West Volusia News

Volusia County issued the following announcement on Feb. 10.

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

The free programs will begin in the center’s classroom. Reservations are required; call 386-789-7207, ext. #21028.

March’s programs include:

Tiny trekkers: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5. Children ages 2 to 5 can take a short hike, make a take-home craft, and listen to the book “Plant the Tiny Seed.”

All about owls: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Learn about commonly seen owl species in Volusia County and how to recognize them by sight and sound. Education staff will cover basic owl anatomy, feather design, diet and owls’ role in nature. Staff will dissect an owl pellet and identify the contents found. This program will be presented in the LEC classroom. A link will be provided to online participants.

Lyonia hike and tour: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 6. Experience Florida’s unique scrub habitat on a guided hike in Lyonia Preserve. Learn about the animals and plants that call this desert-like environment home. Following the hike, the group will tour Lyonia Environmental Center’s exhibit gallery to learn about the important role scrub habitat plays in recharging the Floridan aquifer.

Let’s “bee” appreciative: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Get the buzz on Florida’s native bees and their important role as pollinators for gardens and the food supply. Staff will guide participants as they make their own bee houses. The cost is $4 per bee house; all materials will be provided. This program will be presented in the classroom and virtually. A link will be provided to online participants; they may pick up materials at the LEC before the program.

Berries for birds: 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 10. Birds flock to native plants with berries for their flavorful fruits and the insects they attract. Join Steve Kintner, vice president of the West Volusia Audubon Society, in the LEC pollinator garden as he discusses types of berry producing plants that do well in Volusia County. Participants will receive a free native plant for attending this in-person program.

Lucky leprechaun hike: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12. Join staff on a guided hike in Lyonia Preserve to learn about scrub habitat and see how many lucky leprechauns you can find hidden along the trail. If you wear green, your name will be entered into a prize drawing.

In search of nature in Central Florida: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Many elusive creatures and unusual habitats are hiding in Central Florida. You just have to know where to look. In this classroom presentation, Master Naturalist and author Roger Fulton will discuss places you may never have heard of, even though some are in your own backyard. Learn about the Sherman’s fox squirrel, the Florida scrub jay, a coastal strand area with unique plant life, and a host of other great places to enjoy nature.

“Spring ahead into nature” hike: 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 13. Kick off daylight saving time with a guided hike into Lyonia Preserve. Explore what changes spring has in store for the plants and animals.

Bountiful butterflies: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13. With spring on the way, it's a perfect time to explore the butterfly species that visit the LEC gardens. Staff will discuss these important pollinators and their vital role in the ecosystem. Afterward, participants will be entered into a drawing for a free milkweed plant, which has been donated by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. An online link will be provided for those who participate virtually.

“Springtime in the scrub” hike:10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19. Look for signs of spring during thisguided hike through Lyonia Preserve. This hike will include a visit to the two ephemeral wetlands in the preserve. Be prepared to hike on two miles of unpaved, sugar sand trails.

‘The Secret Life of Birds’: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19. Watch this BBC natural history film in the LEC classroom. Wildlife expert Iolo Williams investigates how and why birds communicate, their breeding and nesting behavior, and the survival challenges birds encounter. He also discusses how they are able to fly, the intricate design of their beaks, and how their color and camouflage enable them to live in many different habitats. Participants may bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

Hike and learn: Frogs: 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 20. Frogs are important environmental indicators for their habitat. Celebrate World Frog Day during this guided hike in Lyonia Preserve and learn about their diet and their roles in the food chain and ecosystem.

Alligators: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20. The American alligator is Florida’s state reptile. Join LEC staff in the Discovery Room to learn more about this reptilian species and the important role they play in Florida’s ecosystem. This program is recommended for all ages.

Manatees: 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. Celebrate Manatee Awareness Day by learning about these amazing herbivores and how Floridians can help them survive. Staff will share information on various species found around the world and showcase replicas of manatee rib and flipper bones. Participants will be entered into a drawing to win a signed artist’s manatee sketch.

Fertilize like a Floridian: 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 24. Fertilizing in Florida can be tricky because of runoff, which may damage nearby ecosystems. Christie Miller, Be Floridian Now and volunteer coordinator for the county’s Environmental Management Division, will explain how to protect local waterways and wildlife while still having a beautiful yard. Other lawn alternatives that require little or no fertilizer will also be covered. An online link will be provided for those who participate virtually.

Lionfish: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26. Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific, but are now established in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Learn how divers are combating this invasive species and how the rest of us can help without even getting into the water. An online link will be provided for those who participate virtually.

Snakes, turtles and lizards: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 27. Florida is home to a diverse collection of reptile species. LEC staff will share some interesting facts and introduce participants to resident reptile ambassadors in the classroom.

Scrub strolls: 9 to 10 a.m. every Friday in March. Volunteers will 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.

LEC staff has established public program procedures based on current guidelines. 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.

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.

Original source can be found here.