Conservation Lands Outreach

UPCOMING SCHEDULED EVENTS

Doris Leaper Spruce Creek Preserve Guided Hike
End of Martin’s Dairy Road, off Turnbull Bay Rd.
New Smyrna
Monday, November 16
9:30-11:30

Hike the trail to the bluff and see a beautiful part of Volusia County.

Nature Photography
Bicentennial Youth Park
3300 New York Ave., DeLand
November 21, 2009
9:00-12:00

Bring your camera and your interest in taking pictures of the wonders of natural Florida and learn how a terrific photographer captures the very best photos of local wild places and critters. Scott Helfrich will share his photos and his skill with us and then we'll hike to try some photos of our own.
Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and hiking or walking shoes. Bring water to drink and your camera.
Space is limited, please register.

Nature Into Art—Holiday Style
Bicentennial Youth Park
3300 New York Avenue, DeLand
Saturday, December 5, 2008
9:00-12:00

Nature will inspire and give us the materials to open our minds and hands to the creative holiday spirit through this adventure. After a short observational hike to collect materials, participants will gather to create several pieces of art from mud, leaves, sticks, seeds and vines (including new creative activities for those that participated last year). Artists from the Gateway Center for the Arts and Dorrie Padgitt, Master Naturalist will lead creative activities. All of the products that we create will allow us to take our natural experience home to enjoy.

Open to adults and families--Adults are encouraged to participate. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and bring water to drink. No charge, materials provided. Space is limited, please register.

Bike-the-Woods Ride-About
Longleaf Pine Preserve—West Entrance
December 10, 2009
9:00-12:00

Enjoy a bike ride through Longleaf Pine Preserve with a few stops to explore. We’ll set off for a 6-mile bike ride through Longleaf Pine Preserve and if participants want to go farther we will. The trail will be on mostly hard packed road and grassy road with occasion muddy areas. Off road tires are a necessity for the road.

Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather and bring water and snack

Guided Hike of Wiregrass Prairie Preserve
Lopez Rd., off Pell Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen
December 11, 2009
9:00-11:00

Take a 3 mile guided hike Wiregrass Prairie Preserve to see and experience this Volusia County Conservation Lands and learn about the plants and animals that call it home. Wear comfortable clothes that match the weather, hiking or walking shoes. Bring water to drink.

Reading the Signs of Wildlife—Tracks and Scat
Longleaf Pine Preserve
Hwy 44 Service Entrance
North side of Hwy 44, 100 feet west of Pioneer Trail
January 9, 2010
9:00-12:00

Have you ever wondered what type of animal left the tracks you see in the sand?
Learn how to read the signs left by wildlife that we rarely see from Brian Scheick, FWC Bear Research Biologist. Participants will learn about wildlife habits, tracks and scat then hike Longleaf Pine Preserve to look for tracks. Plaster will be provided with instructions on how to create plaster casts of the tracks they find. No charge. Please register.

Beginning Birding
Beresford Park
Fatio Rd., DeLand
March 6, 2010
9:00-12:00

Learn from the experts as West Volusia Audubon birders explain and demonstrate birding techniques and equipment. They’ll also teach tips for bird identification. Then we’ll hike the trails at Beresford Park and practice our budding birding skills. Bring binoculars and bird identification books if you have them. Wear hiking or walking shoes, bring water to drink.

Insects—Good or Bad?
Hickory Bluff Preserve
End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen
March 13, 2010
9:00-12:00

What are the true bad bugs? Explore the world of insects on a hike lead by Ray Jarrett, Environmental Scientist and native plant expert. This insect adventure will include inspecting insect traps and netting specimens to learn about the diverse insects in the habitats around us. We’ll also learn about the exotic insects that are invading Florida and the problems that they cause.

Plant Communities—Neighborhoods of Plants
Hickory Bluff Preserve
End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen
March 20, 2010
9:00-12:00

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.

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.

Snakes – Florida Critters That Deserve Our Respect
Bicentennial Youth Park
3300 New York Ave., DeLand
April 17, 2010
9:00-12:00

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.

Capture Nature through Painting
Green Spring Park
994 Enterprise Rd., Enterprise
April 24, 2010
9:00-12:00

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.

Reading Skulls and Bones
Bicentennial Youth Park
3300 New York Ave., DeLand
June 12, 2010
9:00-12:00

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.

Survival in the Woods
Hickory Bluff Preserve
598 Guise Road, Osteen
Saturday, June 5, 2010
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

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.