Each year the Council & Center offer educational and community activities that help promote environmental education among both youth and adults. Visit the event pages below to learn more! Check back often for date updates!
Michael Shields Memorial Tournament Series- Sept 27 and 28, 2024
The 16th Annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore fishing tournament will be held on Friday, September 27th and Saturday, September 28th at River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp in Jensen Beach, FL.
The tournament consists of both an inshore invitational and an inshore open fishing competition and was created in memory of Michael Shields, a beloved member of the Martin County community and an avid fisherman, who passed away at the young age of 23 due to bone cancer. The event has raised almost $500,000 in donations for various charities throughout the years, and The Environmental Studies Council is proud to be the beneficiary of the proceeds from this year’s event.
Please join us for the Captain’s Party at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 27th for a silent auction, open bar, food, and live entertainment. Tournament website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Fall Open House- October 26, 2024, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mark your calendars and come see why the ESC is the place to be! The Center will be open for this fun and free event from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm! Click here for more information.
“Tessellations” by Tom Prestopnik at the Elliot Museum- Ongoing
Local artist and educator Tom Prestopnik’s latest collection is on exhibit at the Elliot Museum through December 27th. Half of the proceeds from his sales will be donated to the Environmental Studies Center.
Click here to learn more.
Fish Monitoring Workshop- November 13, 2024, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
ORCA’s One Health program is focused on studying the transfer of toxins and toxicants from the Indian River Lagoon to humans and animals. Sign up to attend the next fish monitoring workshop to learn how to dissect and process fish for lab analysis. Click here for more information.
Grandparents’ Day- February 8, 2025, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Calling all grandparents! Join us at the Center for family fun, including food, games, tours, and art projects!
ESC Deep Dive Lecture Series- February 2025
Join us for our yearly environmental lecture series. Check back later for more information and exact dates.
Spring Celebration- April 5, 2025, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Come check out our Spring Open House Celebration for a day of free fun at the Center!
Turtle Walks- June 2025
The Environmental Studies Council hosts two sea turtle nesting walks at the Environmental Studies Center each summer. Nesting walk dates will be announced with tickets available for purchase in May 2025.
Youth Driven Cinema, K-12 Environmental Film Festival
The mission of YDC is to engage the youth of Martin County in community involvement and environmental awareness through the arts and sciences. Click here to learn more.
Summer Day Camp (June and July)
The Center hosts a popular summer camp program during the months of June and July, where students can participate in seining, fishing, snorkeling, and trips to St. Lucie Inlet State Park, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Bathtub Reef Beach, Dubois Park, and Coral Cove Park. The camps are one-week sessions offered during the months of June and July. Click here for more information.
OTHER EVENTS:
Camp W.E.T. (Water – Environment – Technology)
This grant-funded program consists of three two-week sessions of active classroom lessons and intense hands-on field investigations. Students are selected by teachers for their enthusiasm for marine science and many receive scholarships from the Council to participate!
Hall of Fame Garden
The Council has honored recently deceased local men and women who were environmentalist who made an impact on our community. A plaque in their honor is added to the Hall of Fame Garden in front of the campus at the Environmental studies Center. The ceremony honoring the individual is held in November, though not every year.