Get Back to Nature at Lyonia Environmental Center

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Posted On: November 18, 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 December's lineup:

Creative Christmas Crafts:2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Make recycled Christmas tree ornaments, peppermint spinners, and recycled reindeer decorations while enjoying holiday cookies and hot apple cider from the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. This program is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Wildlife Wednesday Walk:9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. 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.

Tiny Trekkers:10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Children ages 2 to 7 will listen to "A Parliament of Owls," take a short hike in Lyonia Preserve, and make a craft.

Winter Story Walk:1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Walk the nature trail, visit crafting stations, and uncover an original story about friendship and Florida wildlife. At the end of the trail, families can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center.

Winter by the Wetland Hike: 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 8. Join LEC staff for this exploratory hike into Lyonia Preserve's large ephemeral wetland. You'll hear about the plant and animal species that are dependent upon this intermittent body of water as the group looks for signs of winter. Bring water and wear long pants and closed-toed shoes that may get wet. Plan on hiking through tall grass. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Living Fossils of Florida: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Join Derek Demeter, director of the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College, for this Nature at Night program. Outside his role as an astronomer, Demeter is a scuba diver and fossil hunter. He will discuss the various fossils found in Florida and explore the geological timelines and the fossils found within them, including many samples participants can see and touch. After the program, the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center will provide pizza and nonalcoholic beverages. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Lyonia Photography Club:10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. 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.

Cut your own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree:9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Bring loppers, a hand saw, and gloves to remove sand pines from the scrub habitat of Lyonia Preserve. On this day only, you can take a sand pine home and have your own Charlie Brown tree. You will be helping the scrub jays by removing a tree that can become overgrown and provide perches for predators. This program is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Nature Holiday Card Art:11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Learn basic techniques of gelli plate printing as you create beautify holiday cards using items found in nature and stencils made from upcycled materials. All supplies will be provided. This program is recommended for ages 13 and up, with a limit of 10 participants.

Candy Cane Science: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Celebrate the season with some fun holiday science activities. This program is appropriate for ages 7 and up.

Florida Stewards Photography Exhibition Opening:4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. This exhibit by conservation photographer Dustin Angell documents the people, places, and careers related to conservation in Florida. The subjects pose in their work clothes while holding the tools they use in grasslands, scrublands, pinelands, ranchlands, and wetlands. Most subjects are wildlife biologists or ecological researchers, but others are land managers, artists, archeologists, volunteers, and educators. Angell will speak about his work at 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Photography Club Hike:8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. 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.

"Scrub Jays in Winter" Hike:10 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Bundle up, put on your hiking boots, and learn about the Florida scrub jay on this two-mile guided hike through Lyonia Preserve. Bring water, wear closed-toed shoes and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails. This program is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Popcorn and a Movie: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Follow in the footprints of red foxes and spy on the predatory warfare of wolves and elk while watching "Christmas in Yellowstone." From the unique crystals of individual snowflakes to the grand sweep of Yellowstone's Hayden Valley, this is a Christmas like no other. Popcorn, holiday cookies, and hot apple cider will be provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. All ages are welcome.

Friday Winter Stroll: 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27. Explore the plant and animal species that call scrub habitat their home on this guided hike through Lyonia Preserve. Bring water, wear closed toe shoes, and be prepared to hike on unpaved, sugar sand trails. This hike is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Sea, Touch and Explore:3 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. Have you ever wanted to learn more about sea urchins, sea stars and sea cucumbers? Staff will share fun facts about these creatures and their connection to the ancient beach of Lyonia Preserve. All ages can meet some of the center's saltwater animal ambassadors up close!

Make and Melt a Snowman, Florida-Style: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. Make a snowman from a baking soda blend, then use baking soda and vinegar chemistry to melt it. This program is appropriate for participants ages 7 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.