Veggie Influenza (Zoom workshop)
2022-02-25 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Online Event
Join us for Veggie Influenza! Come and learn about common vegetable diseases and their managements.

Join us for Veggie Influenza! In this two-hour workshop, we will discussing common vegetable diseases. Topics include disease identification, resistant plants, and disease prevention/management. For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at (941) 722-4524 ext.1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu.
REGISTER HERE

Gardening 101: Good Bug, Bad Bug?
2022-02-25 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
This class will cover common beneficial insects and pests of Florida gardens.

Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County to meet the bugs you need to know for success in your landscape. New to gardening in Florida? We have the info you need to be successful. This class will cover common beneficial insects and pests of Florida gardens. Be prepared to get up close and personal with live insects.
In person at the Demonstration Garden at the Extension office (1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221)
REGISTER HERE

King of Fruits (Zoom workshop)
2022-03-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Online Event
Join us for King of Fruits! Come and learn about mango trees and how to care for them.

Join us for King of Fruits! In this almost two-hour workshop, we will be discussing mangoes. Topics include growing requirements, general care, variety selection, and more. For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at (941) 722-4521 ext.1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu. This is a free workshop.
REGISTER HERE

Mobile Plant Clinic - Robinson Preserve
2022-03-27 09:00 - 12:00 | ROBINSON PRESERVE, 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Master Gardener Volunteer Mobile Plant Clinic
at Robinson Preserve
Visit our mobile plant clinic located at Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St NW, Bradenton. Hours are 9AM – 12PM.
Please meet at the South Entrance near the picnic pavilions. Master Gardener Volunteers are available to share their horticulture knowledge and assist with plant questions. We’ve Got a Good Thing Growing!

Native Plant Sale
2022-04-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd (US 41), Land O' Lakes, FL, 34639, United States
The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is having a Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd (US 41), Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639.
There will be:

A large selection of quality nursery grown plants

Free literature for pick up and books for sale

Members on site to answer questions

A plant profile for each plant purchased

Carts available for plant transportation

Websites & Contact Info:
Nature Coast Chapter: PascoNativePlants.org
Facebook.com/PascoNativePlants/naturecoastfnps@gmail.com
Florida Association of Native Nurseries: fann.org

Intro to Beekeeping
2022-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Introduction to Beekeeping:
A Hobby with Sweet Rewards ~ Part 3

Keeping Your Hives Healthy
In this 3rd session of our series on the Introduction to Beekeeping we will cover what it takes to keep your hives healthy throughout the beekeeping seasons. We will review how to maintain healthy honeybee colonies, discuss how to recognize pests and diseases, and have an in- depth discussion on what you can do to support your bees, with a focus on organic beekeeping practices.
Agenda:

Managing diseases and pests
Traditional and organic beekeeping practices.
Best practices for healthy hives

Instructor: Robert Burkard, President of the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve’s Beekeepers Club
Additional Notes: This program will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium. An equal opportunity institution.
UF/IFAS Extension provides practical education you can trust, to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future.
REGISTER HERE

HUKYU BONSAI SOCIETY MEETING
2022-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Learn the art and techniques of Bonsai.

www.facebook.com/hukyubonsaisociety.
Call Kay Waldron at 727-376-0178 for details.

Gardening with Mushrooms
2022-04-15 11:00 - 12:30 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County for a conversation about using mushrooms to enhance your gardens!

Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County for a conversation about using mushrooms to enhance your gardens. Not always nefarious, fungi in the garden can be used to help build soil, process compost and support plant health. Participants have the option to take home a block of ready to grow mushrooms.
Notes – Please select only one of the available ticket options. The fee for each ticket type is included in the ticket type description. Be prepared to be outdoors working in the garden. Class will be in the Barbara Davis Educational Gardens located just south of the main office, we will have signs directing you.
Please submit special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event.
BUY TICKETS

Orchid Repotting
2022-04-16 10:00 - 23:30 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn the proper way to care for and propagate several varieties of orchids!

Do you have an orchid bursting from its pot and wonder what to do now? Learn the proper way to care for and propagate several varieties of orchids. Bring your overgrown orchid and pruners for a hands-on exercise of dividing the orchid. We will provide you with an orchid pot, potting media, and other materials. Registration and advance payment of $15 for materials is due by April 8 and guarantees your spot in class.
Please contact Katie Granberg at katiebg@ufl.edu with special accommodation requests at least 10 days prior to event.
BUY TICKETS

The Magic of Mushrooms
2022-04-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Mushroom Biology and Ecology

Mention mushrooms and most people think of three things: eating them, DYING from eating them and/or their use in recreational drug use. Let’s put those topics aside and explore fun facts about these fascinating and ecologically important organisms! Recommended for adults and youth over 12. Note: this class will NOT address edible wild mushrooms, BUT participants can purchase their own mini mushroom farm to watch the magic happen at home, thanks to the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve!
REGISTER HERE

Florida Native Plant Society Meeting
2022-05-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, FL, United States
The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at The Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd/US 41, Land O’ Lakes, 34639, between SR 52 and SR 54. The subject of the May 10, 2022 meeting is “The Good, The Bad and the Exceedingly Ugly: An Overview of the 2022 Florida Legislative Session” presented by Gene Kelly. The overview of the legislative session will be followed with a brief exploration of the Withlacoochee River in preparation for the May Field Trip.
Gene Kelly is a conservation biologist with more than 30 years of experience in Florida, including work with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and The Nature Conservancy. Gene currently serves as Chair of the Florida Native Plant Society’s Policy and Legislation Committee, and as Vice-Chair of the Good Neighbor Trail Advisory Committee. He was also a member of the Hernando County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Committee.
Meetings of the Chapter are free, and all interested parties are invited to attend and bring questions about their yard. There will not be any refreshments or drinks available, so everyone needs to bring their own. Telephone inquiries are taken by Molly at (813) 469-9597.
Nature Coast Chapter: naturecoastfnps@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PascoNativePlants

Nest Box Building Workshop
2022-05-21 10:30 - 12:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us for an in-person workshop to “make and take” a nest box for your yard!

Want to help our local cavity nesters?
Learn how to build your very own nest box for an Eastern Bluebird!
In this workshop you will learn about proper nest box placement and mounting, additional information specific to the nesting habits of Eastern Bluebirds, and other fun facts about this species!
We will be building a nest box for an Eastern Bluebird, which is a year-round resident in Pinellas County.
Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension.
The workshop costs $25
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Additional Notes: This program will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium.
Refunds will not be granted if you cannot install the nest box in your desired location.
If you are attending with friends or family and would like to team up and build one nest box between the group, please only purchase ONE ticket.
Interested in learning about how you can help our local cavity nesters before the workshop? Check out this webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GI2XMfv5TE-OlwLAOIWD7w

Soil School for Pasture
2022-05-24 18:00 - 19:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn about the important considerations for the forage foundation of your pasture.

This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Description: Learn about soil testing, soil types, pH, calculating fertilizer rates, and more; all important to the forage foundation for your pasture!
Program Topics:
*soil & tissue testing
*pH and interaction with forage plants
*types of soil
*N-P-K
*Determining fertilizer rates
This workshop will be held in person in the Conference Center at our office, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. Masks are recommended but not required.
This is a FREE workshop.
*Space is limited to the first 40 paid participants.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Persons requiring special accommodations, per the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact Allie Williams at least 10 days prior to the event.
For questions contact: Allie Williams at: 813-744-5519 Ext. 54119, allisonwilliams@ufl.edu

What's That? Plant ID for Beginners
2022-07-13 11:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
If you ever wondered how to figure out what plant is which, join this beginner plant ID webinar.

Not sure what that plant is in your backyard? New to Florida and unfamiliar with the new species? If you ever wondered how to figure out what plant is which, join this beginner plant ID webinar.
Please email katiebg@ufl.edu with any special accommodation requests at least 10 prior to the event.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Nature Investigators' Club
2022-08-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-08-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-08-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-08-26 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-09-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-09-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Explore different aspects of nature at the Florida Botanical Gardens!

Free admission, pre-registration only.

Do you have a child ages 3-7 who loves to explore nature? Become a Member of the Nature Investigators’ Club!
We will meet at the Florida Botanical Gardens each Friday at 10 AM to explore the different parts of nature and their interactions for a period of 6 weeks.

Benefits include:Small group: personal interactions with a certified environmental educatorTime in plant-rich environment, which has several proven health and wellness benefitsLearning through exploration, fostering development of higher-level problem solving skills
Opportunity to interact with other children, fostering teamwork and group collaboration skills
One (1) nature journal for use through the duration of the session.
Limited capacity:7 children slots for each sessionParent/Guardian must be present for the entirety of the session.

>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Talk Plants with Me
2022-08-11 11:30 - 13:00, 2022-09-08 11:30 - 13:00 | Online Event
Ask a Horticulture Agent Webinar!

Submit your questions to our Horticulture Agent for live Q&A. We will talk about hot topics in the plant world and may have a few guests join us along the way.
Please submit special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.ued at least 10 days prior to event.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Beekeeping Basics Workshop
2022-08-23 09:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn about honeybee biology, caring for your colonies, types of hives & more!

What’s all the buzz about?
UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County is hosting the Beekeeping Basics Workshop! This workshop is for aspiring and beginning beekeepers. Join us to learn about honeybee biology, caring for your colonies, types of hives, and more!
This workshop will be held in person in the Conference Center at our office, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. Masks are recommended but not required.
The $15 registration fee includes morning refreshments and educational materials.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Questions? Contact: Allie Williams, 813-744-5519 Ext. 54119, allisonwilliams@ufl.edu.
Persons requiring special accommodations, per the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact Allie Williams at least (10) ten days prior to the event.
The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Youth Program: Mosquito Mania
2022-08-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Have a future entomologist on your hands? Kids ages 6-11 are invited to learn about the wonderful world of insects!

We will discuss what makes insects different from other animals, what they need to live, their life cycle, and then apply what we learn to mosquitoes. After the presentation attendees can explore live aquatic insect stations and use microscopes to view them up close!
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. Registration is required and space is limited. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Presented by Kailey Travis, Environmental Specialist III with Pinellas County
Additional Notes: This program will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium. We will start promptly at 10am.

Happy Houseplants
2022-08-27 11:00 - 13:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a fun, in-person, hands-on class to learn the art and science of caring for houseplants!

Join us for a fun, in-person, hands-on class to learn the art and science of caring for houseplants. $25 entry fee allows you to take home your very own specially-selected, easy-care houseplant in a sub-irrigated container. $5 for the class only.
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

4-H FOR KIDS
2022-09-08 15:30 - 17:00, 2022-09-15 15:30 - 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Every Thursday
from 3:45 – 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 | Ages 8-12
A weekly after school program for children where they get weekly fun, hands-on learning experiences working and learning about organic gardening, outdoor animal care, and living with nature. Preregistration is required.
RESERVE A SPOT

Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society Meeting
2022-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, FL, United States
The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at The Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd/US 41, Land O’ Lakes, 34639, between SR 52 and SR 54. The subject of the September 13, 2022 meeting is “Native Ferns of West Central Florida”, presented by James Stevenson, an Extension Specialist with the University of Florida IFAS Extension Services in Pinellas County.
Ferns, which reproduce by spores, are the second-most diverse group of vascular plants on Earth and one of the oldest groups of plants, with a fossil record dating to nearly 400 million years ago. Their size range from over 60 feet tall to tiny plants, millimeters in size. Ferns are found in a variety of large naturally occurring communities, from tropical to northern forests and semiarid deserts. In Florida, most fern species can be found in damp and shady areas; rock crevices, bogs, swamps, acid wetlands and as epiphytes on tropical or even temperate trees. During this presentation we will explore the fascinating world of these ancient plants, study the natural history of ferns and get identification tips plus interesting facts.
James works out of the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs. There he teaches classes on a variety of natural resource conservation topics, including: plant identification, botany, entomology, ecology and particular groups of native plants such as ferns, wetland wildflowers and epiphytes. Exploring the natural world has been James’ passion since growing up in Clearwater. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Plant Ecology from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and then worked in botanical gardens around the world; from North Carolina to Europe & Israel. Before returning to Florida in 2006, James worked in the UK on his advanced degree at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and as the Assistant Curator at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. James doesn’t really understand gardening in Florida, so he now grows orchids and watches birds.
Meetings of the Chapter are free, and all interested parties are invited to attend and bring questions about their yard. There will not be any refreshments or drinks available, so everyone needs to bring their own. Telephone inquiries are taken by Molly at (813) 469-9597.
Nature Coast Chapter: naturecoastfnps@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PascoNativePlants

So You Want to Start a Farm?
2022-09-14 18:00 - 20:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Is the farm life for you? Join us to learn what it takes to start a farm and what questions to ask before you start.

Description: Have you thought about starting a small farm in Hillsborough County? You are probably excited to jump in and get started on creating your dream farm, but the key to a successful farm business it to plan it out first. The purpose of this workshop is to get you thinking about what it takes to start a farm.
This workshop is for beginner or aspiring farmers interested in starting a small farm in Hillsborough County. We will cover the factors to consider BEFORE starting your farm enterprise and send you home with resources to use as references while you plan out your farm.
Learning Objectives:
• Determine the factors to consider and questions to ask before starting a farm
• Evaluate your farm idea and fill in the gaps
Participants will receive educational materials and a worksheet to write down your ideas on how these factors could be addressed in your farm plan. This class will be an overview of these factors with resources provided for additional information – more in-depth information will be available in future workshops.
There is a $10 fee and registration is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
This workshop will be held in person in the Conference Center at our office, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584. Masks are recommended but not required.
Persons requiring special accommodations, per the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact Allie Williams at least 10 days prior to the event.
For questions contact: Allie Williams at: 813-744-5519 Ext. 54119, allisonwilliams@ufl.edu

Gardening with Mushrooms
2022-09-15 09:30 - 11:30 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County for a conversation about using mushrooms to enhance your gardens!

Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County for a conversation about using mushrooms to enhance your gardens. Not always nefarious, fungi in the garden can be used to help build soil, process compost and support plant health.
Please submit special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
