Deltona Regional Library Grand Opening 2009 - The West Volusia ...

10 GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION THE BEACON 2009Lyonia Environmental Centerfocuses on Volusia’s ecosystemsBy B. Virginia ComellaNATURE’S GARDENNATURAL HEALTH FOODSFeaturing10-6 M-F • Noon-5 Sat.2405 Enterprise RoadOrange City(386) 774-1222VitaminsQuality Nutritional Supplements • BodybuildingDiet • Vitamins • Homeopathics • HerbsCosmetics • Books • Essential OilsMail-Order Available20% OFF EVERY DAYOwned & Operated byHolistic Health PractitionersSarah E. Coady, MS • Michael J. CoadyGrowing Healthy LifestylesDISCOVER 2009Walk into the main exhibit gallery of the Lyonia Environmentalenter (LEC), and experience Volusia County’s unique and dierseecosystems. In the center of the gallery, a circular exhibithows the three stages of Florida scrub habitat – healthy scrub,vergrown scrub, and an area that has gone through a prescribedurn. Additional displays focus on the Florida scrub jay, manatees,ustainable growth, geology, and water resources. See how theolusia ecosystems are connected by water from the St. Johnsiver to the Atlantic Ocean.The exhibit includes many interactive hands-on learning chalengesdesigned and built by ThemeWorks of High Springs, FL.owever, the LEC is more than just displays. A central focus isublic education and community engagement according to KarinaLocke, the center’s manager.The mission is to provide a unique insight into Volusia County’sragile ecosystems. The center promotes an understanding of theounty’s natural environment, the heritage it sustains, and thehallenges it faces.The learning center occupies more than 4,000 square feet inhe renovated Deltona Regional Library. Within this space arexhibits, classrooms, research spaces, an art gallery, a gift shopnd a cafe. The LEC is designed to help visitors of all ages learnbout Volusia’s natural heritage.The environmental learning center works closely with Volusiaounty Schools to provide environmental instruction to students.ore than 4,000 students from 18 schools spend two days a yeart Lyonia Preserve learning about the environment while helpingo protect it. Louise Chapman, Volusia County School District enironmentalteacher on assignment, works with the center’s staffo provide instruction based on curriculum that meets the Floridaomprehensive Assessment Test and Sunshine State Standards.very student participates in a service project while learning. Aurriculum and hands-on curriculum related activities have beenreated for the LEC so that educators can choose from a varietyf topics.Among the new resources for public education are the classsroomsdedicated in memory of Dr. Alice E. Cross, a former teacherand passionate supporter of environmental education. One of thetwo classrooms is a “wet classroom” with sinks and microscopes.Continued page 11all new games(386) 218-4918Open Daily 10 am - 12 am911 S. Volusia (17-92) • Orange City(Next Door to John’s Appliance)PHOTO COURTESY COUNTY OF VOLUSIAKENOMONEY TRAINPATTY’S POT O’GOLDBLACKJACK 21PATRIOT’S PAY CASHBIG RED’S POKERWin Up To$10,000 00DISCOVER 2009