Get Back to Nature at Lyonia Environmental Center

Home News News Releases

Posted On: October 21, 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.

Here's November's lineup:

Tiny Trekkers:10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Children ages 2 to 7 will listen to a book about nature, take a short hike in Lyonia Preserve, and make a mushroom craft.

Rain Barrels 101:2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Discover the importance of using rain barrels to collect water and learn how to assemble and properly place your barrel. A limited number of rain barrels will be available for purchase as a fundraiser for the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. This program is recommended for adults.

Critter Corner: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. 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 learn how that animal survives in its natural habitat. This program is appropriate for all ages.

Wildlife Wednesday Walk:9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. Volunteers will lead this exploratory hike through Lyonia Preserve. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on sugar sand. This walk is designed for ages 8 and up.

Lyonia Photography Club:10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. 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.

Books, Buttons, and Bouquets:2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. Learn the technique of upcycling old books and buttons into beautiful fall flowers in this fun, festive workshop. Employees will share stories of their favorite books over tea and cookies, and one lucky participant will take home a book-and-button floral arrangement. This program is recommended for ages 12 and up. Space and materials are limited. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center.

How to Recycle (even without curbside recycling): 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10. The whole family can earn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle regardless of age, address, or access to curbside recycling. After the presentation, participants can make a craft with upcycled materials. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14. Monica Folk of Wild Folk will share information about this fascinating species and how bird experts are using technology to save it from extinction. The red-cockaded woodpecker is a federally endangered species that once lived in old-growth pine forests throughout the Southeast. Now it's restricted to large remote forest lands, usually in state parks and national forests. This program is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Eco-buggy Ride through Lyonia Preserve: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15. Learn about the importance of scrub habitat as LEC and Explore Volusia staff guide you on a ride through the unique habitat. Keep an eye out for scrub jays, gopher tortoises, and other wildlife! This program is limited to 25 people. All ages are welcome.

Photography Club Hike:8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Lyonia Preserve has unlimited opportunities for photographing birds, reptiles, and plants. Budding photographers can take advantage of this hike to hone their skills. All skill levels, ages, and camera types (from cellphones to fancy digital cameras) are welcome.

"Fall in the Air" Hike: 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Explore the scrub habitat of Lyonia Preserve and look for signs of fall on this 1.5-mile hike. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Nibbles with a Naturalist: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. An LEC staff naturalist will focus on sharks during this casual program for ages 12 and up. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center.

Marvelous Manatees: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. November is Manatee Awareness Month. Show your appreciation for these gentle giants by creating some upcycled projects, embracing sustainability, and creating your own bookmark and book cover. This program is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Autumn Stroll:9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22. Lace up your hiking shoes and join LEC staff for an exploratory hike of Lyonia Preserve. The group will look for the plant and animal species that call scrub habitat their home. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Wild Turkeys:10:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Wild turkeys can have over 5,000 feathers! Learn more fun facts about the largest game bird in North America and view LEC's taxidermied turkey to learn about their anatomy. This creature feature is recommended for ages 6 and up.

Reptile Read Along:2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Practice your reading skills while helping LEC's animal ambassadors with enrichment. Bring your favorite book, pull up a chair to our animal enclosures, and read to Kai and Frank, Brooks and Pearl, Blaze and Egor, or Jewel. Reading is scheduled in 20-minute increments, and registration is required. This program is appropriate for ages 6 and up

STEMS-giving Science:2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. Celebrate Thanksgiving with some fun food science activities. This program is appropriate for participants ages 7 and up.

"Burn, Baby, Burn" Hike:9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Did you overindulge a bit on Thanksgiving? Burn calories and learn about prescribed burns on this guided, two-mile hike along Lyonia Preserve's blue trail.

Upcycled Denim Ornaments:2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Get into the holiday by spirit by upcycling old jeans into cute holiday ornaments you can use on your tree or on a package. Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

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.