Explore Volusia
Mission statement: To provide education opportunities to residents and visitors of Volusia County, through our satellite facilities and on our Conservation Lands, to learn about our diverse local natural surroundings through the exploration of the wonderfully diverse habitats of Volusia County.
Explore Volusia, the educational arm of the Volusia Forever program, offers a variety of outdoor adventures in the county conservation lands, including paddling, hiking, biking, and eco-buggy tours. All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Paddling, Hiking, Biking, and Eco-Buggy Programs
Programs can be found on Eventbrite, by clicking here.
- Program Participation Waiver (PDF)
- Program Participation Waiver for Minors (PDF)
- Conservation Lands Map
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Volusia Forever
Volusia Forever was created in 2000 when the citizens of Volusia County voted to tax themselves .2 mills over 20 years to protect the County’s natural biodiversity. Voters renewed it for another 20 years during the November 2020 election. To stretch these dollars as far as possible Volusia Forever forms partnerships with federal, state, water management district, and local agencies that are committed to protecting natural resources. Approximately 39,000 acres (fee-simple and less-than-fee) have been acquired since the beginning of the program.
Mission: Finance the acquisition and improvement of environmentally sensitive, water resource protection, and outdoor recreation lands, and to manage these lands as conservation stewards in perpetuity.
Goals: Conserve, maintain and restore the natural environment and provide access for the enjoyment and education of the public; provide resources to ensure that sufficient quantities of water are available to meet current and future needs; meet the need for high-quality resource based outdoor opportunities, greenways, trails, and open space; preserve the habitat and water recharge; ensure that the natural resource values of such lands are protected and that the public has the opportunity to enjoy the lands to their fullest potential.
Printed Materials / Brochures
Other Opportunities / Information
Volusia County is home to a vast array of biodiversity and aesthetically pleasing habitats. Its water resources range from our beautiful Ocean to Estuarine Marine life, and extend to the St. Johns River where fresh water pours out of natural springs. Inland, Volusia County has conservation lands which are part of a statewide effort to provide a wildlife corridor and natural habitat where bear, deer and other wildlife live and thrive in the wild.
By visiting our two site facilities, the Marine Science Center (Ponce Inlet) and Lyonia Environmental Center (Deltona), visitors will be afforded the opportunity to truly Experience Natural Volusia while learning from knowledgeable staff members and volunteers.
We encourage everyone to explore the exceptional habitats that encompass Volusia County. Please keep checking the calendar and websites for exciting and adventurous programs on Volusia County’s Conservation Lands, the Marine Science Center, and the Lyonia Environmental Center.
Upcoming events
Explore Volusia: Citizen Science at Carter Quail Ranch
March 31 @8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Grab your fishing gear and join environmental specialists for a citizen science opportunity. Cast your line and assist Volusia County Land Management with identifying fish species present in the ponds. This is a catch-and-release event. Participants must provide their own fishing gear. Ages 8 and up...
Explore Volusia: Wildflower Walk
April 2 @8:30 am to 11:00 am
Join environmental specialists for a 2-mile hike through Wiregrass Prairie 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, and meet at 1751 Lopez Road, Osteen.
Reservations are requi...
Explore Volusia: Wildlife Eco-buggy Tour
April 7 @9:00 am to 11:00 am
Hop on Explore Volusia’s eco-buggy and explore Longleaf Pine 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 a...
Explore Volusia: Wildlife Eco-buggy Tour
April 7 @1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Hop on Explore Volusia’s eco-buggy and explore Longleaf Pine 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 a...
Explore Volusia: Piddler Island Paddle
April 9 @9:00 am to 11:30 am
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 ...
Explore Volusia: Heart Island Eco-buggy Tour
April 15 @9:00 am to 11:00 am
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 ch...
Explore Volusia: Heart Island Eco-buggy Tour
April 15 @1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
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 ch...
Explore Volusia: Lyonia Eco-buggy Tour
April 18 @9:00 am to 10:30 am
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 h...
Explore Volusia: St. Johns River Paddle
April 28 @9:00 am to 11:30 pm
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 C...
Explore Volusia: Deep Creek Adventure Hike
April 30 @8:30 am to 11:30 am
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 ...
