DELTONA, Fla. — A planned nature center at Deltona’s D Ranch Preserve is moving forward with a $2.5 million funding match approved Tuesday by the Volusia County Council, according to Conservation Florida.
The money, awarded through the county’s ECHO program, will supplement private funding pledged for the nonprofit’s D Ranch Nature Center.
Plans call for indoor and outdoor classrooms, educational exhibits and a wildlife overlook accessible to people with disabilities. The center will support school field trips and community programs.
Conservation Florida said it will convert an existing barn rather than expand the developed footprint at the preserve.
“This funding match brings us one step closer to creating a place where people can experience wild Florida, learn, connect, and build a deeper relationship with the natural places that make Volusia County so wonderful,” CEO Traci Deen said.
The nonprofit permanently protected the 476-acre property in 2019. Once a working cattle ranch, D Ranch Preserve now offers 7 miles of public trails for hiking, birdwatching and photography.
The preserve has also hosted stargazing events and volunteer projects, including bat box construction, trail maintenance and road cleanups.
The project website lists an anticipated opening in 2027. Tuesday’s announcement did not provide an updated construction schedule.
Volusia County’s voter-supported ECHO program funds environmental, cultural, historical and outdoor recreation projects.
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