March 2019 Tiny Trekkers Finding Spring from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2nd.

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1 March 2019 Tiny Trekkers Finding Spring from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2nd. Follow along with LEC volunteers as we read a book about a bear who s searching for a sign of spring. Then take a short hike and create a craft to take home. This program is recommended for children ages 2-5. Kid Connection-All About Sea Turtles from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 3. Calling kids ages 5-13 to join LEC staff as we discuss the threatened and endangered sea turtle species that nest on Volusia County beaches. Learn about their anatomy and diet, how lighting on the beach can affect their nesting habits and about their connection to the ancient beach of Lyonia Preserve. Create a take home sea turtle, made from recycled materials, to remember this fun, hands-on educational adventure. This free program is sponsored by The Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. Spring Forward Hike in Lyonia Preserve from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10th. Start the beginning of Daylight Savings Time with a guided hike in Lyonia Preserve. We will discuss the changes that animals and plants go through in the spring and sharing some fun facts about Daylight Savings Time. Participants should bring water, wear closed toed shoes and be prepared to hike 1-2 miles on unpaved, sugar sand trails.

2 Spring is in the Air Critter Corner from 2:00-2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14th. Have you ever wondered how different animals may act in spring? Or wanted to know why you see more reptiles when the weather is warmer? Join one of the LEC s experienced Animal Care volunteers to learn the answers to these questions. This program is designed for participants ages 2-8. We strongly encourage participants to ask questions, explore and have fun! Rethink Reptiles from 11:00-12:30 p.m. Saturday March 16th. Join us for an engaging and educational classroom presentation featuring some of our resident reptile animal ambassadors. Topics will include life history, native versus exotic, venomous versus non-venomous, sharing space with wildlife and snakes as pets. Popcorn and a Movie- The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies from 2:00-4:00 pm. Saturday, March 16th. Every year, 100 million monarch butterflies set off on an incredible journey across North America. Join NOVA, in this classroom viewing, as they fly along with the monarchs, visiting the spectacular locations they call home and meeting the dangers they encounter along the way. Popcorn will be provided. Drinks and other snacks are available for purchase. St. Patty s Palooza from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17th. Time to go green and join LEC staff for some St. Patrick s Day fun! Listen to some Irish tunes, learn fun facts about this holiday, search for the pot of gold in an indoor scavenger hunt, enjoy some treats and make a take home craft using upcycled materials. All participants will be entered into a drawing to win a prize. Increase your chances by wearing green!

3 Jay Walking from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 23rd. This program spotlights our threatened Florida scrub jay. We will start by learning their calls and interesting facts about their lifestyle. Then we ll take a stroll into the preserve immersing ourselves in their habitat, keeping our eyes and ears open in hopes of spotting a scrub jay. Binoculars and cameras are suggested. Closed toe shoes are required and please dress appropriately for the weather. Family Nature Explorations: Wildlife Tracking from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23rd. Enjoy some screen-free quality time for the whole family while exploring the natural world. Take to the trails of Lyonia Preserve as LEC staff and volunteers guide you on how to track wildlife. We will be searching for tracks, scat, feathers and other signs that wildlife may have left behind. Afterwards, each participant will get to make and take home an animal track of their choosing courtesy of The Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. Light My World from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 24 th The idea of fireflies or lightning bugs take many of us back to fond childhood summer evening memories. Did you know there are over 200 species of these enchanting creatures worldwide and over 50 species found in Florida, but not all of them produce light? Learn about this member of the beetle family s life cycle, how and why they produce light, and the best time of year and location to experience them in Volusia County. Participants can use upcycled materials to make a take home craft following the presentation.

4 Popcorn and a Movie- Animal Misfits from 3:15-4:15 p.m. Sunday, March 24 th. Alongside the fastest, strongest, smartest animals are a collection of implausible creatures, whose unusual appearances, amazing adaptations, and bizarre behaviors make them misfits in the animal world. At first glance, they seem ill-equipped for survival, yet somehow they still manage to cling to life and in some cases even thrive. Their highly specialized success stories prove that sometimes being different can also give you an edge. Popcorn will be provided. Drinks and other snacks are available for purchase. Blueberry Scavenger Hunt Hike in Lyonia Preserve from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30th. LEC staff will lead participants on a guided hike along Lyonia Preserve s Blue trail where we will learn about the significance of blueberries in nature. Test your observation skills to see how well you can spot these vibrantly colored flowering plants. Wear something blue and your name will be entered into a drawing to win a prize! Participants should dress appropriately for the weather, bring water, wear closed toed shoes and be prepared to hike approximately 1.5 miles on unpaved, sugar sand trails. Frog Frolics from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30th. Hop on over to the LEC and help us celebrate spring with the frogs. We will discuss some of Central Florida s amphibians and then stroll out to the Lyonia Preserve s ephemeral ponds to listen for the sweet spring sound of frogs chorusing. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather, bring water, wear closed toed shoes and be prepared to hike approximately 2 miles on unpaved, sugar sand trails.

5 Sunday Shell-abration from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 31st. March is a great time for beachcombing! The ocean sometimes provides us with wonderful treasures, shells of all shapes and sizes, left on the shore at the tide line. Discover how to identify some of the amazing shells commonly found on Volusia County beaches and about the mollusks that live in those shells. Guided Scrub Strolls at 9 am every Monday & Friday in March. LEC staff will lead these guided hikes in Lyonia Preserve. Strolls will be offered every Monday &Friday from 9:00 am 10:00 am. It is strongly suggested that participants wear closed toed shoes, bring water, and be prepared to hike on unpaved sugar sand trails. Space is limited. Pre-registration is strongly suggested and can be done by calling (386) ext. # Please arrive 10 minutes before the program to sign in. We are able to provide many of our programs free of charge thanks to the generous support of The Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center. To continue this support of our education programs, your donations are always appreciated. To learn more about the friends group and to donate please visit