Elkhart Environmental Center
Elkhart Environmental
Center
The Elkhart Environmental Center has been opened to
the public since 1992! This environmental
education facility offers environmental educational
programs, events, and volunteer opportunities for all
citizens as well as a lovely natural area to visit. The EEC has multiple outdoor settings including hiking trails, a boat launch, a variety of ecosystems (such as wetlands, prairies, and forest areas), the Learning Garden, Reflection Grove, boat launch, and more!
.
574-293-5070
Elkhart Environmental
Center
The Elkhart Environmental Center has been opened to the public since 1992! This environmental education facility offers environmental educational
programs, events, and volunteer opportunities for all citizens as well as a lovely natural area to visit. The EEC has multiple outdoor settings including hiking trails, a boat launch, a variety of ecosystems (such as wetlands, prairies, and forest areas), the Learning Garden, Reflection Grove, boat launch, and more!
.
574-293-5070
Special Events
Upcoming Programs & Events
Ever wonder what happens to our street trees after they are taken down? Many of the trees and limbs that are removed in the City are only suitable for firewood or wood chips, BUT there is a small fraction of these logs that are high-quality and more suitable for furniture, art, and other “value-added” products. These logs are brought to the Elkhart Environmental Center and sold to local woodworkers.
- Community members: Attend public programs and learn more about ElkhartWood, and even purchase locally-grown and -made pieces! Email EECmail@coei.org for more information or updates about upcoming programs or opportunities, or check in on our Facebook page.
- Woodworkers: Join our ElkhartWood email list to receive updates on our inventory, Sawmill Days, and events by emailing EECmail@coei.org. You can also become a program speaker or lead a workshop.
What’s available?
Our inventory comes from the trees on the street–meaning, our inventory is limited to what needs to come down around the City. We only collect high-quality logs, but species, length, and DIB vary. To receive our most updated inventory list, email EECmail@coei.org, stop by our Visitor’s Cabin, or click here.
Why choose ElkhartWood?
ElkhartWood is a local source of lumber. It is a great place to find interesting and storied logs for all kinds of projects. Urban wood can be used for a variety of purposes, including achieving green building standards (e.g.) and count as “reclaimed urban lumber.” When you choose to purchase Elkhart logs, you are also supporting the community–money made from log sales goes directly into funding educational programs by the Elkhart Environmental Center (EEC), both at the EEC and around the City.
Introducing…
Our new Zero-Waste Program, brought to you by the Elkhart Environmental Center and the Elkhart Public Library! We are excited to announce that registration is now open!
Do you want to challenge yourself to reduce your waste impact on the planet in the new year? If so, sign up for this new virtual program that will provide you with information about zero-waste and challenge you to decrease the amount of waste you produce. For a period of 10 weeks, participants will receive a weekly email with information, resources, and a simple challenge revolving around a zero-waste topic. All participants will receive a free DIY beeswax kit near the end of the program in March, and those who participate in at least 50% of the weekly challenges over the course of the series will be entered to win a grand prize including awesome reusable products! The more you participate, the more times you will be entered to win.
This program registration is only open to adults, but parents are welcome to involve their kids in challenges. Registration will be open from Monday, January 11th until Sunday, February 21st, but signing up at the beginning of the program will give you the best chance of winning the grand prize. Registration is limited to 50 people. Weekly emails will be sent out every Monday for 10 weeks beginning on Monday, January 18th. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to send us an email at eecmail@coei.org.
Register here: https://forms.gle/SSJVybdW2jeE5b2c7
Join our annual river clean ups in the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers throughout Elkhart!
Elkhart River Clean-up
This is an annual event: please watch our website and Facebook pages for updates. To be added to our River Cleanup Email List, please email EECmail@coei.org.
Please dress appropriately for the activities and the weather (we recommend closed-toed shoes–preferably waders or rain boots if you have them–clothes you don’t mind getting dirty/wet, and towels). Bags and trash pickers will be provided and filled bags will be collected at stop points along the route.
Please register ahead of time, as spots are limited:
If you have any questions, please contact us at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.
Special Events
Upcoming Programs & Events
Ever wonder what happens to our street trees after they are taken down? Many of the trees and limbs that are removed in the City are only suitable for firewood or wood chips, BUT there is a small fraction of these logs that are high-quality and more suitable for furniture, art, and other “value-added” products. These logs are brought to the Elkhart Environmental Center and sold to local woodworkers.
- Community members: Attend public programs and learn more about ElkhartWood, and even purchase locally-grown and -made pieces! Email EECmail@coei.org for more information or updates about upcoming programs or opportunities, or check in on our Facebook page.
- Woodworkers: Join our ElkhartWood email list to receive updates on our inventory, Sawmill Days, and events by emailing EECmail@coei.org. You can also become a program speaker or lead a workshop.
What’s available?
Our inventory comes from the trees on the street–meaning, our inventory is limited to what needs to come down around the City. We only collect high-quality logs, but species, length, and DIB vary. To receive our most updated inventory list, email EECmail@coei.org, stop by our Visitor’s Cabin, or click here.
Why choose ElkhartWood?
ElkhartWood is a local source of lumber. It is a great place to find interesting and storied logs for all kinds of projects. Urban wood can be used for a variety of purposes, including achieving green building standards (e.g.) and count as “reclaimed urban lumber.” When you choose to purchase Elkhart logs, you are also supporting the community–money made from log sales goes directly into funding educational programs by the Elkhart Environmental Center (EEC), both at the EEC and around the City.
Introducing…
Our new Zero-Waste Program, brought to you by the Elkhart Environmental Center and the Elkhart Public Library! We are excited to announce that registration is now open!
Do you want to challenge yourself to reduce your waste impact on the planet in the new year? If so, sign up for this new virtual program that will provide you with information about zero-waste and challenge you to decrease the amount of waste you produce. For a period of 10 weeks, participants will receive a weekly email with information, resources, and a simple challenge revolving around a zero-waste topic. All participants will receive a free DIY beeswax kit near the end of the program in March, and those who participate in at least 50% of the weekly challenges over the course of the series will be entered to win a grand prize including awesome reusable products! The more you participate, the more times you will be entered to win.
This program registration is only open to adults, but parents are welcome to involve their kids in challenges. Registration will be open from Monday, January 11th until Sunday, February 21st, but signing up at the beginning of the program will give you the best chance of winning the grand prize. Registration is limited to 50 people. Weekly emails will be sent out every Monday for 10 weeks beginning on Monday, January 18th. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to send us an email at eecmail@coei.org.
Register here: https://forms.gle/SSJVybdW2jeE5b2c7
Join our annual river clean ups in the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers throughout Elkhart!
Elkhart River Clean-up
This is an annual event: please watch our website and Facebook pages for updates. To be added to our River Cleanup Email List, please email EECmail@coei.org.
Please dress appropriately for the activities and the weather (we recommend closed-toed shoes–preferably waders or rain boots if you have them–clothes you don’t mind getting dirty/wet, and towels). Bags and trash pickers will be provided and filled bags will be collected at stop points along the route.
Please register ahead of time, as spots are limited:
If you have any questions, please contact us at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.
Education
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities that are suitable for businesses, organizations, groups, and individuals. As part of our environmental education goals, all of our volunteer opportunities are also offered with optional training — interested in learning about a plant or tree ID, environmental management, event planning, or more? Volunteer!
Looking for something specific? Click on our categories to find what you’re looking for, or call (574) 293-5070 or email EECmail@coei.org with any questions.
You can also find details about and sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities on our SignUp page.
All volunteers are required to fill out and return a volunteer waiver. Copies are available online or in the Visitor’s Cabin.
Waivers for volunteers under the age of 18 must be signed by a parent/guardian.
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian while volunteering.
Education
Volunteer Opportunities
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities that are suitable for businesses, organizations, groups, and individuals. As part of our environmental education goals, all of our volunteer opportunities are also offered with optional training — interested in learning about a plant or tree ID, environmental management, event planning, or more? Volunteer!
Looking for something specific? Click on our categories to find what you’re looking for, or call (574) 293-5070 or email EECmail@coei.org with any questions.
You can also find details about and sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities on our SignUp page.
All volunteers are required to fill out and return a volunteer waiver. Copies are available online or in the Visitor’s Cabin.
Waivers for volunteers under the age of 18 must be signed by a parent/guardian.
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian while volunteering.
