LEC Plans Guided Hikes, Educational Programs

(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) DELAND, Fla., Dec. 18 -- Volusia County issued the following news release: Lyonia Environmental Center will feature guided hikes and programs about manatees, birds and the night sky in January. With the exception of the nature photography workshops, all programs are free.

Scrub strolls: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Monday and Friday. Join LEC staff for guided hikes of Lyonia Preserve. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar-sand trails.

Tiny trekkers - manatees: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 5. Children ages 2 through 5 can read a book about manatees, take a hike, and make a craft during this program sponsored by the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center.

Guided hike: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6. Learn about the importance of scrub habitat and the wildlife that lives there during this guided hike of Lyonia Preserve.

Migratory bird hike: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9. Observe some of the migratory birds that make a pit stop in Volusia County. Bring your camera and binoculars. Meet at Lake Ashby Park, 4150 Boy Scout Road, New Smyrna Beach.

Five-star trails: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. Sandra Friends, author of 18 Florida guidebooks, will lead a 2.1-mile hike through Lyonia Preserve at 10 a.m. and discuss her new book, "Five-Star Trails - Orlando," in the LEC classrooms at 2 p.m. Participants can break for lunch on their own at 1 p.m.

Family game day: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13. Bring the whole family to the LEC to play Birdopoly, Earthopoly, Bug Bingo and Reptile Bingo. Families can also work on puzzles, investigate specimens under a microscope, and meet the center's resident hedgehog and albino corn snake.

Discover the night sky: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Join Ed Williams for a short classroom presentation on astronomy, followed by the unveiling of the LEC's new Dobsonian telescope. Participants will look for the Orion constellation, Andromeda galaxy, Jupiter and other celestial objects.

Nature photography workshops: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 12, 19 and 28. The LEC and St. Johns River Eco Tours will offer three workshops, which will begin at the LEC with two hours of classroom study and move to Highbanks Marina, where participants will take a boat ride along the St. Johns River with their instructor. The cost is $50 per person for each workshop.

Manatees: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19: Did you know manatees depend on scrub habitat Georgia Zern, Volusia County's manatee protection program manager, will discuss their anatomy, physiology and behavior and the important role they play in the scrub habitat.

Raptors and rehab: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Learn about bird rehabilitation, meet a live raptor, and learn about their adaptations. Participants will be entered into a drawing for free admission to a local rehabilitation center. Staff will accept donations of blankets, flat sheets, towels, vanilla Ensure, unflavored Pedialyte and baby food (meats only) for local wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Popcorn and a movie: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Meet in the classroom for a free showing of Disney's animated "WALL-E," which offers a message of environmental stewardship. Popcorn will be provided. Bottled water, chips and candy will be available for purchase.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling 386-789-7207, ext. 253.

Lyonia Environmental Center offers a unique insight into Volusia County's fragile ecosystems through hands-on displays and computer-based learning modules. It's part of the Deltona Regional Library complex at 2150 Eustace Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For updates on what's happening at the LEC, visit www.lyoniapreserve.com.

TNS MD66 121219-4144450 61MariaDonald (c) 2012 Targeted News Service

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