Dragonfly Discovery Walk
2024-04-26 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | 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.
Join local dragonfly expert Paul Trunk as we explore some of the habitats at Brooker Creek 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.
Bring your binoculars and also a camera if you enjoy taking pictures. Registration is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Pollinator Walk
2024-08-23 10:00 - 11:30 | 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 on a walk to see the pollinators doing their thing!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Termite Basics
2024-08-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
A beginner’s guide to termite biology, diversity, and identification.
Join us for an introductory workshop into the world of termites. We will cover termite biology, diversity, and identification tips for the average citizen. For more information, please contact Mack Lessig at (941) 722-4524 ext. 1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Ants of Florida
2024-08-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ants are often overlooked and viewed as a pest but look closely and you will discover an amazing world! Learn about the fascinating ants found at the preserve!
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
2024-09-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Let us answer all of your insect and pest questions!
Do you want to learn more about pests and beneficial insects? During this 2-hour class we’ll cover insect life cycles, management, identification, and more.
For more information, please contact Mack Lessig at (941) 722-4524 ext. 1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Science Rocks!
2023-09-07 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

Pollinator Pots
2024-09-28 14:00 - 15:30 | 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!
18 yrs +
Bring a 12″ – 18″ pot and we will provide the native plants and soil!
Register here

Butterfly Gardening for Beginners
2024-10-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™:
Basics of Butterfly Gardening for Beginners
Everything you need to know to start your own backyard butterfly garden!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Attracting Butterflies
2024-11-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Learn expert tips on how to attract a wide variety of beautiful butterflies into your yard or balcony.
All ages welcome with a registered adult.

>>> REGISTER HERE

Butterfly Garden Work Day
2025-01-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
No experience necessary. We will be weeding, pruning, spreading mulch, and learning about native plants!
Meet near the butterfly garden which is next to the education building at the end of the parking lot.
Join in for as many hours as you can.
Bring gloves if you have them – the park has some that volunteers can borrow.
Questions/RSVP to Tabatha Spence-Hall: volunteer@pinellasnativeplants.org

Bug Investigations
2025-01-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join us for an exciting exploration into the world of bugs!
Ages 6 yrs +
Participants will become junior entomologists, discovering the fascinating lives of insects and other small creatures.
>>> REGISTER HERE

The Life of a Dead Tree
2025-01-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
It has been said that a dead tree supports more biodiversity than a live tree! Let’s explore what happens when a tree meets its end. From initial decomposers to larger opportunists, a dead tree becomes a “hive” of activity until it is reduced to dust.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor.
Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Pollinator Pots
2025-02-22 14:00 - 15:30 | 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.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Introduction to Beekeeping
2025-03-09 11:00 - 13:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Introduction to Beekeeping:
A Hobby with Sweet Rewards
~ 3 Sessions ~
This program will introduce you to the basics of honey bees, their behavior, biology and the guiding principles of beekeeping.
Instructor: Robert Burkard, President of the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve’s Beekeepers Club
Why honey bees? In addition to the personal satisfaction of harvesting your own pure natural honey, many of our food staples would disappear without honey bees for pollination. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these under-appreciated workers pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops, which constitute one-third of everything we eat. Hobbyist beekeepers play a vital role in keeping our honey bee population healthy.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Butterfly Gardening: Milkweed for Monarchs
2025-03-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to attract monarchs and other butterflies to your Florida garden
This class will teach you how to attract and keep butterflies in your garden year-round along with other pollinators and beneficial insects important to a healthy garden. We will talk about key nectar and host plants for Central Florida that you should plant in your yard. Participants will receive a native milkweed plant and a butterfly ID brochure after attending the workshop.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a non-refundable $10.00 registration fee per individual for this workshop.
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Tiny Wildlife Walk
2025-03-15 09:30 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join naturalist Liz Childress on a walk to look for little creatures and discover the hidden beauty of the Weedon Island Preserve.

Wildlife abounds at the Weedon Island Preserve, especially the tiny kind, like butterflies, bees, and other invertebrates. Join naturalist Liz Childress on a walk to look for little creatures and discover the hidden beauty of the Preserve. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Note: The total walk length will be variable, but no more than a mile or so. We will traverse uneven, natural paths and boardwalks so please prepare accordingly.
This tour is best suited for adults and youth ages 10+. Youth must be supervised by an adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Buggin' Out Hike
2025-03-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join our rangers for an explorative hike as we discover the fascinating insects that call Boyd Hill home. Learn about the vital roles these tiny creatures play in our ecosystem and why they are so important for the health of our environment

All ages welcome with a registered adult.

>>> REGISTER HERE

Nature Detectives Camp - BHNP Spring 2025
2025-03-17 08:00 - 2025-03-21 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 7 yrs – 11 yrs
Explore the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles (such as gopher tortoises, frogs, lizards) with hands-on learning, hikes, and animal encounters.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Youth Spring Break Pollinator Party
2025-03-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn about our native pollinators!
Take a pollinator walk, safely catch and study some insect friends, complete a scavenger hunt, then create seed-balls to take home so you can create a pollinator habitat of your own!
Recommended for youth ages 7 & up. Registration is required.
Space is limited and this program will cap at 20 participants. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program. Meet in front of the auditorium.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Froggin' Around
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Let’s have a little frog fun to celebrate World Water Day!
Ages 4 yrs – 8 yrs
Come dressed like your favorite frog and enjoy a frog’s point of view. Join Connie Nye to learn about adaptations and the life cycle of frogs.
A reading of “Can He Keep It?” and a book signing included.
Books are not included, but will be available for a $20 purchase.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Special Butterfly Walk!
2025-03-29 09:00 - 11:00 | Folly Farms Nature Preserve, 1538 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street North, Safety Harbor, FL, 34695, United States
Field Trip Leader: Ron Smith
Location: Folly Farms Nature Preserve
1538 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street North, Safety Harbor, Florida 34695
Meet at the parking lot. This walk and butterfly introduction day should feature several species of hairstreaks and other early season butterflies. Spectacular native plants display.
What to Bring:
Hat, Binoculars, Water, Insect repellent, Sunscreen

Tiny Wildlife Walk
2025-04-19 09:30 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us on a naturalist-led walk to look for little creatures and discover the hidden beauty of the Weedon Island Preserve!

Wildlife abounds at the Weedon Island Preserve, especially the tiny kind, like butterflies, bees, and other invertebrates. Join naturalist Liz Childress on a walk to look for little creatures and discover the hidden beauty of the Preserve. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
The total walk length will be variable, but no more than a mile or so. We will traverse uneven, natural paths and boardwalks so please prepare accordingly.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Florida’s Fabulous Fireflies
2025-04-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Commonly called “lightning bugs”, come learn about Florida’s fireflies and what we can do to conserve them!
Yes, Florida has fireflies and more species than any other state in the U.S.! Join a staff naturalist to learn about this insect’s surprising lifestyle, how they communicate (hint: it’s flashy) and what you can do to help them. There might even be a chance to flash like a firefly!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bug Out With Ava: An Intro to Hymenoptera
2025-05-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn why these insects are so important!

Join Ava Easterling, educator and entomologist, to learn about the fascinating world of Hymenoptera- bees, ants, and wasps! Discover why these insects play a vital role in sustaining our planet and learn about some of their common behaviors.
After the program, attendees will have the opportunity to view Ava’s pinned insect collection and meet some live insects and see these tiny amazing creatures in action!
Great for all ages! Family friendly.
Registration not required
Additional Notes: 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 buildings. This program meets in the Auditorium or “Butterfly Room”.
Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.

AFTERNOON ADVENTURES: BETTER BEE-LIEVE IT
2025-05-17 03:30 - 16:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
For Ages: 8 – 12
Join our Rangers to learn about bee society and how a hive cooperates, along with examining how important bees are to humans. Many of our crops are only possible because of bee pollination.
Explore why bees are important, what dangers they face, and how you can help our small, flighted friends.
Register here
