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.

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2011 with a series of special events to mark the community partnerships that protect and restore Tampa Bay. “Tampa Bay: 20/20” a traveling photo exhibit featuring a collection of 20 images showcasing the beauty and bounty of Tampa Bay, rotating among venues in Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties throughout 2011. A special “Greening Your Life” edition of the popular Estuary Academy on March 26 focused on how improvements in your own yard and home can help the bay. A baywide “Give A Day For The Bay” volunteer workday blitz, with restoration projects scheduled in each of our counties simultaneously on April 16. TBEP also will hold a student video contest this spring and an invasive species “recipe” contest this summer. Visit www.tbep.org for more information.

Daily

Everyday, Mobile Irrigation Lab. Conserve irrigation water and save money! The Manatee County Mobile Irrigation Lab is a free service for citizens to take action to reduce outdoor water waste. The lab will come to your residence or business to examine your irrigation system and make specific recommendations to curtail water waste and improve your landscape. Rebate may be available for qualifying Manatee County Utility customers to implement recommended improvements. To schedule an appointment call 722-4524, ext. 259 or 235.

Ongoing events

2nd & 4th Saturdays, January-April, 10am-1pm, Rocky Bluff Branch Library, 7016 US Highway 301 N, Ellenton. Visit the Master Gardener information table outside the library and get answers to your gardening questions. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Wednesday's, January 26, March 23, April 6, 6-8:30 pm, Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, in Kendrick Auditorium Smart Landscape – Planning and Care. Even in Florida, the key to smart landscaping is to develop a landscape to save money, energy, water, and time. Learn practical design tips, landscape pitfalls, garden chores, hardscape choices, texture combinations, and remedies for difficult areas. Should you need identification of a plant, arrive early to class and make sure to bring a long branch with leaves (and ideally with flower or seed). Presented by Elissa Mirabelli, Horticulture Program Assistant. Register online or call Elissa. http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Thursday's February 3 – February 24, 6-8pm, Keeping the Pressure Down, Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. This four-week class is designed to help people at risk for high blood pressure and for those who have this condition to make healthy lifestyle choices to lower their blood pressure and to reduce their health risks. Presented by Samantha Kennedy, Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent. Class size is limited. Register online or call Samantha. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance (Registration deadline date is January 28) online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Saturday's, February 5 & 19, Free Guided Kayak Trips in Sarasota Bay – South Lido Mangrove Tunnels.
Mote Marine Laboratory is the tour guide for Sarasota Bay Estuary Program's annual program. There are six free kayak tours available with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) through April – 2 Saturday's each month. SBEP’s Bay Wise Kayak Tour Program is a fun learning opportunity to discover the plants, animals, habitats, and restoration projects that distinguish Sarasota Bay. Brad Tanner, an expert kayaker and the School Programs Coordinator. Participants are required to bring their own kayak. Outfitters throughout the region rent kayaks and offer demonstrations and beginner classes. The Bay Wise Kayak Program is for experienced kayakers. Additional information and online registration is available at www.sarasotabay.org.

Saturday & Sunday, February 5, 6. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Meet at Coachman Fundamental Middle School. This wonderful birdwatching trip explores the shoreline north of Cape Canaveral where you can see rails, scrub-jays, shore birds, raptors, white pelicans, crested caracara, and more.  This is an unforgettable trip.  You must make a reservation for this trip before January 30th; the cost is approximately $150 per person. For reservations and costs, call Paul Trunk.  For information about the refuge go to http://www.nbbd.com/godo/minwr/ http://clearwateraudubon.org/index.php Contact: Paul Trunk, 727-447-4785

Saturday's, February 12, March 12, April 9, 9-11am, Plant ID & Nature Tour – Desoto Memorial/Riverview Preserve. Stroll through DeSoto National Memorial and Riverview Pointe Preserve with a Master Gardener volunteer to learn about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. Program suitable for all ages. Register in advance online http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or 941-722-4524

Saturday's, February 19, March 19, April 16, 9-11am, Emerson Point Preserve. Stroll through Emerson Point Preserve with a Master Gardener volunteer to learn more about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. This program is suitable for all ages. Register in advance online http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or 941-722-4524.

Saturday & Sunday, February 19-20, 10:00 AM – 6:00PM. Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Discover that old Florida Feel. Spend a day along the Sarasota Bay shoreline in the historic fishing village of Cortez. Live music, dancing, nautical arts and crafts, free entrance to the Florida Maritime Museum, and plenty of delicious seafood. All proceeds go to the expansion and restoration of the FISH Preserve – 95 acres of environmentally sensitive land adjacent to the village.  A cause endorsed by famed ocean explorer Jean-Michelle Cousteau. For more information go to www.cortez-fish.org. Or, call 941-708-6120 Festival address 4415 119th St. West, Bradenton, Fl 3415

Sunday's, February 20, March 20, April 17, 9-11:00 am, Plant ID & Nature Tour at Robinson Preserve. Stroll through the Robinson Preserve’s salt marshes with a Master Gardener volunteer to learn more about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal habitat. This program is suitable for all ages. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Sunday's, February 27, March 27, April 2, 9-11:00am, Plant ID & Nature Tour – Rye Preserve. Stroll through Rye Preserve with a Master Gardener volunteer to learn what grows in a dry, sandy upland habitat. Master Gardener Bob Egolf will be leading this new tour through the scrubs and pointing out the native wildflowers and shrubs. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Monday's, April 4 – May 16, 7-9pm, St. Petersburg Sailing Center. Pre-registration is required. Go to www.boating-stpete.org or call 727-498-4001. The course Chairman will contact you for confirmation. Are you ready to expand your boating knowledge and skills? The America's Boating Course presented by the St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron is available to anyone 12 or older. Instruction is free. Cost of the materials is $35.00 per family. Classes are Monday evenings for 7 weeks. This is a comprehensive course, which enables graduates to skipper a boat with confidence and affords them the opportunity to join the squadron and take advantage of numerous educational opportunities. 250 2nd Ave SE , Demens Landing, St. Petersburg, FL

Tuesday's, April 5 – April 26, 2-4pm, Keeping the Pressure Down. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. This four-week class is designed to help people at risk for high blood pressure and for those who have this condition to make healthy lifestyle choices to lower their blood pressure and to reduce their health risks. Presented by Samantha Kennedy, Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent. Class size is limited. Register online or call Samantha. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance (Registration deadline date is March 31) online via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524.

Saturday's, March 5 & 19, Free Guided Kayak Trips in Sarasota Bay – Whitaker Bayou. Mote Marine Laboratory is the tour guide for Sarasota Bay Estuary Program's annual program. There are six free kayak tours available with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) through April – 2 Saturday's each month. SBEP’s Bay Wise Kayak Tour Program is a fun learning opportunity to discover the plants, animals, habitats, and restoration projects that distinguish Sarasota Bay. Brad Tanner, an expert kayaker and the School Programs Coordinator. Participants are required to bring their own kayak. Outfitters throughout the region rent kayaks and offer demonstrations and beginner classes. The Bay Wise Kayak Program is for experienced kayakers. Additional information and online registration is available at www.sarasotabay.org.

Saturday's, April 9 & 23, Free Guided Kayak Trips in Sarasota Bay – Blackburn Bay. Mote Marine Laboratory is the tour guide for Sarasota Bay Estuary Program's annual program. There are six free kayak tours available with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) through April – 2 Saturday's each month. SBEP’s Bay Wise Kayak Tour Program is a fun learning opportunity to discover the plants, animals, habitats, and restoration projects that distinguish Sarasota Bay. Brad Tanner, an expert kayaker and the School Programs Coordinator. Participants are required to bring their own kayak. Outfitters throughout the region rent kayaks and offer demonstrations and beginner classes. The Bay Wise Kayak Program is for experienced kayakers. Additional information and online registration is available at www.sarasotabay.org.

January

Jan. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Calculating your Ecological Footprint.. Online at your computer through webinar. Join Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent, for a quick overview of several methods for calculating your impacts (footprint) on the environment and some easy ways to go green. These online tools are fun and offer everyday solutions to live an environmentally-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. To register go to

Jan. 25, 5 to 6 p.m., Restoring Nature’s Balance. Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
Improve your day by walking through a restored pine flatwoods filled with native plants and wildlife. Learn from your Sensing Nature® guide about this Florida fire dependent ecosystem, find out why we need to manage natural areas and discover interesting facts about the wildlife that call it home. Adults and families welcome to attend this free activity. Register at least 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Jan. 26, 12:15 to 12:45p.m., Solutions in 30 - Low-Cost, No-Cost Ways to Lower Your Power Bill. This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. There are many ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency that do not cost a single penny. Simple adjustments and easy behavior change can add up to make a real difference to your monthly bill, without affecting your lifestyle or comfort. Spend 30 minutes with us and learn more! Register at least 24 hours prior to the class by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Jan. 27, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Book Time at Brooker , Brooker Creek Preserve. 3940 Keystone Road., Tarpon Springs. Bring your pre-schooler to this program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. In addition to hearing a great story, your child will participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story that is read. This free activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Space is limited. Pre-registration to this free activity is required 24 hours before the program by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Jan. 27, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Wee-Time at Weedon: Carolina’s Story – Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Told by Donna Rathmell, this week’s book, Carolina's Story - Sea Turtles Get Sick Too will introduce preschoolers to the rescue and release of a loggerhead sea turtle. Recommended ages 3 to 5. Register online at www.pinelleascountyextension.org then the “Class Registration” button for this free class, or call (727) 582-2100 for more information.

Jan 27, 6:30-9pm, “Green” Girls Night to Give.Tampa Bay Watch, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde.
Tampa Bay Watch is a non profit stewardship program that protects and restores the marine and wetland environments of the Tampa Bay, through scientific and educational programs. Read more at www.TampaBayWatch.org. $40.00 donation to Tampa Bay Watch taken at door. RSVP: mfetter@clwrg.com 727-480-4560 or jhynes@tampabaywatch.org 727-867-8166

Jan 29, 7:30 am, Birdwatching trip to Bartow Borrow Pits in Polk County. Meet at Tri-City Mall, East Bay at Route 19 in Largo in front of Party City.  A trip to the Bartow Borrow Pits is a must if you have never been there to watch birds.  This is the site of 1000’s of acres of phosphate mines which leave behind huge lakes that attract a wonderful variety of birds such as White Pelicans, Glossy Ibis, Harriers, and ducks.  You do not want to miss this trip!  It is unforgettable.  Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them! Call for reservations and cost before January 27th if you would like to ride in the rented van.  http://clearwateraudubon.org/index.php or contact Dana Kerstein (727)441-1609.

Jan. 29, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Jan. 29, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Jan. 29, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Backyard Composting Workshop, Brooker Creek Preserve,3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs. Do you think making compost out of your yard waste is complicated? Join this informative workshop to learn how easy it can be. Just add your kitchen scraps to your yard clippings and compost happens! Adding compost to Florida’s sandy soil provides much-needed organic material and nutrients while improving its water-holding capacity. Recycling your yard waste by turning it into compost rather than sending ti to the landfill is a sustainable practice. Attendees at this free workshop will receive one compost bin per household courtesy of Pinellas County Utilities Solid Waste Operations Department. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100.

February

Feb. 2, 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Florida-Friendly Landscaping Cistern Workshop, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Learn about the next level of rain harvesting. Here is the chance to learn why cisterns are the rainwater harvesting choice of the future, their functions, types, installation, filtering systems, maintenance and more. Presented by Brian Gregson, President of Rainwater Services and member of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), this free class is sponsored by Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County Extension Offices, and Tampa Bay Water. Builders, building contractors, irrigation contractors, landscapers, homeowners, master gardeners and homeowner/community associations will find this class a must. Advance registration is suggested by visiting http://cisternworkshopfeb0220011.eventbrite.com. Questions may be directed to (813) 744-5519 or (727) 582-2108.

Feb 2, 8am, Robinson Preserve. Description - This trip is to Manatee’s newest preserve looking for waterbirds and migrants. Coordinator(s) - Bob & Mary Kelly 758-9796.  Depart - Meet in the parking lot at 1709 99th St, NW in West Bradenton. Manatee Audubon

Feb. 2, 9 to 10 a.m., Bird and Wildlife Walk, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Feel the sun on your face and the earth caressing your soul while parading in time with bird chatter. With the assistance of your Sensing Nature® guide, identify the flits and flutters of our migrant and resident birds while seeing other fantastic Florida wildlife. Adults and families welcome to this free activity. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Feb. 2, 12:15 to 12:45p.m., Solutions in 30 - My Favorite Green Practices Session 1, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. Join Mary Campbell, Extension Agent, for the top 5 quick ways to add green practices to your daily routine and learn about the Good - Better - Best ways of evaluating your green practices. To get the rest of the top ten you will want to attend session 2 on February 9th. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Feb. 2, 1-3pm, Rain Barrel Workshop, Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Avenue E, Bradenton. Let us provide you with great water conservation tips and trivia. Learn how to install, paint, and maintain a functional rain barrel. Start conserving today. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524.

Feb 5, 7:45am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Boyd Hill Nature Park Monthly Bird Walk.  Meet at Nature Center parking lot.  Call Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or email focus997@verizon.net.  Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Feb. 5, 3:00pm, Murray Gardler – Shorebird Identifications. West Pasco Audubon. Who are all those little birds on the beach. Starkey Educational Center.

Feb 5, 8 am, Moccasin Lake Nature Park Birdwatching Walk, Meet at Moccasin Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater. If you have never been to this park, now is the time; if you have never been birdwatching, you just might be surprised at how much fun it can really be.  Meet Clearwater Audubon Society in this wonderful Clearwater park to look for a colorful variety of warblers, water birds, and raptors in this unique oak hammock.  Florida brings migrating birds to its forests so anything is possible!  This is an easy ¾ mile trail and ideal for beginning and advanced birders alike.  There are two large ponds, a stream, and a nature center which houses turtles and injured birds.  Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them! 3-12 years: $2; 13 years and up: $3 More info online: www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/mlnp.asp or call Madeleine Bohrer, 727-748-6885

Feb. 5, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 5, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 5, 1 to 3 p.m., Brooker Creek Explorers: What Can You Find? Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs. This program is geared towards 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who are interested in the natural world around us. There will be three meetings; each will focus on a different way of learning about and appreciating our natural resources and Brooker Creek in particular. Second meeting:What Can You Find? -Increase your powers of observations through all your senses in a forestry scavenger hunt.Pre-registration to this free activity is required 24 hours before the program Visit www.pinellascountyextension.org, click the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk. Third meeting: Feb. 19: Trees as Habitats - How big is an ecosystem? Explore the various habitats at Brooker Creek and decide for yourself.

Feb. 5, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Vegetable Gardening, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg.
With food prices rising, growing vegetables in the garden may help take some of the bite out of those costs. Attend our free Vegetable Gardening Workshop and be prepared for the winter/spring growing season in Pinellas County. Learn how to choose a good location for your garden or containers, prepare the soil, design your garden, and plant and care for your crop. You will also learn how to combat those pesky insects that want to share in your harvest. Recommended for adults. Please register by 2 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 6, 9 to 10 a.m., Landscaping for Upland Wildlife Walk, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. With so many people in Florida, how can we keep wildlife alive? By giving at least some of our yards back to nature. Walk with your Sensing Nature® guide and visual how wildlife views the landscape while discovering wildlife homes, foods and behaviors then realizing how easily we can all live together if we just share our yards a little. Adults and families welcome to this free activity. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., Mote Special Lecture Series, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Immersion Cinema; 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Jim Toomey, Syndicated cartoonist, Sherman's Lagoon. “Drawing Inspiration from the Sea”. Toomey will talk about how his boyhood experiences with the ocean inspired his internationally recognized comic strip and do a live demonstration of how he creates his daily strip. Limited seating available. Tickets $12 for Mote members, $27 for non-members. Call 941-388-4441 or email lecture@mote.org

Feb. 8, 10:30-12 Noon, Rocky Bluff Library, 7016 US Highway 301 North, Ellenton. Compost Workshop – Learn how to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into useful soil amendments. Participants will learn Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ concepts and details about how to set up a home compost bin. Register online or call Cindy. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524.

Feb. 8, 8:30am, Emerson Point Preserve, Description - 2-hour walk, Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center, 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto. Manatee Audubon

Feb. 8, 2-4:30pm, Peridia Golf & Country Club’s Community Building, 4950 Peridia Blvd. East, Bradenton. The Lowdown on Lawn Irrigation – Tune up your sprinkler system for the dry season. Learn how to adjust the timer and sprinklers, improve uniformity, eliminate water waste, and cut costs. There is also an introduction to micro-irrigation. A free lawn sprinkler tune up kit will be given to each attendee. Bring a sack supper to the evening classes if you would like. This class satisfies the irrigation education portion of the Manatee County Water Conservation Rebate Program. Presented by Jack Tichenor, Water Conservation Agent. Register online or call Cheryl. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Feb. 8, 7:30pm, Nature Coast Chapter of the Native Plant Society:"Florida Native Shrubs" - a PowerPoint presentation by Nature Coast Chapter member and Pasco Master Gardener, Peggy Gretchen.  This is an introduction to some of the many beautiful Florida native shrubs useful for our landscapes in Central Florida. Free. St. Mark's Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson, FL http://www.pasconativeplants.org or call Mary (727) 849-2335.

Feb. 8, 2-4pm, Tampa Bay Manatee Awareness Coalition. Weedon Island Preserve Natural and Cultural History Center.

Feb. 9, 7:30am, Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. Description - We will have a presentation on bird banding and then watch as birds are caught, banded and released. We will then tour this newly reclaimed and restored environmentally sensitive area looking for wintering water birds along with various others including scissor-tailed flycatchers. Coordinator(s) - Carol Webster 747-7295. Depart - Meet at the SW Corner of WalMart parking lot, 508 U.S. 301 at 10th St. E. Palmetto. Manatee Audubon.

Feb. 9, 10-12:00pm, Cooking with Herbs. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Throw that salt shaker away! Come learn about different kinds of herbs and how to use them to spice up your life. Topics include selecting, drying, storing, and meal preparation. Presented by Samantha Kennedy, Extension Agent. Register online or call Samantha. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Feb. 9, 1-4 pm, Spring Vegetable Gardening & Alternative Organic Gardening with Aeroponics. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. Learn the basics on how to start and what to plant for a spring vegetable garden. The basics include soil dynamics, pest and disease pointers, and correct fertilizer applications for the most fruitful yield. Aeroponics is the new “Hydroponics.” Presented by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent. Register online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Feb. 9, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - My Favorite Green Practices Session 2, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. Missed session one? Not to worry Mary Campbell, Extension Agent, will make the bottom 5 of the top 10 quick ways to add green practices to your daily routine seem like the top. She will also cover the Good - Better - Best ways of evaluating your green practices. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Feb. 10, 1:30-4:30pm, Tampa Bay Estuary Program Management Board. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

Feb. 10, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m, Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve. 3940 Keystone Road., Tarpon Springs. Bring your pre-schooler to this program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. In addition to hearing a great story, your child will participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story that is read. This free activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Space is limited. Pre-registration to this free activity is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 10, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Wee-Time at Weedon: Great Sharky Shark: A Tale of a Big Hunter. Weedon Island Preserve. 1800 Weedon Drive N. E., St. Petersburg. This program is designed to introduce preschool children to the wonders of the natural and cultural world. Every second and fourth Thursday of each month, children are treated to a variety of stories and hands-on activities that connect them to their environment. This week's book, Great Sharky Shark - A Tale of a Big Hunter by Suzanne Tate, educates about a shark's scary encounter with trash dumped in the sea. This free activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 10, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Bring your pre-schooler to this program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. In addition to hearing a great story, your child will participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story that is read. This free activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Space is limited. Pre-registration to this free activity is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 11, 8-10 a.m., Great Weedon Bird Quest, Weedon Island Preserve.1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Help to find Weedon Island Preserve’s birds! Learn their identifying marks and behaviors of the feathered year-round residents and seasonal visitors while helping to compile an annual checklist of the preserve’s birds. These hikes are designed to take advantage of all levels of birding experience. Binoculars and bird guides are available. This free activity is a proven relaxing morning out led by experienced birders and is recommended for adults. Register 24 hours in advance of the event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 582-2100.

Feb. 12, 7am, Celery Fields of Sarasota. Over 200 species of birds recorded. We leave from the Panara Bread lot on the corner of SR54 and Little Road. West Pasco Audubon. Contact Aggy Condon, aggy_condon@verizon.net.

Feb. 12, 9am, Lettuce Lake Park for beginning birders. Pat Lewis - Meet at the visitors center. We will walk the boardwalk and trails looking for wintering waterbirds, waterfowl and landbirds. Finished by 11:30. (Entrance fee to the park is $2.00). Tampa Audubon.

Feb. 12, 7am, Phosphate Mines in Polk County. Description - Privately-guided tour of reclamation ponds near Lakeland. A rare opportunity to see short-tailed hawks, wintering warblers, and thousands of shorebirds. Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer 922-4488, Depart - Meet at Cracker Barrel SR. 64 and I-75. FREE LUNCH – Bring snacks and drinks for an all day outing. Manatee Audubon.

Feb 12 & 26, 7:45am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Shorebird Class @ Ft. Desoto Park. $30 for 2 classes.  Learn how to identify the major wintering shorebirds found on Pinellas beaches.  Close up viewing through several scopes. Bring Field Guide & Binoculars.  To register & place to meet, call Maureen Arnold, 727-577-0448; or email maureenarn@ij.net.  Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Feb. 12, 10am-Noon, Tampa Bay Estuary Program Policy Board, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.

Feb. 12, 9-10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 12, 9:30-11:30am, Backyard Beekeeping. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. Provides tips on how to start backyard beekeeping, safety concerns and awareness of Africanized Honey Bees, and the importance of the pollinators. Presented by Kevin Lossman, local beekeeper. Register online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Feb. 12, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Vegetable Gardening, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.
With food prices rising, growing vegetables in the garden may help take some of the bite out of those costs. Attend our free Vegetable Gardening Workshop and be prepared for the winter/spring growing season in Pinellas County. Learn how to choose a good location for your garden or containers, prepare the soil, design your garden, and plant and care for your crop. You will also learn how to combat those pesky insects that want to share in your harvest. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Recommended for adults. Register 24 hours before the program by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 12, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 12, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Rain Harvesting Workshop, Pinellas County Extension, Pinewood Auditorium, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo. Have you ever thought “What a waste!” when you see the rain water pouring out of your gutter downspout and then flowing down the street? By attending this class you will learn how to capture that water in a mini-cistern, a 55 gallon recycled plastic barrel. The collected water may then be used when needed for your landscape, potted plants, vegetable and herb gardens, and special plant collections. All attendees will receive set-up instructions and a reference booklet. Advance registration is required, and if you would like to purchase a rain barrel ($30 plus tax), that may be done when you register. To purchase a rain barrel choose “Participant with Rain Barrel” on step 4 of the online registration process. Your rain barrel will then be available for pick up at the class. If you do not want to purchase a rain barrel, use the drop-down arrow and select “Participant” to register to attend this free class. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Feb. 12, 4-7pm, 2nd Annual Clearwater Audubon Sunset Cruise to Anclote Key. Reservations necessary before February 4, 2011 for the following event. To celebrate Clearwater Audubon’s 50th anniversary last year, we made a trip to Anclote Key.  It was such a success that we want to go again this year!  Anclote Key is a small island in the Gulf just off the coast from Tarpon Springs.  This is the home of the picturesque Anclote Lighthouse and the island has a unique variety of plants as well as birds from thrushes to terns.  We will serve finger food and  share fun fellowship on board the boat as we cruise to the island to catch the sights and sunset.  Cost:  $20 per person; $35 per couple if you make your reservations before February 4th. http://clearwateraudubon.org/index.php
Contact:  Mike MacDonald, 727-409-0459.  For more information about Anclote Key:  http://www.floridastateparks.org/anclotekey/default.cfm  and about the lighthouse:  http://www.anclotekey.com/home.html

Feb 13, 7am, Merritt Island and Vieira Wetlands. Mary Keith. Meet at the IHOP on Fowler near I - 75. Very little walking. Bring lunch and drinks. This is a 100 species day! All the winter water and shorebirds, plus lots more. Call Mary if you are interested in making it an overnight trip. Many of us plan to stay overnight so we can hit all possible bases. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is 126 miles from Tampa. Vieira wetlands is 131 miles from Tampa. Tampa Audubon.

Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., Mote Special Lecture Series, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Immersion Cinema; 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Dr. Helen Scales. Writer, broadcaster and marine biologist. “Exploring the Romantic World of Seahorses”. For this Valentine's Day lecture, Scales will delve into the secret lives of seahorses and share how they become the ocean's greatest lovers. Limited seating available. Tickets $12 for Mote members, $27 for non-members. Call 941-388-4441 or email lecture@mote.org

Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Climate Change 101, Online at your computer through webinar. Mary Campbell, Extension Director and Urban Sustainability Agent, presents an introductory program on the basic facts about climate change. Scientists now show evidence of ongoing ijpacts such as sea level rise, ocean acidification and changes to our environment. Learn about impacts to Florida and our coastal regions. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, click the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100 for information.

Feb. 15, 2-4:30 pm, Peridia – Water Wise Landscapes – This class satisfies the landscape portion of the Manatee County Water Conservation Rebate Program. Peridia Golf & Country Club’s Community Building in the Palm Room, 4950 Peridia Blvd. East, Bradenton. Even in Florida, the key to smart landscaping is to develop a landscape to save money, energy, water, and time. Learn practical design tips, landscape pitfalls, garden chores, hardscape choices, texture combinations and remedies for difficult areas. Should you need identification of a plant, arrive early to class and make sure to bring a long branch with leaves (and ideally with flower or seed). Presented by Elissa Mirabelli, Horticulture Program Assistant. Register online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Elissa 941-722-4524.

Feb 15, 7pm, St. Petersburg Audubon Society February Program:  An Exploration Into the Life of the Fish Hawk with Bob Montanaro at the Science Center, 7701 22nd St., St. Petersburg, FL. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Feb. 16, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - Maintaining Appliances for Energy Efficiency, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. Saving energy and prolonging the life of your appliances has many benefits. Join Extension Specialist James Stevenson to discover easy ways to keep your appliances working most efficiently. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Feb. 17, 7 to 8 pm, Mexico’s Forgotten Coast, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg.
Ancient Canoe Trade in the Mar Del Sol. This program, co-sponsored by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society. Register 24 hours in advance of the event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 19, 9am-2pm, Clearwater Audubon Shorebird Identification Class at Honeymoon Island State Park.
Meet at the Honeymoon Island Nature Center for a class on how to identify shorebirds then take a walk with the instructor on the beach to practice your new skills.  Shorebirds are one of the most interesting families of birds but can be challenging to identify correctly.  This is the first of three classes and is a much fun as it is educational.  No prerequisites required; come to one or come to all three classes!  There is a small fee to take the class.  Please call Marianne Korosy for details (727)742-1683 or mkorosy@gmail.com

Feb. 19, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike,, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 19, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 19, 1 to 3 p.m., Brooker Creek Explorers: Trees as Habitats, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. This program is geared towards 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who are interested in the natural world around us. There will be three meetings; each will focus on a different way of learning about and appreciating our natural resources and Brooker Creek in particular. Third meeting: Trees as Habitats - How big is an ecosystem? Explore the various habitats at Brooker Creek and decide for yourself. Pre-registration to this free activity is required 24 hours before the program Visit www.pinellascountyextension.org, click the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 19, 8 to 10:00 a.m., Photography Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, Fl. Hike the Preserve in search of that perfect shot. This program provides great opportunities for photographers of all levels to hone their skills. After a brief classroom session, Center volunteers highlight seasonal features of the Preserve, as well as specific wildlife behaviors that help participants capture the natural beauty of Weedon Island Preserve. Recommended for adults. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 19, 10 to 11 a.m., Rain Harvesting,, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg.
This class will teach you how to capture the water you see pouring out of your gutter downspout then flowing down the street. The water you collect then can be used when needed for your landscape, potted plants, vegetable and herb gardens, and special plant collections. Attendees will receive set-up instructions and reference booklet. Advance registration is required. To purchase a rain barrel (which must be accomplished at the time of registration for $30 plus tax), choose “Participant with Rain Barrel” on step 4 of the online registration process. This will insure your rain barrel is available for pick up at the class. If you do not wish to purchase a rain barrel, use the drop-down and select “Participant” to register for this free class. Although the activity is free with the purchase of the rain barrel is at a cost of $30 plus tax. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Feb 19-21, Great Backyard Bird Count.  Contact Maureen Arnold email maureenarn@ij.net to sign up for bird count.

Feb. 20, 7:30am, n Lake and Celery Fields, Explore the NEW Celery Fields searching for all the new wetland birds enjoying the expanded area. Coordinator(s) - Mike & Nancy Barnes. Meet at Lowe’s parking lot at SR 70 and I-75 (n side of SR70) Manatee Audubon.

Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m., Mote Special Lecture Series, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Immersion Cinema; 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Patrick Symmes. Contributing editor, Outside Magazine. “Off the Deep End: Secrets of the New Marianas Trench National Marine Monument – the Deepest Place on Earth”. Symmes will discuss his 10-day trip to the Marianas Trench and tell the story of this ultra-isolated archipelago and its nowhere-else-on-Earth facets. Limited seating available. Tickets $12 for Mote members, $27 for non-members. Call 941-388-4441 or email lecture@mote.org.

Feb. 22, 5 to 6 p.m.,, Bird and Wildlife Walk, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Feel the sun on your face and the earth caressing your soul while parading in time with bird chatter. With the assistance of your Sensing Nature® guide, identify the flits and flutters of our migrant and resident birds while seeing other fantastic Florida wildlife. Adults and families welcome to this free activity. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Feb. 23, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - Serving Up Healthy Food-What's Fresh Near You, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. With the explosion of interest in local food, we now have more choices of products and ways to shop. An important part of buying local is making an effort to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season in our area. Join Nan Jensen for this session on how and why to buy local. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Feb. 23, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Good Bugs – Bad Bugs, St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 9th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.
Pam Brown, Extension Agent Emiritus, will look for you to join her as she discusses the best methods of handling insect problems in a residential garden setting. Free. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Feb. 24, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m, Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Bring your pre-schooler to this program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. In addition to hearing a great story, your child will participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story that is read. This free activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Space is limited. Pre-registration to this free activity is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 26, 7:30am, Clearwater Audubon Society Birdwatching Trip to Cockroach Bay. Meet at Tri-City Mall, East Bay at Route 19 in Largo in front of Party City.  Cockroach Bay in Southern Hillsborough County is an aquatic preserve that consists of nearly 9000 acres of wetlands dotted by natural and spoil islands.  It has been designated as part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.  Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them!    For more information: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2DX7_Cockroach_Bay_Aquatic_Preserve   Lynn Sumerson, 727-596-8822  Sponsored by Clearwater Audubon Society http://clearwateraudubon.org/index.php

Feb. 26, 9 to 11:30 a.m.,, Extended Guided Hike – Winter Wonders, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs. Cooler temperatures and shorter days bring about many changes during the winter months.
Join us for a brisk walk along one of the longer trails to experience winter in the Preserve. Hikers
may walk 2.8 to 4 miles, depending on trail conditions. All ages welcome - children younger than
12 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Feb. 26, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike,, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 26, 9 to 11 a.m., Arts and Crafts Nature Class, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Create your own masterpiece in a free fun arts and crafts nature class. For the young and young-at-heart directed by Colleen Gray, Public Outreach Specialist, Tampa Bay Estuary Program. Some of the projects include Potpourri Pinecones, Terrific Twig Vases, and decorative cards and wooden boxes. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 26, 9 to 11 a.m., The Owl Cast Cafe, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg.
Silent flight - fantastic vision - fast reflexes and piercing talons - all of these adaptations make our Florida owls noble nocturnal predators. From small screech owls to large horned owls, learn from Sensing Nature® biologists how these stealth hunters benefit both nature and us through their chosen diets. Then enjoy your own owl investigation dissecting one of their casts and, if you’re wise enough, determine its previous meals. Please register for this free class by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Feb. 27, 8am, Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach and E.G. Simmons Park -Bill Lamoureux. Meet at McDonalds on Rte 60 near I-75. We will look for shorebirds and waterfowl at Apollo Beach and then proceed to the viewing center. Then we will go to Simmons park for more birding and for a picnic if you want to bring your lunch. (There is a $2.00 fee per vehicle for 2 - 8 persons at E.G. Simmons Park.) Tampa Audubon.

Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., Mote Special Lecture Series, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Immersion Cinema; 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Michael V. deGruy. CEO, The Film Crew, Inc., Santa Barbara, Ca. “Whales, Tales and Mishaps – Thirty Years of Filming in the Deep”. For more than three decades, deGruy has traveled the world making natural history films. During his career, he has dived all the world's oceans, filmed hydrothermal vents and recorded a range of animal behaviors – from whales to snails. Limited seating available. Tickets $12 for Mote members, $27 for non-members. Call 941-388-4441 or email lecture@mote.org.

March

Mar. 2, 9 to 10 a.m., Restoring Nature’s Balance, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
Improve your day by walking through a restored pine flatwoods filled with native plants and wildlife. Learn from your Sensing Nature® about this Florida fire dependent ecosystem. Find out why we need to manage natural areas and discover interesting facts about the wildlife that call it home. Adults and families welcome to this free activity. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Mar. 2, 7am, Circle B Bar. This trip is to the reserve in Lakeland. We will ride a tram through the reserve and see hundreds of wading birds, ducks, white pelicans, and peeps. Later we will have time to walk the trails looking for others. Coordinator(s) - Connie Zack 758-2929. Meet at Cracker Barrel SR. 64 and I-75 .Manatee Audubon.

Mar. 2, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - Low-Cost, No-Cost Ways to Lower Your Power Bill, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. There are many ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency that do not cost a single penny. Simple adjustments and easy behavior change can add up to make a real difference to your monthly bill, without affecting your lifestyle or comfort. Spend 30 minutes with us and learn more! Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Mar. 2, 1-3 pm, Are Your Brown Plants Giving You the Blues? Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221, in Kendrick Auditorium. Another cold year for our landscapes and gardens. How and where do you start to clean up the brown forlorn appearance of your landscape? Come learn tips on watering and fertilizing to help reduce cold injury to plants. Presented by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent. Register online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Elissa 941-722-4524.

Mar. 2, 6-8:30 pm, Ground Covers, Grasses & Vines. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221, in Kendrick Auditorium. Landscaping with low-growing ground cover plants, grasses and vines has become a popular trend of landscape practices because, once established, these plants need little or no water. Learn noteworthy plants, site considerations, and management of these three diverse plant groups. Presented by Elissa Mirabelli, Horticulture Program Assistant. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Elissa 941-722-4524.

Mar. 3, Exhibit Opening: Tampa Bay 20/20 Photo Exhibit, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Come and view images submitted by local amateur photographers to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, a community partnership that oversees the restoration and protection of Florida’s largest open-water estuary. This exhibit of some two dozen high-quality photographs showcases the beauty and uniqueness found among the diverse habitats and inhabitants of the Tampa Bay watershed, as well as the special connection residents have to the waterway. Exhibit will be on display through March 31, 2011.

Mar. 5, 7:45am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Boyd Hill Monthly Nature Walk.  Meet at Nature Center parking lot.  Call Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or email focus997@verizon.net.  Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Mar. 5, Birds and Cameras by Mike Kelly, Starkey Educational Center. West Pasco Audubon.

Mar. 5, 8am, Circle Bar B Preserve Bill Lamoureux and Mary Keith Meet at the McDonalds at Rte 60 near I-75. We will walk the trails at the ranch looking for wading birds, rails and waterfowl. Quite a bit of walking on paved roads. Bring water. Tampa Audubon.

Mar. 5, 8 am, Moccasin Lake Nature Park Birdwatching Walk, Moccasin Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater. Join Clearwater Audubon Society in this wonderful Clearwater park to look for a colorful variety of warblers, water birds, and raptors in this unique oak hammock. Florida brings migrating birds to its forests so anything is possible! This is an easy ¾ mile trail and ideal for beginning and advanced birders alike. There are two large ponds, a stream, and a nature center which houses turtles and injured birds. Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them! 3-12 years: $2; 13 years and up: $3. More info online: www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/mlnp.asp or call John Hood (727)467-4762.

Mar. 5, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Mar. 5, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Mar. 5, 10am-2pm, Florida-Friendly Family Festival. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221, in Kendrick Auditorium. Will feature a variety of fun activities, learning programs and entertainment for children of all ages on environmental awareness and water conservation. Micro-workshops on conservation topics. The Master Gardeners will host a “1st Rate 2nd Hand” garage sale starting at 9 a.m. Local entertainment. Local exhibitors. Register online or call Cindy http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524

Mar. 6, 9 to 10 a.m., Bird and Wildlife Walk, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Feel the sun on your face and the earth caressing your soul while parading in time with bird chatter. With the assistance of your Sensing Nature® guide, identify the flits and flutters of our migrant and resident birds while seeing other fantastic Florida wildlife. Adults and families welcome to this free activity. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Mar. 7, 7:30 p.m., Mote Special Lecture Series, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Immersion Cinema; 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Dr. Robert Hueter. Director of Mote's Center for Shark Research. “Tracking the World's Largest Shark”. Dr. Hueter will describe venturing from the Gulf of Mexico to the Persian Gulf to understand the biology of the largest species of shark, the whale shark. Limited seating available. Tickets $12 for Mote members, $27 for non-members. Call 941-388-4441 or email lecture@mote.org.

Mar. 8, 7:30pm, Gardening for Native Pollinators by Tracy McCommon. Nature Coast Chapter of the Native Plant Society. Free and all interested parties are invited to attend, bring questions about their yard and participate in the native plant drawing. St.. Mark's Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson, FL. Chapter website http://www.pasconativeplants.org or call Mary (727)849-2335.

Mar. 8, 8:30am, Emerson Point Preserve, Description - Lucette Wombacher Coordinator(s) - 2 hr. walk
Depart - Meet at the Welcome Center. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto. Manatee Audubon.

Mar. 9, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - Green Office Practices, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. Everyone is going "green". Learn some simple and practical ways to make a "green office". Go green and save resources, money and reduce impacts on our environment. Learn the basic principles of green purchasing, energy savings and waste reduction. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Mar. 10, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road., Tarpon Springs. Bring your pre-schooler to this program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. In addition to hearing a great story, your child will participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story that is read. This free activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Space is limited. Pre-registration to this free activity is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Mar. 10, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Wee-Time at Weedon: Night Fliers, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N. E., St. Petersburg. This week’s book, Night Fliers: Moths in Your Backyard, by Nancy Lowen, takes a good look at these “butterflies” of the night and their unique characteristics. This free bi-weekly activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Mar. 11, 8 to 10 a.m., Great Weedon Bird Quest, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Help to find Weedon Island Preserve’s birds! Learn their identifying marks and behaviors of the feathered year-round residents and seasonal visitors while helping to compile an annual checklist of the preserve’s birds. These hikes are designed to take advantage of all levels of birding experience. Binoculars and bird guides are available. This free activity is a proven relaxing morning out led by experienced birders and is recommended for adults. Register 24 hours in advance of the event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 582-2100.

Mar. 12, 9am, Lettuce Lake for beginning birders. Mary Keith. Meet at the visitors center. We will walk the boardwalk and trails looking for waterbirds and wintering residents. Finished by 11:30. (Entrance fee to the park is $2.00) Tampa Audubon.

Mar. 12, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Mar. 12, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Rain Harvesting, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.
Have you ever thought “What a waste!” when you see the rain water pouring out of your gutter down spout and then down the street? By attending this workshop you will learn how save that water in a recycled plastic barrel for later use. The collected water is safe for use on your potted plants, vegetable and herb gardens, and special plant collections. All attendees will receive set-up instructions and a reference booklet for free. Advance registration for this free class and pre-payment for rain barrels required. Your rain barrel will be available for pick up on the day of the class if you choose “Participant with Rain Barrel” on step 4 of the registration process. You have a choice of one or two barrels. Rain barrel purchase $30 + tax. If you do not want to purchase a rain barrel please select “Participant” by using the drop down. . Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Mar. 12, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Mar. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2011 Florida Archaeology Event, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Come enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Florida which is celebrated in March statewide. The theme of this year is Native Plants and Native Peoples. Learn about the ancient Weedon Island pine dugout canoe while participating in hands-on archaeology and viewing demonstrations on prehistoric plant uses. This event included taking an Ethnobotany Hike and a free 2011 Florida Archaeology Month poster. Call (727) 453-6500 for more information.

Mar. 14, 7:30 p.m., Mote Special Lecture Series, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Immersion Cinema; 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Charles Wohlforth. Author of The Fate of Nature, and other books. “Nature and Human Nature: Are We Capable of the Co-operation Needed to Save the Ocean?” Wohlforth will explore how culture, not technology, holds the key to humankind's ability to cooperate to solve global environmental problems, including climate change, ocean acidification, overfishing and oil spills. Limited seating available. Tickets $12 for Mote members, $27 for non-members. Call 941-388-4441 or email lecture@mote.org.

Mar. 15, 7pm St. Petersburg Audubon Society March Program: Bluebirds and Boxes with Mary Miller, Tampa Audubon Society at the Science Center, 7701 22nd St., St Petersburg, FL.  Discover the remarkable recovery of the bluebird through conservation efforts of individuals and the American Blue-bird Society, which instituted the concept of bluebird trails.  The Tampa Audubon Society maintains 45 bluebird boxes at Flatwoods Park along the walking / biking / skating trail.  Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Mar. 15, 1:30-4pm, Tips for Cutting the Cost of Lawn Irrigation, Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221, in Kendrick Auditorium. Lawn irrigation uses about half the total residential water. Learn how to eliminate water wasting components and practices, improve your lawn, reduce your utility bill, and do the environment a favor. A free lawn sprinkler tune up kit will be given to each attendee. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Cheryl 941-722-4524

Mar. 15, 6 to 8 p.m., Your Carbon Footprint, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar.
Learn the basics of calculating your carbon footprint through various on-line tools, what it means and why it is important. Mary Campbell, Urban Sustainability Agent, will walk you through the tools to calulate your footprint and how to reduce it for a more sustainable lifestyle. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Mar. 16, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - Everyday Money Lessons to Teach Your Children, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. Learning smart spending habits can have a profound impact on a young child’s life. The financial lessons children learn today will last well into adulthood. Join Nan Jensen for this webinar on simple ways to incorporate financial lessons into your child’s everyday life. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Mar. 17, 10-12:00pm, Cooking with Herbs. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Throw that salt shaker away! Come learn about different kinds of herbs and how to use them to spice up your life. Topics include selecting, drying, storing, and meal preparation. Presented by Samantha Kennedy, Extension Agent. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Samantha 941-722-4524

Mar. 17, 7 to 8 p.m., Plant Usage by Prehistoric Floridians, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. The theme of Florida Archaeology Month 2011 is native plants and native peoples. Dr. Robin C. Brown, noted author of Florida's First People, will give a presentation and demonstration on the usage of plants by prehistoric Floridians. Dr. Brown's experiments with plants have replicated many native technological skills in rope and cordage making, fiber and basket weaving, net making, and other plant uses. This program, co-sponsored by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society, is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested. Please register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Mar. 19, 7am, Chassahowitzka Eight mile driving loop, walks on the tram spurs into the swamps. We leave from the Sweet Bay lot on the corner of SR52 and Little Road. West Pasco Audubon. Contact Aggy Condon, aggy_condon@verizon.net.

Mar. 19, St. Petersburg Audubon Florida Specialties Bus Trip. Search for 8-10 target species rarely found anywhere else. Learn about Florida history while birding. Eat lunch at Forever Florida --included in price of $75 per person. Call Mauri Dietrich, 727 398-4124 for reservations & information. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Mar. 19, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Mar. 19, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Mar. 20, 8am, Felts Audubon Preserve, Bob and Nancy Dean will lead a walk at Felts to catch all the spring migration birds. Coordinator(s) - Bob and Nancy Dean 792-9235. Meet at Felts - 4600 24th Ave. E. Palmetto. Manatee Audubon.

Mar. 20, 7:30am, Weedon Island Preserve and Sawgrass Lake Park. Mary Keith. Meet at Borders Books on S. Dale Mabry or 8 am at the visitor center on Weedon Island. Easy but extensive walking on boardwalk and trails on Weedon Island, then on to Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg for more easy walking. Bring water and repellant. Tampa Audubon.

Mar. 22, 10am-12pm, Dazzling Designs. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Interactive hands-on class demonstrates how to implement the nine principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. We will highlight dazzling landscape designs in Manatee County created by homeowners who possess fabulous Florida-Friendly Landscapes. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Cindy 941-722-4524

Mar. 22, 7 to 8 p.m., Landscaping for Upland Wildlife Walk, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. With so many people in Florida, how can we keep wildlife alive? By giving at least some of our yards back to nature. Walk with your Sensing Nature® guide and visual how wildlife views the landscape while discovering wildlife homes, foods and behaviors then realizing how easily we can all live together if we just share our yards a little. Adults and families welcome to this free activity. Registration 24 hours in advance by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Extension Service” tab. Citizens may also call (727) 582-2100.

Mar. 23, 3-6pm, Tampa Bay Estuary Program Community Advisory Committee, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.

Mar. 23, 9-11am, Bucket Brigade. Manatee County Extension Office, Horticulture Learning Center on the Manatee County Fairgrounds. Learn about container gardening and how to assemble a bucket to use for your gardening needs. Bring two round 5-gallon buckets with you. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Millie 941-722-4524

Mar. 23, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - Green Business Partnership Overview, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. The Green Business Partnership is a voluntary assessment of business operations based on criteria that reduce waste, save resources and promote sustainable practices. This program takes you through the criteria and provides an easy overview of how to complete the assessment and be a “Green Business Partner” in Pinellas County. Businesses can save money, reduce waste, and catch the wave of green marketing. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Mar. 23, 1-3pm, Herb Appeal. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. Learn several techniques to garden with herbs, spice up your landscape, and improve your health. Presented by Amy Stripe and Becky Moreland. Register online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Master Gardeners 941-722-4524

Mar. 24, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Bring your pre-schooler to this program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. In addition to hearing a great story, your child will participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story that is read. This free activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Space is limited. Pre-registration to this free activity is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800. For more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Mar. 24, 8am, Urfer Park, Come check out Sarasota’s newest birdy park. Coordinator(s) - Barbara Singer 504-0228. Meet at Lowe’s parking lot SR 70 and I-75 (n side of SR70) Manatee Audubon.

Mar. 24, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Wee-Time at Weedon: Ten Little Rabbits, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N. E., St. Petersburg. This week’s book, Ten Little Rabbits, by Virgina Grossman and Sylvia Long, relates the stories of American Indian activities through the tales of rabbits. This free bi-weekly activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Mar. 26, 9am-3pm, Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Estuary Academy: Greening Your Life. Weedon Island Preserve Natural and Cultural History Center. Email saveit@tbep.org for info.

Mar. 26, 7:30am, Lake Kissimmee Air Boat Ride and Joe Overstreet Rd. Bill Lamoureux. Meet at the IHOP on Morris Bridge Rd., right off Fowler Ave near i-75. Please let me know if you intend to go on the air boat ride which costs $30.00 plus tax. It is an exciting event where you will get close up views of Snail Kites, Purple Gallinules and many more species. Joe Overstreet road birding is done along a dirt road mostly from the cars with very little walking. There is a snack bar and picnic area at the end where we will stop for lunch. Tampa Audubon.

Mar. 26, 7:45am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park Trip. Meet at at the entrance via Wilderness Pk. Blvd, New Port Richey at information kiosk, on right-hand side going into park. Call Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or email focus997@verizon.net. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Mar. 26, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Extended Guided Hike – Winter Wonders, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Cooler temperatures and shorter days bring about many changes during the winter months.
Join us for a brisk walk along one of the longer trails to experience winter in the Preserve. Hikers may walk 2.8 to 4 miles, depending on trail conditions. All ages welcome - children younger than 12 may find this hike challenging. Register by noon the Friday before the hike by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Mar. 26, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. Need more information about this activity? Call (727) 453-6500.

Mar. 26, 9am-Noon, Combo Compost & Rain Barrel Workshop. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. Learn how to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into useful soil amendments. Participants will learn Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ concepts and details about how to set up home compost bins. Leave with a bin to start creating your own compost. Fee for compost bin. Let us provide you with great water conservation tips and trivia. Learn how to install, paint, and maintain a functional rain barrel. Bring your truck or car with a large trunk and leave with your own rain barrel. Start conserving today. Fee for rain barrel. Register online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Cindy 941-722-4524.

Mar. 26, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Butterfly Gardening101. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Butterflies bring color, life and beauty to your yard.  Understanding their life cycle can help you attract these flying jewels to your home’s landscape.  Join us to learn about plants and other features you can use to create a backyard oasis for the butterflies commonly found in this area.  Pre-registration is required. Register 24 hours before the program by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Online Class registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information call (727) 453-6800; for more registration information call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk. Pre-registration is required.  Free.  Recommended ages: best for adults.

Mar. 29, 7am, Shamrock Park & Venice Rookery, if you haven’t seen a scrub jay don’t miss this trip also get great looks at nesting birds at the rookery. Coordinator(s) - Barry & Patti Clauser 776-9063. Meet at Cracker Barrel SR 64 and I-75. Manatee Audubon

Mar. 30, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Solutions in 30 - Green Spaces, This program is offered online at your computer through webinar. Green spaces exist at the fringes of the interface between the built and natural environment, are aesthetically pleasing, and support sustainable goals. In our fast-paced digital world, communities turn to green spaces to maintain and support the social fabric of our society. In this session, we will explore what a green space is, how to create more, and how green spaces can be used to connect the natural and built environment. Register at least 24 hours prior by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking the “Online Class Registration” button then the “Solutions in 30” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Mar. 31, 6-8:30pm, Peridia Golf & Country Club’s Community Building, 4950 Peridia Blvd. East, Bradenton.
The Lowdown on Lawn Irrigation – Tune up your sprinkler system for the dry season. Learn how to adjust the timer and sprinklers, improve uniformity, eliminate water waste, and cut costs. There is also an introduction to micro-irrigation. A free lawn sprinkler tune up kit will be given to each attendee. Bring a sack supper to the evening classes if you would like. This class satisfies the irrigation education portion of the Manatee County Water Conservation Rebate Program. Presented by Jack Tichenor, Water Conservation Agent. Register online or call Cheryl. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524.

April

Apr. 2, 8am, Flatwoods Park Bluebird Hike - Mary Miller (limpkin1945@verizon.net) - Meet at the visitor center at the park off Morris Bridge Rd. Easy walking to see bluebird boxes and spring Nesting activity. (There is a $2.00 fee per vehicle for park entry.) Tampa Audubon.

Apr. 2, 7:45am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Boyd Hill Nature Walk. Meet at Nature Center parking lot. Call Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or email focus997@verizon.net. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Apr. 2, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve. 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500.

Apr. 2, Felts Nature Days. Come celebrate spring at Felts, native plant sale, classes on birding, butterflies, photography, events for the kids, and food. Manatee Audubon.

Apr. 2, 2 to 3 p.m., Butterfly Gardening, Weedon Island Preserve. 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg
Learn how to create a butterfly garden area that will bring color, life and beauty to your yard. Cindy Peacock, formerly of Extension Services, will teach about important plants and other features needed to create your own backyard oasis for the butterflies commonly found in this area. Free. Recommended for adults. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the program by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500.

Apr. 2, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Free. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Pre-registration to this free activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting  www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information (727) 453-6800; for more registration information (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Apr. 6, 1-3pm, The Scent of Spring Flowers are in the Air. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221, in Kendrick Auditorium. Color your landscape and learn the basics of gardening with annuals and perennials and the specific growing needs of many species. Presented by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Master Gardeners 941-722-4524.

Apr. 9, 9am, Lettuce Lake for beginning birders. Roger Sheets. Meet at the visitor center. We will walk the boardwalk and trails looking for wintering waterbirds and landbirds. Finished by 11:30. (Entrance fee to the park is $2.00.) Tampa Audubon.

Apr. 9, 7:45am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Ft. Desoto Park, Tierra Verde Spring Migration. Meet at at the flagpole at Ft. Desoto park headquarters. Call Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or email focus997@verizon.net. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Apr. 9, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve. 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500.

Apr. 9, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Pre-registration to this free activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information (727) 453-6800; for more registration information (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Apr. 9, Noon to 3 p.m., Brooker Open Classroom: Discovering Nature with Your Child. Brooker Creek Preserve; 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Who lives in that skin? What’s the difference between a carnivore and an herbivore? Whose tracks are those? Stop by the Preserve’s classroom anytime between noon and 3 p.m. to participate in a variety of self-guided nature games and activities that will answer these and many more questions. Registration is not required for this open activity that is free and open to all ages.

Apr. 9, 11 a.m. to noon, Wildlife Woes – Solving Your Critter Concerns, Brooker Creek Preserve. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Sometimes it seems that urban critters are chuckling behind our backs, slyly outwitting us in our every move. The scoreboard often reflects their cunning ways with fruit rats breaking into our attics, birdseed being devoured by squirrels, frogs belting out love songs all night, or clever raccoons tipping trash—the score is Wildlife 1; Us 0. Come learn a few tactical tricks from the Sensing Nature® biologist that should help keep your sanity and maybe even help you appreciate their wily ways. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information (727) 453-6800; for more registration information (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Apr. 10, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Bird-A-Thon. Friendly competition plus fundraiser for Audubon Adventures. Call Mauri Dietrich 727 398-4124 to sign up. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Apr. 10, 8am, Fort De Soto Park. Bill Lamoureux. Meet at the visitor center. We will visit various sites looking for spring migrant warblers, tanagers, orioles, buntings, etc. Quite a bit of easy walking with one possible wet spot. Bring water, repellant and lunch for a picnic at Arrowhead. Tampa Audubon.

Apr. 10, 8am, Ft. Desoto, Search for migrants at this hottest birding spot on the west coast. Coordinator(s) - Steve Black 376-0110. Meet at the first rest area after the tollbooth on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge ( I275) Manatee Audubon.

Apr. 12, 8:30am, Emerson Point Preserve, 2 hr. walk, Coordinator(s) - Lucette Wombacher, Meet at the Welcome Center. 5801 17th St. W, Palmetto. Manatee Audubon.

Apr. 12, 10:30-12 Noon, Compost Workshop. Manatee County Utility Office, 4410 66th Street West, Bradenton. Learn how to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into useful soil amendments. Participants will learn Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ concepts and details about how to set up a home compost bin. Register online or call Cindy. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 941-722-4524.

Apr. 12, 7:30pm, Botany Basics by Katie MacMillan. Nature Coast Chapter of the Native Plant Society. Free and all interested parties are invited to attend, bring questions about their yard and participate in the native plant drawing. St. Mark's Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson, FL. Chapter website http://www.pasconativeplants.org or call Mary (727)849-2335

Apr. 13, 9 a.m to 5 p.m., Best Management Practices, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. This program is designed to provide training in Best Management Practices for anyone working in lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal ground areas. It provides the training and testing necessary to obtain a Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer (LCULCF). It is focused on reducing non-point source pollution resulting from fertilization or pesticide application. BMP certification will be awarded to those passing the exam. This class is offered at no cost to Pinellas County Employees, Pinellas County School Board Employees and Pinellas County Master Gardener Volunteers. Identification must be provided on the day of class to attend this class for free. A cost of $15 for the program will be extended to all others. A maximum of 4 CEUs can be earned by attending this class. Attendees will earn 2 CORE and may select their 2 additional CEUs from: Pvt. App. Ag., O&T, LL&O, LCLM, or Comm. L&O. Pre-registration to this activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then the “Commercial Horticulture CEU” tab. You may also (727) 582-2100 to register.

Apr. 14, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Designed to connect pre-school children to the wonders of the natural world, this week’s feature, Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole, invites 3 to 5 year olds to come watch Jack’s garden grow and bloom. This beautifully illustrated tale follows the garden from seed to bloom, teaching about soil, weather, insects and more. It also includes a craft, game or other hands-on activity relative to the story. Spaces are limited so early registration is suggested. Pre-registration to this free activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information (727) 453-6800; for more registration information (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Apr. 14, 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., Lawn/Landscape Maintenance Class, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Two separate, identical classes (one morning and the other afternoon) are offered for this required class for those doing work in the lawn and landscape maintenance industry such as mowing, pruning and landscape debris management. To obtain certification you will need to pass a test. By passing the test, you will be awarded a certificate and a Pinellas County vehicle decal at the end of the class. Those who will be applying fertilizers will need to take the GI-BMP class rather than this one which is offered at no cost to Pinellas County Employees, Pinellas County School Board Employees and Pinellas County Master Gardener Volunteers; $15 to all others. Identification must be provided on the day of class to attend this class for free. Pre-registration to this activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking t

Apr. 16, 7:30am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Round Robin, Ft. DeSoto Park, Tierra Verde. Meet at the flagpole at park headquarters. Maximize the birding potential of 4 different locations in the park. Leader: Lee Snyder. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Apr. 16, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join guides for this 0.75-mile walk. Look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Pre-registration to this free activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For more event information (727) 453-6800 or registration information (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Apr. 16, 6:30am, Green Key Funnel. Experience the local funnel effect on Migrating Warblers at Green Key, Robert Rees Park, plus James E. Gray Preserve. Meet at entrance gate to Robert Rees Park. Bug spray highly recommended. About 9 AM we will go to James E. Gray Preserve. West Pasco Audubon. For info: Contact Aggy Condon, aggy_condon@verizon.net.

Apr. 16, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500.

Apr. 16, 1 to 2 p.m., Florida’s Fascinating Snakes, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about these ecologically important, but often misunderstood vertebrates. This area is home to many of these incredible creatures. Find out the facts about their diversity, ecology and conservation. This live reptile presentation is one in which participants have the opportunity to learn about their natural history and is recommended for all ages. Pre-registration to this free activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500. You may also (727) 582-2100 to register.

Apr. 16, Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s “Give A Day For The Bay” 20th Anniversary Volunteer Workday Blitz, Sites in Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties. Visit www.tbep.org for info or email saveit@tbep.org.

Apr. 17, 7am, Chinsegutt Nature Center and USDA research farm. JoAnn Hartzler (usarealty@msn.com) We will meet at the shopping center on the northwest corner of Dale Mabry and Van Dyke Blvd. Check back closer to the event for specific details. We will enjoy a birding festival with wildlife presentations and we will walk around the lake looking for resident land and water birds. We might also see borrowing owls, Sandhill cranes, cuckoos, red-headed woodpeckers etc. Bring repellant and lunch, or buy lunch at the festival. The Chinsegutt birding and Wildlife festival is free and put on by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Tampa Audubon.

Apr. 20, 9-11am, Bucket Brigade, Manatee County Extension Office, Horticulture Learning Center on the Manatee County Fairgrounds. Learn about container gardening and how to assemble a bucket to use for your gardening needs. Bring two round 5-gallon buckets with you. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Millie 941-722-4524

Apr. 20, 6-8:30 pm, Ground Covers, Grasses & Vines. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221, in Kendrick Auditorium. Landscaping with low-growing ground cover plants, grasses and vines has become a popular trend of landscape practices because, once established, these plants need little or no water. Learn noteworthy plants, site considerations, and management of these three diverse plant groups. Presented by Elissa Mirabelli, Horticulture Program Assistant. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our web site at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Elissa 941-722-4524.

Apr. 21, 7 to 8 p.m., Power Dynamics and Urban Construction at Teotihuacan, Mexico, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Teotihuacan, the capital city of a regional state in Central Mexico from A.D. 150-650, was characterized by its monumental civic-ceremonial architecture and dense settlement.  From the third century A.D. onward, most of the city’s 100,000 residents lived in walled residential compounds consisting of multiple courtyard units, resulting in a highly distinct urban landscape. Despite three decades of extensive research, the study of political organization at Teotihuacan has produced contradictory views of state-subject relationships.  Focusing on labor and material resources employed for urban construction, Dr. Tatsuya Murakami, USF,  discusses sociopolitical changes at Teotihuacan and how different social segments, including dominant elites, intermediate elites, and commoners, articulated with one another. This program, co-sponsored by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society, is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested. Please register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information, (727) 453-6500.

Apr. 21, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Book Time at Brooker Creek , Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. This delightful tale focuses on a young click beetle as it learns to do what older beetles can already do so well. Designed to connect children 3 to 5 years old to the wonders of the natural world, it will introduce them to species commonly found in Florida forests while learning that practice pays off, even for beetles. Pre-registration to this free activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then the “Brooker Creek” tab. For event information (727) 453-6800; for more registration information (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Apr. 22, 10-12:00pm, Cooking with Herbs. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Kendrick Auditorium. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Throw that salt shaker away! Come learn about different kinds of herbs and how to use them to spice up your life. Topics include selecting, drying, storing, and meal preparation. Presented by Samantha Kennedy, Extension Agent. Register online in advance via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Samantha 941-722-4524.

Apr. 23, 8am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society, Spring Migration, Ft. Desoto Park, Tierra Verde.  Meet flagpole at park headquarters.  Call Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or email focus997@verizon.net.  Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Apr. 23, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500.

Apr. 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Use Your Senses , Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. This family-oriented program teaches how to use four of the five senses to identify the natural world. See, smell, touch, and hear the wonders around us and expand your awareness of nature. This free class is recommended for families with children 5 to 8 years of age. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the presentation by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500.

Apr. 23, 7am, Ft Desoto Park Pinellas County or local John Chestnut Park. TBD by birds and weather. We meet on the corner of Moog Rd and US HWY19 behind Burger King. West Pasco Audubon. For info: Contact Aggy Condon, aggy_condon@verizon.net.

Apr. 27, 1-3pm, Toughen your Turf. Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221, in Kendrick Auditorium. Learn the basics of watering, fertilization, and care for several types of turf grasses. Learn cultural practices that help toughen or make a turf stronger and healthier. Presented by Lisa Hickey, Extension Agent. All class sizes are limited; minimum class size is required. Register in advance online via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call the Master Gardeners 941-722-4524

Apr. 28, 6-8:30pm, Landscaping on Reduced Water Use. An introduction to micro-irrigation. Learn how to select, install, and operate your own water-saving irrigation system. Pros and cons, parts and pieces and what things are called. Bring a sack supper if you would like. Presented by Jack Tichenor, Water Conservation Agent. Register online in advance via our website at http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call Cheryl 941-722-4524

Apr. 30, 7am, Mead Gardens, Orlando. A migration stop with as many as 12 species of warblers. Later visit
Audubon Birds of Prey Center, Maitland. Please sign up. We leave from the Panara Bread lot on the corner of SR54 and Little Road. West Pasco Audubon. For info: Contact Aggy Condon, aggy_condon@verizon.net.

Apr. 30, 7:45am, St. Petersburg Audubon Society, Spring Migration, Ft. Desoto Park. Meet at the flagpole at park headquarters. Call Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or email focus997@verizon.net. Visit http://www.stpeteaudubon.org for more information.

Apr. 30, 9 to 11 a.m., Guided Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while going along on this guided hike. Be sure to bring water and a snack; a hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. All ages are welcome to participate in this free activity although children younger than 6 may find the hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the “Registration” button then clicking the “Weedon Island” tab. For more information about this activity call (727) 453-6500.