Take a Spring Break EcoVenture

at the Environmental Learning Center

By Courtney Littlejohn

Looking for a "wild" family Spring Break adventure right here in Indian River County?

The Environmental Learning Center (ELC), a unique non -profit organization that is aiming to enrich the minds of Floridians and tourists alike is the place to find it. Through a series of outdoor experiences known as EcoVentures, the ELC will bring you face-to-face with the natural wonders right in our own backyards.

The adventure I embarked on, "Experience Old Florida," is a two- hour hike through the wetlands and scrub habitat of the St. Sebastian River Preserve. The hike took my group of 13 on various trails, where we experienced many different forms of wildlife and foliage and learned interesting facts about all that we could see. As magnificently colored zebra butterflies darted to and fro, some of us searched for holes dug by turtles in the crevices along the trail, while the birdwatchers in the group pulled out their binoculars, beckoned by the call of blue jays.

Any question asked was promptly answered by an amazing tour guide, Joan Klimm, who embraced everyone with her passion for nature. Her enthusiasm was so infectious that we were quickly caught up in her ecological orbit. Joan is a volunteer from up north who enjoys coming down to Florida in the winter to provide tourists and native Floridians with the natural history of the sunshine state. After taking one course at the ELC through the University of Florida's Master Naturalist Program, she became addicted and went on to complete 120 hours of coursework in wetlands, coastal, and uplands. She is one of the many Master Naturalists teaching at the ELC.

This taste of Old Florida brought me closer to the environment and gave me plenty of insight into the world I live in. I learned, for example, that the trees in the forests blossom primarily at the top because they have adapted to wildfires. If they grew branches at the bottom, they would be more likely to catch fire and burn faster.

The experience also gave me new ideas on things to do with children, including the nine-year-old boy for whom I babysit regularly. On the hike, two sisters, aged nine and eleven, couldn't wait to look through their binoculars or run over to a plant that Joan Klimm had pointed out. I realized that even the simplest things can be made exciting to children. As a result, I am planning to take my young friend and a group of his friends on an EcoVenture as soon as possible.

"Experience Old Florida" is one of more than a dozen EcoVentures offered by the ELC throughout the year. Others include: Cruising The Lagoon, a morning pontoon boat ride to see birds, manatee, and dolphins, Take a Hike, and Yak Attack.

These programs hit the spot for all age groups. If you are interested in any of these exciting outdoor adventures for your family, children, friends, or organization, contact
the ELC at 772-589-5050. For any other questions, e-mail the ELC at info@elcweb.org. The ELC is located just off the Wabasso Causeway (Route 510) between U.S. I and AIA.

Keep in mind that these EcoVentures fill up fast!