Volusia County, FL- Learn about Volusia County’s conservation lands and land management practices during free Explore Volusia programs in December. Environmental specialists will lead guided hikes, paddling trips,
eco-buggy tours and bike-abouts.
Reservations are required; call 386-736-5927.
Upcoming events include:
Bike-about Green Springs: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. Ride the first
segment of the East Central Regional Rail Trail from Green Springs to
State Road 415 and back. All ages are welcome on this 11.4-mile round
trip. Bicycles and helmets are required. Meet at Green Springs Park, 994
Enterprise-Osteen Road, Enterprise.
Geocaching in Hickory Bluff: 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. Learn how
to use a GPS device to find caches in the preserve. Bring your own
device or borrow one from staff for this fun adventure. Meet at Hickory
Bluff Preserve, 598 Guise Road, Osteen.
Riverbreeze Park paddle: 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12. Explore the
northern end of the Indian River Lagoon while paddling from Riverbreeze
Park to surrounding areas. Participants may see manatees, dolphins,
white pelicans and other native wildlife. Bring a kayak, canoe or
stand-up paddleboard along with a life preserver and whistle. Meet 250
H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill.
Longleaf lunch and learn: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. Ride
Volusia County’s eco-buggy through Longleaf Pine Preserve while
learning about its plant life and the importance of the lands. The
eco-buggy will stop at the pavilion, where participants may eat lunch
and learn about the county’s marine mammals and their connection with
conservation lands. Bring a bagged lunch and meet at the preserve’s
west entrance, 3637 E. New York Ave., DeLand. The eco-buggy will be
parked one-tenth of a mile from the parking lot; if you are unable to
walk this distance, ask for accommodations when you register.
Guided hike of Wiregrass Prairie Preserve: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb.
20. Take a hike of the 1,400-acre preserve, which is almost entirely in
the St. Johns River Valley. Explore upland and wetland natural
communities that include wet flatwoods, cypress domes and wet prairies.
Learn about land management practices while hiking the diverse ecotones
of the land. Meet at 1751 Lopez Road, Osteen. Do not use a GPS to find
the location.
Bike-about Lake Woodruff: 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. Ride a dirt
path around a segment of the beautiful Lake Woodruff National Wildlife
Refuge. Learn about cypress and mixed hardwood swamps while riding areas
of water impoundments where a variety of wildlife can be seen.
Participants must have a bicycle and helmet. Meet at 2045 Mud Lake Road,
DeLeon Springs.
Painting in nature: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 24. Join local
artist Holly Esch as she leads a watercolors program on painting in
nature at Hickory Bluff Preserve. This beginners workshop, which is open
to adults and children, will teach general techniques such as shading,
highlighting, blending, brush strokes and mixing colors. Supplies will
be provided. Meet at 598 Guise Road, Osteen.
Hontoon Island paddle: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27. Not for the
beginner paddler, this 10-mile paddle will leave from Hontoon Island
State Park and loop down Snake Creek and back up the St. Johns River
channel. The trip will take five to six hours. Participants are
encouraged to bring a bagged lunch for a picnic stop. Bring a kayak,
canoe or stand-up paddleboard along with a life preserver and whistle.
Meet at 2309 River Ridge Road, DeLand.
Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division sponsors Explore
Volusia to acquaint residents with the county’s diverse natural
habitats and land management practices.
Participants should bring water and insect repellent. They should wear
comfortable clothes and hiking or walking shoes.
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