NEWS RELEASE

The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is pleased to announce that Molly Steinwald is joining the ELC as its new Executive Director. Molly has more than 15 years of experience teaching and managing projects in ecology, conservation biology and environmental education across a wide range of ecosystems throughout the U.S. Molly has a strong record as an advocate and leader in science and environmental education reform focused on building collaborations and increasing cross-disciplinary and participatory means of connecting environmental issues with people’s everyday lives. Molly will be employed full time at the ELC beginning November 10.

Molly was previously the Director of Science Education and Research at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, she was faculty at La Roche College (Pittsburgh) and Project Dragonfly, Miami University (Ohio), teaching graduate courses in biology and community-based conservation.

Molly holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Dallas and an M.S. in Ecology from Purdue University, and is a current Ph.D. candidate in Biology at Miami University (Ohio), focusing on human interactions with nearby nature. Molly is also an award-winning and internationally- recognized environmental photographer. Married and the mother of two young nature-loving children, Molly is thrilled to have her family join that of the ELC.

The Environmental Learning Center is located north of Vero Beach, off County Road 510, at the western end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre campus includes exhibit areas, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, gift shop, and a visitor center. ELC membership benefits, a list of its many field excursions, Ecology Adventures, including nature walks, canoe excursions and other boating adventures may be found at www.DiscoverELC.org. Admission to the ELC, a non-profit organization, is $5 per person; there is no charge for ELC members and children 12 and under. The first Saturday of every month is free-of-charge for all.