Rising UP: City of New Smyrna Beach Receives FEMA Grant to Elevate At-Risk Homes

Cruising around the city of New Smyrna Beach (NSB), citizens and visitors are spotting elevated homes. The whole single-family structures, including the garage, are raised, resting on concrete columns. The electrical and mechanical equipment, like the air conditioner, are also elevated outside the home. The homes were approved for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Since Hurricane Irma (2017), the … Continue reading Rising UP: City of New Smyrna Beach Receives FEMA Grant to Elevate At-Risk Homes

Join Forever Explorers at Marine Discovery Center

Forever Explorers is a new, hand-on, feet-wet program designed especially for young-at-heart lifelong learners who want to explore their coastal environment. Whether you’ve recently moved to the community and want to learn about the new flora and fauna around you, or you have lived in Florida for many years and simply want to better understand what you can do to protect and preserve the Indian … Continue reading Join Forever Explorers at Marine Discovery Center

Become a Volusia Explorer

Explore Volusia is starting a monthly challenge using the iNaturalist app where you can earn prizes! All you need to do is download the iNaturalist app, available on iPhone and Android devices, to get started. Visit the conservation land of the month, as designated on the app or online at Volusia.org. Using the app, find the hiking trail and follow the directions on the blue … Continue reading Become a Volusia Explorer

silhouette of four people against sun background

Port Orange library plans events for Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month will take center stage at the Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle, in March. Special presentations include: “Ophelia: Florida Suffragette”: 2 p.m. Friday, March 11 Actress Dianne Jacoby will portray a fictional Florida suffragette in a one-woman play titled “Ophelia, Florida Suffragette.” The historical drama focuses on a Florida girl who shares the events that led to her becoming a placard … Continue reading Port Orange library plans events for Women’s History Month

Volusia Forever Accepting Land Purchase Nominations

A wildly popular conservation program is gearing up to purchase and preserve lands that will benefit humans and wildlife for years to come. Volusia Forever Program to Purchase Local Lands Approved by taxpayers in 2000 and 2020, Volusia Forever finances the acquisition and improvement of environmentally sensitive, water resource protection, and outdoor recreation lands. The newly authorized program also added working forests and farmlands to … Continue reading Volusia Forever Accepting Land Purchase Nominations

library shelves full of colorful books

Volusia County Library In-Person Programs Canceled

Due to the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, the 14 branches of the Volusia County Public Library system have canceled all indoor, face-to-face programs for youths and adults.  County libraries cancel programs There are no plans at this time to close the branches, and staff continues to provide service inside the branches, online and by phone. Residents can stop by their local branch to … Continue reading Volusia County Library In-Person Programs Canceled

INSIDE LOOK: Riverside Conservancy

Flooding, shoreline erosion and extreme weather negatively affect Florida’s natural resources, livelihood and the health of coastal and inland communities. Throughout Florida’s estuaries and rivers, polluted runoff has contributed to harmful algal blooms and threatened the quality of life of riverfront communities. Riverside Conservancy helps meet the need of providing vibrant/resilient communities, combating stormwater pollution, increasing coastal resource stewardship opportunities, and providing special places and … Continue reading INSIDE LOOK: Riverside Conservancy

COVID-19 Emergency Repair Available to Residents

Volusia County will accept applications from homeowners that have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and are in need of one or both of the following emergency repairs to their home: Septic tank pump out Central heat & air (HVAC) unit repair or replacement Program Eligibility Home is owned by the applicant and is the primary residence Home is not a pre-1994 mobile or manufactured home … Continue reading COVID-19 Emergency Repair Available to Residents

ACA Plans to Develop a New Program for Blind and Low-sighted Youth

The Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) will launch its Young Sound Seekers program on August 22, 2020. This five-year initiative is made possible by a grant award from the National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division. The program encourages the appreciation of natural sounds and will help overcome barriers to access by creating a safe, undistracted outdoor space for blind and low-sighted … Continue reading ACA Plans to Develop a New Program for Blind and Low-sighted Youth