Turtle Bioartifacts
2022-10-07 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Turtle Bioartifacts
And What They Can Teach Us

Examine turtle bioartifacts and learn about turtle biology and ecology!

Dive into turtle science 101 with local herpetologist and environmental educator George L. Heinrich! This hands-on workshop will explore turtle bioartifacts (natural history objects) commonly found during nature forays. Numerous specimens of shells and skulls will allow us to learn about turtle anatomy and species diversity. We will also examine a variety of eggs and dissect gopher tortoise scat. Participants may also get to observe some of the Preserve’s resident gopher tortoises.
This workshop will take place outdoors, under the covered pavilion adjacent to the Cultural and Natural History Center. This program is recommended for ages 16+ and youth should be accompanied by an adult.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Weedon Island. Our Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Learn more about our Friends at https://friendsofweedonisland.org/.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Where Did the Snakes Go?
2023-11-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Where Did the Snakes Go?
The Parasite Behind Pygmy Rattlesnake Declines
Learn about new research from the University of Central Florida’s Biology Department!
Precipitous declines of Sistrurus miliarius are spatially and temporally consistent with the initial invasion of the lung parasite, Raillietiella orientalis (RO). RO is suspected to have been introduced by the established Burmese pythons in South Florida and causes disease in snakes native to the southeastern United States. Eighteen species of native snakes are documented as definitive hosts in Florida but pathology and risk of disease development between species is understudied. During this program, Jenna will introduce the invasive lung parasite, uncover what species are at risk of infections in the southeastern US, and why pygmy rattlesnakes are an exceptionally vulnerable host.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Lionfish Dissection
2024-03-31 15:00 - 16:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Join us for an exciting lionfish dissection in our classroom. Learn how this beautiful invader threatens our ecosystem, and examine its stomach contents to find out which bay species it has been snacking on. All lionfish specimens are harvested as part of invasive species removal programs in Florida and donated to us.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom. All dissection guests must purchase a ticket to enter the classroom.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Conserving Wildlife and Wildlands: Building a Career in Herpetology
2024-04-06 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn how an independent wildlife biologist built a career in herpetology!
This engaging presentation will examine how an independent wildlife biologist built a career focused on conserving wildlife and wildlands, with an emphasis on turtles. George L. Heinrich has had a lifelong passion for amphibians and reptiles, which began with salamanders and turtles observed in the local woods during his New England childhood. Over a half century later, he now works as a field biologist and environmental educator specializing in Florida reptiles and focuses on projects that drive conservation. There will be plenty of entertaining stories from the field.
This program is recommended for adults and children 7+
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Budding Romances!
2024-04-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
An entertaining exploration of bugs and bloomers.
Sex is a driving force that shapes the lives of all living things, so animals and plants have more in common than you might think. What is this force that unifies us all? How does it function? What are some of the astonishing, outrageous, and wildly bizarre ways that Nature gets the job done? Armed with his camera and thinking cap, John Lampkin has been photo-documenting some answers over the past 25 years in gardens far and wide. Including Brooker Creek. This program will amaze, entertain and educate on mating like you’ve never seen it before! Geared towards adults.
This program is recommended for an adult audience only.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Fantastic Frogs
2024-08-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Have you ever heard the chorus of frogs after a rainstorm and wondered what frogs you were hearing? Or found a frog on your porch and weren’t sure how to identify it? If so, this program is for you. Learn to identify the top 10 common frogs in our area!
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE

Lionfish dissection in our classroom!
2024-09-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Join us for an exciting lionfish dissection in our classroom. Learn how this beautiful invader threatens our ecosystem, and examine its stomach contents to find out which bay species it has been snacking on. All lionfish specimens are harvested as part of invasive species removal programs in Florida and donated to us.
For all ages! • 1 Hour
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom. All dissection guests must purchase a ticket to enter the classroom.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Hands-on squid dissection!
2024-09-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
What makes a mollusc a mollusc? During this hands-on squid dissection, you’ll find out! Participants will learn about the wide variety of molluscs found in our region and what sets them apart from other animals. This program is held in our indoor classroom and space is limited.
For all ages! • 1 Hour
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom. All dissection guests must purchase a ticket to enter the classroom.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Specialty Dissections
2024-10-26 11:30 - 13:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Ages 12+ • 2 Hour
These events are limited to ages 12 and up due to its subject and the graphic nature of the dissection. Any child under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Spots are limited, so please register ahead of time. Check the calendar to see what dissection is coming up next!

Shark Dissection:
We welcome guests to explore the beauty and complexity of our ocean’s top predators during this 2 hour shark program and dissection. Through this educational event, we hope to foster respect and understanding of sharks and the important roles they play in our ecosystems. Classes are limited as we only use specimens that have been donated by marine research organizations.
Iguana Dissection:
Florida’s subtropical climate has allowed iguanas to survive and reproduce at a rapid rate. Through this hands-on dissection, you will learn more about the characteristics of this invasive species, as well as ways you can help protect Florida’s ecosystem from these creatures.

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