Lyonia Environmental Center Plans October Schedule

Posted

Spring to Spring Trail

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.