Outdoor learning adventures
and guided hikes
Outings are sponsored by Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division. Space is limited, and registration is required. Participants are encouraged to bring water and insect spray and wear comfortable clothes and walking or hiking shoes. For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Bonnie Cary at 386-736-5276 or bcary@co.volusia.fl.us.Backpacking the Florida woods
Deep Creek Preserve
964 S. State Road 415, New Smyrna Beach
9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012
Florida Trail Association members will share their knowledge of hiking, backpacking and camping as participants hike with packs, set up a demonstration camp, and cook lunch on the trail. Beginning backpackers and those who are thinking of becoming beginning backpackers are welcome to join us. This is the ideal opportunity to learn from folks who have been hiking and camping in the woods for years. All ages are welcome.Guided hike
Heart Island Conservation Area
Lake Winona Road, east of Barberville - 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012
Hike through the newest section of the Heart Island Conservation Area. The group will use new trails in the sandhill plant community and learn about the land’s agricultural history and restoration efforts. Meet at the entrance on Lake Winona Road, east of Barberville.Spruce Creek paddle
Location to be announced
9 - 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, 2012
Susan Young, a Florida master naturalist and kayaking author, will lead a leisurely paddle on Spruce Creek. The location will be announced. Bring your own kayak or canoe, whistle and life preserver.
Guided hike
Wiregrass Prairie Preserve
End of Rudman Road, Osteen
9 - 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2012
Take a three-mile guided hike of Wiregrass Prairie Preserve. See and learn about the plants and animals that call the preserve home. Meet at the end of Rudman Road in Osteen.
Bike-about
Deep Creek Preserve
964 S. S.R. 415, Samsula
9 - 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2012
Explore Deep Creek Preserve on a six-mike bike ride from The path is good for off-road bikes as it’s made of fairly hard sand and grass. Bring water and a snack. Helmets are required.Star tour: The moon and more
Wiregrass Prairie Preserve
1751 Lopez Road, Osteen
5:30 - 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2012
Hugh C. Ward Jr., Ed.D., a local educator and long-time astronomy teacher, will conduct a leisurely tour of the night sky with an emphasis on the moon. The tour will begin with a brief discussion of the moon, its phases, size, distance from the Earth, and many other interesting facts.Dr. Ward will point out the North Star and comment on the visible planets, constellations, bright stars, nebula, star clusters, galaxies and any unusual objects that may appear. There will also be a question and answer period and observation of the night sky through telescopes and binoculars. Bring a folding chair, insect spray, flashlight and your own telescope, if you have one. Arrive before sunset. Road conditions are rough. Please register.Nature photography Part 1:
Get to know your digital camera
Bicentennial Youth Park
3300 New York Ave., DeLand
9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012
David Baker, a retired educator and nature photographer, will lead this indoor hands-on learning workshop. Bring your camera and owner's manual. Part 2 of David's workshop be April 14 and will take us out into the natural world to practice what we've learned. Space is limited, please register.Beginning birding
Lake Woodruff Wildlife Refuge
2045 Mud Lake Road, DeLeon Springs
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012
Learn from the experts as West Volusia Audubon birders explain and demonstrate birding techniques and equipment. They’ll also teach tips for bird identification. We’ll ride the eco-buggy to several locations to practice our budding birding skills. Bring binoculars and bird identification books if you have them. Wear hiking or walking shoes, and bring water to drink.Talking turkey hike
Deep Creek Preserve
964 S. State Road 415, New Smyrna Beach
8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012
Learn and discuss the habits and vocalizations of our native sub-species of wild eastern turkey, the Osceola, from Environmental Specialist Ed Northey. Participants will learn a myriad of calls, then hike into turkey habitat using these calls, hopefully enticing “tom” to respond. Hikers also will learn and use the calls of crows and owls while learning their role in the spring woods. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and hiking or walking shoes. Bring water to drink.Insects—Good or bad?
Hickory Bluff Preserve
598 Guise Road, Osteen
9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 24, 2012
What are the true bad bugs? Explore the world of insects on a hike lead by entomologist Ray Jarrett of the Florida Department of Agriculture. This insect adventure will include inspecting insect traps and netting specimens to learn about the diverse insects in the habitats around us. We’ll also learn about the exotic insects that are invading Florida and the problems that they cause.Plant communities—Neighborhoods of plants
Hickory Bluff Preserve
598 Guise Road, Osteen
9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 7, 2012
Does the natural landscape of Volusia County look all the same to you? Natural areas are made up of many plant communities—neighborhoods of plants that depend on different habitat conditions. Learn about these communities during a hands-on learning hike led by Randall Sleister, Volusia County's land management manager; David Griffis, director of the University of Florida IFAS Extension; and Dr. Cindy Bennington, a plant ecology professor at Stetson University. These soil, plant and ecology experts will help us examine and discover why plants live in specific communities.
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