Wind Pollination: How and Why?
2023-04-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM, United States
Allergy season is upon us, and airborne pollen is likely to blame. Learn the truth about what species are responsible, what species are NOT and how plants have evolved to take advantage of this free pollination service.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor. Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Fort De Soto Field Trip
2023-04-15 08:00 - 10:00 | De Soto National Memorial Park, 8250 De Soto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, United States
Spring at Fort De Soto offers a multitude of bird species migrating to their nesting grounds. What will we spot this year? Join us to find out!
This field trip will be capped at 30 participants.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Rye Preserve Tour
2023-04-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Join the Manatee County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers on an educational stroll.

Take a hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Branch and learn about Florida’s native plants, natural history, and early settlement of the area.
Suitable for all ages.
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to the event.
Register HERE!

Rye Preserve Tour
2023-04-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Tour Rye Preserve with a Master Gardener!
Take a hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants, natural history, and early settlement of the area.
Suitable for all ages.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Saturday Guided Hike
2023-04-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-04-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-04-22 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-04-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-04-29 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-04-30 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-05-06 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-05-07 09:00 - 11:00 and 2 more dates | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the trails and boardwalks of the Weedon Island Preserve.

Explore the mangrove and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided hike of the Preserve. Learn about the coastal environment, native wildlife, and early history of the island. This tour is for adults and youth ages 10 and up. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center for a short introduction before departing for the trails. The total hike length may be up to two miles. This hike may traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly. Afterwards, attendees will return to the Center to complete an evaluation of the hike and explore the museum’s exhibits.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Proceeds from this program go to the Friends of Weedon Island. The Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Become a Friend today!

Swallow-Tailed Kites & People Who Track Them
2023-04-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
The Story of Swallow-Tailed Kites
And the People Who Track Them
Swallow-tailed Kites that breed in North America spend most of their lives on the wing traveling over vast distances. It is a treacherous journey at a treacherous time for this neo-tropical species that breeds primarily in the southern states, with Florida being their primary breeding grounds. They are highly social birds with intricate lives and are among one of the most beautiful birds in the world. People have tracked them from the ground, from the water, from the air and with tracking devices to study their migratory patterns, their life cycles and their social habits.
Join Barbara Walker of the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue for this enlightening, photographic enriched program and meet a live kite!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.

Plant Harvest
2023-04-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL, 33572, United States
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers for a native grass harvest project at Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572. We will be pulling the plugs of plants from the ground of the marsh (it’s tough work!) which will be planted at an upcoming Earth Day event at Lassing Park.
Click here to register to volunteer

Earth Night
2023-04-20 17:30 - 20:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center’s annual party, Earth Night, will be held Thursday, April 20, 5:30 – 8:00 PM at Tampa Bay Watch Headquarters in Tierra Verde.
This year’s event, Grown in the Gulf, is a celebration of local food, beverages, and creativity, and an occasion to taste and learn about sustainable seafood.
Click here to read more about the event and get your tickets!

Youth Earth Day Hike
2023-04-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Let’s Celebrate Earth Day!
Celebrate Earth Day by exploring our local natural wonders on a leisurely hike along the Ed Center Trail! Stick around after the hike and visit our nature activity stations in the Ed Center.
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. Registration is required. Space is limited and this program will cap at 30 participants. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program. Meet in the Exhibit Hall.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Perico Preserve Tour
2023-04-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Tour Perico Preserve with a Master Gardener!

Explore one of Manatee County’s newest preserves and learn about Florida’s native plants, how they benefit wildlife, and how they can be used in the home landscape.
Learn about the wide variety of ecosystems on display and how the preserve was transformed into what it is today.
Suitable for all ages.
Please meet at the pavilion right next to the parking lot at 9AM.
>>> 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 Katie Granberg, katiebg@ufl.edu, (941) 722-4524 x 1815 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Earth Day Living Shoreline Project
2023-04-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Lassing Park, 2042 Beach Dr SE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Celebrate Earth Day by restoring the bay with us! We’ll be installing an oyster shell bar, planting native grasses and picking up trash from the shoreline of Lassing Park.
Register for this project.

This or That? Birds!
2023-04-25 12:00 - 13:00 | ZOOM, United States
Inspired by the “This or That? A Beginner’s Guide to Commonly Misidentified Animals and Plants in Florida”, this presentation will feature key characteristics to differentiate between common birds found in Pinellas County. Step up your naturalist skills by participating in this lunch-n-learn webinar.
Presented by Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Youth Program: Planet Protectors!
2023-04-29 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Help Protect our Planet!
For true nature lovers, this thrilling program is full of educational fun. It is specifically designed for Florida students to understand what can be done for the environment in their home town and then express that knowledge through multiple artistic mediums. We’ll also meet some very special animal ambassadors!
Presented by Paige Konger of Paige’s Planet. Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Clearwater Audubon Society Bird Walk
2023-05-06 07:00 - 08:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Take a guided hike on Moccasin Lake’s nature trail while seeking birds by sight and sound. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Meet in Moccasin Lake Parking Lot. Free event!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Clearwater Audubon Society Bird Walk
2023-05-06 08:00 - 10:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Take a guided hike on Moccasin Lake’s nature trail while seeking birds by sight and sound. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Meet in Moccasin Lake Parking Lot.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Native Plant Walk LLP
2023-05-06 09:00 - 10:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
This program is led by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society’s Joel Jackson and Tina Patterson and supported by Tampa Audubon.
Come and learn about the real natural Florida and why it is so important to protect it during a plant walk at Lettuce Lake. The walks take place the first Saturday of the month, with no walks in July, August or December.
Meet in the visitor center for a short orientation slide show, then the walk is on the park’s boardwalk and nature trails.
Advance registration is required.
Things to know

Program is free, but the $2 per vehicle (up to eight people) park entry fee applies
Walk will last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours
Expect to walk 1 mile
Maximum of 25 participants
For larger parties, please email Suncoast Native Plant Society’s Joel Jackson
Meet at the Visitor’s Center

Things to bring

Water
Comfortable shoes
Sunscreen
Hat, if needed

The Ways of Water Hike
2023-05-06 09:00 - 22:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Water is an important feature at Brooker Creek Preserve .
On this hike you will learn the different ways we interact with water, the importance of wetlands and how you can make a difference in issues surrounding our water quality and quantity. Come and enjoy this family friendly fall walk through the woods.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Wading Bird Walk
2023-05-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Meet the wading birds of the Weedon Island Preserve on a guided walk of the trails.

Learn the identifying marks and behaviors of the most common wading birds at Weedon Island Preserve during a guided walk of the trails. This walk will take place during a low tide so participants will have the best chance for viewing wildlife that forage on the exposed tidal flats!
This tour is for adults and youth ages 10 and up. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center for a short introduction before departing for the trails. The total hike length may be up to two miles. This hike may traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly. Afterwards, attendees will return to the Center to complete an evaluation of the hike and explore the museum exhibits.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Proceeds from this program go to the Friends of Weedon Island. The Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Become a Friend today!

DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve Tour
2023-05-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Riverview Pointe Preserve, Bradenton, FL, United States
Join the Manatee County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers on an educational stroll.

Casually stroll through the beautiful Riverview Pointe Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment.
Suitable for all ages.
Tour begins in the parking area of DeSoto National Memorial Park and enters into Riverview Pointe Preserve.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to the event.

Beginning Bird Walk
2023-05-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
Important! Pre-registration is required and participation is limited to the first 10 people who sign up. If you have not yet been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, we respectfully request that you do not join us for this outing. Tampa Audubon reserves the right to cancel outings as necessary to respond to COVID-19.
Entrance fee for park $2. Meet in the parking lot by the Visitor’s Center in Lettuce Lake Park at 9 am. We’ll walk the boardwalk or trails, depending on where the best birds are. We have binoculars to loan, and someone will have a spotting scope so you can get up really close and personal! Bring water and a snack.
RSVP to trip leader Megan Campbell at megan.campbell@tampaaudubon.org.

If you have not yet been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, we respectfully request that you do not join us for this outing. Tampa Audubon reserves the right to cancel outings as necessary to respond to COVID-19. All participants must fill out the TAS Wellness Self-Certification: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GEGETVjrxTjthmKHpuDaMGIq_WdHLYKb/view?usp=sharing

NOAA Aircraft Operations & Hurricanes
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about hurricane research and reconnaissance with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Join us for a talk with Alan Goldstein, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aircraft Acquisition Program Manager, to learn about hurricane research and reconnaissance using specialized aircrafts.
Alan Goldstein is the NOAA Aircraft Acquisition Program Manager, responsible for all new aircraft acquisitions. Previously, he was a design engineer and head of the Science and Engineering Branch at NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center. Alan has over 46 years of experience with NOAA aircraft, including 350 hurricane penetrations and has participated in research projects from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic. He is married to Michelle Goldstein, who volunteers as a docent at the WIP Cultural and Natural History Center and leads the Tot Time programs. They both enjoy traveling and the outdoors, including kayaking at Weedon Island.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
