Science Sprouts
2023-01-21 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-01-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-04 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-11 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-18 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-25 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-03-04 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-03-11 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) and 7 more dates | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Budding scientists ages 2-5 can bring their favorite grown-up to explore and discover a variety of science and nature topics in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. The program sparks kids’ natural curiosity using imaginative play, crafts, stories, songs and more! Please note: This program does not include Museum admission.

On Saturday, June 4, explore “In the Deep Ocean”
On Saturday, June 11, explore “Swirly Whirly Snails”
On Saturday, June 18, explore “Manatee Mischief”
On Saturday, June 25, explore “Busy Buzzin’ Bees”
When/Where: 9-10am every Saturday in the Mosaic Backyard Universe
Cost: $12 per child for members of the Discovery Society; $15 per child for all others. (Includes one adult per child.)
Advance reservations required. Attendance limited to 12 children.

Register now
The Bishop follows the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels guidelines. Please visit www.CDC.gov to see the current Manatee County Community Level before visiting. Masks must be worn indoors when Community Levels are high.

RAPTOR FEST
2023-02-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
All ages welcome! FREE ADMISSION.

Join us for a fiercely fun event celebrating raptors!

Trained raptors in free flight
Learn about Florida’s native raptor species
Photo ops with live birds of prey
Environmental exhibitors
Activities for children & families
Bird walks & MUCH MORE

FREE parking and shuttle service available at Lakewood High School and Lake Vista Recreation Center. Proceeds support the Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and the Birds of Prey Program.

Planetarium Day
2023-02-04 11:00 - 15:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
The East Lake Community Library and the Brooker Creek Preserve are teaming up to bring MOSI’s Star Lab to the Preserve!
The Museum of Science and Industry’s portable planetarium will re-create the night sky complete with stars, galaxies and constellations! Attendees will learn how to interpret the night sky and listen to stories about the stars with MOSI staff. For ages 5 and up.
We are offering one show each hour from 11:00AM to 3:00PM in the auditorium. Each show will last about 45 minutes in length. Space is limited, and registration is required. Choose your time slot from the ticket options. Shows will begin promptly at their start times. Please arrive on time as we cannot accommodate attendees if they are late. If you reserve a ticket and can no longer attend please cancel your ticket ASAP so that others may have a chance to enjoy the show.
Important Additional Notes: It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 3-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Education Center buildings. This event will be held in our auditorium. Portions of our boardwalk are closed for reconstruction. Please follow any signage highlighting closed portions of the boardwalk and follow detours.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Youth Program: Trees
2023-02-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Celebrate Trees!
Explore the inside and outside of trees with hands-on activities and more as we celebrate the importance of trees!
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. Registration is required. Space is limited and this program will cap at 30 participants. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

History of the Florida Keys
2023-03-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Hammock Hall, 3010 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712, United States
The Florida History Speaker Series is presented by the Pinellas Pioneer Settlement Committee. This program offers fascinating presentations on the cultural history of Florida by individuals who are authorities in their fields. It is cosponsored by the City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department.
History of the Florida Keys presentation by Brian Lane, Business Co-Owner, Sensing Nature
Although one of the most visited places, many people don’t know much about this region that tails from the southern tip of Florida. Join us as we travel back in time to learn about the human and environmental history of the Keys. What could the Keys mean in the future for residents, tourists, and wildlife?
Speaker Bio: As an ecologist, environmental educator, and business co-owner, Brian Lane shares his appreciation and understanding of the natural world through Sensing Nature’s interactive workshops, ethical ecotours, and educational nature products. He earned his B.S. from the University of Central Florida.
All ages welcome. Free admission.

Conserving Gopher Tortoises
2023-03-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Hammock Hall, 3010 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712, United States
The Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department present the annual Natural History Speaker Series (NHSS), a program that offers fascinating presentations on the natural and cultural history of Florida by individuals who are authorities in their fields.

Conserving Gopher Tortoises at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve presentation by Jeffrey M. Goessling PhD, Professor, Eckerd College

Have you ever walked the trails at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and seen a gopher tortoise in the sandy upland habitat? Do you wonder how they are able to survive there? Come and learn more about them as our speaker shares his knowledge along with his findings from ongoing research efforts.

Speaker Bio: Jeff Goessling grew up in the hills of Kentucky where he gained a fascination and appreciation for nature. He earned his B.S. at Thomas More College, his M.S. at Sam Houston State University, and his PhD in the biological sciences at Auburn University. In January 2018 he joined the faculty at Eckerd College. He currently studies and monitors the gopher tortoise population at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.

Precious Pollinators
2023-03-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Learn about pollinators, their favorite plants, and make your own bee box!
This program is offered in partnership between UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, Palma Sola Botanical Park and the Manatee County Agricultural Museum Inc. This event is family friendly and open to all.
AGENDA:
6:30PM Garden Walk and Talk: Focus on pollinator friendly plants and how to incorporate pollinator friendly practices in your home garden. Led by Master Gardener Volunteers.
7:00PM Break
7:10PM State of Pollinators Presentation: Learn about our native pollinators from Residential Horticulture Agent, Alyssa Vinson.
7:40PM Make and Take Bee Boxes: Build and take home your very own bee box to provide safe habitat to our native bees.
8:00PM Adjourn
>>> 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.

FAM Walking History Tour
2023-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us for a guided walking tour of the Weedon Island Preserve to learn about its aviation history.

St. Petersburg has a long and rich history of aviation, including the well-known first commercial flight in 1914. But in addition to this accomplishment, the Grand Central Airport that functioned on Weedon Island during the early 20th century also led to momentous firsts for flight in St. Pete. Join archaeologists with the Florida Public Archaeology Network for a guided tour of the Preserve to learn about the Island’s history with flight and visit historic sites.
This tour is for adults and youth ages 10 and up. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
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 ~2 miles. This hike will traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so participants must be able to manage these conditions. Afterwards, attendees will return to the Center to complete an evaluation of the hike and explore the museum’s exhibits.
Proceeds from this program go to support FPAN in their archaeological mission.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

FAM Archaeology Day & Presentation
2023-03-25 09:00 - 15:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Celebrate Florida Archaeology Month at the Weedon Island Preserve!

Join us for a celebration of Florida Archaeology Month! Examine ancient artifacts and discover the rich history of Tampa Bay at the Weedon Island Preserve.
From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.:
The Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education (AWIARE), the Central Florida Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (CGCAS), the Florida Public Archaeology Network, and the Tampa Bay History Center will be on-site with a diverse showcase of pre-Columbian artifacts from the Tampa Bay region. Archaeological experts will also illustrate the use of these tools and their importance to native populations. Local fossil collectors are encouraged to bring in artifacts such as arrow heads, lithics, and pottery sherds for identification.
At 2:00 p.m.:
The final event of our Florida Archaeology Month celebration will be a special presentation by Dr. J. Michael Francis as he shares stories and research from St. Augustine’s Parish archive that date from 1594 to 1821. This program is arranged in partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center as part of their “Florida Conversations” series.

To attend this talk in-person, please register here.
To watch online, please register here.

Presentation Synopsis:
St. Augustine, Florida houses the oldest surviving parish records in the United States. In this talk, Dr. J. Michael Francis will introduce this rich collection and to the open-access digital archive he helped to create to bring these records to a global audience. Francis will highlight the early history of colonial Florida, focusing on the rich corpus of baptism, confirmation, marriage, and death records housed in St. Augustine’s Diocesan Archive. He will share some of the remarkable stories that emerge from the badly damaged pages, and he will introduce a new digital archive that provides unparalleled public access to this unique collection.

Natural Scene Investigators
2023-03-30 08:00 - 10:00 | Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, 400 Palmetto Avenue, Osprey, FL, 34229-0902, United States
Join us at the beautiful and conserved Upper Myakka Preserve! Develop your detective skills while exploring this exceptional protected land. Together with nature interpreter, Jenna Biggs, participants will investigate natural scenes and learn to spot evidence of wildlife all around. Discover how critical thinking skills can help you better understand animal behavior as well as how your findings and observations can help advance science.
Open to those aged 5 and up. Participating children must have an adult guardian present for the duration of the event. Attendees should wear clothing suitable for outdoor exploration and shoes they are comfortable getting wet. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended.
Space is limited and registration for this free event is required. Reserve your space below.
If the event is marked as ‘sold out’ and you would like to be added to the wait list, please let us know by emailing jenna@conservationfoundation.com.
LEARN MORE AND RSVP

Florida Ecosystems
2023-04-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Homeschool Science Days combine hands-on explorations with themed adventures throughout The Bishop’s exhibitions, Planetarium, and Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat. This month, encounter the plants and animals that live in our local environment.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE DAYS – FLORIDA ECOSYSTEMS

Birds of Prey
2023-04-08 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 <<<
Presented by the Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.

Egg Day
2023-04-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, 18328 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL, 33785, United States
Join us for all things Eggs! We will be learning about many different animals and their eggs along with fun activities and pictures with different egg laying animals!

Turtle Bioartifacts
2023-04-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Turtle Bioartifacts
And What They Can Teach Us

Examine turtle bioartifacts and learn about turtle biology and ecology!

Dive into turtle science 101 with local herpetologist and environmental educator George L. Heinrich! This hands-on workshop will explore turtle bioartifacts (natural history objects) commonly found during nature forays. Numerous specimens of shells and skulls will allow us to learn about turtle anatomy and species diversity. We will also examine a variety of eggs and dissect gopher tortoise scat. Participants may also get to observe some of the Preserve’s resident gopher tortoises.
This workshop will take place outdoors, under the covered pavilion adjacent to the Cultural and Natural History Center. This program is recommended for ages 16+ and youth should be accompanied by an adult.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Weedon Island. Our Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Learn more about our Friends at https://friendsofweedonisland.org/.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

THE SWAMP PEDDLERS
2023-04-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, 400 Palmetto Avenue, Osprey, FL, 34229-0902, United States
Join us at Michael’s On East for our fourth annual Nature Lecture! This event brings a noted mission-relevant speaker to Sarasota. Past speakers include noted Florida photographer, Clyde Butcher; author, Andrea Wulf; and world-renowned entomologist, Dr. Jack Longino.
This year’s speaker is award-winning author and historian, Jason Vuic.
THE SWAMP PEDDLERS
How Lot Sellers, Land Scammers, and Retirees Built Modern Florida and Transformed the American Dream
Originally from Punta Gorda, FL, Jason Vuic is a graduate of Wake Forest University, and holds an M.A. in history from the University of Richmond and a Ph.D. in history from Indiana University Bloomington. His first book, The Yugo: the Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History, received rave reviews in over 100 print and web-based publications, and in 2016, his book The Yucks! Two Years in Tampa with the Losingest Team in NFL History, garnered wide acclaim from several dozen media outlets and publications.
In 2021, Vuic published The Swamp Peddlers, a tale of misguided land development in Florida during the grow-at-any-cost 1950s and ’60s, which won the Phillip and Dana Zimmerman Gold Medal Prize for Florida Nonfiction at the 2021 Florida Book Awards, as well as the 2021 Charlton Tebeau Award for outstanding general interest book from the Florida Historical Society.
In this lecture by the same name, Vuic dives into the history of the “installment land sales industry,” which seemingly appeared out of nowhere to sell billions of dollars of Florida residential property, sight unseen, to retiring northerners. For only $10 down and $10 a month, working-class pensioners could buy a piece of the Florida dream: a graded homesite waiting for them in a planned community when they were ready to build. The result was Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, Deltona, Port Charlotte, Palm Coast, and Spring Hill, among many others–sprawling exurban communities with no downtowns and little industry but millions of residential lots. These communities allowed generations of northerners to move to Florida cheaply, but at a price.
We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a captivating program.
>>> RSVP HERE <<<

Homeschool Science Days: Technology through Time
2023-05-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Homeschool Science Days combine hands-on explorations with themed adventures throughout The Bishop’s exhibitions, Planetarium, and Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat. This month, uncover how human ingenuity has created tools, past and present.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE DAYS – TECHNOLOGY THROUGH TIME
