Creepy Crawlies: Good Bug, Bad Bug
2023-10-27 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Just in time for Halloween! Join us to learn about the interesting insects that we want to have around and the not-so-beneficial ones, too. New to gardening in Florida- with all the unfamiliar insects? We’ll help you figure out which ones will help you out!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Owl-O-Ween!!
2023-10-28 09:00 - 15:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve and the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue for a day of owl-related events !

Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve and the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue for a day of owl-related events including LIVE owl displays, owl story time for children, owl pancake breakfast, nest box building, an owl pellet dissection and more!
Some activities cost $0-$25.

Live Owls On Display 10:00am – 2:00pm
Owl Fun Tattoos
Owl Pancake Breakfast ($5/person) 8:00am – 2:00pm
Owl Story Time
Owl Scavenger Hunt
Owl Pellet Science ($5/person)
Owl Nest Box Building ($25/person)

Questions: email info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org call 727-934-2680
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

TRUNK OR TREAT AT THE PRESERVE
2023-10-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Celebrate Halloween at the preserve!
Trunk or treat is a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Families meet in the parking lot at the nature center at 6 p.m., decorate their cars with fun, nature-themed decorations. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the kids walk from car to car collecting goodies along the way just as they would during a traditional trick or treat outing. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve staff will also provide various treats including plant seedlings and nature-themed stickers, etc. We will have prizes for the best decorated car, best costume, and more! Please remember to bring your own bag for collecting treats.

Hiking with Heroes
2023-05-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
In honor of Memorial Day, join fellow members of the veteran community as we 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.
The hike may be to 3 miles in total length and will be on a combination of boardwalks, paved, or natural trails.
This tour is for military veterans and family members ages 10 and up. Veterans are requested to wear clothing or a hat indicating their military service branch. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Snowfest
2023-12-02 09:00 - 14:00 | North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr. NE., St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, United States
The holiday fun continues with Snowfest on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in North Straub Park. Enjoy toboggan slides for adults and children, inflatables, arts and crafts tents, food trucks and more.
The $5 wristband includes all activities and can be purchased online or at any City recreation center through Friday, Dec. 1, at noon. Admission is free.
Click here to purchase wristbands online.

Tillandsia Wreath - Make & Take
2023-12-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Create a living wreath using Tillandsia plants!
Tillandsia Wreath “Make and Take” – Learn about these lovely epiphytes that only require air and water to live. This is a “make and take” workshop where you will create a living wreath using Tillandsia plants. Bring wire cutters and pliers if you have them. $40 per person.
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.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Holiday Nature Crafts & Music & Treats!
2023-12-02 12:00 - 15:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States

VOGs and Eggnog
2023-12-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Give back to our Tampa Bay estuary with vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) while getting in the holiday spirit!

Want to give back to our local Tampa Bay estuary while getting in the holiday spirit? Join us to learn more about oysters and how they help Tampa Bay while making your very own vertical oyster garden (VOG)!
Participants who would like to hang a VOG from their personal pier or seawall will also have the opportunity to contribute to current oyster restoration efforts by enrolling in our new citizen science program. Holiday refreshments and activities will be provided. All ages are welcome!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Santa in the Park
2023-12-15 18:00 - 21:00 | North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr. NE., St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, United States
Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Santa in North Straub Park!
Cameras welcomed.

GINGERBREAD FAMILY FUN
2023-12-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
We’ll provide all the materials needed for you and your family to design and decorate your own gingerbread masterpieces and add a sprinkle of holiday magic to your time together.
Reserve your spot!

Cookies with Santa
2023-12-15 17:30 - 20:00 | Pinellas Pioneer Settlement, 3130 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712, United States
Decorate holiday cookies, meet Santa and his elves, and browse small gifts for sale for friends and family!
Free gift wrapping provided.
$5 per child. Free admission for parents/guardians. All ages welcome!
Must register online. Please contact 727-893-7326 with any questions.

Reserve your spot! Space is limited for this event.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE.

Lakeland Christmas Bird Count
2023-12-16 | FL
What is a Christmas Bird Count?
The longest running Citizen Science survey in the world, Christmas Bird Counts provide critical data on bird population trends. Tens of thousands of participants know that it also a lot of fun. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission, often before dawn, to count every bird they can find in their territory of the count circle – owls, rails, sparrows, herons, shorebirds, warblers, hawks, eagle, blackbirds… every type of bird. Audubon and other organizations use data collected to help guide conservation action.
How can I get involved?
We need feeder-watchers and field observers. Birders of all ability levels are welcome. Field observers can join a team covering a portion of the count circle by car, foot and/or boat. Just email Cole Fredericks cfredricks@tampabay.rr.com and we will be in touch to find the best fit for you. Explore the interactive count circle map here.
Christmas Bird Count | Audubon https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
Sponsored by the Lake Region Audubon

Come "Sea" Santa
2023-12-16 12:00 - 18:00 | Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, 18328 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL, 33785, United States
Join us at the Sanctuary on December 16th from 12pm-6pm for pictures with Santa! We will also have our Avian Ambassadors for presentations, local vendors, food and drinks, and Gingerbread Houses for decoration.

CHILDREN’S EASTER EGG HUNT
2024-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Bring your family out for a morning full of Easter egg hunts and egg dyeing. There will be extra crafts and activities available including decorating flowerpots, taking pictures with the Easter Bunny, and outdoor games!

Earth Night 2024
2024-04-18 17:00 - 20:00 | 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 18th, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Tampa Bay Watch Headquarters in Tierra Verde, FL.
Guests at this year’s event – Eat, Art, Earth! – are invited to sample unique, planet-friendly ingredients prepared by talented faces from our area’s culinary scene.
Our bar will feature delicious house beverages, and food-inspired creations by some of Tampa Bay’s most talented artists will be up for auction.
The evening is a celebration of sustainability, and an occasion to learn how you can eat well for your health and the planet.
Dress Code: Festive Coastal

Purchase Tickets

Proceeds from this event help students from underserved local communities participate in meaningful marine science education programs hosted by the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center.

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.

Earth Day Birthday!
2024-04-20 09:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
A Springtime Conservation Celebration!
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve Present: Earth Day Birthday: A Springtime Conservation Celebration!
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve are pleased to announce a special celebration of the Environmental Education Center’s 20th birthday and the Friends’ 30th year providing support for the Preserve.
Join staff, volunteers, and your fellow community members to explore the Education Center, hands-on activities, and the wonders of Our Wildest Place!
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Ongoing Activities:

Touch-a-Truck: Meet staff from the Florida Forest Service and some of the equipment they use when fighting (or starting!) fires in natural areas.
*Build a Pollinator House: Some of our smallest wildlife needs your help! Learn about native bees, how important they are and how you can help provide habitat. *while supplies last
Green Careers in Pinellas: Meet staff from several Pinellas County Government departments and non-profit organizations who will share their work and experiences with you.
Free Trees: Pinellas County’s Urban Forestry will have a variety of trees available to take home for planting and preservation of our urban forest.
Injured Wildlife: Meet ambassador animals from Owl’s Nest Wildlife Sanctuary and learn the dos and don’ts of wildlife rescue from local experts.
Crafts and Quests: Visit the Exhibit Hall for crafts and pick up a plant quest to enhance your hiking experience.

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Scheduled Activities: *Registration required, space is limited. Click on an activity to register.

Bio-Blitz at 9am: Learn how to be a citizen scientist, gathering data on the flora and fauna of the Preserve!
Guided Hikes at 9am, 10am, and 11:30am: Explore “Our Wildest Place” on a nature hike. There are four separate hike options to choose from!
Native Bee Hunt at 10am: Join UF field researcher Clint Gibson on a search for rare and elusive native bees!
Bird Nest Box Workshop at 10:30am: Learn how to build your very own nest box for a Great Crested Flycatcher!
Dish Gardens at 1pm: Put together a pollinator buffet using small native plants to create a pollinator garden perfect for a small space! Sponsored by the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
Architecture Tour at 1pm: Learn about our buildings with the architect of the project!

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Happy Birthday to us at 2pm! Stay for cupcakes and celebrate with the County officials who work to keep the Preserve Wild!
Parking is first-come-first-served all day in the main parking lot. No pets are allowed on Pinellas County Preserves. Pedestrians only on boardwalks and trails.

Arbor Day Celebration & Tree Giveaway
2024-04-27 08:00 - 13:00 | Cearwater Public Works Complex, 1650 No. Arcturas Avenue, Clearwater, FL, 33765, United States
The city of Clearwater is celebrating its 42nd year as Tree City USA with our annual Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway.
The event will be held Saturday, April 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Public Works Complex, 1650 N. Arcturas Ave. in Clearwater. Please access the site via Hercules Avenue and Sherwood Street.
Clearwater residents must get in line with their vehicles; no walk-ups will be allowed. Bring proof that you are a City of Clearwater resident, such as a utility bill and your driver’s license. If proof of residency is not provided, a ticket to receive your free trees will not be issued. Trees are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis, while supplies last. Species this year include Live Oak, Red Maple, Crape Myrtle’s, Walters Viburnum, Bottlebrush, Simpson Stopper, Silver Buttonwood, Green Buttonwood and many more.
Residents are not to plant trees in the right of way (along the curb). The city wishes that all these trees are planted on private property and in an open space.
Call (727) 562-4950 with questions.

EARTH DAY AT MOCCASIN LAKE
2024-04-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with Moccasin Lake Nature Park!
There will be music, presentations, children’s crafts, reptiles and birds of prey, and food trucks!
Free event.
