The calendar is compiled far in advance so we strongly suggest that you contact the sponsoring organization prior to the event. Some events may have fees for participation.



Ongoing events

Tuesday through Sunday, Tuesday through Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1pm-4pm, Visit Heritage Village, Pinellas County’s 21-acre living history museum at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. Enjoy more than 25 historic structures, museum galleries and a native plant trail. Currently on exhibit: Pinellas Passport: Your Ticket through Time; Christopher Still Prints: Clues to Florida’s History and Natural Beauty and Quick and Easy: Gadgets for the Home. The Quick and Easy: Gadgets for the Home exhibit presents a fun look at the labor saving devices used by “modern housewives” to tackle pesky domestic chores. It also features a hands-on area for kids in the Ralph Reed gallery. For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/heritage or call 727-582-2123.

Continuing through Oct. 26, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm, Art Exhibit, Inspiration from Weedon Island with Artist Gary de Broekert at The Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg. Experience the talents of Artist Gary de Broekert as he paints watercolor scenes of St. Petersburg and the surrounding area. He prefers impressionism, not realism as he states, “My paintings represent my feelings that surface when viewing natural settings.” For more information, call 727-453-6500 or visit www.weedonislandpreserve.org.

Continuing through, Oct. 26, Wednesday through Sunday, 9am-8:30pm on Wednesday and 9am-4pm Thursday through Sunday. Visions of Florida with Jason Hahn at Brooker Creek Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Enjoy the photography of Jason Hahn who specializes in capturing photos of the creatures and scenery that make Florida such a special place. Hahn hikes into the muddiest, buggiest, hottest and most unforgiving places Florida has to offer. He hopes that his work helps others understand, appreciate and protect places they may never see first hand. For information, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 11 through Nov. 30, Wings Over Weedon Island Exhibit by Florida naturalist and wildlife artist Ernest C. Simmons displayed at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Free. For more information, call 727-453-6500 or visit www.weedonislandpreserve.org.

Oct. 11 through Jan. 25, 2009, Coming Home Exhibit by Artist Christopher Still displayed at Walsingham Road, Largo. For more information, call 727-518-6833 ext. 207.

Oct. 29 through Dec. 29, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm, Out in the Open by Artist Lynn Priestly displayed at The Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Enjoy a new exhibit, Out in the Open, with Plein Air Artist Lynn Priestly who creates a visual world with complementary colors. Lynn writes, “that vision is approached through expressionistic color, which is another way of looking at people, things or animals; a way of seeing their souls, so to speak.” For more information, call 727-453-6500 or visit www.weedonislandpreserve.org.

Nov. 1, through April 18, Every Saturday, 9am-1pm, Pinellas County Market in the Park at Pinellas County Extension Parking Lot, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The Pinellas County Market in the Park offers a rich harvest of farm-fresh produce, natural products and gardening items. Entertainment, food and education make this Market a fun morning for the entire family. Special events and programs are planned on many mornings. Free admission, on-site restrooms and plenty of room to roam make this Market convenient and accessible. It is located off 125th Street between Walsingham and Ulmerton roads, next to Heritage Village. The Market will be open through Saturday, April 18. For more information, call 727-582-2100 or visit www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Nov. 2, through Dec. 28, Free, unique fiber art exhibit by Artist Julie Kornblum, Past, Preservation and Future at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Largo. Artist Julie Kornblum whose weaving and basketry is a combination of the immediate and the ancient. She offers a refreshing look at old traditions by using post-modern, recycled materials to weave early American household textile patterns. Her sculptural pieces combine discarded plastics with coiled baskets techniques. She has won awards in national juried shows. For information visit, www.pinellascounty.org/events.

Nov. 15-22, Hillsborough River Watershed Awareness Week. The Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance and the Mayor's Beautification Program will host the first annual Hillsborough River Watershed Film Festival this November. The festival is soliciting short videos about the watershed. The focus can be on the environment, history, environmental issues, and individual and group efforts to restore and preserve the environment. Winners and their videos will get a premier public viewing during Hillsborough River Watershed Awareness Week, November 15-22. The videos will also be available on Bay News 9's "video on demand" web site. Contest rules include: Videos must focus on the Hillsborough River watershed, which includes portions of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Polk counties. Videos can be no longer than ten minutes in length. No offensive or illicit content will be accepted. The video must be submitted on a DVD. The Hillsborough River Watershed Alliance and the Tampa Mayor's Beautification Program will retain non-commercial use rights for all videos. Entries must be postmarked by November 1, 2008. All entries should be sent to: HRWA, P.O. Box 47987, Tampa, Florida 33646. For more information, please call 813-245-0583 or email to: hrwafl@verizon.net.

Nov. 25 through Jan. 4, Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-4pm, Sunday, 1pm-4pm, Trees & Traditions at Heritage Village, Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. Make your holidays even brighter by visiting Heritage Village during the upcoming festive season. Tour the beautifully decorated homes and galleries. Be sure and save time for unique holiday shopping at the Beach Cottage Gift Shop. Please note that the Village is closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information, call 727-582-2123.

Nov. 29 through Jan. 3, Saturday through Saturday, 6pm-10pm, Illuminated Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens, Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Celebrate the season and see how more than 425,000 colorful lights can transform Florida Botanical Gardens into a holiday wonderland. Florida Botanical Gardens will be all decked out in a blanket of glittering holiday lights that showcase the beauty of the Gardens’ plants and landscapes. For more information, call 727-582-2100 or visit www.flbg.org.

Oct. 11, 10am-4pm, Oct. 12, 10am-3pm, Botanical Gardens Fall Plant Festival, You won't want to miss this big event at the USF Botanical Gardens! Join us, and over 70 of our vendor friends for this end of the season fund and friend raiser to support the USFBG. Lots of plants - everything you could want and the people to answer all of your growing questions will be on hand. Sunday October 12, meet Tom MacCubbin. Florida's foremost expert on lawn and garden issues. Tom has hosted the "Better Lawns & Gardens" radio program for more than 18 years and is heard every Saturday morning on more than 20 radio stations throughout Florida. Tom is the author of the articles on this web site plus a horticultural column and a weekly feature for the Orlando Sentinel. He's also written 6 books including "Florida Home Grown", the "Edible Landscape", "Month by Month Gardening in Florida", co-author of the "Florida Gardener's Guide", and was a contributor to the 1997 "Sunset National Garden Book". Admission is $4 - USFBG members and children under 12 are admitted free! Free parking! Food and drinks are available as well as a fun children's activity area. For more information, please call 813-974-2329, contact Laurie Walker or visit the Botanical Gardens Website at www.cas.usf.edu/garden.

Oct. 11, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Please reserve a spot by 2 p.m. on Friday. Free. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 11, 11am-3 pm, Opening Reception, Wings Over Weedon Island Exhibit with Ernest C. Simmons held at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, Join in the opening reception for award winning Florida naturalist and wildlife artist Ernest C. Simmons. Come talk with Simmons as he paints on his latest wildlife creation capturing the beauty of his subjects in extraordinary detail. The Wings Over Weedon Island exhibit will be displayed until Sunday, Nov. 30. Free. For more information, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 11, 7pm-9pm, Opening Reception with Artist Christopher Still to celebrate his Coming Home Exhibit, at The Gulf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo. 6:30pm, Artist’s Talk with Christopher Still. Enjoy an Artist’s Talk and Opening Reception with Artist Christopher Still to celebrate his Coming Home Exhibit. This unique retrospective covers more than 30 years of work by the celebrated painter. A native to the Tampa Bay area, Still gained formal training at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and he studied and traveled throughout Europe. Still has established a remarkable career interweaving his academic training with themes featuring Florida culture and history. Admission for the opening reception is free for The Gulf Coast Museum of Art members and $10 for non-members. For more information and reservations, call 727-518-6833 ext. 207. This exhibit opens from Oct. 11 through Jan. 25, 2009.

Oct. 11, 9:30am-12:30pm, The Suncoast Sierra Club tours six north/northeast St. Petersburg gardens which are Florida Friendly with the owner of a Florida native plant nursery as the guide. Meet in the parking lot just north of the three tennis courts on North Shore Drive, NE, at the corner of 12th Ave, NE to break up into groups and carpool to the gardens.  Reservations required, call 727-896-3130.

Oct. 11, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Oct. 11, 9am-10:30am, Rain Barrel Workshop at Pinellas County Extension, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Learn about how to set up a recycled plastic barrel to collect rainwater from the roof. Use the water for your landscape plants, potted plants and more. Rain barrels are available for purchase. The workshop is free. For more information or to register, call 727-582-2673.

Oct. 11, 9am-4pm, Woodburning Workshop at Brooker Creek Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Meet Carolyn Marek and learn about woodburning or pyrography that is the art of burning a design or pattern onto a natural wood surface. You will learn to control and develop tonal depths of shading and highlighting with the woodburning tools. All woodburning tools and instruction will be provided. Cost is $50 per person or $60 per person including wood. Best for adults who are either beginners or advanced carvers. For more information or to register, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 11, 9am-4pm, Walking Stick Carving Workshop at Brooker Creek Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Meet Woodcarver Bob Marek who has been teaching carving in Pinellas County for more than 25 years. He will share his talents and staffs with blanks for carving several different animals, birds and fish. You may also bring your own wood. Carving tools will be available. Cost is $50 per person or $60 per person including wood. Best for adults who are either beginners or advanced carvers. For more information or to register, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 11, 10am-11am, Ft. De Soto Park Nature Walk, Ft. De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. Come and enjoy the beauty of Ft. De Soto Park with a free one-hour nature walk great for the entire family. A Mangrove Nature Walk is planned. Call the park for tour information and meeting locations. Registration required by calling 727-582-2267.

Oct. 11, 1pm-3pm, Doodlebugs: Living in the Groves, Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. This monthly club for children ages 5 to 11 offers a fun getaway to the past with a Living in the Groves program. This two-hour themed program includes living history activities, a targeted tour, story time and a craft. A take-home activity is given to families too. Other programs planned for the second Saturday in Nov. and Dec. Fee charged; pre-paid registration required. Special discounts available for Pinellas County Historical Society members. For information about costs and to register, call 727-582-2426 or email heritagevillage@pinellascounty.org.

Oct. 11, 10am-4pm, Global Community Gathers in Tampa, To Celebrate United Nations Year of Planet Earth And Address Climate Change. What if you could sit down and have a conversation about climate change with a Russian diplomat in Tampa, a labor activist in Zambia, an energy expert from Denver, and a Nobel Peace Prize Winner in Connecticut? You can! These are just a few of the people who will be gathering at the University of Tampa and in 28 other locations around the planet on October 11 in a daylong global summit on climate change. It’s free and open to the public, courtesy of the University of Tampa (UT) and Earth Charter US in celebration of the U.N. International Year of Planet Earth.

Oct. 11-12, Fisheating Creek camping paddle at Palmdale- north of LaBelle. A strenuous paddle for the experienced paddler that wants a true wilderness experience. This is one of the most pristine areas through which to paddle in SW Florida. Cypress trees that overhang this creek provide partial shade. You can jump in the shallow water along the way to cool down, but we will also see many gators! We will paddle up-stream, primitive camp along the river Saturday night, and paddle back on Sunday. Limited to 6 participants. A Sierra Club outing with Leader Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 or bfberauer@aol.com.

Oct. 12, 10am-11am, Ft. De Soto Park Nature Walk, Ft. De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. Come and enjoy the beauty of Ft. De Soto Park with a free one-hour nature walk great for the entire family. An Arrowhead Nature Walk is planned. Call the park for tour information and meeting locations. Registration required by calling 727-582-2267.

Oct. 12, 11am-3pm, Open Classroom – Discovering Nature With Your Child at Brooker Creek Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Who lives in that skin? What is the difference between a carnivore and an herbivore? Whose tracks are those? Stop by the Brooker Creek Center’s classroom anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to participate in a variety of self-guided nature games and activities that will answer these questions and many more. Free. Recommended for families with children of all ages. For information, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 13, 7pm, High Color/Low Maintenance Gardening, Master Gardener Lesley Fleming, Lutz Library, 101 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, 33548, 813-364-3827.

Oct. 13, 7pm, Vermi-Composting, Master Gardener Lynn Barber, Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon Street, Plant City, 33566, 813-757-9215.

Oct. 14, 7pm, No Plant Clinic Program will occur, Library is closed, Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Drive, Riverview, 33578, 813-273-3652.

Oct. 15, 7pm-8:30pm, Wednesday Evening Walk at Brooker Creek Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a pleasant evening stroll with the experts at Brooker Creek Preserve and discuss the ways many living things are adapted to make the best use of the twilight hours. Great for families with children 10 and up. Free. Register by calling 727- 453-6800.

Oct. 16, 7pm-8pm, Shell Net Weights from Key Marco and Puerto Rico, New Perspectives on Aboriginal Fishing Technology, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Listen to this talk with William F. Keegan, Ph.D., Florida Museum of Natural History, and Lindsey T. Keegan, University of Florida, which focuses on the use of shell as manufactured net weights from two important sites in Key Marco and Puerto Rico and discuss the implications for a more comprehensive understanding of native fishing practices. Program co-sponsored by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society. Free and best for adults. Call 727-453-6500 to register.

Oct. 16, 8am-9:30am, Fall Migration Bird Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Search for migratory birds as these feathered marathon flyers travel toward the tropics on this bird hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. Great for families with children 10 and up. Free. Register by calling 727-453-6800

Oct. 17, 6pm-9pm, The SS American Victory’s popular M*A*S*H BASH bivouacs for its third year. Event proceeds support the ship’s youth maritime education programs and the continuing restoration of the vessel into a mariners museum and cruising ship. The event features a silent auction with unique items for bid, including American Victory ‘ReLive History’ cruises and clothing, nautical and sports memorabilia, restaurant coupons and other quality items and services donated by local merchants and institutions. Tickets include down-home chow provided by Stumps Supper Club, adult beverages, ship tours, ‘Evening Colors’ and more. Guests in Korean War era military uniforms/clothing or hospital scrubs can participate in contests. Tickets are $50 per person in advance, $60 at the door. Tickets can be ordered on line at www.americanvictory.org or call 813-228-8766.

Oct. 17, 7pm-8pm, Florida’s Fabulous Bats, a fascinating program presented by Cynthia and George Marks authors of the new book, Bats of Florida, at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Explore the many myths and misconceptions about the Florida bat. Florida is home to 13 species of bats that are year-round or seasonal residents. See some live animals at this program. Free, and all ages are welcome. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 18, 9am-10:30am, Guided Nature Walk at Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. Explore the outdoors and discover plants naturally found in wetlands and pine flatwoods. Learn how these plants have been used over the years. Visit points along Brooker Creek and enjoy the view of Lake Tarpon. Free. Registration required, calling 727-669-1951.

Oct. 18, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Oct. 18, 9am-11am, Saturday Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Free. Please register by 2pm on Friday. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 18, 8:30am-3:30pm, Teachers Training Workshop at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Discover the educational opportunities that await you and your students at Brooker Creek Preserve. Meet an educator and learn about the Preserve that is a perfect place to connect classroom concepts to the natural world. Refreshments provided. Free and recommended for all teachers. Registration required call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 18, 9am-3pm, Garden Tours of Florida-Friendly Yards in Mid-Pinellas County, locations of tours to be provided by Pinellas County Extension. This Garden Tour, sponsored by Pinellas County Extension Florida Yards & Neighborhoods, is a great opportunity to meet and speak with the owners who created and maintained their beautiful gardens using sustainable practices. Participants will self-drive to locations provided at registration sites. Locations will be announced at a later date. Carpooling is encouraged. Cost is $5 per group traveling together. For more information or to register, call 727-582-2673.

Oct. 18, 10am-11am, Ft. De Soto Park Nature Walk, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. Come and enjoy the beauty of Ft. De Soto Park with a free one-hour nature walk great for the entire family. A Beach Nature Walk is planned. Call the park for tour information and meeting locations. Registration required by calling 727-582-2267.

Oct. 18, 12:30pm-3pm, Weedon Naturalist Wetland Ecosystems, Mangroves, Swamps and Salterns workshop to be held at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in this Weedon Naturalist Program for adults who wish to become familiar with the ecosystems that comprise the Tampa Bay Watershed. This Wetland Ecosystems: Mangroves, Swamps and Salterns workshop has a classroom discussion and includes a hike along the boardwalks to observe and discover the functions and values of the different types of mangrove ecosystems and salterns. Attendees will sample for fish along a mangrove shoreline using a seine net. Free. This program is best for adults. Call 727-453-6500 to register and for more information.

Oct. 18, 7:30 am, St. Petersburg Audubon field trip to Birding Celery Fields and Ackerman Park. Exit 220 off Interstate 75 South. Meet on the south side of parking lot at Cracker Barrel Restaurant. County-owned flood mitigation site with open landscape proven to be a birding hotspot. Visit www.stpeteaudubon.org, contact: Judi Hopkins, 727-526-3725, or e-mail focus997@verizon.net.

Oct. 19, Bicycle Bash by the Bay bicycle ride. Come down to the festival at the Vinoy in St. Pete and join us in a ride celebrating bicycling as a source of exercise and transportation. You can join us at the Sierra Club booth if you want to volunteer a bit. Participants of the festival can learn bicycling tips, and riders will learn that urban bicycling is fun. Leader Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 or bfberauer@aol.com.

Oct. 19, Fall Wine & Cheese Sunset Cruise aboard the Albion, with Capt. Alva. Annual fundraiser for St. Petersburg Audubon. Cruise the intercoastal waterways and watch the sunset over Shell Key. Space limited. Call Barb Ranck, 727 374-7039, for time and reservations or visit www.stpeteaudubon.org. $30 donation per person.

Oct. 18, 9 am-12pm “Give A Day For The Bay” Volunteer Workday at Little Bayou in St. Petersburg, Call 727-893-2765 or e-mail colleen@tbep.org.

Oct. 19, 11am-4pm, The Suncoast Group invites you to join us for this year’s 2008 Bicycle Bash by the Bay at Vinoy Park on the St. Petersburg waterfront. The Bicycle Bash by the Bay is a Tampa Bay regional bicycle festival designed to promote, advocate and grow bicycling as a healthy lifestyle and effective mode of transportation. Of course Sierra Club supports these principles. We will have a booth there, and invite you to join us. If you would like to volunteer to help us at the booth, Ben Berauer, Suncoast Group outings chair, 727-392-2821.

Oct. 19, 8am-11am, Share The Road Ride before this years Bicycle Bash by the Bay, held by the St. Petersburg Bicycle Club. We will be also having a shorter bicycle outing around Snell Island and other St. Pete local streets for Sierra Members. See our outings page for this outing.

Oct. 19, noon-2pm, At the Bicycle Bash by the Bay, the city of St. Petersburg will hold a bicycle rodeo to hand out free helmets to kids and teach kids important bicycling skills.

Oct. 19, 11am-4pm, Other Bicycle Bash by the Bay activities include: Drop off your old bike that you no longer want to pedal at a bike donation station and get a free prize. Enjoy a swap meet where you can buy inexpensive used bikes and gear -- it's just like a flea market for bicyclists. Talk to local bike agencies about bicycle commuter tips and chat with representatives from local bike clubs. Learn about the latest in cycling and equipment. Watch demos on everything from putting together bikes to riding a unicycle. Meet bicycle manufacturers and other bike part makers. Enjoy food, music and more! I hope you can participate and help increase the visibility of bicycling in the Tampa Bay area and in the state of Florida. Last year this event drew 3,000. The web site is www.bicyclebash.com.

Oct. 19, 10am-11am, Ft. De Soto Park Nature Walk, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. Come and enjoy the beauty of Ft. De Soto Park with a free one-hour nature walk great for the entire family. A Soldiers’ Hole Walk is planned. Call the park for tour information and meeting locations. Registration required by calling 727-582-2267.

Oct. 19, 1pm-4pm, R.L. Lewis, Original Highwaymen Artist live demonstration at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in an afternoon of fine art, instruction and inspiration with one of Florida’s most versatile “original” Highwaymen artist, R.L. Lewis. Lewis relates the history of the Highwaymen as he teaches through live demonstration. This popular genre of landscape art by African American artists began in the 1950s. One of Lewis’s original artworks of Weedon Island Preserve will be available by silent auction. Free and open to the public. To register, please call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 19, 10am-12pm, Wild Signs Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Come along for a walk to decipher signs that many creatures leave in Brooker Creek Preserve. This program is great for families with children ages 10 and up. Free. Call to register 727-453-6800.

Oct. 21, 7pm, No Plant Clinic Program will occur, Library is closed, Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace, 33617, 813-989-7160.

Oct. 21,10:30am, Herbs & Spices, Master Gardeners Lucy Hoyt & Pat Harris, Charles Fendig Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, 33629, 813-273-3652.

Oct. 21, 7 pm, Butterflies of Mexico with Buck and Linda Cooper, Florida Natural Areas Inventory naturalists with St. Petersburg Audubon at Science Center. Call 727-384-0027 for directions or visit www.stpeteaudubon.org.

Oct. 22, 6pm-8:30pm, Landscape Makeover, Groundcovers, Grasses, & Vines held at Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto. Landscaping with low-growing ground cover plants has become a popular trend of landscape practices. Site considerations will be discussed. This is a free workshop. Workshop size is limited. Please register in advance: www.manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call at 941-742-5986.

Oct. 22, 9am-11:30am, Bucket Brigade Classes, held at the Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto. Learn about container gardening and actually assemble a bucket to use for your gardening needs. Bring two 5-gallon buckets with you. Minimum workshop size is required; workshop size is limited. For workshops that require a fee, please make checks payable to “Friends of Extension.” Mail the check to the above address. Register and Pay at least one week in advance. http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Linda at 941-742-5986.

Oct. 22, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Movie Night at Brooker Creek, “The Secret World of Bats”, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Watch “The Secret World of Bats” film originally shown on CBS television that captures all aspects of bat behavior. Come watch world-renowned cinematographer Dieter Plage as he follows Bat Conservation International founder Merlin Tuttle across five continents. After the film, take an evening stroll to look for some local bats and other creatures of the night. This program is best for ages 10 and up. Free. To register, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 23, 8am-9:30am, Fall Migration Bird Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Search for migratory birds as these feathered marathon flyers travel toward the tropics on this bird hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. Great for families with children ages 10 and up. Free. Register by calling 727-453-6800.

Oct. 23, 10:30am-11:15am, Wee-time at Weedon, The Lorax, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Introduce your preschooler to the wonders of the natural world at this free Wee-time at Weedon program. This week’s program is The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. This book is a story about how cutting down trees can affect the animals that depend on them. It does a great job of introducing children to the idea that everything in nature is connected. Free. Registration required, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 23, 10:30am-11:15am, Book Time at Brooker Creek, The Very Busy Spider, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Introduce your preschooler to the wonders of the natural world with the book The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle. This enchanting tale highlights the life of a busy little spider as she weaves her web. This program also includes a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story. Best for children ages 3 to 5. Free. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 24, 9am-12pm, Guided Canoe Trip at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Explore the south canoe trail of Weedon Island Preserve and get a rare look at the aquatic ecosystems that make west-central Florida special. Trained guides lead through mangrove stands and over seagrass and oyster beds while pointing out various flora and fauna. The cost, including tax, for this unique experience is $15 per person or $30 per canoe with a maximum of three people in each canoe. Children should be over 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Spaces fill quickly so call 727-453-6500 for more information and pre-register today.

Oct. 24, 7pm-8pm, Looking at the Past Through the Eyes of Scientists and Artists, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Meet David M. Jarzen, Ph.D. of the Florida Museum of Natural History who studies fossil pollen – the fingerprints of plants – and learn about how to determine what sorts of plants lived in a particular place at a particular time. Jarzen will discuss, and at times, amuse the audience through anecdotal tales, how scientists work with artists to bring together a love for natural history, interwoven with the freedom of color and beauty. Free and best for adults. For information, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 24-25, Come join Governor Charlie Crist and Florida's leading environmental advocates and conservationists for a two-day event in Crystal River, FL. There will be an awesome crowd with tons of networking opportunities, great food, field trips, stellar live music, and plenty of educational seminars. For more information, visit www.audubonofflorida.com and click on Audubon Assembly

Oct. 25, 8:30am-1:30pm, Cross Bayou/Joe's Creek Fall Cleanup. This project involves clean up of debris in and along Cross Bayou and Joe’s Creek. This will be the grand finale event for Keep Pinellas Beautiful Great American Cleanup Campaign. Cross Bayou is in the Pinellas Park area south of Park Blvd and west of Belcher Road (a.k.a. 71st Street). This is a waterway cleanup where some of the cleanup will be done from canoes/kayaks and other areas will be on land. Lunch and a free raffle will be after the cleanup for all volunteers. Everyone is invited! If you have a canoe/kayak we especially want you! We will have some canoes available but only a few. A flyer with registration information will be coming soon. We're hoping for 100 volunteers. For information, call 727-455-8520.

Oct. 24-25, Audubon Assembly at the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa on the banks of the Crystal River on Florida’s Nature Coast. The Audubon Assembly brings people who care about our state’s wildlife together with some of Florida’s preeminent environmental leaders, scientists, lobbyists and citizen advocates. The theme of this year’s Assemble is “Saving Birds in a Changing Environment,” and will feature thought-provoking workshops exploring the impact human activities and climate change are having on Florida’s birds and their habitats. The Assembly starts with a welcome luncheon on Friday, Oct. 24, is highlighted by a keynote address at the dinner Friday night by Governor Crist, and concludes with a farewell luncheon and send-off on Saturday. There are 11 Great Florida Birding Trail areas within a 10-mile radius of the Inn. There are also thousands of acres of public land nearby along the Gulf Coast teeming with wildlife, including the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, and the Withlacoochee State Forest. Conference costs are underwritten by Audubon of Florida to keep your cost to a minimum. That is why the all-inclusive assembly package of programs, workshops, receptions, meals and field trips is only $115/person through Sept. 23. Highlights included. Learning sessions on climate change and its effect on our coastal habitats, springs, lakes, rivers, wetlands, uplands and estuaries. Field trips led by top ornithologists and naturalists through some of the most nature-rich parts of Florida, and boat trip down the Crystal River. Superb food, entertainment and a concert by folk star Amy Carol Webb, sponsored by the Will McLean Foundation. For more information, and to register online, please visit www.audubonofflorida.org.

Oct. 25, 9am-10:30am, Guided Nature Walk at Philippe Park, Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor. Learn park history while exploring nature at one of Pinellas County’s oldest historic parks, Philippe Park. Closed toed shoes, water, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellant are recommended. Free. Registration required, call 727-669-1947.

Oct. 25, 9am-12pm, Guided Canoe Trip at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Explore the south canoe trail of Weedon Island Preserve and get a rare look at the aquatic ecosystems that make west-central Florida special. Trained guides lead through mangrove stands and over seagrass and oyster beds while pointing out various flora and fauna. The cost, including tax, for this unique experience is $15 per person or $30 per canoe with a maximum of three people in each canoe. Children should be over 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Spaces fill quickly so call 727-453-6500 for more information and pre-register today.

Oct. 25, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Oct. 25, 9am-11am, Saturday Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Free. Please register by 2pm on Friday. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 25, 9:30am-4:30pm, 31st Annual Country Jubilee at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. Enjoy the 31st Annual Country Jubilee among more than 100 crafters and artisans. Quilts, needlework, dolls, paintings, florals, soaps and seasonal crafts are a few of the items to be found at the free event. Entertainment, a parade of historic homes, craft demonstrations and children’s activities add to the fun event. The popular Jubilee is presented by the Pinellas County Historical Society. For more information, call 727-582-2123 or email heritagevillage@pinellascounty.org.

Oct. 25, 10am-11:30am, People’s Use of Plants through Time at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in an engaging ethnobotany hike and learn about native plants and their many uses. Learn about the natural and cultural history of common Florida plants. Free and open to the public. Call for more information and to register, 727-453-6500.

Oct. 25, 10am-11am, Ft. De Soto Park Nature Walk, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. Come and enjoy the beauty of Ft. De Soto Park with a free one-hour nature walk great for the entire family. A Campground Nature Walk is planned. Call the park for tour information and meeting locations. Registration required by calling 727-582-2267.

Oct. 25, 1pm-2pm, Looking at the Past Through the Eyes of Scientists and Artists, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Meet David M. Jarzen, Ph.D. of the Florida Museum of Natural History who studies fossil pollen – the fingerprints of plants – and learn about how to determine what sorts of plants lived in a particular place at a particular time. Jarzen will discuss, and at times, amuse the audience through anecdotal tales, how scientists work with artists to bring together a love for natural history, interwoven with the freedom of color and beauty. Free and best for adults. For information, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 26, 8am-9:30am, The Great Weedon Bird Quest, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in a quest to find Weedon Island Preserve birds. Learn identifying marks and behaviors of feathered year-round residents and seasonal visitors while helping to compile an annual bird checklist. Experienced birders lead the way. Free. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Oct. 26, 10am-11am, Ft. De Soto Park Nature Walk, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. Come and enjoy the beauty of Ft. De Soto Park with a free one-hour nature walk great for the entire family. A Bird Tour Walk is planned. Call the park for tour information and meeting locations. Registration required by calling 727-582-2267.

Oct. 26, 11am-3pm, Open Classroom Discovering Nature With Your Child at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Who lives in that skin? What is the difference between a carnivore and an herbivore? Whose tracks are those? Stop by the Brooker Creek Center’s classroom anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to participate in a variety of self-guided nature games and activities that will answer these questions and many more. Free. Recommended for families with children of all ages. For information, call 727-453-6800.

Oct. 28,10am-11:30pm, Water-Wise Workshop, Hillsborough County Extension Office.  One free micro-irrigation kit per household; $20 charge for kit to non-Hillsborough County residents. Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144.

Oct. 28, 6pm-8:30pm, Annuals by the Season, held at the Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto. Annuals tend to bloom profusely and give the landscape the opportunity to show different combinations of color throughout the year. Topics include plant selection, hand watering, micro-irrigation and more. This is a free workshop. Workshop size is limited. Please register in advance: http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call at 941-742-5986.

Oct. 29, 7pm-8:30pm, Creepy Critters and Boo Time Stories at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Bring the whole family to learn about Halloween favorites like owls, spiders and bats. Join for a short evening hike along the boardwalk to look and listen for common creatures of the night. End the evening with a fun boo time story. Free. Recommended for families with children 5 years or older. Space is limited so register by calling 727-453-6800.

Oct. 31, Women's Weeki Wachee Kayak Trip a Sierra Club outing. Join our annual Halloween paddle down this beautiful crystal clear river where fish, playful otters and ghostly manatees will keep us company. We will explore some of the problems caused by the rapid development of this area. Cost about $35 to rent kayaks. Please reserve a spot at least a week in advance. Sue Brandon, brandon11@earthlink.net, 813-622-1800.

november

Nov. 1, 10am-2pm, Water Wings and Wild Things at Circle B Bar Ranch/Nature Discovery Center – SR 540, Bartow, FL, More than 40 exhibitors will be on hand, providing fun opportunities to learn about the area’s nature and conservation efforts, including planting with native plants, water conservation and litter prevention. Come see Florida animals, including the endangered Florida Panther. Festival goers can also visit nature based vendors and kids can have hands-on experiences with kite making, tree climbing, butterflies and more! Enjoy music and wildlife art exhibits and celebrate nature in Polk County.

Nov. 1, 9am-1pm, Pinellas County Market in the Park at Pinellas County Extension Parking Lot, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Celebrate the second year of this popular farmer’s market during this grand opening morning. Shopping bags will be given to the first 100 attendees filling out a “Check Your Green Commitment” form. A food demonstration, 4-H open house and unveiling of a new children’s trail make this a fun morning for the entire family. Free admission, on-site restrooms and plenty of room to roam make this Market convenient and accessible. It is located off 125th Street between Walsingham and Ulmerton roads, next to Heritage Village. The Market will be open through Saturday, April 18. For more information, call 727-582-2100 or visit www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Nov. 1, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Nov. 1, 9am-11am, Saturday Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Please reserve your space by 2 p.m. on Friday. Free. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 1, 10am, Dedication of Children’s Trail at Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Families will love the new Children’s Trail that has its grand opening Nov. 1. To celebrate, children’s activities are planned at each of the four viewing stations such as a butterfly release and walking tour. The stations along the trail highlight butterflies, fruit, trees and wetlands. Be among the first to enjoy this new trail. For more information, call, 727-582-2100.

Nov. 1, 10am-4pm, Rags to Riches, Basket Making from Recyclables Workshop at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Make a recycled basket with Julie Kornblum, fiber artist, at this Rags to Riches workshop. Learn how to start, build and shape a coiled basket using a variety of found objects, cast-offs and recycled materials. No experience necessary to get in on the fun! Cost is $40 per person, which includes materials. This workshop is best for ages 12 and up. Space is limited so call 727-453-6800 to register.

Nov. 1, 11:30am-12:30pm, Rain Barrel Workshop at Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg. Discover how to set up a recycled plastic barrel to collect rainwater from the roof with the experts from Pinellas County Extension. Workshop provides set-up instructions and a reference booklet.  To learn more about costs and to register, call 727-551-3100.

Nov. 2, 8am-10am, Photography Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in the search for that perfect shot as Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center experts highlight seasonal features as well as specific wildlife behaviors. Great for photographers of all levels. This workshop is free but best for adults. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 2, 1pm-4pm, Meet the Artist Julie Kornblum, Past, Preservation and Future, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Largo. Meet Artist Julie Kornblum whose weaving and basketry is a combination of the immediate and the ancient. She offers a refreshing look at old traditions by using post-modern, recycled materials to weave early American household textile patterns. Her sculptural pieces combine discarded plastics with coiled baskets techniques. She has won awards in national juried shows. Come visit and see this unique fiber art during this free exhibit that runs through Sunday, Dec. 28.

Nov. 3, 7pm, No Plant Clinic Program, Library closed, Austin Davis Library, 17808 Wayne Road, Odessa, 33556, 813-264-3901.

Nov. 4, 7pm, Herbal Holiday, Master Gardener Loretta Clements, Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Drive, Riverview, 33578, 813-273-3652.

Nov 5, 7pm, Eat My Garbage, Master Gardener Harriet Gord-Noghani, Southshore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, 33573, 813-273-3652.

Nov. 5, 10am-11:30am, Preschool Village Ramblers, Log Cabin Living at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. Children and their parents or grandparents join in the fun with Florida history during Preschool Village Ramblers. During this Log Cabin Living program, children become pioneers. They will pick oranges, do chores at the cabin and play old-fashioned games. Another program with a different theme is planned for the first Wednesday in December. Fee charged; pre-paid registration required. Special discount offered for Pinellas County Historical Society members. Two adults admitted free per child. For more information about costs and to register, call 727-582-2426 or email heritagevillage@pinellascounty.org.

Nov. 5, 7pm-8:30pm, Family Night Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Experience Brooker Creek Preserve after dark while looking and listening for creatures of the night. Glowing eyes, strange sounds and unusual smells are awaiting discovery. This Family Night Hike is best for families with children 10 and up. Registration required by calling 727-453-6800.

Nov. 7, 9am-4pm, Adult Ecology Workshop, Tree Identification at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. For nature lovers who want to dig deeper, this Adult Ecology Workshop offers a unique chance to explore focused natural history topics with guidance from noted authorities. John Kunzer from the USF Biology Department Herbarium will share his knowledge at this Tree Identification session. Learn about common trees and shrubs, how to use a dichotomous key and practice using the key to identify woody plants in the field. Admission is $40 per person, $30 for members of Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve. For more information and to register, call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 7, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Weedon Family Night Hike, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Discover the creatures of the night at this family-oriented night hike. Families will be introduced to the special animals that take advantage of the dark. Look and listen for nocturnal animals with fascinating new sights and sound just waiting to be explored. Free and best for families with children ages 5 to 12. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 8, 9am-11am, Saturday Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Please reserve a spot by 2 p.m. on Friday. Free. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 8, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Nov. 8, 9am-1pm, Pinellas County Market in the Park at Pinellas County Extension Parking Lot, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Variety adds the spice of fun to the Pinellas County Market in the Park loaded with farm-fresh produce, natural products and gardening items. A food demonstration is also planned. Entertainment, food and education make this Market great for the entire family. Free admission, on-site restrooms and plenty of room to roam make this Market convenient and accessible. It is located off 125th Street between Walsingham and Ulmerton roads, next to Heritage Village. The Market will be open through Saturday, April 18. For more information, call 727-582-2100 or visit www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Nov. 8, 9am-2:30pm, Tampa Bay Estuary Academy 2008, Wildlife in the Watershed at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in a fun-filled and educational day of lectures, workshops and field activities about wildlife in the watershed sponsored by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and Weedon Island Preserve. Learn how wading birds fit their bills, how frogs sing, what kind of fishes are in the ditches and about the coastal birds on the shores to name a few choices. The $15 registration fee includes lunch, goody bags, fabulous speakers and a choice of terrific hands-on workshops. Great for adults and children over 12. For more information, visit www.tbep.org or call 727-893-2765.

Nov. 8, 10am-1pm, Mini-Camp for Grown-ups at Heritage Village, Entwined in History, Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. Pay a call to the Lowe farm to gain knowledge of ranching in early Florida. Take a crack at “roping a steer,” produce rope the way ranchers did and fashion a palmetto fiber rope similar to the ones produced by Florida Native Americans. Another program is planned for December. Pre-paid registration required. Special discount for Pinellas County Historical Society members. For more information about costs and to register, call 727-582-2426 or email heritagevillage@pinellascounty.org.

Nov. 8, 1pm-3pm, Doodlebugs, Stormy Seas Life on the Coast, at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. This monthly club for children ages 5 to 11 offers a fun getaway to the past with a Stormy Seas: Life on the Coast program. This two-hour themed program includes living history activities, a targeted tour, story time and a craft. A take-home activity is given to families too. Another program is planned for the second Saturday in December. Fee charged; pre-paid registration required. Special discount available for Pinellas County Historical Society members. For information about costs and to register, call 727-582-2426 or email heritagevillage@pinellascounty.org.

Nov. 8, 2pm-3pm, Pilgrim in the Land of Alligators, Modern Floridians in the Age of Dinosaurs at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Meet Jeff Klinkenberg, award-winning columnist and author, as he talks about fascinating encounters between humans and alligators from the 16th century to the present. Mr. Klinkenberg says alligators are dinosaurs living in the 21st century, and he has the stories to back up that claim. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This program is best for adults and suitable for children ages 12 and older. To register, call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 8, 8 am, St. Petersburg Audubon Bird Target Birding: Brown-headed Nuthatch at J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park. Meet at information kiosk inside park. A leisurely walk along a paved trail to watch for Brown-headed Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds, woodpeckers, vireos, warblers, and birds of prey. Contact Judi Hopkins, 727-526-3725, or e-mail focus997@verizon.net or visit www.stpeteaudubon.org for information.

Nov. 8, a special event will be held, honoring the Egmont Key Lighthouse. This year we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Egmont Lighthouse with a dedication ceremony. Honorary Co Chairpersons are Representative Kathy Castor and Representative C.W. (Bill) Young. Guest list includes Governor Charlie Crist, Florida State Legislators and local government agencies from the four county areas. Speakers for the event will be Representative Kathy Castor, Representative Bill Young, Mr. Stan Farnham, President of the Florida Lighthouse Association; Mr. Rodney Kite-Powell, Curator of History at the Tampa Bay History Center and Chief Wooten, U.S. Coast Guard. Former Congressman Sam Gibbons plans to attend the ceremony at which time he will be honored for his dedication to Egmont Key. Mr. Gibbons worked tirelessly to organize a massive clean up of Egmont Key in 1988 and to Establish Egmont Key as a State Park. For information go to Egmontkey.info.

Nov. 8, 7:30am-3:30pm, SS American Victory, the restored World War II merchant cargo vessel berthed next to the Florida Aquarium, sails on her ‘Salute to Veterans’ Cruise, a truly unique way to honor family members who are veterans or are active duty military! Passengers step back in time aboard this 63-year old ship and witness heart-pounding vintage aircraft flyovers, touching memorial and burial at sea services, ship tours, great Tampa Bay vistas and much more! Tickets are $99 per person until October 20; $125 afterward and include passage, continental breakfast and box lunch and more. For more information and to order tickets online, visit www.americanvictory.org or call 813-228-8766.

Nov. 8, 8:30am-2:30pm, Estuary Academy, a daylong series of lecture and workshops focused on the wildlife of Tampa Bay. at Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg. $15 registration fee includes lunch and goody bag. More information and pre-registration online at www.tbep.org.

Nov. 8-9, Backpack to Bee Island in Myakka River State Park a Sierra Club outing. Discover and explore a Florida grassland prairie park and learn how it is being restored. We camp under large old oaks and hike through varied habitat. The hike includes an 11 mile loop trail in two days. Leader: Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821, bfberauer@aol.com.

Nov. 8-9, 9am-2pm, The Egmont Key Alliance will hold its annual Discovery Egmont Key. Shuttle boats will leave from Fort Desoto Park. The last boat will return from Egmont Key at 5:00pm. A detachment of Civil War re-enactors, Union and Confederate soldiers will provide information on local Civil War history that affected Egmont and the Tampa Bay area. The event will also feature interpretive sites on wildlife, military, island history, nature, cultural and the Egmont Key Lighthouse. Children section with pirate games and a treasure map that leads to a pirate chest. Food and souvenirs will be available for purchase on the island. Tickets are $15.00 and maybe purchased on line or at the gate. Children 11 and under are free accompanied by an adult. Group discount tickets of 10 or more are also available. For information go to Egmontkey.info.

Nov. 9, 11am-3pm, Open Classroom, Discovering Nature With Your Child at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Who lives in that skin? What is the difference between a carnivore and an herbivore? Whose tracks are those? Stop by the Brooker Creek Center’s classroom anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to participate in a variety of self-guided nature games and activities that will answer these questions and many more. Free. Recommended for families with children of all ages. For information, call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 10, 7pm, No Plant Clinic Program, Library closed, Lutz Library, 101 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, 33548, 813-364-3827.

Nov. 10, 7pm, No Plant Clinic Program, Library closed, Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon Street, Plant City, 33566, 813-757-9215.

Nov. 13, 10:30am, Eat My Garbage, Vermi-composting, Master Gardener Lynn Barber, Jan Platt Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 33611, 813-273-3652.

Nov. 13, 10:30am, No Plant Clinic Program, Library closed, New Tampa Library, 1001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, 33647, 813-903-2280.

Nov. 13, 10:30am-11:15am, Book Time at Brooker Creek, Leaf Man, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Introduce your preschooler to the wonders of the natural world. This Book Time features Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. This brightly illustrated tale follows the journey of the leaf man as the wind picks him up and carries him across the land. This program also includes a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story. Best for children ages 3 to 5. Free. Registration is required. Call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 13, 10:30am-11:15am, Wee-time at Weedon, From Tadpole to Frog, 800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Introduce your preschooler to the wonders of the natural world at this free Wee-time at Weedon program. This week’s program is From Tadpole to Frog by Wendy Pfeffer. This story describes the fascinating process of metamorphosis from tiny eggs through swimming tadpoles to croaking bullfrogs. Children become part of this make-believe frog pond, experiencing all stages of amphibian life. Free. Registration required by calling 727-453-6500.

Nov. 13, 1pm-3pm, Home School History Adventures, Stormy Seas Life on the Coast at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. This monthly club for home schooled children ages 5 to 11 offers a fun getaway to the past with a Stormy Seas: Life on the Coast program. This two-hour themed program includes living history activities, a targeted tour, story time and a craft. A take-home activity is given to families too. Another program with a different theme planned for the second Thursday and December. Fee charged; pre-paid registration required. Special discount available for Pinellas County Historical Society members. For more information about costs and to register, call 727-582-2426 or email heritagevillage@pinellascounty.org.

Nov. 15, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Nov. 15, 9am-11am, Saturday Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Free. Please register by 2 p.m. on Friday. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 15, 9am-1pm, Pinellas County Market in the Park, Pinellas County Extension Parking Lot, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The Pinellas County Market in the Park offers a rich harvest of farm-fresh produce, natural products and gardening items. A food demonstration is also planned. Entertainment, food and education make this Market a fun morning for the entire family. Free admission, on-site restrooms and plenty of room to roam make this Market convenient and accessible. It is located off 125th Street between Walsingham and Ulmerton roads, next to Heritage Village. The Market will be open through Saturday, April 18. For more information, call 727-582-2100 or visit www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Nov. 15, 2pm-3pm, Hop To It, A Look at Florida’s Frogs and Toads at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Come learn about some of Florida’s more vocal neighbors at this free Hop To It: A Look at Florida’s Frogs and Toads program. Learn several common frog calls and a little about the adaptations that make these amphibians such interesting creatures. Best for ages 8 and up. Registration required by calling 727-453-6500.

Nov. 16, 9:30am-11:30am, Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Join in a Sunday Morning Bird Walk along Brooker Creek Preserve Center’s trails. Learn to identify common birds by sight, behavior and sound. This free walk is best for adults and children ages 10 and up. To register, call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 16, 12:30pm-3pm, Weedon Naturalist, Uplands Ecosystems, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in this Weedon Naturalist Program for adults who wish to become familiar with the ecosystems that comprise the Tampa Bay Watershed. This Uplands Ecosystems session includes topics such as upland ecosystem identification, native plant distribution, ecology of upland animals and changes to the landscape of Weedon Island Preserve. Free. This program is best for adults. Call 727-453-6500 to register and for more information.

Nov. 17-20, The Coastal Cities Summit, in St. Petersburg, Fla., will explore environmental, social, economic and public policy challenges for waterfront cities through discussions that will address disasters, climate change, population growth, economic impacts, port security, public infrastructure, water and sanitation, sustainable growth and policy. Featured speakers include Martin Parry, co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II, the United Nations panel that jointly won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former vice president Al Gore; Alex Sink, State of Florida Chief Financial Officer; Paul Holthus, World Ocean Council executive director; Jeremy Harris, former mayor of Honolulu; Wayne Joseph, chair of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean; Saskia Sassen, the Helen and Robert Lynd Professor of Sociology at Columbia University; Rick Baker, Mayor of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Pam Iorio, Mayor of Tampa, Fla. The summit, organized by the International Ocean Institute-USA, USF St. Petersburg and the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, is the first major event for IOI-USA, the newest of 25 operational centers of the global organization headquartered in Matla. Mayor Rick Baker and the city of St. Petersburg are co-hosts to the event. “Almost 2.8 billion people live in coastal cities and more move there every day,” said Rebecca Harris, PhD, assistant academic director for the Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions and the summit’s managing chair. “That’s more than 40 percent of the world’s population. The strain created on public resources means coastal city managers face challenges today they have never had to face before.” The International Ocean Institute is an international non-governmental body with consultative status at the United Nations. Founded in 1972 as a knowledge-based, non-profit organization, it offers training programs and capacity building programs for coastal communities. Through education, information dissemination, research programs and community initiatives, IOI’s network promotes sustainable use of the ocean and coastal resources. The early registration deadline is August 31. For more information, visit coastalcities.org or call 727-873-4745.

Nov. 18, 7 pm, Swallowtail Kites in Pinellas and Beyond with Gina Zimmerman, Research Ecologist and Coordinator, Avian Research and Conservation Institute, St. Petersburg Audubon Society monthly program at Science Center. Call 727-384-0027 for directions or visit www.stpeteaudubon.org for information.

Nov. 18, 7pm, Creating and Maintaining a Florida Yard, Master Gardener Patricia Neemeh, Jimmy B Keel Library, 2902 West Bearss Ave., Tampa, 33618, 813-273-3652 x2.

Nov. 18, 7pm, Groundcovers as an Alternative to Grass, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace, 33617, 813-989-7160.

Nov. 19, 7pm-8:30pm, Family Night Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Experience Brooker Creek Preserve after dark while looking and listening for creatures of the night. Glowing eyes, strange sounds and unusual smells are awaiting discovery. This Family Night Hike is best for families with children 10 and up. Registration required by calling 727-453-6800.

Nov. 19, 11:00am-12:30pm, Water-Wise Workshop, Hillsborough County Extension Office.  One free micro-irrigation kit per household; $20 charge for kit to non-Hillsborough County residents. Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144.

Nov. 20, 7pm-8pm, Lakeside Ranch, A Glimpse at Early Settlement along Lake Okeechobee, at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Enjoy this presentation focused on ongoing work at Lakeside Ranch, a Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP). James P. Pepe of Janus Research will provide an interesting glimpse into the early history of Lake Okeechobee and aboriginal adaptation to central south Florida. This program is co-sponsored by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society and is free. Best for adults. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 21, 9am-12pm, Guided Canoe Trip at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Explore the south canoe trail of Weedon Island Preserve and get a rare look at the aquatic ecosystems that make west-central Florida special. Trained guides lead through mangrove stands and over seagrass and oyster beds while pointing out various flora and fauna. The cost, including tax, for this unique experience is $15 per person or $30 per canoe with a maximum of three people in each canoe. Children should be over 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Spaces fill quickly so call 727-453-6500 for more information and pre-register today.

Nov. 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Weedon Family Night Hike, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Discover the creatures of the night at this family-oriented night hike. Explore the trails of Weedon Island Preserve to look and listen for nocturnal animals. Free hike that’s best for families with children ages 5 to 12. Registration required by calling 727-453-6500.

Nov. 22, 9am-10:30am, Guided Nature Walk at Chesnut Park, 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. Explore the outdoors and discover plants naturally found in wetlands and pine flatwoods. Learn how these plants have been used over the years. Visit points along Brooker Creek and enjoy the view of Lake Tarpon. Free. Registration is required by calling 727-669-1951.

Nov. 22, 9am-1pm, Pinellas County Market in the Park, Pinellas County Extension Parking Lot, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The Pinellas County Market in the Park unveils a bounty of farm-fresh produce, natural products and gardening items. Entertainment, food and education make this Market a fun morning for the entire family. Free admission, on-site restrooms and plenty of room to roam make this Market convenient and accessible. It is located off 125th Street between Walsingham and Ulmerton roads, next to Heritage Village. The Market will be open through Saturday, April 18. For more information, call 727-582-2100 or visit www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Nov. 22, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Nov. 22, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Please register by 2 p.m. on Friday. Free. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 22, 9am-12pm, Guided Canoe Trip at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Explore the south canoe trail of Weedon Island Preserve and get a rare look at the aquatic ecosystems that make west-central Florida special. Trained guides lead through mangrove stands and over seagrass and oyster beds while pointing out various flora and fauna. The cost, including tax, for this unique experience is $15 per person or $30 per canoe with a maximum of three people in each canoe. Children should be over 6 years old and accompanied by an adult. Spaces fill quickly so call 727-453-6500 for more information and pre-register today.
Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. With Thanksgiving coming up, this is the perfect time to learn about Florida’s wild turkeys. Explore these fascinatingly complex creatures, how they communicate and how they raise their young. You might even get a chance to practice walking and talking like a turkey. This fun program is great for families with children ages 5 and up. To register, call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 22, 8am-2pm, Mayor’s 21st Annual Hillsborough River & Waterways Cleanup at Lowry Park Boat Ramp, 7525 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL, Over 1200 volunteers will cleanup and restore the shoreline along the Hillsborough River and connected waterways in what has become Tampa's largest volunteer event. After the cleanup, volunteers will be treated to a variety of educational displays and activities, as well as a picnic and musical entertainment. For more information call 813-221-8733.

Nov. 23, Sunday, 9am-11am Spoil Island Cleanup a Sierra Club outing. Show your thanks to nature by cleaning up two spoil islands we have adopted in an effort to make them a better place for birds and other wildlife. Participants must bring own kayak or canoe. no cost. Sue Brandon, brandon11@earthlink.net, 813-622-1800.

Nov. 23, 11am-3pm, Open Classroom, Discovering Nature With Your Child at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Who lives in that skin? What is the difference between a carnivore and an herbivore? Whose tracks are those? Stop by the Brooker Creek Center’s classroom anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to participate in a variety of self-guided nature games and activities that will answer these questions and many more. Free. Recommended for families with children of all ages. For information, call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 29, 9am-10:30am, Guided Nature Walk at Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor. Learn park history while exploring nature at one of Pinellas County’s oldest historic parks, Philippe Park. Closed toed shoes, water, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellant are recommended. Free. Registration required by calling 727-669-1947.

Nov. 29, 9am-11am, Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Trail. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Free. Pre-registration is required by noon on Friday by calling 727-453-6800.

Nov. 29, 9am-11am, Saturday Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the Preserve’s early residents. Please register by 2 p.m. on Friday. Free. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 29, 9am-1pm, Pinellas County Market in the Park, Pinellas County Extension Parking Lot, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. The Pinellas County Market in the Park offers a rich harvest of farm-fresh produce, natural products and gardening items. Entertainment, food and education make this Market a fun morning for the entire family. Free admission, on-site restrooms and plenty of room to roam make this Market convenient and accessible. It is located off 125th Street between Walsingham and Ulmerton roads, next to Heritage Village. The Market will be open through Saturday, April 18. For more information, call 727-582-2100 or visit www.pinellascountyextension.org.

Nov. 29, 1pm-2pm, Season’s Green-ings, Holidays for a Healthy Planet at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3950 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Explore how to keep the green in your holiday celebrations when exchanging gifts, decorating homes and sharing meals. To add to the fun, you will take home handy tip sheets for sustainable gifts, decorating and meal ideas. This free program is best for adults. To register, call 727-453-6800.

Nov. 30, 8am-9:30am, The Great Weedon Bird Quest, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Join in a quest to find Weedon Island Preserve birds. Learn identifying marks and behaviors of feathered year-round residents and seasonal visitors while helping to compile an annual bird checklist. Experienced birders lead the way. Free. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Nov. 30, 1pm-2pm, Young Naturalist Walk at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Explore Brooker Creek Preserve’s Center trails and enjoy the smallest of outdoor wonders. Use all senses to bring out the naturalist in every child. Space is limited for this free program that’s great for families with children of all ages. To register, call 727-453-6800.

december

Dec 6, 8 am, Birding at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Meet in Nature Center parking lot. Park known for over 210 different bird species. Contact Judi Hopkins, 727-526-3725, e-mail focus997@verizon.net or visit www.stpeteaudubon.org for information.

Dec. 10, 6:30pm-9pm, Conservation Celebration with Florida Native Plant Society, “Florida–Magnificent Wilderness” with speaker James Valentine, Quest Foundation, at Pinellas County Extension, 12521 Ulmerton Rd, Largo. Visit www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Dec. 12, Friday, Women's Little Manatee River Kayak Trip a Sierra Club outing. Designated an "Outstanding Florida Waterway", the Little Manatee River has one of the highest levels of water quality in the state. Join us as we paddle through the 2,200 acre Little Manatee River state park and learn more about this great natural resource. Sue Brandon, brandon11@earthlink.net, 813-622-1800.

Dec. 20, 109th Annual Christmas Bird Count with St. Petersburg Audubon. Participate in a day of birding. Call Don Margeson to volunteer, 727-572-0227. Dinner 6pm at Panera Bread, in Feather Sound.

january

Jan 1, 6am-1 pm, Rich Paul New Year’s Day Birding Open with St. Petersburg Audubon at Ft. DeSoto Park. Donations benefit Audubon of Florida’s Coastal Island Sanctuary. Create a team or bird on your own. Chili, bread, and drinks provided. Bring a dessert to share at Shelter #13. Contact Mauri Peterson for lunch reservations: maurip@aol.com , or 727-398-4124.

Jan. 5, 7:30pm, Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Project, St. Petersburg Audubon joint meeting with Clearwater Audubon, Ron Rohrbaugh, Project Director, Cornell University, at Unitarian Universalist of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Rd.(north side), Clearwater. Located between U.S. 19 & Belcher Rd. Visit www.stpeteaudubon.org.

Jan. 7, 7pm, Citrus, Master Gardeners Jimmy & Sally Lee, Bloomingdale Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, 33594, 813-273-3652.

Jan. 8, 7pm, Florida Natives, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Town ‘N Country Library, 7606 Paula Dr, Tampa, 33615, 813 273-3652.

Jan. 12, 7pm, Salvias, Master Gardeners Becky Ellis & Beth Alence, Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon Street, Plant City, 33566, 813-757-9215.

Jan. 13, 7pm, Secrets & Shortcuts of Master Gardeners, Master Gardener Pat O’Shea, Jimmie B. Keel Library, 2902 W. Bearss Avenue, Carrollwood, 33618, 813-273-3652 x2.

Jan. 13, 7pm, Florida Palms, Master Gardener Lisa Strange, Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Drive, Riverview, 33578, 813-273-3652.

Jan. 17, 10am-1pm, Volunteers needed to cleanup at the University Area Community Complex Center, 14013 N. 22nd St. in Tampa, sponsored by Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, 501c3 non-profit organization and affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. KHCB is joining the University of South Florida on for their Stampede of Service. The mission of Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful is to prevent litter, promote recycling and conservation, clean up and beautify our community through action, education, awareness and by fostering stewardship. KHCB works with volunteers on a continuing basis to clean up neighborhoods and spruce up communities. For more information about participating in a community cleanup, contact KHCB at 813-960-5121.

Jan. 20, 7pm, Organic Gardening, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace, 33617, 813-989-7160.

Jan. 24, 7:30 am, St. Petersburg Audubon Duck Hunt. Visit various water holes in search of wintering ducks. Meet at place to be announced. End the morning at the Tierra Verde ponds, then go to JoJo’s for lunch. Visit  www.stpeteaudubon.org.

Jan. 25, 10:30am-2pm, The SS American Victory, together with the Tampa Rough Riders, the Ybor City Alcalde and the Crew of Bobbie Davis sponsor the 54th Ybor Navy Invasion, a family-friendly affair during which invading vessels attempt to ‘clear the way’ (using water and Cuban bread) for the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion the following Saturday. Scheduled to participate in this fun (and wet) event are U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and Tampa Fire Dept. vessels, harbor tugs and private sail and powerboats. Admission is $10 adults, $5 kids 12-under and includes Cuban bread and water ‘ammunition.’ Rain gear, rubber-soled shoes and super-soakers are musts! For more information, visit www.americanvictory.org or call 813-228-8766.

february

Feb. 3, 7pm, Tropical Dooryard Fruit, Master Gardener Jim Hawk, Austin Davis Library, 17808 Wayne Road, Odessa, 33556, 813-264-3901.

Feb. 4, 7pm, Water Wise, Extension Service Water Wise Program Coordinator Maria Carver, Southshore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin 33573, 813-273-3652.

Feb. 7, 8:30am, Compost Happens Workshop, Pre-registration required, Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/worksho_registration.htm.

Feb. 7, 9:30am, Water-Wise Workshop, Pre-registration required, Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

Feb. 7, 10:30am, Rain Barrel Workshop, Pre-registration required, Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

Feb. 9, 7pm, Tropical Dooryard Fruit, Master Gardener Jim Hawk, Lutz Library, 101 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, 33548, 813-264-3827.

Feb. 10, 7pm, Wander, Ponder & Prune, Master Gardeners Becky Ellis & Beth Alence, Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Drive, Riverview, 33578, 813-273-3652.

Feb. 12, 10:30am, Organic Vegetable Gardening, Master Gardener Ardell O’Neal, Jan Platt Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 33611, 813-273-3652.

Feb. 12, 7pm, Attracting Birds to Your Backyard, Master Gardener Shirley Williams, Town ‘N Country Library, 7606 Paula Dr, Tampa, 33615, 813-273-3652.

Feb. 17, 7pm, Shade Gardening, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace, 33617, 813-989-7160.

march

Mar. 3, 7pm, Landscape Pitfalls, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Austin Davis Library, 17808 Wayne Road, Odessa, 33556, 813-264-3901.

Mar. 4, 7pm, A-Z Herbs, Master Gardener Loretta Clements, Southshore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin 33573, 813-273-3652.

Mar. 4, 7pm, Bulbs, Master Gardener Peggy Eggleston, Bloomingdale Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, 33594, 813-273-3652.

Mar. 7, 8:30am-1:30pm, The Cross Bayou/Joe's Creek Spring Cleanup. This project involves clean up of debris in and along Cross Bayou and Joe’s Creek. This will be the grand finale event for Keep Pinellas Beautiful Great American Cleanup Campaign. Cross Bayou is in the Pinellas Park area south of Park Blvd and west of Belcher Road (a.k.a. 71st Street). This is a waterway cleanup where some of the cleanup will be done from canoes/kayaks and other areas will be on land. Lunch and a free raffle will be after the cleanup for all volunteers. Everyone is invited! If you have a canoe/kayak we especially want you! We will have some canoes available but only a few. A flyer with registration information will be coming soon. We're hoping for 100 volunteers. For information, call 727-455-8520.

Mar. 9, 7pm, Container Gardening, Master Gardener Lucy Hoyt, Lutz Library, 101 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, 33548, 813-264-3827.

Mar. 9, 7pm, FNGLA Favorite Plants, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon Street, Plant City, 33566, 813-757-9215.

Mar. 10, 7pm, High Color/Low Maintenance, Master Gardener Lesley Fleming, Jimmie B. Keel Library, 2902 W. Bearss Avenue, Carrollwood, 33618, 813-273-3652 x2.

Mar. 10, 7pm, Modern Roses, Master Gardener Jim Hawk, Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Drive, Riverview, 33578, 813-273-3652.

Mar. 12, 10:30am, Lawn Care, Master Gardener Jim Hawk, New Tampa Library, 1001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, 33647, 813-903-2280.

Mar. 12, 7pm, Butterfly Gardening, Master Gardener Patricia Neemeh, Town ‘N Country Library, 7606 Paula Dr, Tampa, 33615, 813-273-3652.

Mar. 14, 8:30am, Compost Happens Workshops, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

Mar. 14, 9:30am, Water-Wise Workshops, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

Mar. 14, 10:30am, Rain Barrel Workshops, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

Mar. 17, 10:30am, Old Garden Roses, Master Gardener Norma Bean, Charles Fendig Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, 33629, 813-273-3652.

april

Apr. 1, 7pm, Butterfly Gardening, Master Gardeners Peggy & Darry D. Eggleston, Southshore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin 33573, 813-273-3652.

Apr, 1, 7pm, High Color/Low Maintenance, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Bloomingdale Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, 33594, 813-273-3652.

Apr. 9, 10:30am, Roses, Master Gardener Norma Bean, Jan Platt Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 33611, 813-273-3652.

Apr. 9, 7pm, Herbs, Spices and other Oddities, Master Gardeners Lucy Hoyt & Pat Harris, Town ‘N Country Library, 7606 Paula Dr, Tampa, 33615, 813-273-3652.

Apr. 13, 7pm, Old Garden Roses, Master Gardeners Lucy Hoyt & Pat Harris, Lutz Library, 101 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, 33548, 813-264-3827.

Apr. 13, 7pm, Weeds, Master Gardener Barbara Bradford, Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon Street, Plant City, 33566, 813-757-9215.

Apr. 14, 7pm, Old Fashioned Roses, Master Gardeners Pat Harris & Lucy Hoyt, Jimmie B. Keel Library, 2902 W. Bearss Avenue, Carrollwood, 33618, 813-273-3652 x2.

Apr. 14, 7pm, Shade Gardening, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Drive, Riverview, 33578, 813-273-3652.

Apr. 16, 10:30am, No Plant Clinic Program will occur, library is closed, New Tampa Library, 1001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, 33647, 813-903-2280.

Apr. 18, 8:30am, Compost Happens Workshops. Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

Apr. 18, 9:30am, Water-Wise Workshop, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

Apr. 18, 10:30am Rain Barrel Workshop, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

April 18, 9:30am-1:00pm, The third is the annual Lakes & Ponds Education Day. Location: Pinellas County Cooperative Extension Service in Largo. This workshop is for anyone living on a lake or pond, or anyone who has one in their neighborhood. We provide presentations and hands-on identification of aquatic plants among other resources to residents. Lunch is provided and a free raffle for all attendees. For information, call 727-455-8520.

Apr. 21, 7pm, ”Top 40” Plants for Tampa, Master Gardeners Lucy Hoyt & Pat Harris, Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace, 33617, 813-989-7160.

Apr. 21, 10:30am, Ground Covers, Master Gardener Marina D’Abreau, Charles Fendig Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, 33629, 813-273-3652

may

May 5, 7pm, Perennials for All Seasons, Master Gardeners Lucy Hoyt & Pat Harris, Austin Davis Library, 17808 Wayne Road, Odessa, 33556, 813-264-3901.

May 6, 7pm, Salvias, Master Gardener Carolyn Wildes, Southshore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin 33573, 813-273-3652.

May 6, 7pm, Daylilies, Master Gardener Harriet Gord-Noghani, Bloomingdale Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, 33594, 813-273-3652.

May 11, 7pm, Secrets and Shortcuts of Master Gardeners, Master Gardener Pat O’Shea, Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon Street, Plant City, 33566, 813-757-9215.

May 11, 7pm, Perennials for All Seasons, Master Gardeners Lucy Hoyt & Pat Harris, Lutz Library,
101 Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, 33548, 813-264-3827.

May 12, 7pm, Container Gardening, Master Gardener Dawn Dickens, Jimmie B. Keel Library, 2902 W. Bearss Avenue, Carrollwood, 33618, 813-273-3652 x2.

May 12, 7pm, The Lazy Gardener, Master Gardener Lynn Barber, Riverview Library, 10509 Riverview Drive, Riverview, 33578, 813-273-3652.

May 14, 10:30am, Garden Therapy, Master Gardeners Lesley Fleming & Jeanne Willis, New Tampa Library, 1001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, 33647, 813-903-2280.

May 14, 10:30am, Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, Master Gardener Marina D’Abreau, Jan Platt Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, 33611, 813-273-3652.

May 14, 7pm, Propagation, Master Gardener Eileen Hart, Town ‘N Country Library, 7606 Paula Dr, Tampa, 33615, 813-273-3652.

May 16, 8:30am, Compost Happens Workshops, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

May 16, 9:30am, Water-Wise Workshops, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

May 16, 10:30am, Rain Barrel Workshops, Pre-registration required. Call 813-744-5519 x144 or online at: http://hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/workshop_registration.htm.

May 19, 7pm, Secrets and Shortcuts of Master Gardeners, Master Gardener Virginia Overstreet, Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Parkway, Temple Terrace, 33617, 813-989-7160.

May 19, 10:30am, Daylilies, Master Gardener Harriet Gord-Noghani, Charles Fendig Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, 33629, 813-273-3652.