Conservation Land Outreach Guided Hikes

Bike-About at Heart Island
Heart Island Conservation Area
Hwy 17, just south of Hwy 40
Thursday, January 28
9:00-12:00

Test out that new Christmas bike or dust off the old one for a bike-about of a great St. Johns River Water Management District site in Barberville. We'll take a 6-mile bike ride on hard packed road through several plant communities.

Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather. Bring water, snack and a rain poncho.

Mollusks and Their Beautiful Shells Wading Hike
Smyrna Dunes Park
2995 Peninsula Dr.
New Smyrna Beach
January 29, 2009
12:00-2:00 pm

Observe and learn about the fascinating and diverse world of mollusks and the beautiful shells they produce from Joel Wooster, Master Naturalist and mollusk expert on a wading hike of Smyrna Dunes. Participants are invited to bring shells they have collected for identification. Please register. No charge.

Hickory Bluff Preserve Guided Hike
598 Guise Rd., Osteen 32764
(off Maytown Rd.)
Friday, February 12, 2010
9:00-11:00

Explore the jewel of Volusia 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.

Where comfortable clothes that match the weather, walking or hiking shoes. Bring water to drink.

Hickory Bluff Preserve Night Hike
Hickory Bluff Preserve
Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen
Friday, February 26, 2010
6:00-8:00 pm

Experience the natural world after the sun goes down. Dale Samler, DBC Biology Instructor, will lead us on a night hike to look and listen for critter activity by the light of the moon. The hike will take us through several habitats including the shoreline of the St. Johns River. Wear hiking or walking shoes. Bring insect repellant, flashlight and water to drink.
Space is limited, please register.

Guided Hike of new section of Heart Island Conservation Area
Heart Island Conservation Area
Lake Winona Rd., off Hwy 17
Saturday, February 27, 2010
9:00-11:00

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.

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.

Bike Hike
Beresford Park
Fatio Rd., DeLand

Experience Spring and the hardwood hammock from your bike as we ride the paved trail at Beresford Park. This event is offered to families and adults. All sizes of humans and bikes are welcome.

Forestry Tour of Lake George Wildlife Management Area
Lake George Wildlife Management Area
Ninemile Point Rd., Pierson

Take an eco-buggy tour and learn about land management and forestry practices of Lake George Wildlife Management Area. Volusia County Land Management foresters 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.

Hickory Bluff Preserve Guided Hike
Hickory Bluff Preserve
End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen

Tyke Hike
Lyonia Preserve

The half-mile loop at Lyonia is a great trail to hike with your little ones. Leave the stroller behind and let your youngsters explore at an unhurried pace. This walk is especially for children ages 2 - 7 years and their parent(s).

Space is limited. E-mail Jenny Nelms to register: lminterns@co.volusia.fl.us

Forestry Tour of Lake George Wildlife Management Area
Lake George Wildlife Management Area
Ninemile Point Road, Pierson

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 and Forester will explain and demonstrate forestry and timbering goals, techniques and equipment and the products that are produced from trees.

Longleaf Pine Preserve 5-mile Guided Hike
Hwy 44, DeLand

Participants will hike five of the eleven mile long trail and then ride the eco-buggy back. Hikers should bring a backpack with water, snack and lunch.

Lyonia Preserve
2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona
behind the Deltona Regional Library

Take a guided hike on Lyonia Preserve in the cool of the evening and learn what makes this unique Florida desert so special. Meet our most precious resident—the Florida scrub jay and their new youngsters out of the nest.

Guided Hike of Wiregrass Prairie Preserve
Lopez Road, off Pell Road, Osteen

Wear: Comfortable clothes that match the weather, hiking or walking shoes that can get wet.
Bring: Camera, insect spray, water to drink
For more info and to register: Bonnie Cary, 386-736-5276, bcary@co.volusia.fl.us

Take a guided hike of Wiregrass Prairie Preserve to see and experience natural Florida.

Lake Beresford Trails
Fatio Road, DeLand

Experience three Florida habitats: sandhill, scrub and mixed hardwood hammock on a guided hike. Learn about Volusia County Land Management work to restore the sandhill habitat.

Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve
Martins Dairy Road, New Smyrna Beach

Hike through a mixed hardwood forest that winds its way to Spruce Creek, a saltwater estuary.

See and experience diverse natural and historical treasures as we hike from the uplands to the bluffs of Spruce Creek.

Lake George Wildlife Management Area
998 Ninemile Point Road, Seville
Eco-buggy

Enjoy a ride with stops at points of interest and learn about Volusia County land management and forestry on this 7,800 acre site that is managed under the multiple use concept, balancing environmental, recreational and resource use needs.

Heart Island Conservation Area
off U.S. Highway 17 (south of the U.S. Highway 17/ State Road 40 intersection), Barberville

This riding tour will stop at various points of interest as participants learn about the flora and fauna of this 13,900-acre St. Johns River Water Management District conservation area.