Get back to nature at the LEC

Get back to nature at the LEC

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

Registration is required; call386-789-7207, ext. #21028. Walk-ins will not be permitted. Classes that are offered on site are limited to 10 persons each to allow for social distancing.

Staff will offer the following programs in March:

Virtual storytime: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 6. Children ages 2 to 7 can enjoy a reading of “Buzzing Bees” and then follow along as an LEC volunteerguides them virtually through an activity. An adult must register and be present throughout the program. An online link and list of activity supplies will be provided upon registration.

Saturday soundwalk: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6. Join staff from the Atlantic Center for the Arts for this hike through Lyonia Preserve. The group will explore the sounds and rhythms of the urban and natural world. Participating in a soundwalk can help people of all ages relieve stress, gain focus and develop a deeper understanding of how we fit into our environment.

Brunch and butterflies: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 11. Learn about these important pollinators and their vital role in the ecosystem during this virtual presentation. Grab your brunch and learn how to identify some of the winged beauties that can be found in Volusia County. Staff will also share ideas on how to attract them to your garden. An online link will be provided upon registration.

“Blueberry bonanza” hike: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13. Lyonia Preserve is home to many types of native blueberry plants. Their flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies and moths. The fruits are consumed by birds, bears and other wildlife. Participants will be led on a guided hike along Lyonia Preserve’s blue trail, where they will learn about blueberries and test their observation skills. If you wear something blue, your name will be entered into a prize drawing.

“Sights and sounds of spring” hike: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20. Join staff for a stroll through the trails of Lyonia Preserve to celebrate the beginning of spring. The group will observe the sights and sounds that come with the changing of the season.

Florida’s shorebirds and seabirds: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 27. March through September is shorebird breeding season along coastal habitats. Unfortunately, shorebirds and seabirds face many challenges when they build their nests on Florida’s beaches. During this virtual program, Jean Olbert, a shorebird biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will explain some of these challenges. She will also discuss her work with the Florida Shorebird Alliance, a statewide network that coordinates on-the-ground protection of shorebirds and seabirds. An online link will be provided upon registration.

If you will be walking through Lyonia Preserve, wear closed toe shoes, bring water and be prepared to hike on unpaved 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.

Learn about other upcoming events at lyoniapreserve.com.