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
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
Events for April
25th
Easter Egg Hunt
Events for April
26th
Easter Egg Hunt
Events for April
27th
Easter Egg Hunt
Events for April
28th
Easter Egg Hunt
Events for April
29th
Easter Egg Hunt
Events for April
30th
Easter Egg Hunt
Earth Day
Events for May
1st
Events for May
3rd
Events for May
4th
Events for May
5th
Events for May
6th
Events for May
7th
Events for May
8th
Events for May
9th
Events for May
10th
Events for May
11th
Events for May
12th
Events for May
13th
Events for May
14th
Events for May
15th
Events for May
16th
Events for May
17th
Events for May
18th
Events for May
19th
Events for May
20th
Events for May
21st
Events for May
22nd
Events for May
23rd
Events for May
24th
Events for May
25th
Events for May
26th
Events for May
27th
Events for May
28th
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th
Events for May
31st
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
Gardening for Wildlife Workshop
May 28th: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PMGardening for Wildlife Workshop
Join us at the EEC on Saturday, May 28th for our Gardening for Wildlife Workshop! Learn how to design your yard and landscaping in ways that will benefit local wildlife from guest speaker Aaron Stump of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. After an information-filled presentation, put your new knowledge to use by helping us with some native plantings onsite and building a bluebird nest box to install in your own yard!
The cost of this workshop is $5 per person. Advanced registration is limited and required. Tickets can be purchased HERE
Nature Play Days
June 7th & June 10thNature Play Days
Bring the kids out to the EEC on Tuesday, June 7th and Friday, June 10th for some fun and FREE nature play! As part of the Indiana Children and Nature Network’s Nature Play Days campaign, we will be offering both guided and self-led nature activities to encourage kids to get outdoors and enjoy time in nature. Supplies and staff will be available from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM on both days to encourage an exciting and memorable experience in nature.
There is no cost to this program, but please register ahead of time for which day you to plan to attend (you are welcome to come to both if you wish!). Registration can be completed HERE
For more information on nature play days, please visit the Indiana Children & Nature Network’s website
Recycled Father's Day Card Program
Saturday, June 18th: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PMRecycled Father's Day Card Program
Come out to the EEC on Saturday, June 18th anytime between 10 AM and 12 PM to make a card for loved ones with recycled materials! Discover what interesting and creative cards you can create with old cardboard, scrap paper, buttons, used holiday ribbons, and more while learning about the importance of recycling and upcycling! Kids will also learn how to make card envelopes out of old magazine pages and newspaper to complete their crafts.
The cost of this program is $1 per person and registration is required. Registration is limited, so reserve your spot 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.
