Contact: Heather Stapleton, Education DirectorFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (772) 589-5050February 1, 2016
Environmental Learning Center Announces the 20th annual "Making a Difference in MY World" Contest
Local schools are now receiving packets of information from the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) for this year's "Making a Difference in MY World" contest. Geared to students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the purpose of the contest is to encourage environmental awareness and student creativity in the understanding of our natural resources. All school-age children Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome to join the contest. It’s FREE and there are prizes!
According to ELC volunteer co-chairs Patty and Walter Garrard, the theme for this year's contest is Unplug, Explore, Discover. At each grade level students may choose between a project that involves writing and one that is artistic. All local elementary school-age students, including home-schooled, are eligible to participate, and there is no charge to enter.Teachers and parents alike are reminded to follow the entry rules carefully to avoid disqualification.
All projects must arrive for judging at the ELC from the schools, or home-schooled participants, on Tuesday, March 1. Winners will be notified so they can be present at the ELC's EcoFest on Sunday, March 6. Kindergarten thru 2nd grade awards will be given out at 12:30 pm. Winners from 3rd thru 5th grades will be announced at 3pm. All entries will be on display in the ELC classrooms during EcoFest that day from 11am to 4pm. The ELC wishes to thank the Vero Beach branch of the American Association of University Women for being the print sponsor for this important event. For more information and downloadable entry forms please go to the Environmental Learning Center website at
The Environmental Learning Center is located north of Vero Beach off County Road 510 at the end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre campus includes 1 ½ miles of boardwalks and walking trails, canoe and pontoon dock for EcoAdventures, the Discovery Station Interactive Museum with 145 gallon Touch Tank, native plant gardens and greenhouse, picnic facilities, Nature Nook gift shop, and visitor center. ELC membership benefits, events, directions, and a list of its many field excursions, EcoVentures, including nature walks, Touch Tank encounters, canoe excursions, and boating adventures can be found at #discoverelc
255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
For more information about this press release or if more photos are needed please contact Nance Hatch, Director of Marketing Communications at 772-643-3395 cell or nanceh@discoverelc