Gian Cetrulo on Leading the EcoAction Program

If you haven’t been to the Environmental Learning Center lately and met Gian Cetrulo, who heads up the nonprofit’s EcoAction program, a volunteer-driven initiative that connects people with ways to improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon, put it at the top of your to-do list.

Not only will Cetrulo, who has a master’s degree in marine biology and more than a decade of experience in science education, engage you in conversation, he’ll inspire you to be an active steward of the environment; so don’t be surprised if you find yourself building oyster mats, attending a native plant workshop, or picking up trash along the shoreline.

“One of the things that’s great about the ELC is it’s so accessible and provides an opportunity to connect with nature. We talk about the ‘3 Ws’: how ‘we on the water looking at wildlife’ helps reset your batteries,” says Cetrulo, smiling as he takes in his surroundings.

“The power of education is to get people to really love something,” he adds. “Once they do, they want to help, and there are lots of organizations that offer ways to do that; our goal is to be the catalyst that connects people with service projects, whether they’re ongoing or just for one day.”

ELC executive director Barbara Ford, who came up with the idea, nods in agreement. “Our EcoAction initiative is a wonderful way for us to provide hands-on volunteer help for ecosystem preservation and restoration efforts while also supporting our fellow environmental partners’ efforts. In addition to being a wonderful communicator, Gian knows how to make things fun, which is important for engaging and retaining volunteers.”

Cetrulo discovered the ELC after he and his young family left Los Angeles and headed east to Vero Beach to be closer to his wife’s parents. While teaching science to St. Helen’s middle schoolers, he decided to check out the ELC.

“I started as a volunteer, filled out a survey listing my education and experience, and Barbara noticed,” he explains. “She called and asked if I’d be interested in teaching. I was, but I set some boundaries. I had to be home when my kids got home from school, no weekends, and she said ‘Done!’”

Cetrulo is quick to note there are no age boundaries when it comes to volunteering.

Walter and Patty Garrard are perfect examples. Once the former school teachers from Fort Lauderdale retired, they beelined for Vero Beach and began volunteering at the ELC. As Patty says, “The lagoon is so beautiful and such an important part of our area. With Walter’s science background it was only natural we’d volunteer here. Being able to help gives us purpose.”

Will Johnson found his purpose after attending ELC’s summer camp as a fourth grader. In middle school he was a junior ambassador and in high school a leader in the Junior Interpreter program, lecturing about the biodiversity and ecology of plant biology. Today Johnson serves on the board of Pelican Island Audubon Society and is a field trip advisor and lecturer with the Indian River Land Trust.

There are many other volunteer stories, and Cetrulo notes that they often begin when people turn off the screens, go outside, and fall in love with nature. “All of a sudden there’s this whole wonderful world. It’s absolutely amazing.”