Native Garden Tour - Extension Office
2025-04-04 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Tour the native gardens at the UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County Office in Palmetto, FL.
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, one 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 <<<
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.

Bay Babies
2025-04-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Come join us with your young scientists!
Ages 3 – 6
This program is for the youngest ocean explorers. Bay Babies is offered for 3 to 6 year olds monthly. Each session may include story time, crafts, activities, and animal interactions to keep your little one(s) engaged and excited.
Program is held in our indoor classroom and space is limited.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Children must have an accompanying adult in the classroom. Due to space constraints, only one adult per child is allowed.

Sea Turtle Awareness Day Lake Cleanup
2025-04-05 09:00 - 13:00 | Lake Belleview, 1426 S M.L.K. Jr Ave., Clearwater, FL, 33756, United States
Come join the city of Clearwater and Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Nesting Team for a lake cleanup! Get the chance to learn about sea turtle conservation and how you can help our local sea turtle population.
This event will include raffle prizes, the opportunity to personalize a sea turtle nesting stake, a photo opp and much more!

The Story of Swallow-Tailed Kites & the People Who Track Them
2025-04-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us to learn about these aerial acrobats!
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!
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.

Birding on the Bay
2025-04-06 09:00 - 10:30, 2025-04-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center Presents:
Birding on the Bay with the MFA

Join us for an unforgettable birdwatching experience on the waters of Tampa Bay! This 75-minute guided boat tour offers a front-row seat to the fascinating bird species that call this vibrant ecosystem home. During the tour, we’ll visit a nearby bird sanctuary island, strategically timed to provide the best viewing opportunities for observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
As we navigate the waters, your expert guide will share insightful details about the diverse bird species you’ll encounter, from elegant waders to soaring seabirds. With our prime location and optimal timing, you’re sure to enjoy exceptional views of these feathered residents as they go about their daily routines.
This tour is perfect for bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone looking to explore the rich wildlife of Tampa Bay in a relaxed and educational setting.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
More Information

75 Minutes
$45 ($5 member discount offered)
Tour includes admission to the MFA and TBWDC.
Children under 3 free
November 2024 to February 2025

What to Bring
-You are welcome to bring your own snacks and/ or beverages.
-We do not allow alcohol on the eco-vessel.
-Please dress with consideration to the Florida climate and weather.
-Sun protection is highly recommended.

Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2025-04-09 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-04-16 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-04-23 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-04-30 10:00 - 15:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Explore reptiles with a friendly expert, get your questions answered, and level up your knowledge in a relaxed, beginner-friendly session.

Dennis is the president of the Suncoast Herpetological Society, Inc. and spends his Wednesdays at Moccasin Lake Nature Park educating guests about reptiles.

Come with your questions!

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
2025-04-11, 2025-04-12, 2025-04-13, 2025-04-14, 2025-04-15 | Pier 60 Clearwater Beach
This year, the festival celebrates its eleventh year and its biggest year yet with the theme, “DinoShores: A Prehistoric Adventure in Sand!”
From architectural masterpieces created from Clearwater’s famous sugar sand to concerts, performers and daily entertainment, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival Presented by Visit St. Pete Clearwater is an annual event attracting visitors from around the world. This year’s festival will again stretch for 17 days, which allows people more time to attend and gives those visiting for Easter a chance to see this incredible and affordable festival.
This year, the Sugar Sand Walk Exhibit expands to an impressive 24,000 square feet, featuring an exciting, new augmented-reality experience that brings the intricate sand sculptures to life through vivid, interactive imagery.
>>> MORE INFO <<<

Earth Day Storytime
2025-04-17 10:30 - 11:00 | Clearwater Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Spring Dr, Clearwater, FL, 33761, United States
Ages: 3 to 5
Join us as we will celebrate Earth Day through stories, songs, and a craft!
Registration is required. Registration for this event will be open from March 17, 2025 @ 10:30 a.m. to April 16, 2025 @ 10:30 a.m.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Third Saturdays at Pinewood Cultural Park
2025-04-19 07:00 - 17:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Three for one fun at the Florida Botanical Gardens, Creative Pinellas and Heritage Village!
Celebrate at Pinewood (Florida Botanical Gardens, Creative Pinellas, Heritage Village) every Third Saturday of the month.
At the Florida Botanical Gardens (Open 7 AM-5 PM):
Visit the new Majeed Discovery Garden, a 2+ acre addition, connecting children to nature. Our Children’s Garden Educator is hosting a variety of preschool and family programs in the Majeed Discovery Garden on topics like sustainability, sensory exploration, and more. Visit the Event Calendar on our website at www.flbgfoundation.org/events to view all of the programs offered in our Majeed Discovery Garden. For more information, visit www.flbgfoundation.org/childrensgarden.
At Creative Pinellas (Open 10 AM-5 PM):
Visit the Gallery at Creative Pinellas for two must-see exhibitions! Catch the 2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition before it ends on July 21st. Also on display is Threads of Nature: Art Inspired by the Florida Botanical Gardens, featuring works by the Tampa Bay Surface Design Guild that capture nature’s beauty. Feeling inspired? Stop by our drawing room to unleash your inner artist. Free admission and fun for the whole family! For more information: www.creativepinellas.org.
At Heritage Village (Open 10 AM – 4 PM):
Explore the past at Pinellas County’s 21-acre living history museum! Step back in time and take a docent tour of select historic buildings, visit Pinellas County’s oldest structure, and peruse locally-made artisan gifts and souvenirs at the gift shop. Interested in learning more? The Heritage Village app features self-guided walking tours and archival photographs and information about your favorite Heritage Village buildings, historic figures, and artifacts! Download the app for free in your preferred mobile app store by searching “Heritage Village”. Heritage Village is free to visit, pet-friendly, and perfect for all ages! For more information: www.heritagevillagefl.org/

Eggstravaganza
2025-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Dr, Clearwater, FL, 33761, United States
Hop on over to Countryside Recreation Center for our annual egg hunt.
Bring your Easter baskets and camera to get a picture with the Easter Bunny.
There will be inflatables, games, prizes, music and more. Free.

Birds of Prey
2025-04-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Meet the animal ambassadors of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve!
Several LIVE birds of prey will be used to illustrate aspects of predator-prey relationships, adaptations that ensure success as predators, and their role in maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems. The basic natural history of each species is also discussed along with the impact of humans on their habitats and populations. Great for all ages!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Green Thumb Festival
2025-04-26 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-27 09:00 - 16:00 | Walter Fuller Park, 7891 26th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL, 33710, United States
St. Petersburg’s annual Arbor Day Celebration, the Green Thumb Festival, brings together plant and flower lovers, as well as, individuals and families looking for a fun weekend activity. With more than 120 garden, plant and flower vendors and exhibitors, the annual event brings the community together for a weekend of fun.
Parking is available at Azalea Middle School and behind Walter Fuller Recreation Center. Handicap parking is located at the Walter Fuller Recreation Center’s main parking lot and the Walter Fuller Pool parking lot.

Youth Activities & Adult Workshops

All workshops are free and open to the public. Spots are limited. Preregistration is encouraged.
REGISTER HERE

Saturday, April 26 Program Schedule
9:30 AM | Herb Planters (Adult Workshop)
UF/IFAS Master Gardeners will discuss container herb gardening and assist with planter creation. Sponsored by Pinellas County Farm Bureau.
11:00 AM | Attracting Animals to Your Yards (All Ages Interactive Presentation)
Learn which native plants attract wildlife and pollinators. Participants will plant a native species in a takeaway container to grow at home.
12:00 PM | From Seed to Slice: Creating a Pizza Garden with Kids (Family Interactive Presentation)
Create a pizza garden in a self-watering container or bucket! Youth will learn about plant growth, self-watering systems, and the benefits of homegrown food.
1:00 PM | Botanical Printmaking with Gelli Prints (All Ages Workshop)
Create and take home beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork with amazing colors and textures using natural materials.
2:00 PM | All About Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (Adult Presentation)
Learn how to apply the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) for a beautiful, low-maintenance, and water-saving yard. Discover easy, eco-friendly techniques that conserve resources and reduce costs.

Sunday, April 27 Program Schedule
9:30 AM | Mixed Flower Garden: Fillers, Spillers, and Thrillers (Adult Workshop)
UF/IFAS Master Gardeners will guide attendees in designing flower planters. Plant and container selection will vary. Sponsored by Pinellas County Farm Bureau.
11:00 AM | Nature’s Team Work (All Ages Presentation)
Discover how plants and animals interact in ecosystems through food, shelter, and camouflage.
1:00 PM | Skulls and Tracks (All Ages Interactive Presentation)
Learn to identify animal tracks and skulls in your yard or nature areas. Discover how skulls reveal an animal’s diet and create your own track ID guide.
2:00 PM | Orchids 101 (Adult Presentation)
Mike Pollen will demonstrate how to repot an orchid and provide care tips.

Flower Show

The Garden Club of St. Petersburg displays their creativity through juried floral designs and crafts representing gardens from around the world. Exhibits are designed with a new theme each year.
The public is invited to vote for the best of show in both the horticulture and floral design category.
Judging occurs the Friday before the festival and awards are given to the winners at the festival on Sunday at 3 p.m. inside Walter Fuller Recreation Center. All judges are from clubs within the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs District VIII and use standards set by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and use standards set by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. For more information on the Garden Club, visit www.gardenclubstpetersburg.org.

Earth Day at Moccasin Lake
2025-04-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Celebrate this special day by learning how to better protect our Earth at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. Moccasin Lake is a 51-acre nature preserve with trails and boardwalks under a canopy of mature oaks and across ponds and creeks, with an array of wildlife, including gopher turtles, raccoons, and many birds. Be sure to check out the animal and educational presentations and participate in fun activities and crafts. A food truck will be on site.
Each and everyone has the power to make a difference! Celebrate this very special day with your fellow Earthlings, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center!
Come and learn how we can do things better as a community. Recycled arts & crafts, presentations, music, vendors, food and fun will make up our Earth Day event.

Youth Program: Planet Protectors!
2025-04-26 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
For youth nature lovers, this thrilling program is full of educational fun. It is specifically designed for young Floridans 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 and get to interact with them!
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Presented by Paige Konger of Paige’s Planet. Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.
Additional Notes: It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Education Center buildings. This program meets in the Auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium.

Science Rocks
2025-05-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Science Rocks for kids 4 – 6 years of age. New topic every month! Free program!
Reservations are required!

Ssssssnakes of Boyd Hill
2025-05-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 6 yrs – 13 yrs

Join our Ranger Intern to explore eight common native snakes that are found in the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. You will learn the difference between nonvenomous and venomous snakes.

There will be practice of snake identification so that you can be safe and smart in snake habitat. Activities will be interactive and engaging through crafts, games, and animal encounters.
Register here

Water Safety Day
2025-05-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Walter Fuller Pool, 7883 26th Ave N., St. Petersburg, FL, 33710, United States
Don’t miss Water Safety Day . This free family-friendly event provides water safety education and resources to parents/caregivers. Attendees will receive free water safety resources and giveaways while supplies last, including:
Free lifejackets for children | Free door alarms | Free swim lesson vouchers | Free CPR vouchers | CPR demonstrations | Free swim evaluations | and more!

Saturday, May 3
10 AM – 1 PM
Walter Fuller Pool, 7863 26th Ave. N.

FREE | No registration required
The pool will be open for attendees to swim!
This event is organized in collaboration with the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH), and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

Bug Out With Ava: An Intro to Hymenoptera
2025-05-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn why these insects are so important!

Join Ava Easterling, educator and entomologist, to learn about the fascinating world of Hymenoptera- bees, ants, and wasps! Discover why these insects play a vital role in sustaining our planet and learn about some of their common behaviors.
After the program, attendees will have the opportunity to view Ava’s pinned insect collection and meet some live insects and see these tiny amazing creatures in action!
Great for all ages! Family friendly.
Registration not required
Additional Notes: It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Education Center buildings. This program meets in the Auditorium or “Butterfly Room”.
Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.
