Environmental Center Plans Nature Hikes & Programs

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Spring to Spring Trail

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 noonSaturday, 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.