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Jan. 21, 2010
Shelley Szafraniec, APR, CPRC
Community Information Specialist

Enjoy outings on Volusia County Conservation Lands

Environmental enthusiasts can outdoors with Volusia County’s Land Acquisition and Management division through free adventures on some of Volusia County’s most diverse conservation lands in January and February.

• Noon - 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29: Mollusks and their beautiful shells wading hike - Observe and learn about the fascinating and diverse world of mollusks and the beautiful shells they produce on this adventure at Smyrna Dunes Park, 2995 Peninsula Drive, New Smyrna Beach. Joel Wooster, a master naturalist and mollusk expert, will lead a wading hike. Participants can bring shells they have collected for identification. Perched on 73 acres of pristine land at the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula, the park is surrounded by water on three sides - waters from the Indian River flow through Ponce Inlet and into the Atlantic Ocean. Smyrna Dunes provides a unique opportunity to see a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation in their natural habitat.

• 9 - 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12: Hickory Bluff Preserve guided hike - Explore the jewel of Volusia County’s conservation lands. Hikers will experience diverse Florida habitats including pine flatwoods, xeric oak hammock, cypress dome and swamp, plus walk the shoreline of a natural piece of the St. Johns River. Hickory Bluff Preserve, 598 Guise Road, Osteen (off of Maytown Road), is 150 acres and was acquired by Volusia County Government using Volusia Forever funds, with the assistance of a grant from the Florida Communities Trust.

• 6 - 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26: Hickory Bluff Preserve night hike - Explore the natural world after the sun goes down at Hickory Bluff Preserve. Dale Samler, a Daytona State College biology instructor, will lead participants on a night hike to look and listen for critter activity by the light of the moon. The hike also will take participants through several habitats, including the shoreline of the St. Johns River. Hickory Bluff Preserve, 598 Guise Road, Osteen (off Maytown Road), is 150 acres and was acquired by Volusia County Government using Volusia Forever funds, with the assistance of a grant from the Florida Communities Trust.

• 9 - 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27: Guided hike of new area at Heart Island Conservation Area - Take a guided hike of the newest section of the Heart Island Conservation Area acquired by the St. Johns River Water Management District and Volusia County. Participants will hike new trails through this sandhill plant community while learning about the agricultural history and restoration of the land. The mix of natural plant communities provides excellent habitat for many species to include the Florida black bear and gopher tortoise. Deer, otters, woodpeckers, songbirds, foxes, raccoons, alligators and a variety of snakes and lizards also have been observed. This new section of Heart Island is on Lake Winona Rd., off Hwy 17.

For all of Volusia County Land Acquisition and Management Division outings, space is limited and pre-registration is required. Event locations may change due to weather or road conditions. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and walking or hiking shoes.

For more information or to reserve a space on a Land Acquisition and Management’s Conservation Lands Outreach program, please contact Bonnie Cary at (386) 736-5276 or bcary@co.volusia.fl.us. For more information, visit www.volusia.org/growth/outreach.htm.

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