Volusia County Receives Landowner of the Year Award from FWC

Posted On: May 1, 2024

Volusia County has been named Landowner of the Year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Youth Hunting Program of Florida. The Youth Hunting Program is designed to introduce young people to hunting and wildlife conservation by providing safe, educational, and mentored youth hunts.

For the past three years, Volusia County has held an annual youth hunt at Longleaf Pine Preserve in DeLand, during the first week of December. The preserve spans over 12,000 acres and is home to wildlife such as the sandhill crane, great blue heron, river otter, bobcat, coyote, fox, deer, black bear, and more. 14.5 miles of trails also run through the preserve, featuring hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Youth Hunt begins on a Friday afternoon and concludes on Sunday. Each participant is accompanied by a guide and a parent or guardian, and there are 10 to 12 volunteers available to assist. Throughout the weekend, participants learn foundational knowledge of hunting through guest speakers, such as an FWC officer, explaining the rules and regulations around hunting, and a wildlife biologist, reviewing different animal encounters they may see and hear.

"Through our Youth Hunt Program, we teach crucial safety measures and an appreciation for wildlife conservation,” stated Volusia County Council Member Danny Robins. “Our partnership with FWC has been so beneficial and this award signifies the value that Volusia County places on educating our youth and preserving our lands.”

Volusia County currently holds 38,000 acres of conservation land that are open to the public. Each preserve allows for different recreational activities including hiking, biking, bird watching, and wildlife observation. To learn more, visit www.volusia.org/conservation.