VERO BEACH — More than 20 volunteers rolled up their sleeves on March 11 to restore three spoil islands in the Indian River Lagoon during the Environmental Learning Center’s “Spoil the Lagoon” event.
The event was organized by the center’s EcoAction program in partnership with Friends of the Spoil Island and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Regional Aquatic Preserves. It brought together members of Coastal Connections, the ELC and the wider community. Their goal: help protect one of the state’s most vital estuaries.
EcoAction is the ELC’s ongoing effort to get people directly involved in stewardship through restoration projects, citizen science and conservation education. Events like “Spoil the Lagoon” give volunteers a chance to see the results of their work while helping the lagoon.
Volunteers cleared overgrown trails throughout the day to make the islands safer and more accessible for future visitors. They also installed new barbecue grills to encourage responsible recreational use.
The group also logged wildlife sightings on the iNaturalist app and recorded 190 observations representing 37 species, providing updates to the lagoon system.
Volunteers found a turtle shell during the cleanup and immediately reported it to Coastal Connections staff, which will help researchers studying marine life in the area.
The ELC’s EcoAction program has grown steadily as more residents look for ways to give back. Organizers say the turnout shows how collective effort can safeguard the lagoon for years to come.
The center offers EcoAction projects, cleanups and citizen-science activities year-round for individuals, families and groups. Anyone interested can contact Gian Cetrulo at EcoAction@discoverelc.org to sign up for an upcoming event.
The Environmental Learning Center is a nonprofit lagoon-island nature center in Vero Beach dedicated to educating, inspiring and empowering people of all ages to become active stewards of the environment and their own well-being. For more information, visit DiscoverELC.org or call 772-589-5050.