If you’re interested in outdoor activities, April offers bountiful opportunities to participate across Volusia and Flagler counties, with at least 14 events scheduled.
Many of the events are tied to Arbor Day and Earth Day. It’s the 48th anniversary of Earth Day, which is celebrated every April 22 and started in the United States in 1970. This year, the Earth Day network reports 1 billion people are expected to take part in Earth Day-related activities in 192 countries.
Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1872 and is celebrated officially each year on the last Friday of April. This year's celebration is April 27.
Local activities range from free tree giveaways for residents of Deltona and DeLand to a music-related festival at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park in Flagler Beach and the annual Turtle Day festival at the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet.
Among the activities are the following:
April 14 — Blue Spring State Park Cleanup
Volunteers will gather at Blue Spring State Park for a cleanup. Meet at the park’s playground at 8 a.m. “dressed for a mess,” with a hat, sunscreen, water, and sturdy shoes. Bags, gloves, hand sanitizer, and some grabbers will be provided, but if you own a grabber, bring it along. Volunteers who’d like to clean up by water can take their own canoes and kayaks to launch, or rent one at the park. The St. Johns Riverkeeper is organizing the event, with Sea Shepherd and Save the Manatee Club members participating as well.
April 14 — Stetson University Earth Day Beach Cleanup
Stetson University students will participate in a beach cleanup and educational talk on microplastics by David Griffis, a professor of environmental science and studies. The cleanup begins at 10 a.m. at Winterhaven Park, Ponce Inlet Preserve, 4589 Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet. Gloves, buckets and water to refill reusable water bottles will be provided.
April 14 — National Water Dance
Students from dance teams and color guards at DeLand High School and University High School will participate in the 2018 National Water Dance at Hontoon Island State Park, 2309 River Ridge, DeLand, at 4 p.m. Nationwide students across the country plan to participate in the Water Dance to “increase awareness” of the need to protect and preserve water supplies, Heather Gleason, Avante Garde Sponsor at DeLand High School, stated in a news release. The local students chose the St. Johns River to highlight the impact a growing population is having on the river’s water quality and aquatic life, she said. DeLand High School's Avant Garde and members of its Fusion color guard will participate, along with University High School dancers under the direction of UHS dance director Deidra Despard. For more information about the national event, visit nationalwaterdance.org
April 20-22 — Great St. Johns River Campout
The St. Johns Riverkeeper and partners have planned a 3-day adventure to explore nature and the St. Johns River, including citizen advocacy training, camping, hiking, birding, paddling and a sunset boat trip. Camping begins on April 20 at the River Forest Group campsite, 45700 River Forest Blvd., DeLand. For a schedule and more information, visit stjohnsriverkeeper.org
April 21 — Lagoonacy
The Marine Discovery Center’s fifth annual Lagoonacy celebration of the Indian River Lagoon links art and nature, said Chad Truxall, executive director. The center’s largest fundraiser of the year will include live music, children’s activities, food trucks, live music, archery for kids and standup paddleboarding. Admission to Lagoonacy, which takes place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. at 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach, is $5. Children 10 and younger are free. Truxall stated the highlight of the day is typically the annual cardboard boat race, planned for 3 p.m. For more information or to register online visit marinediscoverycenter.org/lagoonacyevents/
April 21 — Earth Day
The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will hold the park's 29th annual Earth Day celebration with live music, children's activities, nature programs, a plant sale and displays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park, 6400 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Palm Coast. For a complete schedule visit washingtonoaks.org
April 21 — Gamble Fest
A free concert in the round is planned by the Gamble Fest board of directors as a thank you to the annual festival’s patrons, friends and volunteers. The concert is planned from 7-9 p.m. in the Lohman Auditorium at Whitney Lab, 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd., Marineland. Baked goods and refreshments will be available for purchase. The 23rd annual Gamble Rogers Music Festival takes place May 4-6 at the Colonial Quarter in St. Augustine. For more information and tickets, visit gamblerogersfest.org
April 21 — Woodcarvers Jamboree, DeLeon Springs State Park
Watch woodcarvers create works of art from blocks of wood and browse their displays at the museum at DeLeon Springs State Park, 601 Ponce DeLeon Springs Blvd., DeLeon Springs. Regular park admission fees apply.
April 21 — City of DeLand Tree Giveaway
The City of DeLand and DeLand Breakfast Rotary Club will give away hundreds of trees to city residents within the city’s utility service area beginning at 8 a.m. at the city’s public works complex, 1102 S. Garfield Ave., off Amelia Avenue. Proof of residence is required. If you plan to pick up trees for others, it must include a written request and proof of the other person’s residency. Trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and the giveaway is limited to eight trees per vehicle. Among the available trees are bald cypress, blue beach, Chickasaw plum, elderberry, live oak, redbud and sweetgum.
April 22 — Rotary River Run
The Rotary Club of DeBary, Deltona, Orange City’s annual 5K River Run is looking for participants and sponsors. The run takes place at Gemini Springs, 37 Dirksen Drive, DeBary. Organizers said this year the event is being “professionally managed and chip-timed” by Runner’s High. For more information, contact Joe Alemany, Rotary Club president at 386-561-7303. Registration fees are $30 for adults and $20 for youths ages 5 and younger. For more information visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/DeBary/RotaryRiverRun5K .
April 27 — City of Deltona Tree Giveaway
The city will celebrate Arbor Day by encouraging residents to plant shrubs and trees. The city plans to offer 300 free shrubs and trees, including wax myrtles, crepe myrtles and azaleas. The celebration, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes displays and free popcorn and lemonade at City Hall, 2345 Providence Blvd., Deltona Proof of residency is required.
April 28 — Turtle Day
Turtle Day at Volusia County’s Marine Science Center celebrates the endangered sea turtles that are rehabilitated at the center in Ponce Inlet. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1000 Lighthouse Drive in Ponce Inlet, activities include presentations by animal rehabilitation staff, exhibits from conservation organizations, face painting, vendors, crafts and live music. Since opening in 2002, the Science Center has cared for more than 21,000 sea turtles. For more information, call the Marine Science Center at 386-304-5545 or visit marinesciencecenter.com .
April 28 — Lake Woodruff Fishing Derby
The Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge plans its 7th annual Kid’s Fishing Derby from 8 to 11 a.m. at Pool 1 at the end of Mud Lake Road, DeLeon Springs. Children ages 3-12 will compete in three age brackets, and will be eligible for prize giveaways during the event. Fishing in the pool will be closed prior to the event to increase the chances of the children catching fish. Bait is provided, but participants should bring fishing gear, sunscreen and folding chairs. Fishing poles will be available to children who don’t have their own equipment. For more information, or to register, call Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge at 386-985-4673.
April 28 — Water Festival
The Volusia Water Alliance will hold its annual water festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on West Indiana Avenue in downtown DeLand, in partnership with Stetson University's Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience, the Blue Spring Alliance and others. Planned activities include a sidewalk chalk art competition, music, dancing and mermaids. Organizers hope that with education, residents can "make better choices" to conserve and protect resources. For more information, visit VolusiaWater.org.