FFL HC Webinar Series: Control Yard Pests Responsibly
2025-08-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | ZOOM, United States
Part of the Florida Friendly Landscaping ™ (FFL) HC Webinars collection

Join the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Hillsborough County (HC) Webinar Series!
Join us for an enlightening webinar on managing yard pests the Florida-Friendly way! Learn how to keep your landscape healthy while minimizing harm to beneficial insects and the environment.
What You’ll Discover:

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies
How to identify common Florida pests and their natural predators
Eco-friendly pest control methods that work

Say goodbye to harmful pesticides and hello to a balanced, thriving landscape. Our UF/IFAS experts will share practical tips and answer your questions during the live Q&A session.
Don’t let pests bug you! Register now and learn how to create a harmonious backyard ecosystem that naturally keeps pests in check. Your plants, beneficial insects, and local wildlife will thank you!
The mission is to educate Floridians about environmentally friendly landscaping practices and to encourage them to conserve and protect our water resources by applying Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles in their landscapes.
We will conduct this Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ workshop online, via Zoom. No additional software or extra computer skills are necessary – just click to join!
NOTE: Registrants will receive an emailed Zoom link to access the Webinar the day before the program. *If you do not receive the Z00M link, please check your SPAM folder for an email with the link. If no link is received, please contact Michael Masucci, masuccim@ufl.edu or at 813-744-5519 Ext. 54142 for assistance.
>>> GET TICKETS <<<
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
This webinar will be closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
***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: Lynn Barber, barberl@HCFL.gov, 813-744-5519 Ext. 54105, at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Great Southeast Pollinator Census
2025-08-22 - 2025-08-23 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia. It is open to residents of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. It is designed for everyone to participate and make a difference for pollinator conservation!
The City of Clearwater and the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society are hosting a two-day counting event at Moccasin Lake Nature Park from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, August 22nd and Saturday, August 23rd.
Participants will be assigned an area of the butterfly garden in the park and will be asked to record their observations of the following kinds of pollinators: bumblebees, honeybees, carpenter bees, small bees, wasps, butterflies, and other pollinators. The organizers will collect the observations and submit them to the University of Georgia. Count sheets and other information will be provided to participants. Nonprofit vendors will be on hand with information about pollinator conservation.
MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION LINKS HERE

Pollinators
2025-08-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th Street, Dade City, FL, 33523, United States
Who are the pollinators and why are they important to our world?
Pollinators are critical to our ecosystem, and they are in trouble. Who are the pollinators and why are they important to our world? Why we should care about them and how we can help them survive our ever-increasingly warm climate.
A healthy garden with the right plants will support natural beneficial insects and their needs. Learn what’s causing their decline and how planting a pollinator friendly habitat in our yards will benefit them and us!
>>> GET TICKETS <<<

Dragonfly Discovery Walk
2025-09-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-20 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.
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 <<<

Parks for Pollinators Bio Blitz!
2025-09-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Largo Central Park Nature Preserve, 150 Highland Ave. N, Largo, FL, 33770, United States
Take part in Citizen Science and help conserve our mini-wildlife at Largo Central Park Nature Preserve!

Join the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz 2025 and Help Save Local Pollinators!
A Bio Blitz is a quick, targeted survey of species in a particular area.
At this event we will learn and practice making observations of pollinators and the flowers they are visiting. Observations made at this event with the iNaturalist phone app will be added to a national database that tracks the health of pollinators across the country. Meet local naturalists, learn how to use the iNaturalist app, and explore the trails to make your first observations with experts on hand!
Educators from the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and the City of Largo Parks Department will be on hand to get you started at this BioBlitz. Then, participants are invited to continue making observations for the month of September in any park in Pinellas County!
This event will be held at Largo Central Park Nature Preserve
Every Observation = Real Scientific Data
By participating, you’re not only helping to raise awareness — you’re contributing to real data that helps Pinellas County and conservation organizations across the Country make better decisions for wildlife and land management.
>>> GET TICKETS <<<
Learn More: www.nrpa.org/BioBlitz

Basics Of Butterfly Gardening
2025-09-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Learn how to create a beautiful butterfly garden with easy tips and tricks at our Basics Of Butterfly Gardening event!
Come join us for a fun and informative event all about creating your very own butterfly garden! Learn tips and tricks on how to attract these beautiful creatures to your yard. Our experts will cover everything from selecting the right plants to creating a welcoming habitat.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone interested in butterflies and gardening. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and beautify your outdoor space! See you at Palma Sola Botanical Park!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Wildflower & Pollinator Festival
2025-10-04 09:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Celebrate Florida’s native wildflowers and pollinators!
The Fall Wildflower and Pollinator Festival returns this year with a day of fun for the whole family! This free event is brought to you by Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department and sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve!
Celebrate Florida Wildflowers and the Pollinators that support us all. A native plant sale will feature vendors from our area with plants that are beautiful, pollinator-friendly, and best suited for our climate. Kid’s crafts will focus on make-and-take projects to support pollinators in our own yards and neighborhoods. There will be a Pollinator Encounter tent to experience these helpful, harmless insects close-up. Various organizations will be available to answer questions about growing wildflowers, attracting pollinators, and being a good friend to Nature in Pinellas County! Refreshments, temporary pollinator tattoos and more await you at this free event.
>>> GET TICKETS <<<
Ongoing Activities Outside:

Wildflower Quest- Take the challenge along the Ed Center Trail (last hunt at 1pm)
Butterfly Encounter- Enjoy a walkthrough tent where you are surrounded by live butterflies!
Native Plant Sale- Near the parking lot (while supplies last).

In the Classroom Building:

Beeswax candle-making
Honeybee observation hive

In the Auditorium:

Nature crafts for kids
Educational information tables

Exhibit Hall

Get a temporary tattoo featuring a wildflower or pollinator, thanks to Kate Dolamore Art

The Exhibit Hall and Nature Store are open all day from 9am to 4pm! Refreshments available for purchase. Naturalists on trails to answer questions. Come rain or shine! All activities are subject to change.
Questions? Email brookercreek@pinellas.gov
>>> GET TICKETS <<<

Make Your Own Butterfly Garden
2025-10-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Take a walk through our butterfly gardens while learning all about native host and nectar plant identification, common butterflies, and other pollinators found in our area, and special garden features to add to support wildlife.
Build your own butterfly garden to take home to plant using native plant seeds.
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 <<<

Pollinator Gardening
2025-12-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa, FL, 33618, United States
Learn how to grow plants to attract pollinators to your yard.
Join UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County to learn strategies to attract pollinators to your yard. In this in-person class, you will learn how to select and plant flowers in your home for a more pollinator-friendly landscape. This program is in support of the Carrollwood Pollinator Corridor in collaboration with Carrollwood Village Park, Carrollwood Cultural Center and VISTA Gardens and supported by the Florida Wildflower Foundation’s Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden program.
Attendees will receive free plants and seeds to start their own pollinator gardens at home. Thanks to Greenacre Properties https://www.greenacre.com, lunch will be included (choice of half club sandwich, chicken salad on croissant, or vegetarian wrap) catered by the New York Bagel Cafe in Carrollwood Village.
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Florida-Friendly Landscaping: Fertilize Appropriately
2026-01-07 19:00 - 20:00 | FL
FFL Principle Number 3, “Fertilize Appropriately,” provides guidance on how to best give your landscape plants the nutrients they need.

This is the fourth in a series of Florida-Friendly Landscaping webinars for residents of Pasco County! (Please register for each individual webinar presentation of the series, as the corresponding Zoom link will be sent out via email two days prior to the event. The Zoom link will only apply to the individual presentation.)
Plants have varying nutrient needs, depending on the species, the age of the plant, and its location. It’s not always necessary to fertilize your plants or lawns, and too much fertilizer can weaken a plant, promote disease, and invite pests, in addition to wasting money and harming the environment. Before you fertilize, you should always determine if it’s really needed, and if there are any local restrictions. If you do fertilize, always follow the fertilizer label directions and UF/IFAS recommended rates and application timings to prevent nutrient runoff and leaching which can pollute Florida’s waters.
Benefits of Fertilizing Appropriately:

Ground and surface waters are protected from pollution
Plant material has the correct color and appearance
Plants flower and fruit appropriately
Fertilizing only when necessary (not overfertilizing) saves money, reduces pest problems, and promotes healthy plant growth
You may be more satisfied with the performance of the landscape plants and turfgrass

What you do in your landscape matters. From the fertilizers you apply to the water you use, your gardening choices can have an impact on land, water, wildlife, and the overall well-being of Florida’s residents.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Program is here to help you learn how to have healthy and beautiful landscapes that protect Florida’s natural resources by following nine science-based principles:

Right Plant, Right Place
Water Efficiently
Fertilize Appropriately
Mulch
Attract Wildlife
Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
Recycle Yard Waste
Reduce Stormwater Runoff
Protect the Waterfront

A Florida-Friendly landscape can be designed to look the way you want, fit the aesthetics of your community, and suit your lifestyle, while being environmentally sustainable. Join us to learn how!
After registering for this webinar presentation, you will be emailed the Zoom link 2 days prior to the event.
This lecture is presented by Kate Kaste, UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, FFL Program Manager.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Fight the Bite
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn what Pinellas County Mosquito Control is doing to protect public health through Integrated Mosquito Management.
Our presentation will touch on the history of mosquito-borne illnesses and mosquito control in the state of Florida, important steps you can take to prevent mosquito breeding around your home, protecting yourself from mosquito bites, and information about the services Pinellas County Mosquito Control provides to the county.
Save your spot
