Explore Volusia's May Adventures

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There’s an activity for everyone this month with Explore Volusia! Registration is mandatory for all events listed, visit Green Volusia Eventbrite at http://www.bit.ly/green-volusia to secure your spot. For any further inquiries, reach out to Tommy Nordmann at tnordmann@volusia.org or call (386) 736-5927 ext. 12072.

Scrub Oak Hike:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 1
Where: Scrub Oak Preserve, 1495 McGregor Road, DeLand
Requirements: All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes.
Take a one-mile hike through Scrub Oak Preserve and learn about Volusia County’s extensive restoration efforts to return this preserve into scrub habitat and provide a home for the Florida scrub jay, a threatened species endemic to Florida.

Marine Mammal Paddle:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 7
Where: Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, 90 Divito Drive, New Smyrna Beach
Requirements: Ages 12 and up are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Paddlers must bring their watercraft, PFD, and whistle.
Come for a paddle through Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve! Learn about the Florida manatee and the common bottlenose dolphin that inhabit Strickland Bay and Turnbull Bay. Hopefully, there may be a few along the way.

Longleaf Pine Hike:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 9
Where: Longleaf Pine Preserve, 3637 E. New York Ave., DeLand
Requirements: All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get muddy and wet.

Meet Explore Volusia at the western entrance of Longleaf Pine Preserve for a one-mile hike. Explore the native plants that make up this 12,000-acre preserve and learn how these plants provide habitat for the animals that live in and move through this portion of the Volusia Wildlife Corridor.

Family Fun Eco-Buggy:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11
Where: Longleaf Pine Preserve, 4551 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach
Requirements: All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get muddy and wet.

Climb aboard the eco-buggy with your family and explore Longleaf Pine Preserve. There will be a few stops along the way to use dip nets, magnifying glasses, and microscopes to discover the plants and animals that live here.

Herpetology Hike:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, May 17
Where: Wiregrass Prairie Preserve, 1751 Lopez Road, Osteen
Requirements: Ages 10 and up are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes that can get muddy and wet.
Come along for a two-mile hike through Wiregrass Prairie Preserve and explore the biology of reptiles and amphibians along the way. Learn how these animals use their unique adaptations to survive in Florida.

Longleaf Pine Eco-Buggy:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, May 24
Where: Longleaf Pine Preserve, 4551 Pioneer Trail, New Smyrna Beach
Requirements: All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes.
Hop on the eco-buggy and learn about some of the common and uncommon native species of pine trees in Volusia County. On the ride, join in the discussion about the history of logging in our area and how the county, and partners, are restoring the pine flatwoods habitat.

Lake George Bike Ride:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 29
Where: Lake George Forest and Wildlife Management Area, 998 Ninemile Point Road, Pierson
Requirements: Ages 10 and up are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must provide their own bicycle and wear closed-toe shoes and a helmet.
Join Explore Volusia for a bike ride through Lake George Forest. On the ride, there will be a stop by the lake to discuss some of the birds and fish that call this lake home. Then, the group will continue through the forest and discuss the plants seen along the way.

Predator vs Prey Hike:
When: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, May 31
Where: Deep Creek Preserve, 964 S. SR-415, New Smyrna Beach
Requirements: Ages 10 and up are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes.
Come explore Deep Creek Preserve on a two-mile hike and search for signs of some of the animals that live here. Learn about predator-prey relationships and how these animals adapted for survival.