Conservation Lands Outreach
Outdoor Learning Adventures
Bring the family outdoors for Saturday adventures led by experts on diverse subjects. Teacher certification points awarded for participation.Outdoor Learning Adventures are held on Volusia County conservation lands and include hiking and exploration of the site. Adults and families are welcome. Participants should wear walking or hiking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a camera and drinking water—and a sense of adventure!
Register early, space is limited.
For more information or to register:
(386) 736-5276
bcary@co.volusia.fl.us
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UPCOMING SCHEDULED EVENTS |
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Hickory Bluff Preserve Guided Hike 598 Guise Rd., Osteen 32764 (off Maytown Rd.) Friday, February 12, 2010 9:00-11:00 |
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Explore the jewel of Volusia Conservation Lands. Hikers will
experience diverse Florida habitats including pine flatwoods, xeric
oak hammock, cypress dome and swamp, plus walk the shoreline of a
natural piece of the St. Johns River. Where comfortable clothes that match the weather, walking or hiking shoes. Bring water to drink. |
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Hickory Bluff
Preserve Night Hike Hickory Bluff Preserve Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen Friday, February 26, 2010 6:00-8:00 pm |
| Experience the natural world after the sun goes down. Dale Samler, DBC Biology Instructor, will lead us on a night hike to look and listen for critter activity by the light of the moon. The hike will take us through several habitats including the shoreline of the St. Johns River. Wear hiking or walking shoes. Bring insect repellant, flashlight and water to drink. Space is limited, please register. |
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Guided Hike of
new section of Heart Island Conservation Area Heart Island Conservation Area Lake Winona Rd., off Hwy 17 Saturday, February 27, 2010 9:00-11:00 |
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Take a guided hike of the newest section
of Heart Island Conservation Area acquired by St. Johns River Water
Management District and Volusia County. Hike the new trails through
this sandhill pant community and learn about the agricultural
history and restoration of this land. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and hiking or walking shoes and bring water to drink. Please register. |
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Beginning Birding Beresford Park Fatio Rd., DeLand March 6, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
| Learn from the experts as West Volusia Audubon birders explain and demonstrate birding techniques and equipment. They’ll also teach tips for bird identification. Then we’ll hike the trails at Beresford Park and practice our budding birding skills. Bring binoculars and bird identification books if you have them. Wear hiking or walking shoes, bring water to drink. |
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Insects—Good or Bad? Hickory Bluff Preserve End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen March 13, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
| What are the true bad bugs? Explore the world of insects on a hike lead by Ray Jarrett, Environmental Scientist and native plant expert. 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. |
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Forestry Tour of Lake George Wildlife
Management Area Lake George Wildlife Management Area Ninemile Point Rd., Pierson Friday, March 19, 2010 9:00-11:00 pm |
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Take an eco-buggy tour and learn about land management and forestry
practices of Lake George Wildlife Management Area. Stuart Jones,
Volusia County Land Manager will explain and demonstrate forestry
and timbering goals, techniques and equipment and the products that
are produced from trees. Lake George flora and fauna will also be
observed along the way. Space is limited, please register. |
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Plant Communities—Neighborhoods of Plants Hickory Bluff Preserve End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen March 20, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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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. Take a hands-on learning hike lead by Randall Sleister, Volusia County Land Management Manager, David Griffis, University of Florida IFAS Extension Agent, and Dr. Cindy Bennington, Stetson University Plant Ecology Professor and learn about these communities and their resident plants and trees. These soil, plant and ecology experts will help us examine and discover the reasons why plants live in specific communities. |
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Talking Turkey Hike Wiregrass Prairie Preserve Rudman Rd. Entrance Off Pell Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen April 10, 2010 8:00-11:00 |
| Learn and discuss the habits and vocalizations of our native sub-species of wild eastern turkey, the Osceola, from Ed Northey, Volusia County Environmental Specialist. Participants will learn a myriad of calls then go on a hike into turkey habitat using these calls, hopefully enticing “tom” to respond. Hikers will also learn and use the calls of crows and owls while learning their role in the spring woods. |
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Snakes – Florida Critters That Deserve Our
Respect Bicentennial Youth Park 3300 New York Ave., DeLand April 17, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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Jim Duby, Seminole County Natural Lands Manager and herpetology
expert, will lead us on an odyssey of the snakes of our area.
Participants will learn about snakes and observe Jim’s collection,
then go on a short hike of the flatwoods and swamp to learn about
their natural habitat. Wives tales and mistruths will be uncovered
and the fascinating biology of snakes will be discussed along with
the important role they play in ecosystems. Space is limited, please register. |
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Capture Nature through Painting
Green Spring Park 994 Enterprise Rd., Enterprise April 24, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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How many colors do you see in the spring? Experience natural Florida through the perspective of plein air painters—painters who paint outside. Sandra Wilson, artist and founder of the DeBary Art League and Gateway Center for the Arts, will lead a “paint out” for her art students and public participants of all ages. After learning the basics of color and paint from Sandra, participants will try their hand at creating their own paintings of Green Spring and the natural areas surrounding it. No artistic talent necessary, just a sense of creative adventure! Materials provided. Bring folding chair. Free to adults and families. |
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Reading Skulls and Bones Bicentennial Youth Park 3300 New York Ave., DeLand June 12, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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Have you ever found an animal skull and wondered what type of animal
it came from? Gregg Thompson, Biologist and Naturalist, will teach us to read skull characteristics to determine the type of animal. He’ll share his extensive skull collection and identify your skull and bone specimens. A hike to look for evidence of wildlife will put our new knowledge to the test. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and hiking or walking shoes. Bring water to drink. Space is limited, please register. |
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Survival in the Woods Hickory Bluff Preserve 598 Guise Road, Osteen Saturday, June 5, 2010 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
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What do you need to know to survive in the woods? What should you
bring with you when you set out on a hike? And how important is
attitude to your survival? Gregg Thompson, biologist and naturalist, will lead an adventure to teach and explore the answers to these questions. Through discussions, demonstrations and hands-on problem solving, participants will learn survival basics of fire, shelter, water, plus much more. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather, hiking or walking shoes. Bring water to drink. Space is limited, please register. |
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