Creepy Crawlies: SSssnakes
2023-10-13 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn about these interesting, mysterious, and often maligned reptiles, especially how to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
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.

Halloween Hikes
2023-10-14 05:00 - 20:00 | Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, 4202 24th St SE, Ruskin, FL, 33570, United States
Are you brave enough to venture into the woods after dark?
Join Camp Bayou guides at a rare night event- Creatures of the Night/Haunted Hike on Saturday, Oct 14th.

Two options are available:
The hike at 6pm is for the little ones to explore the woods while looking for signs of native nocturnal critters.
The hike at 7pm will include some interesting tales of the crypto creatures that lurk in the woods that might be a bit too scary for the young’uns.
Each hike is $5 per person (cash only please) and includes s’mores around the campfire at the end of the walk.
Space is limited, reservations are required by completing this form: https://forms.gle/jvspZCAaPGCmXFLh8

campbayou@gmail.com

PUMPKIN CARVING
2023-10-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Bring your creativity and create a creepy, silly, or original pumpkin carving design! Pumpkins are included in the cost. Tools are provided. Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Two people per pumpkin maximum. Register for this event by October 13.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Spooky Swamp Hike
2023-10-20 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Come with the whole family on a special Halloween Night Hike! You will be guided through the trails with a kid friendly story of the frights and phantoms residing at the preserve!
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> RESERVE A TIME SLOT <<<
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Terror in the Trees Adult Hike
2023-10-21 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join the rangers on a frightful hike full of surprises and twists around each dark corner! Be prepared for a night of spooky ambiance and scary stories while traversing the haunted trails of Boyd Hill.
Ages 18 yrs +

>>> RESERVE A TIME SLOT <<<
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Pumpkin Fest at Florida Botanical Gardens
2023-10-21 12:00 - 16:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Join us for a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, and spooky activities led by our Children’s Garden Educator and community sponsors Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscaping Association and County Farm Bureau. This event is part of Third Saturdays at Pinewood, so make sure to check out Creative Pinellas and Heritage Village for more activities on the day of the event.
Participate in the Scarecrow Contest! To register a scarecrow, visit https://forms.gle/HEcxPTDRpQdhry5FA.
Free Parking (2 Locations)
12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo FL, 33774
12211 Walsingham Road, Largo, FL 33778

Evening for the Bay: The Reef Ball
2023-10-21 18:00 - 22:00 | Tampa Bay Watch, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, FL, 33621, United States
You are cordially invited to join us for this momentous occasion as Tampa Bay Watch celebrates 30 years and the Pearl Anniversary of coastal conservation.
The 2023 gala will be an unforgettable evening held at our beautiful Tierra Verde location as we highlight the community’s efforts to protect and restore Tampa Bay’s watershed, and set the stage to raise critical funds to continue Restoring the Bay Every Day.
Guests can expect to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on our iconic deck, an open bar, an elegant plated dinner, and a wonderful auction. Plus, we have an amazing 18-piece jazz orchestra—The TomKats—lined up to provide entertainment throughout the evening. And of course, we’ll be treated to a magnificent Tampa Bay Watch sunset!
More info and ticket sales are coming soon on http://tampabaywatch.org/events/eftb/

Creepy Crawlies: Good Bug, Bad Bug
2023-10-27 13:30 - 15:30 | 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 <<<
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.

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
2023-11-11 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 <<<
NOTE: Parking is limited at the Preserve, so carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Santa in the Park
2023-12-09 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-10 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-15 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-16 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-17 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-19 18:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-20 18:00 - 21:00 and 2 more dates | 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, 2023-12-16 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.
