Conservation Lands Outreach
Outdoor Learning Adventures
Bring the family outdoors for Saturday adventures led by experts on diverse subjects. Teacher certification points awarded for participation.Outdoor Learning Adventures are held on Volusia County conservation lands and include hiking and exploration of the site. Adults and families are welcome. Participants should wear walking or hiking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a camera and drinking water—and a sense of adventure!
Register early, space is limited.
For more information or to register:
(386) 736-5276
bcary@co.volusia.fl.us
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UPCOMING SCHEDULED EVENTS - 2008 |
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Star Tour of
the Night Sky Wiregrass Prairie Preserve Lopez Rd., off of Pell Rd., Osteen Friday, November 14, 2008 6:30-8:30 pm |
| Dr. Hugh Ward, Astronomy teacher at Seabreeze High School, will lead a celestial tour of the night sky above Wiregrass Prairie Preserve and answer questions. Adults and families will observe via eyes and telescopes: constellations, bright stars, planets, star clusters, and Messier objects and learn to move from one celestial object to another. No charge. |
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Capture Nature through Painting Enterprise January 24, 2008 9 a.m.-12 p.m. |
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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" along the scenic shore of Green Spring in
Enterprise 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. No artistic talent necessary, just a sense of creative adventure! Materials provided. Bring folding chair. Free to adults and families. |
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Camp on the St.
Johns River Hickory Bluff Preserve End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen Saturday, November 22, 2008 2:00 pm Saturday – 11:00 am Sunday |
Adults and families—from beginner to
seasoned--are invited to camp on the St. Johns River and share the
joy of experiencing natural Florida. Learn about hiking and
backpacking as an avenue for discovering the real Florida from
experienced Florida Trails Association members Bill and Linda
Taylor. Through discussions and demonstrations the basics of
backpacking and camping will be introduced. Topics will include:
Participants need to bring their own
camping gear, food and drinking water. Cleaning water will be
supplied, bathroom on site. |
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Nature Into
Art—Holiday Style Bicentennial Youth Park 3300 New York Avenue, DeLand Saturday, December 6, 2008 9:00-12:00 |
| Nature will inspire and give us the materials to open our minds and hands to the creative spirit through this adventure. After a short observational hike to collect materials, participants will gather in the Bicentennial Youth Park classroom to create several pieces of art from mud, leaves, sticks, seeds and vines. One project for the adult participants will be walking stick wood carving under the instruction of Dorie-Ann Padgitt, Florida Master Naturalist. All of the products that we create will allow us to take our natural experience home to enjoy. |
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Mollusks and
Their Shells Exploration Hike Lighthouse Point Park 5000 S. Atlantic Ave. December 13, 2008 3:00-5:00 pm |
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Observe and learn about the fascinating
and diverse world of living mollusks and their beautiful shells on a
wading hike lead by Joel Wooster, Master Naturalist and collector of
shells. Participants are invited to bring shells they have collected
for identification. Wear tennis shoes. Please register. No charge. |
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UPCOMING SCHEDULED EVENTS- 2009 |
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Reading the Signs of Wildlife—Tracks and
Scat Hickory Bluff Preserve End of Guise Rd., off Maytown Rd., Osteen January 10, 2009 9:00 am -12:00 pm |
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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 Hickory Bluff 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. |
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Nature
Photography--Naturally Digital |
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This workshop will
offer tips on how to take better photographs of landscapes, animals,
and plants in their natural setting. If you are shooting digital
photographs with any level camera, you can improve your chances of
getting that “perfect” shot with some practical shooting techniques
and “technical” adjustments to your camera. Please register, space is limited. |
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Beginning Birding Beresford Park Fatio Road DeLand March 21 9 a.m. -12 p.m. |
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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. |
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Plant
Communities—Neighborhoods of Plants |
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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. |
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Insects—Good or Bad? |
| 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. |
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Snakes – Florida Critters That Deserve Our Respect |
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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. |
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Reading Skulls
and Bones Bicentennial Youth Park 3300 New York Ave., DeLand Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:00-12:00 |
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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. |
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Survival in the
Woods Wiregrass Prairie Preserve Lopez Rd., off Pell Rd., off Maytown Rd. Saturday, June 6, 2009 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
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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. |
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