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
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!
EEC Programs & Events Calendar
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Special Events
EnviroFest
Third Saturday of AugustEnviroFest
The EEC’s biggest event of the year! Celebrating the 25th Annual EnviroFest in 2022! Past events have include food vendors, booths, raffle & silent auction, live music, kids’ area and entertainment, beer & wine garden, and more!
Details for 2022 coming soon!
Earth Day
Last Saturday of AprilEarth 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.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.
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.
Earth Month Programs
Throughout AprilEarth Month Programs
Celebrate Earth Day all month long wtih:
- Earth Day Trivia Night April 5
- National Walking Day April 6
- Natural Egg Dyeing April 9
- Environmetnal Book Exchange April 23
Nature Play Days
June & JulyNature Play Days
Bring the kids out to the EEC this summer for a whole season of fun nature play! Beginning June 21st, we will be hosting a play day once a week to encourage kids to get outside and spend time in nature. Activities will be mostly self-guided but staff will be available to answer questions and assist with guided activities and crafts. Each play day will be from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM on the following dates:
Tuesday, June 21st
Tuesday, June 28th
Tuesday, July 5th
Tuesday, July 12th
Thursday, July 21st
Thursday, July 28th
These family-friendly play days are FREE to attend, but please register in advance to let us know you will be attending! Registration can be completed HERE
Recommended for ages 2 – 12
Plastic Free July Party
July 9th: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PMPlastic Free July Party
Visit the EEC on Saturday, July 9th to celebrate Plastic Free July! Learn how to reduce your plastic use, discover alternatives to single-use plastics, participate in kids’ activities, and make an upcycled t-shirt tote bag! Bring a blanket and plastic-free picnic lunch to enjoy onsite after you explore the different stations and activities.
The cost of this program is $1 per person. Please register HERE
Bat House Workshop & Hike
July 15th: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PMBat House Workshop & Hike
Come out to the EEC on Friday, July 15th for a family-friendly evening of bat appreciation! Build your very own bat house to install at home, learn about the bats that live in our area and the benefits they provide, and take part in a twilight hike around our site to look for these amazing flying creatures.
The cost of each bat house kit is $5; limit of one kit per group/family please. When registering, please be sure to reserve a kit and indicate the number of people in your group by selecting one ticket per person. Supplies are limited, so reserve your spot now!
***As of 6/10/2022, this program has sold out***
EEC Open House
July 23rd: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PMEEC Open House
Curious about what the EEC has to offer? Want to explore our trails and get up close and personal with the nature at our site? Come to our Open House event on July 23rd! Visitors will be able to tour our Cabin and trails, engage in some fun activities, and offer suggestions about what programs they would like to see offered to the public.
This event is free and open to the public. Please register in advance HERE
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.
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
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.
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
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.
