Night Hike in the Preserve
2025-01-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
At night, the world is full of sounds and smells very different from the daytime.
Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve for a one-mile hiking experience along the Ed Center Trail…at night! These special hikes are open to the public and limited to 20 people per hike.
A $3 per person donation is requested. Hikes are led by Preserve volunteers who are knowledgeable about nocturnal wildlife. The hike is about one-mile in length and will take about 1.5 hours.
Space is limited, registration is required. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.
These hikes are for adults and families only. Children must be accompanied by parents. Please leave your pets at home. Pets are not permitted in County Preserves.
You MUST ARRIVE BY 8PM, the Preserve gates will be closed after that.
Meet at the main parking lot at Brooker Creek Preserve. You must pre-register for the night hikes!
Questions: info@FriendsOfBrookerCreekPreserve.org or 727-934-2680.

Arbor Day Tree Workshop & Giveaway
2025-04-23 13:00 - 16:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension Urban Forestry Agent, Alyssa Vinson for an interactive educational presentation all about selecting, planting and maintaining the Right Tree for the Right Place. All attendees of the workshop will take home a tree to plant in their landscape. Workshop will take approximately 1.5 hours and the tree giveaway will follow.
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Tree Giveaway
2025-04-26 08:00 - 13:00 | Cearwater Public Works Complex, 1650 No. Arcturas Avenue, Clearwater, FL, 33765, United States
Proof of Clearwater residency is required.
Take home two free trees and plant them this Earth Month and National Arbor Day on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trees are important in the fight against climate change. As they grow, trees absorb and store carbon emissions that otherwise cause global warming. In an urban setting such as Clearwater, the shade from trees cools city streets, reduces air pollution, and boosts personal wellbeing and health.
The city is handing out over 20 different species of trees, including Red Maple, Pecan, and Persimmon trees.

Green Thumb Festival
2025-04-26 09:00 - 16:00 | Walter Fuller Park, 7891 26th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL, 33710, United States
St. Petersburg’s annual Arbor Day Celebration, the Green Thumb Festival, brings together plant and flower lovers, as well as, individuals and families looking for a fun weekend activity. With more than 120 garden, plant and flower vendors and exhibitors, the annual event brings the community together for a weekend of fun.
Parking is available at Azalea Middle School and behind Walter Fuller Recreation Center. Handicap parking is located at the Walter Fuller Recreation Center’s main parking lot and the Walter Fuller Pool parking lot.

Youth Activities & Adult Workshops

All workshops are free and open to the public. Spots are limited. Preregistration is encouraged.
REGISTER HERE

Saturday, April 26 Program Schedule
9:30 AM | Herb Planters (Adult Workshop)
UF/IFAS Master Gardeners will discuss container herb gardening and assist with planter creation. Sponsored by Pinellas County Farm Bureau.
11:00 AM | Attracting Animals to Your Yards (All Ages Interactive Presentation)
Learn which native plants attract wildlife and pollinators. Participants will plant a native species in a takeaway container to grow at home.
12:00 PM | From Seed to Slice: Creating a Pizza Garden with Kids (Family Interactive Presentation)
Create a pizza garden in a self-watering container or bucket! Youth will learn about plant growth, self-watering systems, and the benefits of homegrown food.
1:00 PM | Botanical Printmaking with Gelli Prints (All Ages Workshop)
Create and take home beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork with amazing colors and textures using natural materials.
2:00 PM | All About Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (Adult Presentation)
Learn how to apply the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) for a beautiful, low-maintenance, and water-saving yard. Discover easy, eco-friendly techniques that conserve resources and reduce costs.

Sunday, April 27 Program Schedule
9:30 AM | Mixed Flower Garden: Fillers, Spillers, and Thrillers (Adult Workshop)
UF/IFAS Master Gardeners will guide attendees in designing flower planters. Plant and container selection will vary. Sponsored by Pinellas County Farm Bureau.
11:00 AM | Nature’s Team Work (All Ages Presentation)
Discover how plants and animals interact in ecosystems through food, shelter, and camouflage.
1:00 PM | Skulls and Tracks (All Ages Interactive Presentation)
Learn to identify animal tracks and skulls in your yard or nature areas. Discover how skulls reveal an animal’s diet and create your own track ID guide.
2:00 PM | Orchids 101 (Adult Presentation)
Mike Pollen will demonstrate how to repot an orchid and provide care tips.

Flower Show

The Garden Club of St. Petersburg displays their creativity through juried floral designs and crafts representing gardens from around the world. Exhibits are designed with a new theme each year.
The public is invited to vote for the best of show in both the horticulture and floral design category.
Judging occurs the Friday before the festival and awards are given to the winners at the festival on Sunday at 3 p.m. inside Walter Fuller Recreation Center. All judges are from clubs within the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs District VIII and use standards set by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and use standards set by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. For more information on the Garden Club, visit www.gardenclubstpetersburg.org.

Meet an Arborist
2025-04-28 09:00 - 11:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Finding and Hiring a Certified Arborist for Tree Care
Join UF/IFAS Extension Urban Forestry Agent, Alyssa Vinson and local certified arborist, Carson Smith for an in depth conversation all about the importance of and the steps to, finding and hiring a certified arborist. We will discuss the in and outs of establishing your tree care goals, how to build a plan for long term care and where to find resources.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Senior Artisans
2025-04-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 50 yrs +
It’s never too late to try out a new art form! Led by local artist Francine Michel. Explore the preserve by tram and create a piece of art based on nature.
All materials are provided.
Feel free to bring your own sketchbook and camera.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

FFL HC Webinar Series: Fertilize Appropriately
2025-05-15 10:00 - 11:00 | ZOOM, United States
Learn how to nourish your plants effectively while protecting Florida’s environment.
The mission is to educate Floridians about environmentally friendly landscaping practices and to encourage them to conserve and protect our water resources by applying Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles in their landscapes.
What You’ll Learn:

Best practices for selecting and applying fertilizers
How to avoid over-fertilization and its harmful effects
Tips for promoting healthy plant growth

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your fertilization knowledge with expert advice from UF/IFAS. Bring your questions for our live Q&A session!
Register now and ensure your landscape thrives responsibly!
We will conduct this Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ workshop online, via Zoom. No additional software or extra computer skills are necessary – just click to join!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Adult Night Hike
2024-02-17 08:00 - 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Adults enjoy a night hike out into the preserve after hours and in the dark!
Experience the tranquil sounds of nature on our monthly adult-only night hike, where the rustling of leaves and calls of nocturnal animals set the perfect backdrop. As you walk, you might even catch a glimpse of a wild creature in its natural habitat, see the St. Pete skyline, and make a few memories!
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE

Create Clearwater Green Mixer
2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
The purpose of this group is to offer a space for those who want to create all the things about city living that we would most love to live with. That would include access to fresh, healthy food, clean water, clean air, educational opportunities, lots of art, music, dance and theatre, parks and nature, community gathering places, community gardens, decent mass transit, and healthy neighborhoods. What is your vision of what Clearwater could be?
We currently have “Green Mixers” every third Tuesday at Moccasin Lake Nature Park at 6 PM. Every month, we meet more great people at these.
A few of us are working on some projects to revitalize the downtown area. We have some great ideas in the works, and are looking for more people to play with. What would you like to see happen downtown?
We are interested in getting community gardens going and there is some great news on that front too. We’ll keep you updated here.
We want to know what is important to you and what you would like to see happen in this city, so please, let us know!

Tampa Audubon Social
2025-06-05 18:30 - 19:00 | FL
Tres Amigos Cantina
https://www.tresamigosbrandon.net/
2025 W Brandon Blvd
Brandon, FL 33511
Hillsborough County is home to over 200 species of birds during parts of the year, numerous mammals and herpe to fauna, and many lovely native plants, including rare orchids. We hope you’ll join us as we explore the great outdoors!
Our field trips are open to the public, to anyone interested in birds, nature and being outdoors. Pets and smoking are prohibited. Individual field trips will state approximate length of trip (i.e., half day, all day, 1 mile, 6 miles) and degree of difficulty. The monthly walk in Lettuce Lake Park on the second Saturday of each month is a great introduction for beginning birders.

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
2024-08-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Harvest some of that rain to help in your garden!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
This workshop will be held in the Conference Center at our office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584.
RAINWATER HARVESTING: Learn how to collect rainwater for ornamental plant irrigation while reducing erosion and stormwater runoff, and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive one 45-55 gallon plastic food-grade barrel after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Please arrive15 minutes before the program starts.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Backyard Composting on Zoom
2023-10-17 12:00 - 13:00 | ZOOM, United States
Composting – learn how to turn trash into treasure!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County residents/employees only.
BACKYARD COMPOSTING: Learn to turn trash into treasure! Hillsborough County residents/employees will receive a compost bin, compost bucket and thermometer after attending the workshop. (1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
Since you are attending this workshop on Zoom, you will need to make an appointment with our receptionist at 813-744-5519 to come in and pick up your items. All items must be picked up within 30 days of the date of the workshop. No exceptions.

>>> REGISTER HERE

Egmont Key Sanctuary Tour
2025-06-14 16:30 - 20:30 | FL
Egmont Key Sanctuary Tour by boat with the Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges
Saturday June 14th 2024, 4:30-8:30pm approximate return (rain date Sunday Sat June 2)
Meet at the Bay Pier next to the Dog Park, 27.616871, -82.726690.
Reservations and prepayment required
Join us for our eleventh annual tour of the Egmont Key Bird Sanctuary Tour with a stop at the Ft Dade ruins, Lighthouse, and hopefully a Black Skimmer colony. The Egmont Key Ferry will take us around the south tip of Egmont Key to see the areas where birds are nesting. (These areas are not accessible by foot and only seen by visitors with boats). The chicks from our Laughing gulls, Royal terns, & Sandwich terns should be out on the beaches exploring. Brown Pelicans, White ibis, and American Oystercatchers can also nest on the islands.
Space is limited and this event sells out quickly.
Send your reservation to TampaBayRefuges@msn.com Wait for confirmation then send payment via credit card on PayPal or mail.
Credit card on PayPal: www.tampabayrefuges.org click Get Involved, then Donate. Enter One-Time and the amount, then click Donate with Debit or Credit Card and follow instructions.
Your space will be secure based on a first come first served basis AND receipt of payment. You will receive a confirmation email for your payment.
Mail: FTBNWR, PO Box 40782, St Petersburg, FL 33743-0782
Cost:

Members of Friends of the Tampa Bay NWR $35 each (includes tip for boat crew)
Individual Guests or non-members $50 each. You will receive a 1-year individual membership.
Family of 2 guests or non-members $95. You will receive a 1-year family membership. Additional family members add $35 ea.

Make checks payable to Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges, PO Box 40782, St Petersburg, FL 33743-0782.
Reservations and Payment must be received by Saturday June 7 .
Questions: call Barb Howard at 727 512-4914 or email TampaBayRefuges@msn.com

FFL HC Webinar Series: Mulch
2025-06-18 10:00 - 11:00 | ZOOM, United States

OFF THE BEATEN PATH
2025-01-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Back by popular demand…
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
A nature-based fundraising hike series
This series of four hikes will take place in beautiful areas tucked away within Brooker Creek Preserve in sites that are closed to the public. Our guide, Dr. Craig Huegel, can identify everything, from the tiniest moss to the tallest tree including animal prints, bird calls, lichens, and more. He is full of stories and very patient in answering questions. The hikes will be not only educational, but a lot of fun as well!
The hikes will begin at 9:00 a.m. and be about 3-4 hours long. Bring water and lunch.
Cost: $80 donation for the series or $25 donation per hike with a 10% discount for members of Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve
Sites Off the Beaten Path:
Sep. 22, 2024 – Catesby’s Lilies…and More! – Located in the eastern part of the preserve, we will search for the threatened Catesby’s Lily. In so doing, we will see a profusion of beautiful fall wildflowers in full bloom.
Jan. 19, 2025 – Cypress Swamp – Located in the central part of the preserve, this site
features orchids, ferns, and epiphytes. Plan to get wet, or maybe not, as we plunge into the depths of the swamp!
March 16, 2025 – Sandhills – The only true sandhills of Brooker Creek Preserve. This site is in the northern end of the preserve and will feature an abundance of spring wildflowers.
June 22, 2025 – Interior Wildlands – We will be in parts of the Preserve so remote that
cell phones won’t work, areas so pretty you won’t believe you are in Pinellas County!
Reservations Required: info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org
Sign up early! Only 20 spots are open for these fabulous hikes off the beaten path!
Questions? Email info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org or call 727-934-2680.

FFL HC Webinar Series: Control Yard Pests Responsibly
2025-06-23 08:00 - 17:00 | ZOOM, United States
Part of the Florida Friendly Landscaping ™ (FFL) HC Webinars collection

Join the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Hillsborough County (HC) Webinar Series!
Join us for an enlightening webinar on managing yard pests the Florida-Friendly way! Learn how to keep your landscape healthy while minimizing harm to beneficial insects and the environment.
What You’ll Discover:

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies
How to identify common Florida pests and their natural predators
Eco-friendly pest control methods that work

Say goodbye to harmful pesticides and hello to a balanced, thriving landscape. Our UF/IFAS experts will share practical tips and answer your questions during the live Q&A session.
Don’t let pests bug you! Register now and learn how to create a harmonious backyard ecosystem that naturally keeps pests in check. Your plants, beneficial insects, and local wildlife will thank you!
The mission is to educate Floridians about environmentally friendly landscaping practices and to encourage them to conserve and protect our water resources by applying Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles in their landscapes.
We will conduct this Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ workshop online, via Zoom. No additional software or extra computer skills are necessary – just click to join!
NOTE: Registrants will receive an emailed Zoom link to access the Webinar the day before the program. *If you do not receive the Z00M link, please check your SPAM folder for an email with the link. If no link is received, please contact Michael Masucci, masuccim@ufl.edu or at 813-744-5519 Ext. 54142 for assistance.
>>> GET TICKETS

2025 ECO Educator Workshop
2025-06-23 09:00 - 2025-06-27 15:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us as we celebrate our 13th annual offering of Exploring Environmental Education Curriculum Options (ECO) Educator Workshop!
Exploring Environmental Education Curriculum Options (ECO) Teacher Training Workshop
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Pinellas County’s Natural Resources Agent has teamed up with St. Petersburg College, College of Education Professor to offer this nationally award-winning, week-long environmental education workshop for pre-service elementary & ESE education students, current elementary & ESE teachers, and non-formal educators. Note: Middle school educators are welcome to participate as well!
The aim of this workshop is to provide participants with tools and information to interpret the natural world and impart the need for resource conservation to their audience. Using local, state, and national curricula correlated to Florida Standards, participants will be given activities and resources to help foster environmental knowledge and good environmental stewardship in their students.
Each day will feature different environmental subjects and professional speakers will be brought in to provide background knowledge to participants. Workshop sessions will conclude with a reflection and an evaluation of the day’s activities. Certificates will be awarded for the completion of specific portions of the training as well as a final certificate of completion.
Curriculum taught each year is different, so if you have participated in the past, you can participate again for a whole new educational experience!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Green Industries Best Management Practices (GIBMP) Certification
2025-06-24 08:00 - 16:30 | Plant City Recreation & Parks, 1904 South Park Road, Plant City, FL, 33563, United States
GIBMP Certification is required to obtain the FDACS Limited Urban Fertilizer license. The class provides CEUs to renew landscape licenses.

Anyone who applies fertilizer commercially/for hire in Florida is required to have the FDACS Limited Fertilizer license/certification. There are 2 steps to obtain the FDACS Fertilizer license/certification:

Attend a GIBMP class and pass the exam with a minimum score of 75%. You will receive a certificate of training from UF/IFAS and DEP.
Complete the FDACS license/certification application on the FDACS website link HERE , chose “New Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer”, upload your GIBMP certificate of training, and pay the $25 fee for a 4 year license/certification. This renews every 4 years with 2 Core and 2 LUF CEUs.

This class provides the training and exam required to obtain a Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer (LCULCF) also known as Fertilizer License, as required by FL Senate Bill 494.
This program teaches the Best Management Practices for anyone working, supervising or advising in the lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal grounds areas. The training is focused on reducing non-point source pollution resulting from fertilization or pesticide application and includes:

Lunch
Training Materials
Overview of Water Quality and Laws
Lawn and Landscape Best Management Practices
Irrigation Best Management Practices
Fertilization Best Management Practices
Pesticide Best Management Practices
Overview of Local County/Municipality Ordinances
Applications for LCULCF and Vehicle Decals
Exam

For a sneak peek at the training manual go : GI-BMP Manual
The Hillsborough County Landscape Management and Fertilizer Use Rule and the City of Tampa Fertilizer Ordinance require all commercial, governmental and institutional fertilizer applicators to be GI-BMP certified and that work vehicles be identified with a vehicle decal.
This training may be taken to satisfy some FDACS and FNGLA CEU requirements.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Communi-Trees: Community Tree Care for You
2025-06-24 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Part of the Urban Forestry Programs collection

Join UF/IFAS Extension Urban Forestry Agent, Alyssa Vinson for an interactive educational presentation where we discuss the best practices for tree care in your community. We will cover selection, planting, establishment, pruning and planning for tree longevity in the landscape.
>>> REGISTER HERE

What You Need to Know About Weeds in Your FL Lawn & Landscape
2025-06-26 14:00 - 15:00 | New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33543, United States
“Why do I have so many weeds in my lawn?”
“Which product do I use?” or “Why didn’t this product work?”
Sound familiar?
Join us for an informative class on lawn and landscape weed management for home gardeners.
>>> GET TICKETS GET TICKETS

Kayak Tampa Bay
2025-03-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Ages 12+ • 3 Hours • 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL 33715

Back by popular demand, Tampa Bay Watch is launching guided kayak tours of the Bay. Embark with us on an unforgettable journey through the serene waters of our stunning estuary! This tour offers an immersive experience in nature, combining the joy of paddling with a unique opportunity to observe and learn about local species.
As you glide through calm waters, your expert naturalist will share fascinating insights into the diverse ecosystems and residents of the estuary. You’ll have the chance to encounter a variety of wildlife while exploring the mangrove forests and seagrass beds of Tampa Bay. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a beginner, the experience is designed to be both relaxing and informative, offering a rare chance to connect with nature while honing your kayaking skills!
Kayak, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks, water, and skin protection.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Habitat Hike
2025-06-29 15:00 - 16:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
For Ages: 18 and up
Join Ranger Dave for a walk through the Preserve to discuss the different habitats found at Boyd Hill, learn about their differences, and how we work to maintain and improve them. Participants will learn about prescribed burns and other techniques that our land management team uses on the Preserve.
Register here

Hurricanes and Trees
2025-07-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Land O’Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes, FL, 34639, United States
Come learn from a certified commercial arborist how to assess tree damage and how to best prepare in advance for future storms.
Hurricanes and tropical storms hit Florida almost every year, often causing extensive damage to trees in your yard/property. But you can make your landscape more hurricane-resistant, so that it’s less likely to suffer damage during a major storm.
The very active hurricane season of 2024 was particularly challenging for Tampa Bays’s urban forest. Learn from a certified commercial arborist how to assess tree damage from last summer and how to best prepare in advance for future storms.
>>> GET TICKETS

Composting Workshop
2024-08-03 08:30 - 09:30 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Composting – learn how to turn trash into treasure!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
This workshop will be offered IN PERSON in the Extension Service Conference Center. Our address is: 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584.
Learn how to put your everyday food waste and organic materials to work for you! Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a compost bin, compost bucket and thermometer after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Please arrive 15 minutes before the program starts.
>>> REGISTER HERE
