Get Back to Nature at Lyonia Environmental Center

Posted On: March 19, 2025

Discover Volusia County’s native plants and wildlife during outdoor hikes and indoor programs at Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC), 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona. Reservations are required for all events; call 386-789-7207, ext. 21028, or visit https://tinyurl.com/lec-event.

Here’s April’s lineup:

Wednesday Wildlife Walk: 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 2. Join LEC staff for an exploratory hike through Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up. 

Spring in the Scrub Hike: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5. Look for signs of spring on this guided hike in Lyonia Preserve and learn about the connection to the springs that feed the St. Johns River. Bring water, wear closed-toe shoes, and be prepared to hike 1.5 miles on sugar sand trails. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Tiny Trekkers: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5. Children ages 2 to 7 will listen to “A Bear, a Bee and a Honey Tree,” take a short hike in Lyonia Preserve, and make a craft. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on sugar sand trails.

Springtime Flowers Tea Party: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5. If you like tea, upcycled crafts, and making new friends, this is the program for you! Staff will show participants how to make flowers from upcycled plastic bottles so they can reduce trash in a different way. Tea and light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. One participant will win an upcycled floral arrangement. This program is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Gopher Tortoise Art and Hike: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Create a sand-art gopher tortoise using colored sand while learning what makes gopher tortoises so special. Then take a guided hike to look for gopher tortoises and their burrows. This program is suitable for adults and children 7 and up. 

Garden Pests: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12. LEC staff will share some creative ways to deal with pests in the garden. This program is for all ages.

Invasive Species in Florida: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Florida is home to more invasive plants and animals than any other state. Staff will discuss some of the more common species, how they affect ecosystems, and what to do if you see them. This program is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Easter Science: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 13. Children ages 7 and up can explore science with a fun Easter twist. The group will see if Peeps candy will sink or float, whether they will freeze, and take part in other fun candy activities.

Full Moon Night Hike: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 13. See Lyonia Preserve in a different light during this guided hike under a full moon. Wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared to hike on sugar sand trails. Headlamps or flashlights are required. This program is for adults only.

Untamed Florida: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17. All ages can enjoy the beauty of untamed Florida and witness its perils during this Nature at Night program featuring a visual journey through Florida’s freshwater springs. After the presentation, pizza and beverages will be provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center.

Meet the Echinoderms: 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19. Bring the family and experience an up- close and personal encounter with LEC’s sea urchins, sea stars, and sea cucumbers. This program is recommended for all ages.

Upcycled Pressed Flower Candleholder Workshop: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Learn pressed flower techniques and create a beautiful take-home candleholder using upcycled materials. This program is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Earth Day at Lyonia: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. Celebrate Earth Day at Lyonia Environmental Center. Stop by anytime between 1 and 3:30 p.m. to make a seed ball, plant a seed to take home, make an Earth Day upcycled craft, hike in the preserve, explore the center’s exhibits, and visit resident animal ambassadors.

Friday Stroll: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 25. Lace up your hiking shoes and explore the plant and animal species that live in Lyonia Preserve’s scrub habitat. Bring water, wear closed-toe shoes, and be prepared to hike on sugar sand trails. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Early Riser Hike: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26. Listen to wake-up songs from birds and look for animal tracks while enjoying a peaceful, guided hike in Florida’s unique scrub habitat. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike 1.5 miles on unpaved sugar sand trails. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Backyard Beekeeping: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26. Learn how to obtain bees, the best time to order them, and how to install them in your hive. Staff will also explain what to look for when inspecting the hive.

City Nature Challenge and ReGrow Volusia: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Volunteers from ReGrow Volusia will explain how to become a citizen scientist for the City Nature Challenge. After a brief explanation of the challenge and its purpose, the group will hike in Lyonia Preserve and submit photos that will be used to document the biodiversity of Volusia County. After observing nature, participants can apply ReGrow Volusia resources to create a natural habitat in their yard or community. Experience is not required. This program is recommended for adults and children ages 10 and up.

Lyonia Environmental Centers offers sights into Volusia County’s ecosystems through hands-on displays and educational programs. It’s part of the Deltona Regional Library complex at 2150 Eustace Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Learn what’s happening at the LEC at www.lyoniapreserve.com.