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The Environmental Learning Center <br />The Environmental Learning Center of Indian River County will <br />be strategically located on the southern two-thirds of Wabasso <br />Island which is in the middle of the Indian River Lagoon, part of <br />the Intracoastal Waterway system - the site is owned by Indian River <br />County. The property in and of itself, provides an example of <br />different land types; 14 acres of the site is considered uplands <br />where the facility will be constructed; the balance of 37 acres is <br />primarily wetlands. <br />Incorporated within the five separate pavilions comprising the <br />Center are: <br />- Two large classroom laboratories <br />Locker rooms, hose down area, and lunch room (which doubles <br />for additional classroom space) <br />- An auditorium with stage and projection capabilities <br />- A Registrar's office and Gift Shop <br />- Offices, libraries, and archives of various local and <br />state environmental agencies. <br />In addition, several docking facilities will be provided <br />on-site and adjacent to the site for users of the Center. <br />All aspects of the facility will be utilized by the Indian River <br />County School District, the Department of Natural Resources, the <br />Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Audubon Society, the St. Johns River <br />Water Management District, the Marine Resources Council of Florida <br />Institute of Technology and others. <br />Why Should FIND Participate In This Project? <br />Florida's inland waterways present FIND with many problems, not <br />the least of which is the environmental well being of the valuable <br />resource. This concern is shared by the citizens of Indian River <br />County, and because of it, the County has positioned itself to offer <br />major assistance to the District in meeting this responsibility. <br />The health of the lagoon, and the environmental future of <br />Florida in general, are dependent upon an enlightened population. <br />How much more effective the District's efforts would be if the <br />Public better understood what is needed for the betterment of the <br />waterway. To that end is the Environmental Learning Center. <br />The District's effort to increase public interest and - <br />understanding of the inland waterway will be greatly enhanced by <br />processing annually Indian River County's ten thousand students <br />through the Center. In addition to public and private school <br />