Conservation Lands Outreach
Outdoor Learning Adventures
Bring the family outdoors for Saturday adventures led by experts on diverse subjects. Teacher certification points awarded for participation.Outdoor Learning Adventures are held on Volusia County conservation lands and include hiking and exploration of the site. Adults and families are welcome. Participants should wear walking or hiking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a camera and drinking water—and a sense of adventure!
Register early, space is limited.
For more information or to register:
(386) 736-5276
bcary@co.volusia.fl.us
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UPCOMING SCHEDULED EVENTS |
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Forestry Tour of Lake George Wildlife
Management Area Lake George Wildlife Management Area Ninemile Point Rd., Pierson Friday, March 19, 2010 9:00-11:00 am |
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Take an eco-buggy tour and learn about land management and forestry
practices of Lake George Wildlife Management Area. Stuart Jones,
Volusia County Land Manager will explain and demonstrate forestry
and timbering goals, techniques and equipment and the products that
are produced from trees. Lake George flora and fauna will also be
observed along the way. Space is limited, please register. |
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Plant Communities—Neighborhoods of Plants Hickory Bluff Preserve End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen March 20, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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Does the natural landscape of Volusia County look all the same to
you? Natural areas are made up of many plant communities—neighborhoods of plants that depend on different habitat conditions. Take a hands-on learning hike lead by Randall Sleister, Volusia County Land Management Manager, David Griffis, University of Florida IFAS Extension Agent, and Dr. Cindy Bennington, Stetson University Plant Ecology Professor and learn about these communities and their resident plants and trees. These soil, plant and ecology experts will help us examine and discover the reasons why plants live in specific communities. |
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Guided Hike of new section of Heart Island
Conservation Area Heart Island Conservation Area Lake Winona Rd., off Hwy 17 Thursday, April 1 9:00-11:00 |
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Take a guided hike of the newest section of Heart Island
Conservation Area acquired by St. Johns River Water Management
District and Volusia County. Hike the new trails through this
sandhill pant community and learn about the agricultural history and
restoration of this land. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and hiking or walking shoes and bring water to drink. Please register. |
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Bike Hike Lake Beresford Park April 7, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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Experience the natural world while having fun riding your bike. The
Lake Beresford Park paved bike trail is an avenue through beautiful
hardwood hammock habitat. A brief hands-on bike maintenance session
before embarking will help us take better care of our bikes. All ages and abilities are welcome. Bike helmets are required. |
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Nature Photography—Naturally Digital Heart Island Conservation Area Lake Winona Rd., off Hwy 17 Friday, April 9 9:00-12:00 |
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This workshop will offer tips on how to take better photographs of
landscapes, animals, and plants in their natural setting. If you are
shooting digital photographs with any level camera, you can improve
your chances of getting that “perfect” shot with some practical
shooting techniques and “technical” adjustments to your camera. This
workshop is suitable for amateur photographers from novice to
advanced. Please bring along your cameras and favorite shots to
share with the class. David Baker, retired Environmental Educator, will conduct this class in the field, so please dress accordingly. Suggested techniques will be put into practice as we discuss them, so make sure you have plenty of memory (in the camera, that is) and an extra battery. Please register. |
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Talking Turkey Hike Wiregrass Prairie Preserve Rudman Rd. Entrance Off Pell Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen April 10, 2010 8:00-11:00 |
| Learn and discuss the habits and vocalizations of our native sub-species of wild eastern turkey, the Osceola, from Ed Northey, Volusia County Environmental Specialist. Participants will learn a myriad of calls then go on a hike into turkey habitat using these calls, hopefully enticing “tom” to respond. Hikers will also learn and use the calls of crows and owls while learning their role in the spring woods. |
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Spring Stamede Paddle Gemini Springs Park 37 Dirksen Dr., DeBary Friday, April 16 9:00-11:00 |
| Susan Young, Master Naturalist and paddler, will lead us on a kayak adventure beginning at Gemini Springs Park. Our pace will be slow and leisurely as we observe the flora and fauna along the Gemini Springs Run in the Spring. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or use on of the park’s—they have 2 two-man kayaks and 4 canoes available. Life jacket and whistle are required for each participant. Please register. |
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Snakes – Florida Critters That Deserve Our
Respect Bicentennial Youth Park 3300 New York Ave., DeLand April 17, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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Jim Duby, Seminole County Natural Lands Manager and herpetology
expert, will lead us on an odyssey of the snakes of our area.
Participants will learn about snakes and observe Jim’s collection,
then go on a short hike of the flatwoods and swamp to learn about
their natural habitat. Wives tales and mistruths will be uncovered
and the fascinating biology of snakes will be discussed along with
the important role they play in ecosystems. Space is limited, please register. |
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Capture Nature through Painting
Green Spring Park 994 Enterprise Rd., Enterprise April 24, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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How many colors do you see in the spring? Experience natural Florida through the perspective of plein air painters—painters who paint outside. Sandra Wilson, artist and founder of the DeBary Art League and Gateway Center for the Arts, will lead a “paint out” for her art students and public participants of all ages. After learning the basics of color and paint from Sandra, participants will try their hand at creating their own paintings of Green Spring and the natural areas surrounding it. No artistic talent necessary, just a sense of creative adventure! Materials provided. Bring folding chair. Free to adults and families. |
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Lake George Wildlife Management Area Guided
Hike 770 Ninemile Point Rd., Seville (off County Rd. 3) Thursday, April 29 9:00-12:00 |
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Experience several plant communities and wildlife on a 4.2 mile
trail on Lake George Wildlife Management Area. This is a moderately
easy trail that will take us along the lake and through planted and
natural pine flatwoods. Where comfortable clothes that match the weather, walking or hiking shoes that may get wet. Bring water to drink, snack and insect spray. |
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Reading Skulls and Bones Bicentennial Youth Park 3300 New York Ave., DeLand June 12, 2010 9:00-12:00 |
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Have you ever found an animal skull and wondered what type of animal
it came from? Gregg Thompson, Biologist and Naturalist, will teach us to read skull characteristics to determine the type of animal. He’ll share his extensive skull collection and identify your skull and bone specimens. A hike to look for evidence of wildlife will put our new knowledge to the test. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and hiking or walking shoes. Bring water to drink. Space is limited, please register. |
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Survival in the Woods Hickory Bluff Preserve 598 Guise Road, Osteen Saturday, June 5, 2010 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
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What do you need to know to survive in the woods? What should you
bring with you when you set out on a hike? And how important is
attitude to your survival? Gregg Thompson, biologist and naturalist, will lead an adventure to teach and explore the answers to these questions. Through discussions, demonstrations and hands-on problem solving, participants will learn survival basics of fire, shelter, water, plus much more. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather, hiking or walking shoes. Bring water to drink. Space is limited, please register. |
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