Bugs, bugs, bugs!
2022-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a Workshop on Pest and Beneficial Insects. Get answers to your garden pest questions.

Do you want to learn more about pest and beneficial insects? During this 2-hour class we’ll cover insect life cycles, managements, identification, and more.
For more information, please contact Mack Lessig at (941) 722-4524 ext. 1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu. For special accomodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Native Plant Sale
2022-10-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States

Nature Investigators' Club
2022-10-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-10-14 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 <<<

HUKYU BONSAI SOCIETY MEETING
2022-10-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-12-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-01-14 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.

Talk Plants with Me
2022-10-13 11:30 - 13:00, 2022-11-10 11:30 - 13:00, 2022-12-08 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 <<<

Organic Gardening Series: Soils & Compost
2022-10-14 09:00 - 11:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how to optimize your soil for organic gardening!

Organic gardening success begins with soil building. This class will cover soil amendments for adding organic matter and nutrients to keep plants healthy and stress-free.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Please submit special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event. Refund requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before event.

Veggie Influenza
2022-10-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a class on common vegetable diseases!

This workshop is designed to educate the casual gardener about some of the most common vegetable diseases in Florida and in Manatee County. In this roughly two hour class, participants will learn the basic biology of pathogenic organisms, how to identify common disease symptoms, and acquire some basic disease management skills. This workshop is not designed for professional landscapers or pesticide applicators.
For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Magic of Mushrooms
2022-10-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Mushroom Biology and Ecology, mushroom growing kits available for purchase

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 <<<

Organic Gardening Series: Propagation
2022-10-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn where to source organic seeds, how to grow and plant them, and tips for propagation by cuttings!

Organically grown transplants for the garden can be difficult to find. You can grow your own and experiment with different varieties along the way. Learn where to source organic seeds, how to grow and plant them, and tips for propagation by cuttings.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Please send special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to the event. Refund requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before event.

Pumpkin Fest
2022-10-22 12:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-23 12:00 - 16:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Join us for our 7th Annual Pumpkin Fest!

Purchase pumpkins on site, $10 each. Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation Members receive their first pumpkin free!

Join us for a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, and spooky activities from our returning sponsors Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscaping Association and County Farm Bureau.
Additional vendors will be on site with information and activities, and our Botanical Bounty Gift Shop will have seasonal items for sale.

Pasture & Grazing Management Seminar
2022-10-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Hillsborough County Cattlemen’s Association, 6404 S County Road 39, Plant City, FL, 33567, United States
Join us to learn management strategies that can help you utilize your pastures more efficiently.
Grazing is the most economical way to feed livestock.
Throughout this seminar, you will learn how to address soil fertility, weed management, and grazing management for your pastures! Whether you raise cattle, horses, goats, or other animals – pasture management is a key component to healthy animals and forage.
*Learn about the importance of soil fertility for your forages, as well as how to take soil samples.
*Do you have pasture weeds competing with more desirable forages for soil nutrients? We will cover strategies for managing pasture weeds.
*Is your stocking rate appropriate? Learn how this can affect the forage availability, forage utilization and animal performance.
This workshop will be held in person at the Hillsborough County Cattlemen’s Association, 6404 S County Road 39, Plant City, FL 33567.
Registration will start at 5:30pm with the program starting at 6:00pm.
The $10 registration fee covers educational materials and supper. Registration is required.
Persons requiring special accommodations, per the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact Allie Williams at least 10 days prior to the event.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
For questions contact: Allie Williams at: 813-744-5519 Ext. 54119, allisonwilliams@ufl.edu
The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Plant Food 101
2022-11-04 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for Plant Food 101! Come find out what plants need to grow.
In this two-hour workshop, we will covering basic plant nutrition. Learn about the role that nitrogen, potassium, and other elements play within a plant. For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at (941) 722-4524 ext.1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu. For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Flowers: A Botanical Approach
2022-11-16 14:00 - 15:00 | ZOOM, United States
Let us explore the REAL story of the flower, from its modest first iterations to the myriad of forms this often-breathtaking sex organ has taken. From a messy collection of fertile leaves some of the most complex insect-trapping/tricking devices, we will trace the development of the flower and discover its parts and processes.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
Recommended for adults and youth over 12
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Seed Saving Strategies
2022-11-18 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Have you ever thought about saving seeds from your favorite vegetables? Join us for this two-hour workshop about seed saving strategies. Topics will include plant mating systems, isolation techniques, seed processing, and more!
For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at 941-722-4524 ext. 1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu. For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Role of Native Bees in Our Landscape
2022-12-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States

Florida's Carnivorous Plants
2022-12-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn about Florida’s amazing carnivorous plants!

Learn about Florida’s endemic carnivorous plants! Florida has dozens of native species of carnivorous plants––more than any other state in the United States—including sundews, butterworts, bladderworts, and pitcher plants. These plants use appealing scents, leaves, and sticky fluids to trap and imprison insects. Digestive fluids then absorb the prey giving the plant its nutrients. Learn the evolution, people, and natural history of this area to discover why Florida is a hotspot of carnivorous plants.

Presented by Kenny Coogan, author of the new book “Florida’s Carnivorous Plants”.
Kenny’s book “Florida’s Carnivorous Plants” and a selection of carnivorous plants will be available for purchase after the talk!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Air-Sitters: The Truth About Epiphytic Plants
2023-01-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
So: Spanish moss does not kill tress and neither does mistletoe… Any questions? Join us to explore the adaptations and ecological roles of the “Air Plants.” We’ll examine how they live, reproduce, and contribute to a healthy ecosystem, AND why they do not belong stuffed in a seashell in your windowless guest bathroom.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

The Power of Fungi
2023-01-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States

Botany Walk
2023-01-13 09:30 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
We will identify wildflowers, ferns, epiphytes, trees and more. The ecology of various plant communities will also be examined. Best suited for adult participants. Registration is required.
This is a free hike, however space is limited. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Guided Hike Information

Guided hikes are under a mile in length, much of which is on unimproved, uneven sandy trails.
Hikes take about two (2) hours to complete.
Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, sneakers or boots.
Insect repellent (bug spray) is strongly recommended in summer months.
Bring plenty of drinking water and a snack.
A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.
Pets are not permitted.
No smoking is allowed.
An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Compost Basics
2023-01-14 09:30 - 11:00 | Online Event
Mulch and compost can play an important role in the health of your soil and landscape. Join Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Educator, Melissa West, to find out the benefits of compost by recycling your leaves, pine needles, grass clippings and kitchen scraps. You will learn the step-by-step process from finding the right location, choosing a container or creating a compost pile to produce “black gold” for a thriving garden.
This is a free event, registration required.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Defend Yourself! How Bugs and Bloomers Survive
2023-01-14 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Insects and plants have evolved often astonishing and sometimes bizarre ways to survive when everything is out to eat them. For more than a decade, John Lampkin has been photo-documenting thorns and thistles and chemical cocktails, as bugs and bloomers battle it out. The result is a visually delightful, fun, and educational exploration of a 450-million-year-old “arms race.”
Presented by John Lampkin: John Lampkin’s photographs grace the pages of field guides, websites and magazines and he won the “American Butterflies” magazine 2020 photo contest. As a neo-classical composer, he won international prizes for his “Piano Concerto” and woodwind quintets. He has constructed many crossword puzzles, often with Nature themes, for the NY Times, LA Times and Wall Street Journal. At heart, he is just a guy with a camera who enjoys thinking and sharing what he discovers.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Youth Program: Trees!
2023-01-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Celebrate Florida Arbor Day!
Explore the inside and outside of trees with hands-on activities and more as we celebrate Florida Arbor Day!
Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension. Targeted for upper elementary and middle school aged youth.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Easy Plant Identification: The Big 4
2023-01-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Explore the major plant groups!

If you can remember four plant groups (that you’ve already heard of) you have made a big step in plant ID! Let’s explore the Big Four and what makes a plant belong to one particular group. Hopefully you will be shocked and amazed at how much you already know!
Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
