 20th annual EcoFest, coming up on Sunday, March 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. This free admission family event features hands-on exhibits, crafts and other activities that emphasize the recreational and therapeutic benefits of nature.

Wildlife will be on display and music once again offered by the River Rats. Weather permitting, canoeing and paddle boarding will be available for those 6-years-old and up. You can attend a workshop or two about outdoor photography, container gardening and nature journaling, and watch local artists do their plein air painting.  Or just unplug for the day and enjoy the surroundings.
New to EcoFest this year is a chalk art contest titled “A Healthy Lagoon: Let’s Chalk about it.” Winners in a variety of age groups will be announced at 3:30 pm on the main stage.
The Vero Beach Power Squadron will provide and prepare the hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers, donating all proceeds to the ELC for the 8th year in a row. Popcorn, desserts and hot and cold beverages will also be available for purchase at family-friendly prices.
All projects from the ELC’s “Making a Difference in MY World” elementary school contest will be on display in the Lagoon Room. Winners of the kindergarten through second grade categories will be announced at 12 noon and winners in the third through fifth grade categories at 2:30 p.m., both on the main stage. ELC volunteers Patty and Walter Garrard once again oversee the contest.
The Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association is this year’s Premier Sponsor. Says spokesman Barry Balavender, “This is a great opportunity for our association to give back to the children in our community, to show our commitment to being environmental stewards and to continue and strengthen our relationship with the Environmental Learning Center.” Other sponsors include the Press Journal/TCPalm and the Vero Beach Newsweekly, Publix, and the Association of American University Women, Vero Beach Branch.

Co-chairs Linda Clerch and Maureen Kane are aided by a volunteer committee made up of Liz Fox, Jan Garrison, Liz and Alan Northcott, Paige Visser, Janet Kerney, Ginger Heller, Carol Edwards and Jean Taber. Additionally, special thanks go to the Sebastian River High's Navy JROTC members and some 180 volunteers who will make it all happen on March 6.
Look for signs marking the free parking location at the southeast intersection of US 1 and CR510. Complimentary shuttle buses will run continuously from there to the ELC from 10:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.

The complete day’s schedule can be found online at www.discoverelc.org or call (772) 589-5050 ext. 114.

The Environmental Learning Center is located north of Vero Beach off County Road 510 at the end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre island campus includes winding boardwalk trails, exhibit areas, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, a gift shop and visitor center. ELC membership benefits and a list of its many land and water excursions, can be found at www.discoverelc.org.