Open Archaeology Lab
2024-02-02 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn from professional archaeologists on how to sort, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!

Ever wonder what archaeologists do with all that stuff they dig up at archaeological sites once the fieldwork is finished? Join us for an open archaeology lab!
Learn from professional archaeologists with the West Central Region of the Florida Public Archaeology Network about how artifacts and other archaeological material get processed in the laboratory so they can be used to learn about the past. Participants will get the chance to sort through, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!
All ages are welcome to participate or observe, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All individuals planning to attend should be registered.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Naturalist Guided Tour
2024-02-03 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-02-10 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-02-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-02-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-02 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-09 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-23 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Explore the coastal and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided tour of the Preserve.

Participants will learn about the environment, native wildlife, and early history of Weedon Island on this guided hike.
This tour is for adults and youth ages 10+. Youth must be supervised by an adult. 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 tour may traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
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!

Emerson Point Preserve Tour
2024-02-03 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-02 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Emerson Point Preserve, 5801 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
First Saturday of the month (December – April), at 9:00am
Casually stroll through the beautiful Emerson Point Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment. Suitable for all ages.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Meet at the first parking area on the RIGHT at the Observation Tower (not at the classroom).
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.

Turtle Science
2024-02-10 09:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-09 09:00 - 15:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
This engaging hands-on class will introduce the study of tortoises and freshwater turtles. Join turtle biologist and environmental educator George L. Heinrich for this rare educational opportunity.
Students will learn about the ecology and conservation of tortoises and freshwater turtles through a blend of classroom and field sessions. Classroom sessions include PowerPoint presentations and hands-on activities; field sessions will include lessons on identification techniques and data collection.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Schedule:
November 11, 2023

Why Turtles Are Cool (classroom session).
Search for turtles along the preserve’s trails (field session).

December 9, 2023

Gopher Tortoises + Prescribed Fire = Increased Biodiversity (classroom session).
Search for tortoises and their burrows in the preserve’s uplands, and learn how to conduct a burrow survey and estimate population size (field session).

January 13, 2024

Turtle Anatomy: The Clues Are in the Bones (classroom session).
Examine skeletal material in the field (field session).

February 10, 2024

In One End and Out the Other: Determining Turtle Diets by Studying Scat (classroom session).
Collect and dissect gopher tortoise scat (field session)

March 9, 2024

Turtle Nesting Ecology (classroom session).
Search for turtles in the preserve’s diverse habitats (field session).

April 13, 2024

Global Turtle Conservation Issues (classroom session).
Search for gopher tortoises in the preserve’s uplands (field session).

May 11, 2024

Field trip to Rainbow Run in Dunnellon, Florida (canoe and snorkel).

Native Plant Hike
2024-02-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Immerse yourself in the world of native Florida plant species on this ranger-led hike.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Branching Out: Your Voice, Our Trees
2024-02-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
A community conversation on urban trees in public spaces.
Talk About Trees
Join us for a world cafe where we will talk about trees and their role in our communities!
Pinellas County is embarking on the development of their first-ever Urban Forestry Master Plan for unincorporated and they are seeking YOUR input to help guide this plan. Urban trees play a critical role in our daily lives and the County wants to ensure they are managed in a resilient and sustainable manner. It’s very important to the County to get your input about trees in our public spaces so they can better understand the benefits and challenges about urban trees.
What is a world cafe?
We will create a comfortable environment where you will feel encouraged to talk to fellow participants at roundtables about trees! Different tables will have different questions. You will get a chance to hear from your community members on their thoughts while also expressing your own. You will rotate around to different tables with different questions where your thoughts will be documented. Following the forum, all of the input provided will be summarized and provided to the County to identify common themes that will help guide their Urban Forestry Master Plan.
Who can participate?
Anyone that lives in unincorporated areas of Pinellas County. Unsure? Check out this map.
This is a unique opportunity for you to share your feedback!
Refreshments will be provided. We want to hear from you. Don’t delay and register today!

Florida Forests Hike
2024-03-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Venture out along the Flatwoods Trail loop with Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan to learn all about her most favorite thing…TREES!
Get ready to look up and explore the world of trees. Lara tends to throw in some surprises on her hikes, so be ready when she asks for volunteers!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Advanced Plant Identification - 4-Part Series
2024-03-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-03-09 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-16 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-23 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-30 10:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
This four-part plant identification series will introduce participants to the steps required to positively identify plants.
Plant identification is based on close observation of morphological characteristics, contextual clues and lots of practice. This four–part advanced plant identification series will introduce participants to these concepts and the associated vocabulary of the plant scientist.
The class follows the contents of Harrington’s “How to Identify Plants” (1957); a copy of which is provided to each registrant. This concise text contains a comprehensive vocabulary of terms and illustrations to help clarify concepts.
A packet of supplemental educational materials will also be provided to each registrant.
About this Event
During each 4-hour classroom event, participants will engage in a participatory lecture, and have plenty of time for Q & A. The final session will be a hands-on workshop that will include graduates from previous courses. Each session will build on the previous; attending the entire series is recommended.
Classes are four consecutive Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bio-breaks are factored into the schedule for each day! Bring a bag-lunch (refrigeration and a microwave are available).
Class dates and syllabus:
Week 1, March 9
Plant Classification

Parts of a Flower
Inflorescence Types
Non-Flowering Plant Identification
Read Harrington Chapter I – V

Week 2, March 16

Roots-n-Shoots
Leaves
Surfaces
Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae
Read Harrington Chapters VI – XI

Week 3, March 23

General Terms
Fruits and Seeds
Using a Dichotomous Key

Week 4, March 30

Review, general questions
Hands-on Workshop with former graduates
Graduation!

Upon completion of the entire course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Florida.
Graduates will have access to several hands-on workshops and additional information throughout the year to help stay engaged with the practice of plant identification.
Class fee includes all materials and textbook. Registration will CLOSE on March 6.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Hidden Wonders Nature Walk
2024-03-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
This family-friendly nature hike will take you on an exploration of the wet and dry habitats of “Our Wildest Place.”
We will investigate some interesting plants and animals that call Brooker Creek Preserve home. Everyday reveals new natural wonders to enjoy, join us!
Registration is required.
Additional Notes: Volunteer hike guides will meet participants in the lobby of the Education Center 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Please note that 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. We strongly suggest all hikers visit the restroom before you begin as there are no facilities along the trail.

Outdoor Survival; Amazonian Indigenous Tribes
2024-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 | ZOOM, United States
Peter Magnin will be joining us for our March program to present on Outdoor Survival and Amazonian Indigenous Tribes. Peter is a survival instructor, primitive skills practitioner and expedition guide.
Peter Magnin has been studying survival and primitive skills since 2013. His first experience with survival training was with the Air Force’s SERE instructors before he retired from the military and started attending schools as a civilian. Early training started with Terry Barney’s beginner to advance survival classes. This inspired Peter to train under Mors Kochanski at Karamat Wilderness Ways, Winter Survival. His experiences range from living outdoors in various shelters for nine weeks under Master Maine Guide Tim Smith at the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School to spending 30 days in the desert with primitive and traditional technologies at the Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS). Peter has taught at the first Global Bushcraft Symposium in Canada in 2019, and again in 2022 in Wales, UK. He has been a special instructor at multiple survival and primitive schools across the country and continually teachers at gatherings. As a wilderness EMT, he is an expedition guide and medic for Joe Flowers with Bushcraft Global since 2019, going to the jungles of Brazil and Peru and learning from indigenous tribes. He spoke as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) at the 7th Special Forces Group, Jungle Warfare Symposium on jungle survival in 2022. For the future he is continuing his education in primitive skills and testing his knowledge in the field.
Learn more about Peter on his website.
Event location: Zoom (virtual)
Register here for the event.

Ethnobotany and Archaeology Open House
2024-03-23 10:00 - 13:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Part of the Florida Archaeology Month 2024 collection

See ancient artifacts and learn about the prehistoric and modern uses of native plants!

See ancient artifacts and learn about the prehistoric and modern uses of native plants as a part of the Weedon Island Preserve’s celebration of Florida Archaeology Month! All ages welcome.

Learn how indigenous Floridians used native plants as an everyday resource in the “Florida Native Plants Through Time” exhibit and demonstration. Exhibit designer and plant expert, Ben Metcantade, will be on-hand to answer questions and demonstrate how the plants were used. See a hands-on demonstration on fiber-thread making from the native yucca plant. In addition, find out which native plants were popular in the 19th century though the present time. The exhibit also features native plants, books and resources on sustainable design and the importance of pollinators.
Meet Weedon Island’s archaeologists and see their displays of artifacts, tools and other items.
Bring your own fossils and artifacts to be identified and their uses determined by on-site archaeology experts.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
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Stay until 2:00 p.m. for the free lecture The Origins of Tampa Bay. Learn about Tampa Bay’s origins from the recent studies of an archaeological panel in the fields of paleoenvironment, Indigenous ecology, and history. Register here!

Propagation Class
2024-03-30 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join a park ranger for an exciting propagation course that will focus on the methods and techniques of cultivating and reproducing native plant species, as well as learning about the best practices for planting and caring for them.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Volunteer Archaeology Lab
2024-04-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn how to sort, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!

Learn how artifacts and other archaeological material get processed for study in this volunteer lab that is led by professional archaeologists with the West Central chapter of the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Participants will help sort through, clean, and identify artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites so they can be used by researchers to learn about the past.
This event is best suited for adults; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is limited so registration is required!
If you have a homeschool group that would like to participate, please email westcentral@fpan.us to set up a separate lab time to accomodate your students.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Archaeology Lecture: Discoveries from the Garrison
2024-04-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
The Garrison Neighborhood, established in 1896, was the first Black-owned neighborhood in Tampa.

Archaeology lecture hosted by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (CGCAS) and the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education (AWIARE).
The Garrison Neighborhood, established in 1896, was the first Black-owned neighborhood in Tampa. Until the 1940s the neighborhood flourished with Black-owned businesses, schools, and churches. Despite this, few mentions of the neighborhood exist in archaeological reports of the area. Downtown Tampa’s archaeological requirements prioritizes the National Register eligible Fort Brooke site, leaving this unique Black neighborhood underutilized in the study of Tampa’s diverse early pioneers. Since 2016 Stantec has been excavating portions of the Garrison, including the Caesar Street School, an African Methodist Episcopal Church, storefronts, and numerous residences. Through the artifact assemblages of these sites a greater understanding can be gleaned of life in this important Tampa neighborhood.
This lecture will feature Kelsey Kreiser, an archaeologist at a local Stantec office in Tampa. She has been working in cultural resource management since 2018, conducting fieldwork across much of Florida and the greater southeastern United States.
Learn more about CGCAS & AWIARE’s archaeology lecture series.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Naturalist Guided Tour
2024-04-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Explore the coastal and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided tour of Weedon Island Preserve.

Participants will learn about the environment, native wildlife, and early history of Weedon Island on this guided hike.
This tour is for adults and youth ages 10+. Youth must be supervised by an adult. 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 tour may traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly.
>>> 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!
