Volusia County, FL- Discover Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during outdoor
hikes and indoor programs at Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC), 2150
Eustace Ave., Deltona.
Programs will begin in the center’s classroom. Participation is free
unless otherwise noted. Reservations are required; call 386-789-7207,
ext. 21028.
December’s programs include:
· Tiny trekkers: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Children ages 2
to 5 can listen to the book “The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish,”
take a short hike, and make a take-home craft.
· Holiday wreath making: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Bring the
family to make a unique wreath from sand pine clippings, pine cones and
other materials found in nature. Ribbon and other embellishments will be
provided. Hot apple cider and cookies will be served. Advance
registration is required, and supplies are limited. The cost per wreath
is $10.
· Blowin’ in the wind: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Learn about
hydrozoans, colonies of organisms that are brought to Florida’s
seashore by ocean currents and winds. They include blue buttons,
by-the-wind sailors and Portuguese men-of-war.
· Winter wonder fun: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Kids
ages 5 to 11 can join LEC staff for nature-themed games, arts and
crafts, and a holiday movie. Children should bring a labeled sack lunch
and drink. An afternoon snack will be provided. Space is limited to 20
participants. The cost is $15 for the first child and $10 for each
additional sibling.
· Popcorn and a movie: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Watch
“Earth Flight – Flying High” to see how the Earth Flight series
was filmed using camera-carrying birds, drones, paragliders and
remote-control micro-flight planes. Popcorn will be provided. Snacks can
be purchased in the gift shop.
· Naturally Christmas workshop: 10:30 a.m. to noon: Saturday, Dec.
17. Make holiday decorations using pine cones, twigs and other materials
found in nature. Supplies are limited to 15 participants.
· A reptile’s winter: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. Learn
what turtles, lizards, alligators and other ectotherms do to survive the
colder months. Afterward, the group will visit with some of the LEC’s
reptilian animal ambassadors.
· ‘Gifting nature’ hike: 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. Learn
about the vital role scrub habitat plays in recharging the aquifer and
the unique plants and animals that have adapted to survive in this harsh
environment. LEC staff will explain how we can give nature a gift by
being caring environmental stewards.
· Environmental film series: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.
Spend the afternoon in the LEC classroom learning fun facts about owls,
tortoises, butterflies and other interesting animals. A new film will be
shown every 35 minutes. Popcorn will be provided. Snacks can be
purchased in the gift shop.
· Tiny trekkers: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Children ages 2
to 5 can listen to the book “The Night before New Year’s,” take a
short hike, and make a take-home craft.
· Family fun countdown to the New Year: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday,
Dec. 31. Families can play nature games and make recycled confetti
poppers, wishing wands and countdown clocks to ring in 2017. The Friends
of Lyonia Environmental Center will serve sparkling grape juice and
popcorn. Supplies are limited to 15 participants.
· Scrub strolls: 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Friday.
Environmental specialists lead these exploratory hikes through Lyonia
Preserve.
If you will be walking through Lyonia Preserve, wear closed-toe shoes,
bring water, and be prepared to hike on sugar-sand trails.
Lyonia Environmental Center offers insights into Volusia County’s
fragile ecosystems through hands-on displays and educational programs.
It’s part of the Deltona Regional Library complex at 2150 Eustace
Ave., Deltona. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is
free.
Learn what’s happening at the LEC at www.lyoniapreserve.com.