Gardening Leadership Training
2024-04-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-04-26 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn the skills you need to be an effective leader & garden advocate!

This is a series of three classes! Register for however many you would like to take, however, those who complete all three classes will receive Garden Leadership Certification. All classes are free and in person at the Extension Office (1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL) in the Aalberg meeting room.
April 12 – Leadership Orientation and Team Building
April 19 – Conflict Resolution and Decision Making
April 26 – Grant Writing and Garden Administration
The Garden Leadership training series is a collection of classes and activities designed to educate individuals seeking leadership positions in public gardens. The classes are open to everyone, but will be tailored toward community gardens, school gardens, and other public gardens. Topics include team building, conflict management, grant writing, and more! For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at (941) 722-4524 ext.1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Mack Lessig, mlessig@ufl.edu, (941) 722-4524 x 1821 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

The Gift of Trees
2024-04-19 10:30 - 12:00 | ZOOM, United States
Join us for a crash course in trees!
We will cover the value of trees in our communities, tree selection and planting, maintenance, pruning and long term care considerations.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Wild Florida 101- Marvelous Mushrooms
2024-04-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
This series explores the wonderful and wild animals that call Florida home.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Bio-Blitz
2024-04-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Be a citizen scientist!

Learn how to be a community scientist, gathering data on the flora and fauna of the Preserve. This “Bio-Blitz” using the iNaturalist phone app (free) will give us an idea of the density and diversity of pollinators and the plants they depend on. This activity is a part of our Earth Day Birthday Celebration.
Meet in front of the auditorium at 9am! Space is limited. Please be courteous and CANCEL your ticket if you can no longer attend.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Arbor Day Celebration & Tree Giveaway
2024-04-27 08:00 - 13:00 | Cearwater Public Works Complex, 1650 No. Arcturas Avenue, Clearwater, FL, 33765, United States
The city of Clearwater is celebrating its 42nd year as Tree City USA with our annual Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway.
The event will be held Saturday, April 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Public Works Complex, 1650 N. Arcturas Ave. in Clearwater. Please access the site via Hercules Avenue and Sherwood Street.
Clearwater residents must get in line with their vehicles; no walk-ups will be allowed. Bring proof that you are a City of Clearwater resident, such as a utility bill and your driver’s license. If proof of residency is not provided, a ticket to receive your free trees will not be issued. Trees are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis, while supplies last. Species this year include Live Oak, Red Maple, Crape Myrtle’s, Walters Viburnum, Bottlebrush, Simpson Stopper, Silver Buttonwood, Green Buttonwood and many more.
Residents are not to plant trees in the right of way (along the curb). The city wishes that all these trees are planted on private property and in an open space.
Call (727) 562-4950 with questions.

Skip into Spring Hike
2024-04-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
From flowers and plants blooming, to animals enjoying the spring weather, the season is full of fascinating wildlife to explore in our Florida ecosystem. All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

EPC Clean Air Fair 2024
2024-05-02 11:30 - 13:30 | FL
Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission is holding its Clean Air Fair at Poe Plaza in Downtown Tampa. The fair includes community exhibits, prize drawings and complimentary refreshments. Tampa Audubon will have a booth at the fair.
For details, go to https://www.epchc.org/divisions/air/clean-air-fair

Wild Florida 101- Recording Nature
2024-05-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
This series explores the wonderful and wild animals that call Florida home.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Spring Native Garden Tour
2024-05-04 09:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-11 09:00 - 14:00 | FL
Visit native plant landscapes to expand your knowledge of native species and get design ideas you can use in your own garden!
On the first two weekends in May, Pinellas County native plant enthusiasts will open their gardens to interested community members who are seeking education and inspiration. Most gardens were professionally designed, but others were the creations of the homeowners.
Learn about native plants that may be happy in your garden and see how they perform once established. Talk to the homeowners and designers to learn what they love about their gardens, what wildlife they support, and what challenges homeowners have faced – and overcome – in converting their more traditional landscapes to native habitat.
The tour will take place over two weekends. Please register for each day separately.

Saturday, May 4th, 2024: Homes SOUTH of Ulmerton Road
Saturday, May 11th, 2024: Homes NORTH of Ulmerton Road

There will be about six gardens available to view each day. You may visit them in any order. The list of tour locations, with supporting information on each, will be emailed to you approximately one week before the tour.
Registration is limited, so sign up today!
Participation in the tour is free, but the Pinellas Chapter is requesting tourgoers to make a voluntary donation ($10 suggested) to the West Klosterman Preserve Group. Donations will be used to purchase scrub/sandhill property adjacent to Mariner’s Point Preserve at the western end of Klosterman Road near Tarpon Springs. For more information and to donate, please visit this link.
Register online via Eventbrite.com

Compost Happens Workshop
2024-05-09 | FL
Composting – learn how to turn trash into treasure!

Due to COVID-19 , we will conduct a special COMPOST HAPPENS workshop online, via Zoom. No additional software or extra computer skills are necessary – just click to join! A link for joining the workshop will be provided to registrants via email the day prior, with product pick-up to occur on Saturday, February 6, 2021 between the hours of 12 – 2 p.m. or by special arrangement, if needed.
Be sure to look for the other workshops in our Triple Workshop Series:
MICROIRRIGATION 2-5-21
Online registration and more information:
RAINWATER HARVESTING 2-6-21
Online registration and more information:
For your convenience, these workshops are offered monthly and may be taken individually, with no requirement to take consecutively or all together.
Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
This workshop is for Hillsborough County residents only.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a non-refundable $5.00 registration fee per workshop/household. If, upon registration, our records indicate you or someone in your household or at your address has previously attended, you will be ineligible to attend and the registration fee will not be refunded, nor can the fee be credited toward a future workshop or transferred to another party.
THURSDAY, February 4, 2021 – 11:00 A.M. TO 12 P.M. – COMPOSTING: Learn to turn trash into treasure! Hillsborough County residents 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.)
***Registrants will receive an emailed Zoom link to access the Webinar the day before the program. *If you do not receive the ZOOM link, please check your SPAM folder for an email from Starling Morris (MorrisSA@hillsboroughcounty.org). If no link is received, please contact Starling at 813-744-5519 Ext 54127 for assistance.
Sponsored by UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, Public Utilities, University of Florida/IFAS, Tampa Bay Water and the Tampa Water Department.
***Reminder: If our records indicate you attended a workshop in the past, you will not be permitted to re-attend and your registration fee will not be refunded, is non-transferable, and may not be credited toward a future workshop.***
Attending a workshop on behalf of another person is not permitted. No photographs or recording of presentations is allowed without prior permission from the presenter(s).
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.

Vegetable Microirrigation Workshop on ZOOM
2024-05-09 10:00 - 11:00 | ZOOM, United States
Get some help for a successful vegetable garden.
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how to grow vegetables with the convenience of a microirrigation kit. It will conserve water and save time. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a vegetable microirrigation kit after attending this workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Participants can schedule a time/date to pick up the kit.
This workshop will be offered remotely through Zoom. You do not need additional software or more than basic computer skills to attend.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Bay Friendly Landscaping Workshop
2024-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn to create a landscape that is beautiful and provides valuable ecosystem services in our Bay Friendly Landscaping class. This class will focus on selecting plants that are low maintenance and are adapted to the extreme conditions that we have here in Florida, including sandy soil, high winds, drought, and flooding. These will help protect Tampa Bay by reducing fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. Proper plant selection can also help the environment by providing habitat for wildlife and reduce your costs associated with landscape maintenance. This class will be held in person and attendees will receive a hard copy of the “Plant This, Not That” book.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
***The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact: Tia Silvasy, tsilvasy@ufl.edu, 813-744-5519, at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

International Compost Awareness Week ft. Renuable
2024-05-09 12:00 - 15:00 | Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, 2101 East Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33605, United States
Homegrown Hillsborough Presents: International Compost Awareness Week ft. Renuable
Join the Renuable Team on Thursday May 9th at the The Entrepreneur Collaborative Center in Ybor for an afternoon of creating conversation for change via composting!
Ever wondered what composting truly is and wonder what’s so special about it?
Renuable’s Team will be sharing the importance of composting and its ability to offset and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sharing what (unfortunately) happens to food waste when it sits in landfills, and sharing the magic of the regenerative properties of what food waste can turn into when composted & is turned into its final rich nutrient form!
Renuable will share all about the operations of their residential, community and commercial compost programs and how to get you & the community involved in their guardianship of the soils efforts!
This event is free but please register in advance if interested.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Free parking is available directly across Palm Avenue.
CONTACT: HELLO@LIVERENUABLE.COM

Botany Walk
2024-05-10 09:30 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join James Stevenson to explore the fascinating plants found at Brooker Creek Preserve!
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.
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.
A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.
Pets are not permitted.
No smoking is allowed.
An Equal Opportunity Institution.

>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

FFL 101: Putting Florida Back Into Your Garden
2024-05-11 10:00 - 14:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. Doors will open at 9am so that you can tour the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden.
Open to CITY OF TAMPA AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENTS/ EMPLOYEES ONLY.
We will conduct this Florida Friendly Landscaping™ workshop in person only at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, Florida 33584.
This year’s FFL 101 theme is ‘Putting Florida Back Into Your Garden’. Our speakers will help you face the changes and challenges in your Florida landscape. Presentations include expert guidance on:
1. native plants
2. how to prune native plants
3. healthy soils in urban landscapes
4. Tampa Bay Water Community Water Wise Awards program
There is a $10.00 fee per person attending for lunch. Workshop giveaways will be provided to attendees on the date of the event: one goodie bag per household containing educational materials and water efficiency items.
P LEASE NOTE: The $10.00 fee is non-refundable. Registration per attendee is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Attending the workshop on behalf of another person is not permitted.
Closed captioning for the hearing impaired is available if requested.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Lynn Barber (see contact information below) at least one week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
Questions? Contact: Julia Palaschak, City of Tampa Water Department, 813-274-5912, julia.palaschak@tampagov.net or
Lynn Barber, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 813-744-5519 Ext. 54105, barberl@hillsboroughcounty.org.

Our Gift to Trees
2024-05-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join us for a crash course in trees. We will cover selection and planting, maintenance, pruning and long term care considerations. Take home a free tree at the end of the class!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Landscape Design Workshop
2024-05-14 09:00 - 15:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join UF Professor Dr. Gail Hansen to learn all about Sustainable Landscape Design for your Florida yard.

Tuesday, May 14 at 9am (1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL)
$25 per person; scholarships available, email Alyssa Vinson at alyvinson@ufl.edu for more information.
Agenda:
9:00 – Gathering Information

Site Inventory and analysis
Client Interview
Selecting a style theme
Florida-Friendly styles

10:00 – Plant selection

Ecology- right plant, right place
Function
Aesthetics- texture, form, and color

12:00 – Lunch-On Your Own
1:00 – Landscape Design Principles
2:00 – Worksheets

Selecting plants for a landscape
Design Practice

3:00 – Adjourn
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Microirrigation Workshop on Zoom
2024-05-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-06-01 09:30 - 11:00 | ZOOM, United States
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how you can have healthy and attractive landscape beds while conserving water. This irrigation method not only conserves water, but is not limited by current water restrictions as is traditional in-ground irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a microirrigation kit after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
NOTE: You will need to make an appointment with our receptionist at 813-744-5519 to come in and pick up your items after May 16th. All items must be picked up within 30 days of the date of the workshop. No exceptions.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Backyard Composting on Zoom
2024-05-15 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 <<<

Native Garden Tour
2024-05-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Are you interested in learning more about Florida native plants, and how you can incorporate more native plants into your existing landscape? Join us for an informative 1 hour walking tour of our mostly native plant landscape at UF IFAS Extension Manatee County where you can see a wide variety of native plants and learn about caring for them from the folks who maintain them. You will have the opportunity to ask questions as we go. We’ll be walking about the grounds, so please bring sun protection.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Funky Fungi Hike
2024-05-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Enter the mysterious world of fungi! This hike will focus on the magic of mushrooms and lichens. Hand lenses will be available to borrow. All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Irrigation Design 101
2024-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
Join Brian J Rigney, Program Assistant, as he discusses the basics of great irrigation design. Learn helpful information for installing your new or retrofitted in-ground irrigation system! This class satisfies the irrigation educational class requirement for the Manatee County Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
Additional Information:
Contact Mr. Rigney (941) 722-4524 X 1828 for further class information. Minimum class size required or class will be cancelled and registered attendees will be notified.
For further information on the Outdoor Water Rebate Program, contact: Manatee County Utility Department – Tina (941) 792-8811 X 5327 or tina.moutoux@mymanatee.org
Book your FREE irrigation and landscape evaluation with the Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL). Call (941) 722-4524 X 1828 to sign up today.
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Brian Rigney at BrianRigney@ufl.edu or (941) 722-4524 at least one week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Drought Tolerant Plants
2024-05-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Online Event
Keep your landscape looking beautiful with the right plants.
Learn how to choose beautiful drought tolerant plants for your landscape and know what to put back on the shelf! Valrie Massey, Horticulture Program Assistant, will show samples of Florida friendly plants suitable for Manatee County residents and discuss the difference between the good and the bad plant!
Minimum class size is required or class will be postponed. All those that register will be notified if postponed.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
More Information:
Contact: Valrie (941) 722-4524 Ext 1829 or vmassey@ufl.edu for further class information.
This class satisfies the landscape educational class requirement for the Manatee County Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program. For further information on the program, please contact: Tina 941-792-8811, Ext 5327 or tina.moutoux@mymanatee.org
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Florida First Detector Workshop
2024-05-30 09:30 - 16:00 | FL
Learn how to detect exotic, invasive pests!
Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of exotic, invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas.
Snacks and beverages will be available during the class. Please bring your own lunch.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Agenda:
9:30 AM Welcome and Introduction
9:35 AM Pre-workshop Survey
9:45 AM Introduction to Invasive Pests and Pathways
10:05 AM What is a Bug?
10:20 AM Activity: Build-A-Bug
10:35 AM Beetle Trapping/Woodboring Beetles
10:55 AM Asian Long Horned Beetle
11:15 AM Emerald Ash Borer
11:35 AM Palm Weevil
11:55 AM Bromeliad Weevil & Management
12:15 PM Lunch Break (Please bring your own lunch)
12:35 PM Giant African Land Snail
1:30 PM Channeled Apple Snail
1:50 PM Biological Controls
2:10 PM Activity: Plant Diseases
2:30 PM Lethal Bronzing
2:50 PM Sample Submission and DDIS
3:10 PM Activity: Pest Walk
3:30 PM Activity: Microscope Display
3:50 PM Post-workshop Survey
4:00 PM Conclusion
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Invasive Plants to Know and Avoid
2024-06-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension for a discussion on Invasive plants.
How can we tell the difference between the plants we want in our landscape and those that might be problematic? What’s the difference between a nuisance plant and an invasive plant? Join UF/IFAS Extension for a discussion on Invasive plants; what are they? how do we identify them? what can we use in our landscapes instead?
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Orchid Care Academy I: Intro to Orchids
2024-06-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
A series of cultivation secrets!
Part 1 of a 4 part series on orchids! Intro to Orchids: Which type of orchid fits your environment and lifestyle? Learn about orchid species, hybrids, and cultivars and their basic care.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
