Explore Volusia Offers Free Outdoor Adventures

Posted On: March 12, 2026

Learn about Volusia County’s conservation lands and land management practices during free Explore Volusia programs in April. Volusia County’s environmental specialists will lead a variety of outdoor adventures.  

Reservations are required for all programs; contact Tommy Nordmann at tnordmann@volusia.org or 386-943-7081, ext. 21266.

Wildflower Walk: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 2, at Wiregrass Prairie Preserve, 1751 Lopez Road, Osteen. Join environmental specialists for a 2-mile hike through the preserve and discover flowers native to Volusia County. Ages 10 and up are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes.

Wildlife Eco-buggy Tours: 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Longleaf Pine Preserve, 4551 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach. Hop on Explore Volusia’s eco-buggy and explore the preserve’s pine flatwoods and cypress swamps and the wildlife that calls these Florida habitats home. Learn about the important roles these animals play and how Volusia County Land Management maintains these important ecosystems. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes.

Piddler Island Paddle: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9, at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, 3251 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach. Join environmental specialists for a paddling trip through the mangroves to Piddler Island, where the group will enjoy a break on a nearby sandbar. Along the way, participants will learn about the native wildlife that inhabits this estuarine ecosystem. Paddlers may bring their own watercraft or use one of Volusia County’s sit-on-top kayaks free of charge. Paddlers must wear a personal flotation device and whistle. Ages 10 and up are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get wet.

Heart Island Eco-buggy Tours: 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Heart Island Conservation Area, 6340 Lake Winona Road, DeLeon Springs. Hop on the Explore Volusia eco-buggy and discover Heart Island Conservation Area, part of the 39,642-acre Lake George Wildlife Management Area. Participants will explore this property and learn how management agencies restore previously clear-cut lands to native habitat. All ages are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes.

Lyonia Eco-buggy Tour: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at Lyonia Preserve, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona. Explore the beauty of Florida’s unique scrub habitat on Explore Volusia’s eco-buggy at Lyonia Preserve. Climb aboard for a guided journey through this rare and fragile ecosystem, home to sandy soils, hardy scrub oaks, and the threatened Florida scrub-jay. Along the way, participants will learn how plants and animals have adapted to thrive in this sunny, dry environment and why protecting scrub habitat is so important. All ages are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes.

St. Johns River Paddle: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, at Lemon Bluff Boat Ramp, 907 Lemon Bluff Road, Osteen. Volusia County environmental specialists will lead participants down the St. Johns River to Hickory Bluff Preserve. Participants will learn about the history of the river and the plants and wildlife that make it such a unique ecosystem. Paddlers may bring their own watercraft or use one of Volusia County’s sit-on-top kayaks free of charge. Paddlers must wear a personal flotation device and whistle. Ages 10 and up are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get wet.

Deep Creek Adventure Hike: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at Deep Creek Preserve, 964 S. State Road 415, New Smyrna Beach. Join a Volusia County environmental specialist on a 5-mile hike through the preserve. Participants can expect a challenging but rewarding hike through pine flatwoods and cypress swamps. Participants may bring a lunch and join the group for an optional picnic at the pavilion at the conclusion of the hike. Ages 12 and up are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear closed-toe shoes that can get muddy and wet.