arts & entertainment

The Environmental Learning Center announced it will join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2023 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 2023, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2023. Find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

     Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.  McKee Botanical Garden and Vero Beach Museum of Art are also participating this year.  The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

      The Environmental Learning Center is a 64-acre island nature park surrounded by the Indian River Lagoon.  The ELC is open seven days a week and located at the western foot of the Wabasso Bridge in Indian River County at 255 Live Oak Drive in Vero Beach, Florida. The nonprofit nature center is a destination for water activities, walking trails, and wellness programs. With a mission to educate, inspire and empower all people to be active stewards of the environment and their own well-being, the ELC is committed to sharing the importance of protecting and restoring our natural resources. For information on events and programs offered at the ELC, visit DiscoverELC.org or call Guest Services at (772) 589-5050.