Program Summary
The Volusia ECHO program, generated by a grass-roots initiative was founded in 2000 to improve the quality of life for Volusia's citizens. The Environmental, Cultural, Historical, and Outdoor Recreation (ECHO) Program is committed to preserving and enhancing the unique features of Volusia County.
From creating oceanfront parks and providing parking near the beach to revitalizing historical landmarks and supporting the arts, ECHO cultivates community pride and enhances public identity. The program also plays a vital role in preserving archaeological sites, promoting heritage tourism, and improving access to outdoor recreation—including expanded water access and multi-use trails ensuring that Volusia’s past, present, and future remain deeply interconnected.
By investing in these vital resources, the ECHO Program enhances quality of life and ensures that future generations can explore, learn, and enjoy all that Volusia offers.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING
Discover Volusia County's natural wonders through ECHO-funded environmental treasures including the Marine Science Center's Living Reef Exhibit and Raptor Conservation to exploring pristine ecosystems at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve or immersing yourself in interactive exhibits at Lyonia Environmental Learning Center. From the artesian springs at Gemini Springs to the shoreline restoration project at Lake Beresford, these protected environments offer you a chance to experience Florida as it has existed for millennia—wild, diverse, and naturally beautiful. Create lasting memories as you disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with nature along our educational boardwalks, living shorelines, and nature preserves that showcase the true heart of Florida's environment.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
When you visit Volusia County, your surrounded in our vibrant cultural tapestry at ECHO-funded facilities like the beautifully restored Athens Theatre in DeLand, where performances bring together residents and visitors in shared artistic experiences. Discover diverse perspectives at the African American Museum of the Arts, attend captivating performances at the Peabody Auditorium, or participate in cultural festivals that showcase both traditional and contemporary expressions unique to our region. These cultural treasures offer authentic glimpses into the soul of Volusia County, creating connections that transcend typical tourism and provide experiences you won't find anywhere else. As you explore our museums, theaters, and cultural districts, you'll transform your visit from a simple getaway into a meaningful journey of discovery that might inspire you to return again and again to continue exploring our rich cultural landscape.
HISTORICAL DISCOVERIES
As you wander through Volusia County, lose yourself in centuries of history preserved through ECHO funding—from DeBary Hall Historic Site where you can touch the same banister once gripped by a champagne magnate who hosted presidents and industrialists to catching a baseball game at the historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark. ECHO's historical preservation brings you face-to-face with authentic Florida, including important sites connected to the civil rights movement in Daytona Beach's Midtown neighborhood. These tangible links to the past create a sense of place and continuity increasingly rare in Florida, allowing you to experience not just historic facades but the actual spaces where generations of residents have lived, worked, and shaped this unique community.
OURDOOR RECREATION ADVENTURES
When you visit Volusia County, delve into the "O" in ECHO—Outdoor Recreation—through exceptional experiences like paddling pristine Spruce Creek, cycling the Spring-to-Spring Trail connecting crystal-clear swimming spots, or bringing your family to ECHO-funded splash pads and modern playgrounds designed for visitors of all abilities. Our remarkable diversity of opportunities means you can challenge yourself on mountain biking trails, join a pickup game at our well-maintained sports complexes complete with baseball diamonds and soccer fields, or cool off at interactive water features while enjoying shaded picnic areas—all maintained through community investment in recreational excellence.
VOLUSIA FOREVER
Forever’s goals focus on conserving, maintaining, and restoring the natural environment while ensuring public access for education and enjoyment. The program works to secure adequate water resources for current and future needs, provide high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities, and protect vital habitats and water recharge areas. By preserving these lands, Volusia Forever ensures that the county’s natural resources are protected for future generations while offering the public the chance to experience and learn from the beauty of the natural world.