April Events at the Lyonia Environmental Center in Deltona

This April, the Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC) in Deltona is excited to welcome nature enthusiasts of all ages to events of all kinds, including interactive workshops, guided walks, and more. The LEC offers exhibits focused on nature & conservation along with an outdoor amphitheater and educational programs. See below for details about upcoming events and how to get involved.

Introduction to Forest Bathing
8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, April 6
“Forest Bathing” is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Join LEC staff on a walk to the small wetland of Lyonia Preserve. Spend some time in our outdoor classroom learning how to decompress by focusing on the simple things in nature. Participants should dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring water. This program is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Tiny Trekkers: Thank You, Earth
10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6
Come experience the sights and sounds of the outdoors during a nature-themed story reading. After the story, there will be a craft, and an LEC volunteer will guide you on a short hike through Lyonia Preserve. This program is recommended for children ages 2-7 and participants should wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand-trails.

Gopher Tortoise Day Celebration & Craft
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, April 7
Let’s celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day by learning about these amazing reptiles, why they are threatened, and how to protect them. Get crafty with a sand art project and a pledge to help the Gopher Tortoises.

This program is recommended for ages 6 and up.

Florida Wildlife Corridor Photography Exhibit & Mural Grand Opening
4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11
Join us for the grand opening of the “You are Here” Wildlife Corridor Traveling Exhibit. It comes to us from Washington D.C., where it was displayed in the Florida House. This exhibit showcases stunning landscape and wildlife photography from the renowned Carlton Ward Jr. as well as seven other Florida conservation photographers. Beth O’Connor’s eye-popping bird and pollinator murals will also be featured. Light refreshments will be provided.

All ages are welcome.

Lyonia Photography Club Classroom Meeting

10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13
Lyonia Preserve has unlimited opportunities for photographing birds, reptiles, and plants. Volunteers from the West Volusia Audubon Society lead this monthly program series and this session includes class instruction on photography techniques. All skill levels and camera types (from cell phone cameras to digital cameras) are welcome!

Saturday “Shell-a-bration”

10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13
Is it a turtle, tortoise, or terrapin? Join us for an indoor classroom talk where we will be discussing the similarities and differences between the species and meet our resident turtle animal ambassadors. Then head out to Lyonia Preserve to learn more about the gopher tortoise and their burrows. This program is recommended for ages 6 and up.

Drip Drop: Rain Barrels 101

1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13
Discover the importance of using rain barrels to conserve water. Learn how to assemble and properly place your rain barrel for water collection. A limited number of rain barrels will be available to purchase as a fundraiser for The Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. This program is recommended for adults.

Scout Program

Sunday, April 14
If you are a scout leader interested in having a scout badge program at our center, please contact Melissa at mhughes@volusia.org.

Brunch and Butterflies

10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20
During this presentation, we will discuss these important pollinators and their vital role in our ecosystem. Identify host plants and some of the winged beauties in our area and share ideas on how you can attract them to your garden. Light brunch items will be provided courtesy of The Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. Following the classroom presentation, we’ll take a walk around our pollinator garden to see if we can spot these amazing creatures in action. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Make Everyday Earth Day

2 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20
Kids can learn about the history of Earth Day and ways they can help the planet even at a young age. We’ll be making a take-home craft that will remind them to make everyday Earth Day! This program is recommended for ages 6-12.

Earth Day Sunday Science

2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21
This month we are celebrating our planet and all its beauty from clouds to rainbows. During this program, we’ll be conducting some fun science experiments to help celebrate Earth Day. Recommended for families and children ages 7 and up.

T-shirt to Tote Bag Workshop

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27
The average American uses hundreds of plastic bags each year. Celebrate Earth Week and learn ways to be more eco-friendly in this workshop where we will be turning t-shirts into reusable bags. Participants can choose a T-shirt that will be provided or bring one from home. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Lyonia Photography Club Preserve Hike

9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27
Lyonia Preserve has unlimited opportunities for photographing birds, reptiles, and plants. Volunteers from West Volusia Audubon Society lead and it will feature a hike that will provide field opportunities to hone your skills. All skill levels and camera types (from cell phone cameras to digital cameras) are welcome! Let’s see what plants and animals we can photograph!

Nibbles with a Naturalist: Florida’s Fabulous Felines

2 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Join us for a recurring series, where one of our staff naturalists presents a casual program on a nature topic, while you enjoy snacks provided by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. This program will focus on bobcats and the Florida panther. This program is appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Exploring Our Seashores

11 to 12 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Join Jack and Joan Ferrell, Florida Master Naturalists, who will share their exploration of Volusia County's coastline. Jack and Joan will take you on this journey to discover the captivating realm of coastal birdlife, intriguing sea creatures, and the hidden gems awaiting discovery by the sea. This program is recommended for ages 12 and up.

For more information about these events, please visit www.volusia.org/LEC or call 386-789-7207, ext. #21028.