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.

Pumpkin Hunt

October 1st - 31st: Dawn to Dusk Daily

Pumpkin Hunt

Get the family out in nature this fall during our returning Pumpkin Hunt! Join the hunt along our trails throughout the month of October to search for pumpkins hidden along the paths. Beginning October 1st, a total of 10 small plastic pumpkins will be hidden across our site; if you find one, return it to a staff member during business hours for a fall prize! The hunt will last through October 31st or until all pumpkins have been found. Trails are open dawn to dusk daily, so come and search any time. Limit one pumpkin per family, please.

This activity is FREE and there is no registration required. Kids of all ages are welcome to participate!

View our Pumpkin Tracker to see how many pumpkins remain!

Bat House Workshops

Thursday, October 5th & Friday, October 6th: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Bat House Workshops

Come out to the EEC this fall as we once again host our Bat House Workshop! Due to popular demand, we will be hosting this program on TWO nights to accommodate more bat-loving guests: Session #1 will be held on Thursday, October 5th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM and Session #2 will be held the following night on Friday, October 6th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. Attendees at both sessions will learn about the interesting lives of bats around the world and locally, then finish up the evening by building their very own bat house to install at home!

Kits are $7 each and limited to one per family/group. Advance registration required. Reserve your spot HERE

***As of 8/22/2023, both of these sessions have SOLD OUT***

Wood Duck House Workshop

Friday, October 13th: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Wood Duck House Workshop

Join us at the Elkhart Environmental Center on Friday, October 13th for our Wood Duck House Workshop! Attendees will learn about the life history of this beautiful duck species and discover what it takes to build, install, and maintain a nesting box for these birds to help with conservation efforts. Guests will also help us build nest boxes that will be installed around the EEC ahead of the spring nesting season. A limited number of box kits will be available for attendees to purchase and build for their own property.

Check out our Facebook Events Page for additional details as they become available!

Haunted Walk Through the Woods

Thursday, October 26th & Friday, October 27th

Haunted Walk Through the Woods

Join us again this October for our 4th Annual Haunted Walk Through the Woods at the Elkhart Environmental Center! Enjoy a kid-friendly decorated trail with the family or brave the more frightening path through the woods. Grab some tasty food from local vendors while you’re out enjoying the trails!

This year, we will be hosting the event on TWO nights: Thursday, October 26th (5 PM – 8 PM) and Friday, October 27th (5 PM – 9 PM). Families/groups can sign up for hour-long timeslots to enjoy the event. Spots are limited, so be sure to register for your preferred night and time now!

Click HERE to buy your ticket!

Be sure to check out our Facebook Events Page for additional details and event updates!

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