Get Back to Nature at Lyonia Environmental Center

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Posted On: December 13, 2024

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; call 386-789-7207, ext. 21028, or visit https://tinyurl.com/lec-event.

Here's January's lineup:

Tiny Trekkers:10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4. Children ages 2 to 7 will listen to "Does a Sea Cow Say Moo?", take a short hike in Lyonia Preserve, and make a craft.

Birding with Babies and Toddlers: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4. Birding can have many developmental benefits for young children. Families with babies and toddlers are invited to join West Volusia Audubon President Megan Brinton on a birdwatching adventure in Lyonia Preserve. Bring water and snacks for your little ones. Closed-toed shoes are recommended, and binoculars are encouraged but not required.

Luminary Upcycled Craft: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5. Brighten your day by making a luminary from a paper cup or toilet paper roll. Crafters will decorate their luminary, make holes, and then watch it glow. This program is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Wildlife Wednesday Walk:9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8. Volunteers will lead this exploratory hike through Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on soft sugar sand. This walk is designed for ages 8 and up.

All About Acorns Hike:10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Learn some fun facts about acorns, the favorite winter food of the Florida scrub jay, on this guided hike in Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike 1.5 miles on soft sugar sand. This hike is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Spring Gardening:11 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 11. Are you looking to start a spring garden in Central Florida? Join LEC staff for an introduction to recommended plants and times and strategies for a successful garden. This program is recommended for adults.

Popcorn and a Movie: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. Enjoy the wonders of the natural world as you watch "Winged Migration" and fly along with some of the world's most gorgeous birds. Witness as five film crews follow bird migrations along their travel paths. Popcorn will be provided free by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. All ages are welcome.

"New Year, New Adventures" Hike:10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. Welcome the new year by joining LEC staff on an exploratory adventure along the trails in Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike 1.5 miles on soft sugar sand trails. This hike is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Explore the Night Sky: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. Join Derek Demeter, director of the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College, for a laser guided tour of constellations. Telescopes will be set up for guests to view objects. An indoor program will be provided if the weather is inclement. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up. The Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center will provide pizza and nonalcoholic beverages.

Lyonia Photography Club:10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. Lyonia Preserve has unlimited opportunities for photographing birds, reptiles, and plants. Volunteers from West Volusia Audubon Society lead this monthly program series, which includes in-class instruction and field opportunities to hone skills. All skill levels and ages are welcome.

Critter Corner:2 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. Stop by the LEC for a meet and greet with one of the center's resident animal ambassadors. Explore the ambassador's life at the center and how that animal survives in its natural habitat. This program is appropriate for all ages.

Snow Science: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19. Celebrate the season with some fun winter science activities. This program is appropriate for participants ages 7 and up.

Friday Winter Stroll:9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24. Lace up your hiking shoes and join LEC staff for a hike through Lyonia Preserve. The group will look for plant and animal species that call scrub habitat their home. Bring water, wear closed-toe shoes, and be prepared to hike on sugar sand trails. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Photography Club Hike:8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. Budding photographers can hone their skills during this hike through Lyonia Preserve, which has unlimited opportunities for photographing birds, reptiles, and plants. All skill levels, ages, and camera types (from cellphones to fancy digital cameras) are welcome.

Beat the Winter Blues Hike: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. Get outside, breathe some fresh air, and learn about Florida's unique scrub habitat during this guided hike along the blue trail of Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike two miles on unpaved sugar sand trails. This hike is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Backyard Pollinators:11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 25. Learn how to attract bees and butterflies to your garden. Not only are they a delight to watch, but you can find out how beneficial they are for your garden and the environment. This program is recommended for adults.

Upcycled Greeting Cards Workshop: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. Meet some new friends and bring your creativity as you design unique greeting cards using old cards. Supplies will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring old cards from home as well. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Popcorn and a Movie: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Watch "Raptor Force" and observe some amazing raptors, winged predators whose beauty belies their speed. Dramatic footage from cameras mounted on their backs shows why falcons, owls, eagles, and hawks are masters of the sky and why engineers use their abilities and body designs as the basis of aircraft technology. Popcorn will be provided free by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. All ages are welcome.

Explore Volusia Challenge Hike: 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. Join staff for a two-mile hike in Lyonia Preserve, the fifth preserve in the 2024-2025 challenge. Participants will learn how to register and participate. Along the way, staff will point out some of the native plants and animals that live in the preserve's scrub habitat. Visit www.volusia.org/explorevolusia to learn more about the challenge. Ages 8 and up are welcome. Bring water, wear closed-toe shoes, and be prepared to walk on sugar sand.

The LEC offers insights 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.