2024 ECO Educator Workshop
2024-07-10 09:00 - 15:30, 2024-07-11 09:00 - 15:30, 2024-07-12 09:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
See what the training is all about in our two promo videos: Video 1 or Video 2
Exploring Environmental Education Curriculum Options (ECO) Teacher Training Workshop
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Pinellas County’s Natural Resources Agent has teamed up with St. Petersburg College, College of Education Professor to offer this nationally award-winning, week-long environmental education workshop for pre-service elementary & ESE education students, current elementary & ESE teachers, and non-formal educators. Note: Middle school educators are welcome to participate as well!
The aim of this workshop is to provide participants with tools and information to interpret the natural world and impart the need for resource conservation to their audience. Using local, state, and national curricula correlated to Florida Standards, participants will be given activities and resources to help foster environmental knowledge and good environmental stewardship in their students.
Each day will feature different environmental subjects and professional speakers will be brought in to provide background knowledge to participants. Workshop sessions will conclude with a reflection and an evaluation of the day’s activities. Certificates will be awarded for the completion of specific portions of the training as well as a final certificate of completion.
Curriculum taught each year is different, so if you have participated in the past, you can participate again for a whole new educational experience!
ECO Teacher Training Workshop at Brooker Creek Preserve
July 8-12, 2024
All classes will run from 9:00am – 3:30pm, doors open at 8:30am.
This year’s workshop will feature an amazing line-up of environmental education curriculum:
• Monday – Extreme Heat
• Tuesday – Keep Pinellas Beautiful and 4-H
• Wednesday – WEDU PBS Showcase
• Thursday – Discover Shorebirds
• Friday – Project Learning Tree Activity Collections
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Need component points? Details COMING SOON.
UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. At least 10 days prior to the event, contact Lara Milligan at 727-453-6905 or lara317@ufl.edu.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.
Questions? Contact Lara Milligan at 727-453-6905 or lara317@ufl.edu

Bay Friendly Landscaping Workshop - on ZOOM
2024-07-11 12:00 - 13:00 | ZOOM, United States
Learn how to redesign your yard for resiliency with low maintenance native landscape plants.

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 on Zoom and the first 50 registrants who attend the class will be mailed a hard copy of the “Plant This, Not That” flip book to the address provided during registration. The Zoom link will be sent the day before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
PLEASE NOTE: There is no fee to attend this workshop.
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.
The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Vegetable Microirrigation Workshop- ZOOM
2024-07-12 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-09-12 09:30 - 10:30 | 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.

REGISTER HERE
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

Why Snakes are Cool!
2024-07-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn about Florida’s native snakes and get the chance to see some live animals up-close!

Despite playing important ecological roles as both predators and prey, snakes remain highly misunderstood vertebrates. Florida is home to 46 native species of snakes, with most occuring in the central peninsula. And of those 46 species, only four venomous species occur in central Florida and these snakes present little danger when left alone. Herpetologist and environmental educator George L. Heinrich will teach participants about why snakes are cool, emphasizing Florida snake diversity, natural history, conservation, and snake safety.
At the end of the program a selection of live snakes will be available for viewing and handling if participants choose to do so — and we hope that you will!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
George L. Heinrich is a field biologist and environmental educator specializing in Florida reptiles. His company, Heinrich Ecological Services, is based in St. Petersburg, Florida and conducts wildlife surveys and research, natural history programming, and nature-based tours. George is currently the Executive Director of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust.

Microirrigation Workshop on Zoom
2024-07-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-09-24 11:00 - 12:00 | 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 <<<

Native Plant Garden Maintenance
2024-07-23 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-27 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-09-24 08:00 - 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.

Garden work includes planting, weeding and trimming, as needed.
There is a $2 admission to the park which Suncoast can cover if you request ahead of time. Park in the lot by the Visitor Center and the garden is behind the building.
Bring water, gloves and personal tools.
Garden Wish List: donations accepted:
swamp milkweed, tropical sage, goldenrod, wild petunia, silkgrass or other small(er) flowering plants.
Contact Tina Patterson for more information and to let her know that you will be coming. mablepatterson@hotmail.com or call or text 305-298-6381 and leave a name and message.

Build Vertical Oyster Gardens to Help Tampa Bay!
2024-08-03 09:00 - 13:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Help our estuary and contribute to citizen science!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Microirrigation Workshop
2024-08-03 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-09-07 09:30 - 11:00 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to save water when watering your garden.
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.)
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
2024-08-03 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Harvest some of that rain to help in your garden!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
This workshop will be held in the Conference Center at our office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584.
RAINWATER HARVESTING: Learn how to collect rainwater for ornamental plant irrigation while reducing erosion and stormwater runoff, and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive one 45-55 gallon plastic food-grade barrel after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Please arrive15 minutes before the program starts.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Patio Microirrigation Workshop on Zoom
2024-08-07 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM, United States
Learn how to grow plants with the convenience of a patio microirrigation kit.
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how to grow plants with the convenience of a patio microirrigation kit. It will conserve water and save time. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive one patio microirrigation kit after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
NOTE: If you attend 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.

The Gift of Trees
2024-08-14 10:30 - 12:00, 2024-09-09 11:00 - 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.

Backyard Composting on Zoom
2024-08-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-10 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 <<<

Community Tree Care for HOA's
2024-08-21 09:00 - 12:00 | FL
Beneath the Canopy:
Community Tree Care for HOA’s
Join UF/IFAS Extension Urban Forestry experts, local professional arborists and county staff to learn the ins and outs of managing the trees in your community. Walk away from this workshop with workable templates, examples and a knowledge of tree care best management practices.
>>> 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.
Schedule:
Wednesday, February 7 at Braden River Library
Tuesday, April 2 at Palma Sola Botanical Garden
Wednesday, August 21 at TBD (Lakewood Ranch)
Wednesday, October 9 at Palma Sola Botanical Garden

2024 Water School: Flowing Forward
2024-09-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Wednesday, September 4 at 9AM-4PM
Location: UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County (1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL)
Description:
Join UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension for an in depth look at emerging water issues in our region. We will provide expert presentations and deep dives into the topics during facilitated discussions. This program is intended for local policymakers but all interested are welcome to register. $20 per person (+ Eventbrite fee). Lunch included in ticket.
Topics covered:

Conservation lands/easements
Water quality value of urban forests
Water quality estuary and marine systems
Sustainable development
Green Stormwater Initiative
Monitoring in Manatee: Keeping our water resources safe

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Special Accomodations:
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.

Pinellas Florida Waters Stewardship Program - 2024
2024-09-05 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-09-19 09:30 - 12:30, 2024-10-03 09:30 - 12:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
An intensive program to learn all about Florida’s waters. Each class takes place at a new location with guest speakers, tours and more!

Working With Water, Working With People
To make a difference concerning the issues surrounding water quality and quantity in our communities, we must understand the various ways in which we interact with water. As Floridians, we are connected to our oceans and bays by our faucets and laundries, to our neighborhood ponds and lakes by our yards and streets, and to our regional and statewide neighbors by our surface and groundwater supplies.
This program will use expert presentations, online explorations, experiential learning, field experience in watershed science, and communication skills training to foster a greater understanding of these interactions and provide the tools necessary to become stewards of our water resources.
During this seven-session course, participants will travel to locations across Pinellas County to explore the natural beauty, learn about emerging water issues, and meet with local experts.
Participants will also plan and implement an individual (or group) stewardship project that makes a difference in the community, attend a relevant stakeholder meeting and explore online resources to learn more about water between class sessions.
Each class session will be three hours long and include Working with Water instructor-led presentations looking at water at the state-level as well as Working with People instructor-led presentations highlighting communication best-practices. Classes will also include time for discussions, guest speaker presentations highlighting local water resources, and a field tour.
This course has limited seating/availability. Register early to reserve your spot. Youth (under 18) are eligible to register as long as an accompanying adult is also registered for the program.
Schedule
Session 1 – Thursday, Sept. 5 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Watershed Basics and Stewardship @ Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs with guest speaker Robert Burnes, Project Manager, Pinellas County Public Works, Environmental Management

Session 2 – Thursday, Sept. 19 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

W ater Flow, Then and Now @ Clam Bayou Marine Education Center with guest speaker from Southwest Florida Water Management District, Surface Water Improvement & Management Program

Session 3 – Thursday, Oct. 3 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Water Laws and Other Tools @ South Cross Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility with guest speaker Lauren Twele, Education Coordinator, Pinellas County Utilities

Session 4 – Thursday, Oct. 17 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Future Water Supply and Emerging Issues @ Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant in Oldsmar with guest speaker Tirusew Asefa, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, Manager, Planning & System Decision Support, Tampa Bay Water

Session 5 – Thursday, Oct. 31 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*: Panel

Panel Discussion with local environmental non-profit groups and Stewardship Project Updates @ Safety Harbor Public Library

Session 6 – Thursday, Nov. 14 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Speaking of and for Water @ Ozona Village Hall with guest speaker Sadie Hundemer, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida

Session 7- Saturday Nov. 16 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Graduation and Water Stewardship In Action @ Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg with guided hike by Pinellas County volunteer or staff.

*Locations and speakers are subject to change.
Before You Register
Please review course requirements should you wish to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program:

Attend at least five of the seven sessions, two of which MUST be the first and last ones (Session #1 and Session #7)
Attend and briefly describe a stakeholder gathering
Complete online mini-sessions
Participate in the online discussions
Submit a summary of your individual or group stewardship project

Cost: $125
If the cost of the program will prevent you from participating, please complete a scholarship application. Application deadline is Wednesday, August 27th.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Questions?
For more information about this course, please contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan at lara317@ufl.edu or 727-453-6905.

TREES, HABITAT, AND URBAN HEALTH
2024-09-07 10:00 - 18:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Please join an interactive discussion with our City’s Urban Foresters about trees, habitat, and urban health impacts in our beautiful city. Our environment is changing rapidly and urban life for humans and animals is severely impacted by this climatic change. While there are many solutions to help us cope with these changes, trees are the most attractive, natural, and cost-effective solution with the highest benefit to address finding a balance between nature and our urban spaces.
All ages welcome

Taking the Mystery Out of Micro-Irrigation
2024-09-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how to select, install, and operate your own Micro-Irrigation

Live Event
Join Brian J Rigney, Program Assistant, to discuss an introduction to micro-irrigation. This includes learning to select, install, and operate your own water-saving irrigation system. The discussion will include information regarding the components, and how to assemble and maintain. Come hear the benefits and why it is important to water plants, shrubs and other landscape plants separate from your turfgrass.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
This class satisfies the irrigation educational requirement for the Manatee County Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program.
Contact: Mr. Rigney (941) 722-4524 X 1828 or BrianRigney@ufl.edu for further class information. Class size required or class will be cancelled and registered attendees will be notified.

Healthy Landscapes
2024-09-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Creating & maintaining healthy landscapes with a focus on FFL!
Kendrick Auditorium
Healthy Landscapes, presented by Valrie Massey, Horticulture Program Assistant with the Mobile Irrigation Lab working with Manatee County Ag Extension, University of Florida, Manatee County Utilities department and Water Conservation. We will focus on Florida-Friendly Landscape tips such as right plant right place, watering efficiently, and mulch benefits.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
