January

18
Green cleaning
Learn ways to incorporate green cleaning products and methods into your everyday life. Bring an empty, clean container no larger than 8 ounces to make a natural cleaning product to take home with you.
Time: 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18
Fee: $4 per person

21
Nature hike
Join LEC naturalists for an exploratory guided hike in Lyonia Preserve. Investigate signs of wildlife and learn about the plants and animals that make scrub habitat unique.
Time: 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21
Fee: $3 per person

21
New year, new food
Join the LEC staff for a discussion of the benefits and common misconceptions of eating locally grown and seasonally produced food, and learn about local farmers markets in the area.
Time:  2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21
Fee: $3 per person

28
Guided hike and bird watching at Lake Ashby Park
Join LEC education staff at Lake Ashby Park for a morning of hiking and bird watching. Learn about the plants and animals found in the park’s hardwood hammock, floodplain forests and cypress forests. Lake Ashby is at 4150 Boy Scout Camp Road, New Smyrna Beach. Participants may bring binoculars. Space is limited to 20.
Time: 9 - 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Fee: $3 per person. Only cash can be accepted at this event.

February

3
Tiny trekkers
Read a book, take a short hike through Lyonia Preserve, and make a craft to take home.
Time: 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3
Fee: $3 per child. One adult per child will be admitted free.

11
Nature photography
Reinier Munguia will give an introduction to nature photography, covering techniques to improve photo quality and explaining how to use digital cameras and ND filters. Munguia is vice president of education for the Lake Region Audubon Society and the founder of Wildstock Photography.
Time: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 11
Fee: $20 per person. All proceeds will go to the West Volusia Audubon Society’s Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center education program fund.

11
Reptiles of Florida
Meet live reptiles and learn how to identify common snakes, lizards and turtles. Reinier Munguia will discuss the conservation status of turtles and the importance of reptiles to ecosystems.
Time: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11
Fee: None. Donations may be made to the Friends of Lyonia Environmental Center.

18
GPS at Gemini Springs Park
Learn how to use a hand-held GPS unit and navigate your way through the park. Gemini Springs is at 35 Dirksen Drive, DeBary.
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18
Fee: $6 per person. Only cash and checks will be accepted.

25
Florida black bear
Cathy Connolly, outreach technician with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Black Bear Management team, will discuss bears’ biology and behavior. She’ll bring a bear pelt and skull for participants to look at.
Time: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 25
Fee: None