Deltona, FL- Discover Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during free
outdoor hikes and indoor programs at Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC),
2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona.
Programs will begin in the center’s classroom. Reservations are
requested and may be made by calling 386-789-7207, ext. 21028.
October’s programs include:
● “This makes sense” hike: 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. Take
a trek through Lyonia Preserve with LEC staff and use your five senses
to learn about scrub habitat.
● “Let’s hit the trails” hike: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday,
Oct. 8. Search for the plants and animals that live in Lyonia
Preserve’s scrub habitat during this guided hike.
● Only in Florida: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Join nature
photographer Paul Rebmann for this classroom exploration of Florida’s
endemic plants and animals. Endemic species exist only in a particular
geographic area. Rebmann will describe Volusia County's Rugel's false
pawpaw, Curtiss' milkweed, the Florida scrub jay and other species.
● Kid connection – Sargassum: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.
Children ages 5 to 13 can learn about sargassum, a brown seaweed that
drifts offshore and sometimes washes up on Volusia County’s beaches.
These “floating islands” provide shelter and food for baby sea
turtles and juvenile fish. Kids can learn about the creatures that
depend on seaweed and create a camouflage craft to take home.
● Creature feature: 11 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. LEC staff
will share interesting facts about the Eastern diamondback, a venomous
reptile that lives in Central Florida. Attendees will earn about the
snake, its habitat, common behaviors, and the important role it plays in
our ecosystem.
● “Creepy, crawly, creatures” hike: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 15. Join LEC staff on an exploratory hike to discover
arthropod and insect species in Lyonia Preserve.
● Water issues in the Third World: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct.
15. Dr. Paul M. Lane, a professor and director of the Applied Global
Innovation Initiative at Michigan’s Grand Valley State University,
will discuss water challenges in Latin America, particularly in
Nicaragua. Topics will include contamination, rainfall runoff, and what
happens when the water runs out. Nicaragua’s experiences may provide a
cautionary tale for Volusia County.
● Art in nature: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Incorporating
nature and the outdoors, LEC staff will guide participants through the
steps to make pinecone apples, nature collages and other creations.
This interactive program is recommended for children ages 7 and up.
Supplies are limited to 20 program participants; advance registration is
required.
● Go green for Halloween: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Pick up
some tips to reduce, repurpose and recycle your holiday candy. Other
creative ideas will be discussed.
● Picnic in the preserve: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.
22. Bring the family and a picnic lunch to Lyonia Preserve, where LEC
staff will discuss the importance of scrub habitat, the threatened and
endangered species that live there, and the ancient beach it once was.
● Un-nature hike: 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Test your
observation skills as you look for man-made objects hidden on the trail.
Staff will explain the importance of scrub habitat along the way.
● Re-purposed pumpkins: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Pumpkins are
great for more than carving. They’re high in vitamins and minerals,
but low in calories. Learn about their health benefits and ways they can
be re-purposed after Halloween. Participants will make no-bake pumpkin
pie in a bag.
● Eco-buggy tour of Longleaf Pine Preserve: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29. Take a riding trip through Longleaf Pine Preserve,
which includes 12,000 acres of natural communities of flatwoods, cypress
domes and swamps. In some areas there is an understory of saw palmetto,
gallberry and seasonal wildflowers. Staff from the LEC and the
county’s Explore Volusia program will point out the preserve’s
highlights. Meet at the east entrance, 4551 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna
Beach.
● “Autumn by the wetland” hike: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.
Join LEC staff for this several-mile hike to Lyonia Preserve’s large
ephemeral wetland. The group will look for signs of fall as staff
explains which plant and animal species depend on the intermittent body
of water.
● Popcorn and a movie: 2:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Watch
“Wings of Life” and discover the world of butterflies,
hummingbirds, bees and bats. These incredible and increasingly
threatened creatures play a vital role in helping to supply a third of
the world’s food. Free popcorn will be served. Candy, chips and
bottled water will be available for purchase.
● 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.