The Gift of Trees
2024-04-19 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Bio-Blitz
2024-04-20 09:00 - 10:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Be a citizen scientist!

Learn how to be a community scientist, gathering data on the flora and fauna of the Preserve. This “Bio-Blitz” using the iNaturalist phone app (free) will give us an idea of the density and diversity of pollinators and the plants they depend on. This activity is a part of our Earth Day Birthday Celebration.
Meet in front of the auditorium at 9am! Space is limited. Please be courteous and CANCEL your ticket if you can no longer attend.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Naturalist Guided Tour
2024-04-20 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-27 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-11 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-25 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!

Birds, Native Plants & Lunch
2024-04-20 09:00 - 13:00 | FL
We will visit two small gems in Largo (descriptions below), have lunch at PJ’s Oyster Bar (outside dining). Wilcox Nursery, which carries many native plants, is nearby for anyone shopping to improve their native gardens.

The morning starts at the John R. Bonner Nature Trail at 8:00 a.m. (14444 143rd St N, Largo, FL 33774). From the Florida Birding Trail: John R. Bonner Nature Trail is a “small spot of green in urban Pinellas County, this city park’s cool, shady hammock attracts migrating songbirds in spring and fall. Walk the woodland trails (paved and crushed shell) on either side of the park’s entrance road looking for species such as Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-eyed Vireo, Hooded Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager and Wood Thrush. Wading birds like Great Egret forage at the pond near the parking area. A 460-foot boardwalk leads out to a covered platform set among the mangroves on the Intracoastal Waterway; watch here for gulls, terns, shorebirds, waterfowl and wading birds like Reddish Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron and Roseate Spoonbill. Osprey, Brown Pelican and Double-crested Cormorant are common all year. Watch for Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Cooper’s Hawk in spring and Gray Kingbird in fall.”

“Also known as the “Turtle Park” for its abundant aquatic turtle population, the George C McGough Nature Park is a 26-acre park located along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Nature Center houses live animal exhibits, including 22 rescued, non-releasable birds (owls, hawks & an eagle), and offers several environmental education programs. Our nature trails, including a comfortable rubberized walking trail, are a great way to see the natural beauty of Florida. Also included are outside shelters and a playground with a kid’s zipline. No dogs, including service dogs, are allowed in the park because of the captive birds on the property.”

Contact trip leader Mic McCarty at mic.mccarty@tampaaudubon.org to register and receive updates.

Important! Pre-registration is required, and participation is limited. Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority.

Volunteer Archaeology Lab
2024-05-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-06-21 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-07-05 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-08-09 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 <<<

Emerson Point Preserve Tour
2024-05-04 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-06-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-07-06 09:00 - 11:00, 2024-08-03 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
2024-05-11 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).

Wildlife Moms Hike
2024-05-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join one of our rangers for an early Mother’s Day hike through the wilderness to explore all of the wonders of wildlife moms and their offspring!
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

FFL 101: Putting Florida Back Into Your Garden
2024-05-11 10:00 - 14:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. Doors will open at 9am so that you can tour the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden.
Open to CITY OF TAMPA AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RESIDENTS/ EMPLOYEES ONLY.
We will conduct this Florida Friendly Landscaping™ workshop in person only at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, Florida 33584.
This year’s FFL 101 theme is ‘Putting Florida Back Into Your Garden’. Our speakers will help you face the changes and challenges in your Florida landscape. Presentations include expert guidance on:
1. native plants
2. how to prune native plants
3. healthy soils in urban landscapes
4. Tampa Bay Water Community Water Wise Awards program
There is a $10.00 fee per person attending for lunch. Workshop giveaways will be provided to attendees on the date of the event: one goodie bag per household containing educational materials and water efficiency items.
P LEASE NOTE: The $10.00 fee is non-refundable. Registration per attendee is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Attending the workshop on behalf of another person is not permitted.
Closed captioning for the hearing impaired is available if requested.
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 Lynn Barber (see contact information below) at least one week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
Questions? Contact: Julia Palaschak, City of Tampa Water Department, 813-274-5912, julia.palaschak@tampagov.net or
Lynn Barber, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, 813-744-5519 Ext. 54105, barberl@hillsboroughcounty.org.

Sleep In Saturday Hike
2024-05-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Spend Saturday afternoon with a Naturalist who will lead you on a family-friendly nature hike in the Preserve!
Explore the ecosystems and habitats of the Preserve with a volunteer hike guide.
Volunteer hike guides will meet participants in the lobby of the Education Center 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Hidden Wonders Nature Walk
2024-05-18 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-06-15 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-07-20 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.

Herpetology Camp
2024-06-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-06-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-06-26 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-06-27 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-06-28 08:00 - 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Campers explore the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles. Through up-close encounters with a variety of animals, such as gopher tortoises, frogs, lizards, and snakes, campers learn about ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles.
Ages 7 yrs – 11 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Flying Through the Eye of the Storm: NOAA Aircraft Operations & Hurricanes
2024-06-29 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).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pilots, planes, and researchers fly into the world’s worst weather. Data collected by the agency’s high-flying meteorological stations help forecasters make accurate predictions during a hurricane and help hurricane researchers achieve a better understanding of storm processes, improving their forecast models. Join us for a talk with Alan Goldstein, the NOAA Aircraft Acquisition Program Manager, to learn about hurricane research and reconnaissance using specialized aircrafts.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
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.

TREE WALK
2024-08-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
All Ages
Come join us for this guided tree walk where you will be introduced to several unique, large and common trees found at the Preserve. The 15 trees featured on this walk are primarily native shade trees, each with different qualities and attributes.
The two-mile hike is about an hour and provides an opportunity to look at various species of trees found around the city.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
