The Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida,(FMEL) will offer its twenty-fifth volunteer nature stewardship class in collaboration with the Environmental Learning Center (ELC). Each of the 6 class sessions includes classroom and outdoor activities that explore the unique ecology of Indian River County. Learn about the diversity of Nature from university researchers, land managers, and nature educators.
Class sessions from 1:30PM to 4PM are scheduled for:
- Sunday, January 19 & January 26 at FMEL, 200 – 9th Street SE, Vero Beach
- Saturday, February 8 & February 15 at the ELC, 255 Live Oak Drive
- Sunday, March 2 at FMEL
- Saturday, March 15 at the ELC
In exchange for this free class, participants are asked to “volunteer back” and share what they have learned at the ELC, another nature center, a nature preserve, or in another venue. You craft how and where you “volunteer back”.
Please email Janice Broda at jbroda@ufl.edu to express your interest in participating.
A complete schedule will be available soon …
1/19/25 – Hammocks & Pine Flatwoods: Explore the oak hammock and pine flatwoods at the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area (ORCA). Find out how to protect yourself against mosquito biting & other perils and learn about the research conducted at the FMEL..
1/26/25 – Coastal Wetlands: Hike to the. coastal wetlands along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) at the ORCA and see how these wetlands are managed for mosquito control and for biodiversity.
2/8/25 – Life along the Lagoon: Birds are abundant along the IRL. Learn about the birds that are commonly seen along the IRL. Tour the ELC campus with its manager and explore how native plants have been used to restore this spoil island property.
2/15/25: Plant Wonders: Modern humans tend to be fascinated by animals, and plants get overlooked, Discover how plants have evolved – along with and without insects – to fill our natural world.
3/2/25 – Invasive Disrupters: Florida’s tropical climate attracts visitors of all sorts – some welcome & some not. Learn about cutting edge efforts to control invasive plants from Florida’s leading biological control researcher. Explore the connection between invasive lizards and the transmission of human diseases by mosquitoes.
3/15/25: Volunteer Opportunities: Get an update on the current health of the Indian River Lagoon and its watershed and find out about volunteer possibilities at the Environmental Learning Center, the Indian River Land Trust, and the Indian River County Conservation Lands Program.
Enjoy the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 