Environmental Learning

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Project Summary

The Environmental category of Volusia ECHO supports projects that promote understanding of the environment and include public education with hands-on experiences. These vital projects include green infrastructure and nature-based solutions that foster environmental awareness and stewardship, helping citizens make responsible decisions to protect Volusia County's diverse ecosystem. Since its inception ECHO and its partners have invested $21 million dollars in 29 environmental projects throughout the county.

FEATURED SPOTLIGHT

The Marine Discovery Center

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Looking for a fun way to explore the coast? The Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach is the perfect spot for hands-on adventures! Committed to protecting and preserving coastal ecosystems, MDC offers experiences for all ages. With support from the ECHO Program, the center has expanded through shoreline restoration projects, enhanced water access, and fantastic new features such as an amphitheater, outdoor classroom, kayak garage, and scenic trails.

Discover educational programs, boat and kayak tours, arts and crafts activities, and memorable movie nights. From wildlife encounters to conservation efforts, there’s always something new to discover. Experience the beauty of our waterways, get involved, and witness the wonders of the Indian River Lagoon firsthand!  Plan your visit today!

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Learn More About Other Projects Below:

This project was to complete the design and construction of four new habitats at the Marine Science Center, specifically a mangrove diorama, a freshwater turtle exhibit, an eagle habitat and a wading bird habitat.

Improvement of an environmental education exhibit which includes articulating the posterior portions of the current whale skull, 3-D printing any missing parts, and improving the interpretive signage of our cetacean exhibit. No new staff are needed.

Improvement/renovation of an existing environmental education exhibit which details Volusia County's artificial reef program and its benefits to our offshore environment and local economy.

New construction of a permanent building to house a stand-alone multi-purpose education classroom and ancillary staff spaces.

New construction of an environmental education exhibit to highlight Florida's critical living reef habitats and coral working laboratory aquariums to expand our efforts and partnership with the Florida Reef Tract Program and provide students opportunities to research coral growth and husbandry.

Improvement/renovation of an existing environmental education exhibit to educate the public about the benefits of living shorelines and new technology to improve the habitat and wave attenuation of inshore docks and seawalls.

This project created new habitats for six of the Marine Science Center's raptor ambassadors. The construction included the habitats, a walk-through pavilion, a roof for the visitor area, educational signage and interactive touch-screen educational stations.

 This project provided a stop on the Mosquito Lagoon Blueway and included the construction of an ADA accessible kayak launch, a living shoreline that replaced an existing seawall and the creation of a primitive outdoor classroom. This project developed a passive, nature-themed park featuring parking facilities, wood fiber trails, seating areas, and butterfly gardens. This project created a passive nature themed park consisting of parking, wood fiber trails and an observation platform for viewing the water body. This grant was for the construction of an outdoor amphitheater with seating for 200. This project constructed an Environmental Learning Center featuring various amenities such as hands-on displays, classrooms, a student laboratory, an auditorium/multipurpose room, a children's auditorium, and restroom facilities. Construction of a new ADA boardwalk from the amphitheater to the pavilion at the Lyonia Preserve Trailhead. Improvement/renovation of outdated environmental education exhibits at the Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC) including the welcome exhibit, the Islands of Life exhibit and the sustainable development exhibit. Cost include exhibit storyboarding, design and construction. Rinker Environmental Center was constructed with meeting space, outdoor teaching terrace and sidewalks. Creation of a living shoreline, construction of a dock for public use, and the expansion of ADA accessibility on the site. This project will restore and convert a 5,000 sq. ft. pre-engineered metal building into a nature center serving as a hub for education, conservation, and community engagement within the 476-acre D Ranch Preserve in Osteen, FL. Funding for improvements as part of Phase 2 implementation of the Fairgrounds Master Plan which may include a new shade structure to facilitate outdoor recreation, green infrastructure education/demonstration area, improvements to the Hester & Daugharty buildings, or land acquisition/trail development. In partnership with the City of Debary to construct a new canoe/kayak launch on Mullet Lake, pavilion, parking area, educational signage, and kiosks, and two new trails on this 948-acre site adjacent to SunRail and the new DeBary Town Center. This project was for the demolition of the unusable buildings on the Marine Discovery Center site and to renovate building 11 to be used for marine environmental education, cultural programming and exhibition, public outdoor recreation and community outreach. The Marine Discovery Center was created to ensure the conservation of marine life and educate residents and visitors about environmental conservation. This project connected the existing Marine Discovery Center and Artist's Workshop facilities to a large-scale ecological restoration project, increased access to the water for non-motorized vessels, and constructed an amphitheater, outdoor classroom, pavilion/kayak garage, and educational signage. This project extended the Marine Discovery Center Project, focusing on enhancing the welcome center and introducing new trails, native landscaping, as well as indoor and outdoor exhibits highlighting Florida's coastal flora and fauna. This grant project funded the construction of a new 2,000 square foot Environmental Learning Center in the heart of Ormond Beach's Central Park, complete with an attached wrap-around observation deck. A sensory garden park was created to cater to individuals with sensory limitations as well as those without. The project featured an outdoor classroom/gazebo, picnic area, a lighted fountain, restroom facilities, a bike trail, and a nature trail. Various plantings were incorporated, such as a butterfly garden, fragrance garden, texture and rhythm garden, sound garden, and color garden, enriching the sensory experience for all visitors. Land management will develop an outdoor recreation and environmental education plan to fund improvements to enhance user experience/recreational opportunities and educational components on the Preserve. This plan will be presented to the ECHO Advisory Committee for review and County Council for approval before implementation. This plan may include, but is not limited to, the addition of new trails, camping sites, water access, educational kiosks/signage, water bottle filling stations. When a plan is developed the annual operational impacts will be incorporated for consideration. New construction of outdoor recreation amenities and environmental education signage and kiosks at each of the seven tracts/access points on the Preserve. The recently acquired Doan property (Volusia Forever acquisition) is where a new outdoor learning center (unstaffed), kayak/canoe launch, wildlife observation area, restroom/pavilion, trail, and disc golf course will be constructed. In addition, improvements including benches, a bat house, boardwalk, pavilion, kiosks, informational and educational panels, trail signage and markings will be constructed. New construction of outdoor recreation amenities and environmental education signage and kiosks at each of the seven tracts/access points on the Preserve. The recently acquired Doan property (Volusia Forever acquisition) is where a new outdoor learning center (unstaffed), kayak/canoe launch, wildlife observation area, restroom/pavilion, trail, and disc golf course will be constructed. In addition, improvements including benches, a bat house, boardwalk, pavilion, kiosks, informational and educational panels, trail signage and markings will be constructed.