West Volusia News

Volusia County issued the following announcement on Oct. 21.

Discover Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during free programs at Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC), 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona.

Registration is required; call 386-789-7207, ext. #21028.

Tiny trekkers: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. Children ages 2 to 7 can enjoy a reading of “Here Comes Fall.” Afterward, they can take a short, guided hike through Lyonia Preserve to experience the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Wear closed toe shoes.

North Atlantic right whales: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. With fewer than 400 left in the wild, North Atlantic right whales are some of the most endangered large whales in the world. These marine mammals are typically sighted off of Florida coastlines between December and March. Join staff in person or online to learn why these whales are coming to our area, why they are endangered, and what wildlife officials are doing to protect them. A link will be provided for online participants.

“Fall back into nature” hike: 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. Fight the daylight saving time slump by getting outside and spending time on the Lyonia Preserve trails. Wear closed toed shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails.

Plants for wet areas: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. Tina McIntyre, a Florida-friendly landscaping agent for the Seminole County Extension, will explain which plants thrive in wet places during this in-person and online program. A link will be provided for online participants.

Tenacious turkeys:3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10. Learn fun facts about turkeys, including how fast they can run and how they communicate, during this in-person and virtual program. This presentation is recommended for families and children ages 7-12. A link will be provided for online participants.

Gratitude nature scavenger hunt: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. Having a spirit of gratitude takes practice. Bring the kids to connect with nature on a guided hike in Lyonia Preserve. The group will look for specific things that provide inspiration and a sense of gratitude. Wear closed toed shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails.

Upcycle your gratitude:2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov.13. Journaling about things you are grateful for can reduce stress, increase happiness and improve self-esteem. Staff will provide step-by-step instructions on creating an upcycled gratitude journal using junk mail during this in-person and online program. A link will be provided for online participants.

Hike for your health: 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. Experience the physical and emotional health benefits of hiking during this guided hike through Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed toed shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails.

A reptile’s winter: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. Learn how turtles, lizards, snakes and other species adapt to the cooler winter temperatures during this in-person and online presentation. Staff will display some reptile artifacts. A link will be provided for online participants.

Sunset over Lyonia: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. Celebrate National Take a Hike Day and watch the sun set during an outdoor exploration of Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed toed shoes, bring water and a flashlight, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails.

T-shirts to totes – holiday style: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Bring a T-shirt and follow along as an environmental specialist shows you how to upcycle it into a tote bag. Forgo that wrapping paper and use your new tote bag to wrap your gift, providing the recipient not only with a multi-purpose gift, but one that’s also good for the planet. Take part in person or online. A link will be provided for online participants.

Protecting the gopher tortoise: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. The gopher tortoise is a protected species found in all 67 counties in the Sunshine State. Learn about their anatomy, diet, lifespan and what you should do if you find one that is sick or injured. Staff will share ways to participate in citizen science activities that help provide biologists with important data used in gopher tortoise conservation efforts. After the presentation, the group will take a short walk into Lyonia Preserve to view an active burrow. Participation is limited to 10 persons.

“Fall into phenology” hike: 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. Learn about phenology – the study of how plants and animals are affected by nature’s annual cycles – during this guided hike through Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed toed shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails.

Manatees in motion: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. November is Manatee Awareness Month. As winter approaches, these aquatic mammals begin migrating inland to seek refuge in Volusia County’s warm springs. LEC staff will discuss their habitat, diet, range, and ways you can help this imperiled keystone species during an in-person and online presentation. One participant will win a “Save the Manatee” holiday ornament. A link will be provided for online participants.

“Scat and tracks” hike: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27. Animals use scat to build homes, attract partners, send messages and lots more. Explore what animals leave behind and learn how to identify local species by their tracks during this guided hike. Wear closed toe shoes and bring water.

The scorpion’s sting: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27. Scorpions are arachnids, close relatives of spiders, ticks and mites. There are over 1,500 species worldwide, but Florida is home to only a few of them. Learn how to recognize these species and pick up some interesting facts about their anatomy during this in-person and online program. Staff will also discuss scorpion venom and explain how venom toxins are being investigated for medicinal use. A link will be provided for online participants.

“Trim the fat” hike: 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 28. Did you overdo it with all those Thanksgiving goodies? Burn some calories and learn about the importance of scrub habitat during this hike over the “hills” of Lyonia Preserve. Bring water, wear closed toed shoes, and be prepared to hike for two miles on unpaved sugar sand trails.

Furs, feathers and scales: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28. Humans wear jackets, hats and boots to protect them from the elements. Animals, however, have these layers already built in. Whether it helps them to stay warm or provides protection from predators, animal coverings help them survive in their natural habitats. After this in-person and online presentation, staff will introduce the group to the LEC’s scaly reptile animal ambassadors. A link will be provided for online participants.

Scrub strolls: 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday in November. Volunteers will lead these exploratory hikes through Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed toed shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails.

LEC staff has established public program procedures based on current guidelines. All in person programs have a registration limit of 10 participants. These procedures are subject to change based on guidance at the local, state and federal levels. Programs may be modified at any time as needed. For more information, call the center at 386-789-7207, ext. #21028.

Original source can be found here.