County begins restoration of Lyonia Preserve

Volusia County will begin a two-week restoration project in Lyonia Preserve on Monday, Oct. 11.

The 360-acre scrub habitat, which is adjacent to the Deltona Regional Library and Lyonia Environmental Center, is home to threatened Florida scrub jays, gopher tortoises and other animals that thrive in the arid ecosystem.

Land management staff note that sand pines and scrubby oak trees are becoming overgrown and need to be reduced to mimic a younger, lower scrub habitat. This will allow scrub animals to survive.

As part of the county’s ongoing efforts to maintain the scrub habitat for scrub jays, land management workers will roller chop about 20 acres that have become too dense. Roller choppers are used to knock down and chop up brush and trees up to about 3 inches in diameter.

Staff will mark gopher tortoise burrows, bypass less dense areas, and leave islands of oak trees. The preserve’s blue trail will be closed during the project.