Get back to nature at the LEC

Posted On: March 10, 2021

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 April:

Nature’s storytime: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 3. Children ages 2 to 7 can enjoy a reading of “On the Wing.” Afterward, they can take a short, guided hike through Lyonia Preserve to experience the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

Gopher tortoise talk and trek: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 10. Gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species because they share their burrows with hundreds of different types of wildlife. Learn about the important role these long-lived reptiles play in the scrub ecosystem, how you can help them, and how the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tracks them. After the classroom presentation, participants can join staff on a guided hike through Lyonia Preserve.

Think blue, be green: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17. Get ready for Earth Day with Jennifer Mitchell of the St. Johns River Water Management District. During this virtual program, she will explain ways to reduce water use and save money. She will also share activities to learn about water conservation for all ages. An online link will be provided upon registration.

“Florida’s fabulous frogs” hike: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 24. Hop on over to the LEC and welcome the arrival of a new season and emerging amphibians. The group will stroll out to Lyonia Preserve’s ephemeral pond in search of the sweet sounds of frogs chorusing. Staff will go over some of Florida’s native amphibians, the important role they play in our ecosystem, and Citizen Scientist projects such as iNaturalist and FrogWatch USA.

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.