Science Sprouts
2023-05-13 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Florida First Detector Workshop
2023-05-19 09:30 - 11:30 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn about common pests and diseases and how to manage them in your home landscape.
Learn about the turfgrass pest chinch bugs, the invasive giant African land snail, whiteflies, scales and mealybugs from our Florida First Detector specialists from the University of Florida. Workshop Participants will receive a tote bag with a pest identification book and other identification tools. There will be lot of hands-on activities. The tote bag and other products will be shipped to you after the workshop.

>> IN PERSON REGISTRATION <<<
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Moth Night!
2023-05-19 20:00 - 22:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Discover Denizens of the Dark at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center.

After a brief lecture and hands-on science experience, we will venture into the night to find moths of many sizes and colors, all attracted to our artificial lights.
Registration is required. Space is very limited.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Moth Night!
2023-06-16 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-07-14 20:00 - 22:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Discover Denizens of the Dark at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center.

After a brief lecture and hands-on science experience, we will venture into the night to find moths of many sizes and colors, all attracted to our artificial lights.
Registration is required. Space is very limited. Once registered, please check your confirmation email for important details on where to meet.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Cicadas: Florida’s Heat Bugs
2023-06-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Discover the life, habits, songs, and fun facts about these widespread (& loud) insects.
Discover the life, habits, songs and fun facts about these widespread (& loud) insects. If weather permits, we will also go outside to try to listen for them!
This program will take place inside the auditorium of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, but will also go outside briefly to observe wild insects. This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 8 and up.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
2023-07-14 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Let us answer all of your insect and pest questions!
Do you want to learn more about pest and beneficial insects? During this 2-hour class we’ll cover insect life cycles, managements, identification, and more. For more information, please contact Mack Lessig at (941) 722-4524 ext. 1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

DIY NATURAL BUG SPRAY
2023-07-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center
Make your own natural bug spray to use while outdoors during the summer months.
Registration is required by July 15.
Ages 18 & up welcome
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Moth Night Hike
2023-07-22 20:30 - 22:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join us for a special night hike celebrating the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths during National Moth Week 2023!
All ages welcome with a registered adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Moth Mania!
2023-07-29 09:00 - 10:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Daytime, nighttime, anytime is a great time to observe and learn about moths!
Learn about the fascinating world of our “other butterflies”, the moths! Find out about their secret nocturnal lifestyles, their fuzziness, why they are attracted to lights, and maybe even find a few on the exterior windows of the Cultural and Natural History Center!
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
This program will take place inside the auditorium of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, but will also go outside briefly to observe wild moths. This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 10 and up.

Dragonfly Discovery Walk
2023-08-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-08-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join local dragonfly expert Paul Trunk as we explore the Preserve looking for dragonflies.
Brooker Creek Preserve is an excellent area that is home to approximately 20+ species of odonates.
We will learn about the natural history of dragonflies and their importance to a healthy ecosystem.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Bring your binoculars and also a camera if you enjoy taking pictures. Registration is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Youth Program: Mosquito Mania
2023-08-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Have a future entomologist on your hands?
Kids ages 6-11 are invited to learn about the wonderful world of insects!
We will discuss what makes insects different from other animals, what they need to live, their life cycle, and then apply what we learn to mosquitoes. After the presentation attendees can explore live aquatic insect stations and use microscopes to view them up close!
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. Registration is required and space is limited. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program.
Presented by Kailey Travis, Environmental Specialist III with Pinellas County
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Pollinator Walk at the Preserve
2023-08-25 09:00 - 10:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about the weird world of pollination, then go for a guided walk at Weedon Island to see some pollinators in action!

Learn about the weird world of pollination from a Center naturalist, then go on a walk to see the pollinators doing their thing at the Weedon Island Preserve! Bring your camera of choice to capture these interesting observations.
This walk is recommended for adults and youth ages 10 and up. All youth must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Pinellas County Bee City USA 2023 BioBlitz!
2023-09-02 08:00 - 14:00 | Eagle Lake Park, 1800 Keene Road, Largo, FL, 33771, United States
Join others in the community for a fun, citizen-science effort to record as many species of plants and insects at Eagle Lake Park

Pinellas County has recently been recognized as a Bee City (County) by the non-profit Xerces Society for the Conservation of Invertebrates. Part of our commitment to foster a community that supports insect conservation is to engage citizens in the collection of data on the health of our insect populations.
You are invited to join others in the community for a fun, citizen-science effort to record as many species of plants and insects at Eagle Lake Park on September 2, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 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 in one park in our county. Educators from the Brooker Creek and Weedon Island Environmental Education Centers will be on hand to get you started at the BioBlitz.
All are welcome to join us to start the blitz at Shelter 3, Eagle Lake Park, 1800 Keene Road, Largo, FL 33771 from 8:00am – 2:00pm.

Science Rocks!
2023-09-07 10:30 - 11:30, 2023-10-05 10:30 - 11:30, 2023-11-02 10:30 - 11:30, 2023-12-07 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-01-04 10:30 - 11:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
This free event at Moccasin Lake Nature Park is hosted by the Clearwater Community Women’s Club, and it covers a range of science topics through hands-on activities, discussion and crafts. Registration is required by emailing ScienceRocksMoccasin@gmail.com.
Sept. 7: 5 Senses
Oct.5: Water
Nov. 2. Bees
Jan. 4: Push/Pull
Feb. 1: Flight
Mar. 7: Frogs and Toads
April 4: The Sun
May 2: 3 States of Matter

Mosquito Mania
2023-09-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about Florida’s well-known insect, the mosquito!

Families with youth aged 6-11 years old are invited to discover the fascinating world of Florida’s insects! Learn about what makes insects different from other animals, where they live, and their role in the food web. We’ll use Florida’s most well-known insect, the mosquito, as a study subject.
Mosquito Mania was designed to meet K-5 Next Generation Sunshine State Science Standards. The program is broken into three parts, an interactive digital presentation, an “insect zoo lab” with live specimens for hands-on observation, and a build-a-mosquito craft to learn about the different body parts. Attendees will observe the mosquito lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) and the different aquatic predators of mosquito larvae.
This program will take place inside of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. Youth must be accompanied by an adult for the full duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this class you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Prior to ten (10) working days before the class, please submit your request to accommodations@pinellascounty.org and cc weedonisland@pinellas.gov. In your request, please be sure to include the date and title of the program you need accommodations for, indicate that the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center is the program host, and include what specific accommodations you will need.

Moth Night!
2023-09-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Discover Denizens of the Dark at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center.

After a brief lecture , we will venture into the night to find moths of many sizes and colors, all attracted to our artificial lights. This evening experience is best for adults and children over 12.
Registration is required. Space is very limited. Once registered, please check your confirmation email for important details on where to meet.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Native Bee Walk
2023-09-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Talk a guided walk to observe the native bee species at Weedon Island!

Weedon Island Preserve is a home for many species of Pinellas County’s native bees. The native bees on Weedon Island are found in a variety of sizes from tiny ones that are the size of a grain of rice all the way to huge bumble bees and carpenter bees. Join a staff naturalist for a walk around the grounds to look for these fascinating insects that contribute to our ecosystem in many important ways.
This walk is recommended for adults and youth ages 8 and up. All youth must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Pollinator Pots
2023-09-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Support local pollinators such as butterflies and birds by making a pollinator pot to put on your porch or balcony! Bring a 12″ – 18″ pot and we will provide the native plants and soil!
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Surprising Native Bees in Pinellas County
2023-09-29 10:00 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about the lifestyles of the native bees in your own Pinellas County backyard.
Find out about Pinellas County’s surprising and diverse native bees! Learn about their lifestyles (hint, no hives), how to identify them and what you can do to help them.
This program will take place inside the auditorium of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, but may also go outside briefly to look for bees. This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 8 and up.
This program will be led by Liz Childress, supervisor of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. Liz is a life-long student of Florida’s natural environment, with special interests in insects, fish, and birds. A second-generation Pinellas native, Liz changed careers from technology to environmental education. She graduated from University of Florida and Georgia Institute of Technology with degrees in journalism and business, and has completed coursework in entomology. Liz enjoys providing programming to spark enthusiasm for Florida’s natural and cultural resources.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Butterflies of Pinellas County
2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States

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.

Bugs & Butterflies for Beginners
2023-11-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
This class is an introduction wonderful world of insects!

What is that bug? Does it bite? Is it REALLY a bug? This class will introduce participants to the wonderful world of insects, including butterflies, found throughout Pinellas County. Learn how to identify major groups of insects and their ecological importance. Recommended for adults and families.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Butterfly and Bird-Attracting Native Plants & Trees
2024-01-04 10:00 - 11:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how to attract birds & butterflies with natives!
Bird and butterfly populations are in decline worldwide and their fates are intertwined. Join us for an informative class about what we each can do in our own backyards and neighborhoods by adding appropriate plants and changing practices to support these beautiful creatures and bring life back into our communities.
>>> 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.

Insect Investigation Hike
2024-01-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join a ranger on a guided hike that will take you on a journey through a diverse ecosystem, where you will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of insects that call Boyd Hill Nature Preserve home. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
