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!

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574-293-5070

EEC Visitor's Cabin

 

Staff Hours: Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM

Trail/Grounds Hours: Open Dawn – Dusk everyday

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!

1717 E. Lusher Ave. Elkhart, IN 46516

(574) 293-5070

EECmail@coei..org

 

EEC Programs & Events Calendar

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Special Events

 

EnviroFest

First Saturday of August

EnviroFest

The EEC’s biggest event of the year!  Past events have include food vendors, booths, raffle & silent auction, live music, kids’ area and entertainment, beer & wine garden, and more!

Details for 2023 are coming soon!

VIEW MORE

Earth Day

Saturday in April

Earth Day

Free, family-friendly event celebrating our natural, local environment. Includes engaging, environmental educational activities for the whole family and provides free trees for citizens to plant at home and increase our urban canopy.

VIEW MORE

Volunteer Appreciation

Volunteer Appreciation

Our favorite event of the year: celebrating our volunteers and all they’ve done to help us have another successful year serving and educating the community. Stay tuned for details or email EECmail@coei.org to be added to our volunteer email list!

Waggin' in the Woods

Our new annual family- and pet-friendly event! Our first Waggin’ in the Woods event took place in 2021 and saw over 260 visitors!

This event will take place in September. More details can be found on our Facebook event page and updates will be posted as they come in.

VIEW MORE

Upcoming Programs & Events

EnviroFest Planning

First Monday of the Month (January - August)

EnviroFest Planning

  • Help us make the 25th EnviroFest the best one yet! We’re looking for ideas of what YOU’D like to see at the event.
  • Open to the public–join us for free snacks and bring your ideas for a fun event! New-comers welcome!
  • For more info, email EECmail@coei.org. Virtual option available.

Holiday Lights Recycling Collection

November 15th - January 31st

Holiday Lights Recycling Collection

We are once again partnering with Schupan to collect and recycle old holiday lights this season! Broken or unwanted string and rope lights can be dropped off to the EEC any time between November 15th and January 31st to be collected for recycling. Dropping off after our business hours? Simply place items in the collection box on our Cabin’s front porch and we will take care of the rest. Thank you for recycling and reducing your waste this holiday season!

The Elkhart Environmental Center is located at 1717 E. Lusher Avenue in Elkhart. Business hours are Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM.

America Recycles Day

Wednesday, November 15th: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

America Recycles Day

Stop by the EEC on November 15th to celebrate America Recycles Day with us! Participants of all ages are welcome to attend this open house-style workshop to try their hand at a variety of fun projects, from recycled bird feeders to upcycled pop can ornaments – just in time for the gift-giving season! Want to try out your own sustainable gift idea to reduce waste? Experiment with a variety of materials we will have available for you to use. While you craft, get tips on proper recycling techniques and learn how it helps the planet.

Cost: FREE

Advance registration limited and required by November 12th. Register HERE

Holiday Hoorah

Saturday, December 9th: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Holiday Hoorah

Celebrate the holiday season with Elkhart Public Library and the EEC on Saturday, December 9th! Make upcycled and wildlife-friendly ornaments, create holiday cards (or letters to Santa) using recycled materials, and listen to holiday stories from a guest librarian. If you feel like getting outdoors, explore our trails with a winter nature scavenger hunt! Light refreshments will be provided.

Cost: FREE

Advance registration is limited and required by December 6th. Register HERE

Winter Wildlife

Saturday, December 16th: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Winter Wildlife

Come out to the Elkhart Environmental Center on Saturday, December 16th to discover the secrets of wildlife during winter! Learn how different animals use different adaptations to survive the harsh conditions of the winter months, find out how to look for and identify signs of wildlife in nature, and get some tips on how YOU can help support wildlife through the season. Afterwards, join us for a hike to search for signs of critters and enjoy the season. Light refreshments will be provided.

Cost: FREE

Advance registration is limited and required by December 13th. Register HERE

Recommended for ages 8 & older

River Clean Up

Saturday, September 9th

River Clean Up

If you would like to receive email updates about our River Clean Up events, please email EECmail@coei.org.

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 here 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.

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.

Adopt-A-Garden

Adopt-A-Garden

Garden adopters help take care of our various gardens onsite. A great activity for individuals AND groups!

Adopt-A-Plot

Adopt-A-Plot

Adopt a plot in our Learning Garden to grow your own fruits, vegetables, flowers! Seeds are available upon request.

Adopt-A-Trail

Adopt-A-Trail

Love walking our trails? Adopt one! Help us keep trails in good condition for visitors and wildlife. Great for groups and individuals!

Quilt Garden

Quilt Garden

Summer (End of May – Mid September)

Help plant and maintain our lovely Quilt Garden once a week. Schedules are flexible, tools provided during staff hours (M – F 8 AM – 5 PM). Interested in learning more? Contact EEC staff at EECmail@coei.org.

EnviroFest Committee Meeting

EnviroFest Committee Meeting

UPDATE: Meetings are held at the EEC
This is our biggest event of the year AND the biggest EnviroFest yet: help us plan our 25th EnviroFest for 2022! 
Help develop: the Raffle & Silent Auction, the theme and entertainment for the Kids’ Area, educational speakers, zero waste initiatives, and more. Join us for snacks and a monthly meeting on how to make this community event the best it has ever been!
Email EECmail@coei.org for more info.

Dates & Times:

  • 1st Monday of the month (January – August) at 6 PM

Specialty Projects

Specialty Projects

Special legacy projects are great for volunteers or volunteer groups that have the skills/experience to make them happen! If you have ideas a project, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at EECmail@coei.org or call (574) 293-5070 or stop by and visit us!

Anytime

Anytime

If you are interested in bringing a group out to the EEC for a volunteer day, we are happy to schedule this outside of our regular business hours (M-F 8 AM – 5 PM). Please contact EEC staff at EECmail@coei.org or (574) 293-5070.

Education

Field Trips

Field Trips

The Elkhart Environmental Center (EEC) offers a variety of environmental education programming and placed-based learning throughout the year. If you are looking for something specific, we do offer a boutique experience and are happy to cater our programming to your needs. Please contact staff for more information at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.

Presentations

Presentations

The Elkhart Environmental Center hosts presentations and speakers throughout the year. If you are interested in presenting a program, we also serve as a host site. Contact EEC staff at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.

Stay tuned for updates on any upcoming presentations.

Classroom

Classroom

The EEC offers a variety of environmental education programming–both here at the EEC and wherever we’re needed! Interested in having EEC staff bring an environmental program into your classroom? Contact staff at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org

Environmental Moment

Environmental Moment

The EEC, sponsored by Borden Waste-Away, presented weekly environmental moment segments on Froggy 102.7. Each segment focused on a single environmental/sustainable topic. Further information and resources about these topics will be returning to our website shortly. If you have any question, please contact EEC staff at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.

ElkhartWood

ElkhartWood

Adopt-A-Garden

Adopt-A-Garden

Garden adopters help take care of our various gardens onsite. A great activity for individuals AND groups!

Adopt-A-Plot

Adopt-A-Plot

Adopt a plot in our Learning Garden to grow your own fruits, vegetables, flowers! Seeds are available upon request.

Adopt-A-Trail

Adopt-A-Trail

Love walking our trails? Adopt one! Help us keep trails in good condition for visitors and wildlife. Great for groups and individuals!

Quilt Garden

Quilt Garden

Summer (End of May – Mid September)

Help plant and maintain our lovely Quilt Garden once a week. Schedules are flexible, tools provided during staff hours (M – F 8 AM – 5 PM). Interested in learning more? Contact EEC staff at EECmail@coei.org.

EnviroFest Committee Meeting

EnviroFest Committee Meeting

UPDATE: Meetings are held at the EEC
This is our biggest event of the year AND the biggest EnviroFest yet: help us plan our 25th EnviroFest for 2022! The goal of EnviroFest is to engage and educate the community on environmental and sustainable initiatives and we want this event to go above and beyond for the 25th anniversary.
Help develop the Raffle & Silent Auction, the theme and entertainment for the Kids’ Area, educational speakers, zero waste initiatives, and more. Join us for snacks and a monthly meeting on how to make this community event the best it has ever been!
Contact EEC staff at EECmail@coei.org for questions.

Dates & Times:

  • 1st Monday of the month (December – August) at 6 PM

Specialty Projects

Specialty Projects

Special legacy projects are great for volunteers or volunteer groups that have the skills/experience to make them happen! If you have ideas a project, we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at EECmail@coei.org or call (574) 293-5070 or stop by and visit us!

Anytime

Anytime

If you are interested in bringing a group out to the EEC for a volunteer day, we are happy to schedule this outside of our regular business hours (M-F 8 AM – 5 PM). Please contact EEC staff at EECmail@coei.org or (574) 293-5070.

Education

Field Trips

Field Trips

The Elkhart Environmental Center (EEC) offers a variety of environmental education programming and placed-based learning throughout the year. If you are looking for something specific, we do offer a boutique experience and are happy to cater our programming to your needs. Please contact staff for more information at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.

Presentations

Presentations

The Elkhart Environmental Center hosts presentations and speakers throughout the year. If you are interested in presenting a program, we also serve as a host site. Contact EEC staff at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.

Stay tuned for updates on any upcoming presentations.

Classroom

Classroom

The EEC offers a variety of environmental education programming–both here at the EEC and wherever we’re needed! Interested in having EEC staff bring an environmental program into your classroom? Contact staff at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org

Environmental Moment

Environmental Moment

The EEC, sponsored by Borden Waste-Away, presented weekly environmental moment segments on Froggy 102.7. Each segment focused on a single environmental/sustainable topic. Further information and resources about these topics will be returning to our website shortly. If you have any question, please contact EEC staff at 574-293-5070 or EECmail@coei.org.

ElkhartWood

ElkhartWood