Befriend the Beetle: Air Potato Vine Biological Control Workshop
2021-08-17 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Meet the air potato beetle and work with experts to develop a management plan for air potato vine control in residential landscapes.

Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the Suncoast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) for an engaging event focused on air potato vine control. Participants will have the opportunity to identify the invasive air potato vine, meet the charismatic air potato beetle and develop an integrated pest management plan for managing air potato vine on their property. Masks are encouraged.
REGISTER HERE

Invasive Plants in Pinellas
2021-08-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
They’re loose! And they are trying to take over! Come learn about some of the invasive exotic plants that are disrupting our natural plant communities in Pinellas. You may be harboring some of these fugitives in your own back yard! Learn to identify and how to control and replace these invaders.
Presented by James Stevenson, UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension Specialist.
REGISTER HERE

Invasive Exotic Plants on Nature Lands
2022-02-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, FL, United States
The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at The Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd/US 41, Land O’ Lakes, 34639, between SR 52 and SR 54. The subject of the February 8, 2022 meeting is “Invasive Exotic Plants on Nature Lands” presented by Michael Terry. This presentation will focus on the invasive plant species on the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (SWFWMD) Upper Hillsborough Tract – 6,978 acres that protects the upper reaches of the Hillsborough River. This river’s floodplain provides natural storage of floodwaters, acts as a filtration system for runoff and serves as an important link in protecting wildlife habitat in the Hillsborough River greenway corridor. Mike will identify some of the invasive plant species on the property, describe the damage they cause, and explain what is being done to remove these invasives from this property.
Michael is the Senior Vegetation Management Specialist in the Operations and Land Management Bureau with SWFWMD. He has been with the District for 37 years, working with terrestrial and aquatic exotic vegetation. His duties include working with private contractors on SWFWMD lands to oversee their exotic treatment and helicopter surveys for Old World Climbing Fern. He also works control burns and wildfires as needed.
Meetings of the Chapter are free, and all interested parties are invited to attend and bring questions about their yard. There will not be any refreshments or drinks available, so everyone needs to bring their own. Please wear a mask! Telephone inquiries are taken by Molly at (813) 469-9597.
Chapter website: http://www.pasconativeplants.org.

Gardening 101: Good Bug, Bad Bug?
2022-02-25 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
This class will cover common beneficial insects and pests of Florida gardens.

Join UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County to meet the bugs you need to know for success in your landscape. New to gardening in Florida? We have the info you need to be successful. This class will cover common beneficial insects and pests of Florida gardens. Be prepared to get up close and personal with live insects.
In person at the Demonstration Garden at the Extension office (1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221)
REGISTER HERE

Return the Preserve Work Day
2022-04-16 08:00 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
The Return The Preserve Work Days focus on areas of the preserve where exotic invasive vegetation and unnatural overgrowth exists. It is our goal to help return the preserve to its natural beauty.
Working with FOBCP leadership and Preserve staff, volunteers provide the much needed hands-on support necessary to remove nuisance plants providing a more healthy environment for native wildlife.
Registration is required. This event is capped at 25 volunteers. In addition, the Volunteer Form must be completed and brought with you the day of the event.
This Work Day will be focusing on the Friends Trail located at the end of Lora Lane. Lora Lane is located a 1/2 mile west of the main Brooker Entrance off of Keystone. You travel one mile on Lora Lane until the road ends, and park. Registered participants will meet at 7:45, start at 8:00, and work until 11:00.
Important notes: There are no facilities or restrooms at this site.
Please bring clippers, loppers, hand saws, gloves, hat, and sunscreen. Long sleeve shirts and long pants are recommended; closed shoes are required.
For more information or questions, please contact the project leader: Evan Earle at eearlejr@gmail.com

Youth Program: Mosquito Mania
2022-08-26 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Snakes of Southwest Florida
2022-09-16 10:30 - 12:30 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn all about common snakes of Southwest Florida!

LOCATION: UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County Office, Rogers Auditorium
Want to find out more about these interesting and often misunderstood reptiles? You’ll learn which ones you’re most likely to see in your SW Florida yard and how to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bugs, bugs, bugs!
2022-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a Workshop on Pest and Beneficial Insects. Get answers to your garden 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. For special accomodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Landscape Best Management Practices
2022-10-04 08:30 - 11:30 | Pinellas County Public Works Clearwater, 22211 US Highway 19 North Bldg #1 (ERB), Clearwater, FL, 33765, United States
Learn about Landscape Best Management Practices to protect our environment with a healthy landscape!
Both English & Spanish classes are offered on the same day at the same time at the same location. This is the required class for those doing work in the lawn and landscape maintenance industry such as mowing, pruning, and landscape debris management.
>>> BUY TICKETS

Veggie Influenza
2022-10-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a class on common vegetable diseases!

This workshop is designed to educate the casual gardener about some of the most common vegetable diseases in Florida and in Manatee County. In this roughly two hour class, participants will learn the basic biology of pathogenic organisms, how to identify common disease symptoms, and acquire some basic disease management skills. This workshop is not designed for professional landscapers or pesticide applicators.
For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Mosquito Control & Why It Matters
2022-11-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, 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.

Red Tide Demise: Mitigation Initiative Update
2023-01-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Mote Associate Vice President for Research, Dr. Richard Pierce, also serving as the Program Manager for Ecotoxicology Research, joined Mote in 1981 as a Senior Scientist, developing a research program focusing on the source, fate and effects of toxic chemicals in the marine environment. With more than 75 published manuscripts and lectures nationally and internationally on his research, Pierce and Dr. Cynthia Heil, a Senior Scientist and Director of Mote’s Red Tide Institute will lead a lecture on Jan. 23. Heil, who has more than 25 years of experience with the science and management of marine and freshwater harmful algae bloom species, focuses on monitoring and mitigating Florida red tide along with the ecology and management of marine and freshwater HABs, nutrients and water quality.
Their lecture on Florida red tide will explain its severe negative impacts on the environment, economies and human health along Florida’s west coast, along with the Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative put in place to combat it. The Initiative, a result of the severe 2017-2019 red tide, provides funding for Mote scientists to partner with other institutions and companies to conduct extensive laboratory and field research on the efficacy of a variety of potential products and technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of red tide.
Mote Members also receive discounted admission to the event.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

Lower Green Swamp Invasive Plant Removal
2023-03-03 08:00 - 22:00 | Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve, 3540 East Knights Griffin Road, Plant City, FL, 33567, United States
We are hosting a volunteer event to pull invasive plant species in honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week (Feb. 28-March 4).
When: March 3rd, 8 AM – 10 PM
Where: Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve
3540 E Knights Griffin Rd, Plant City, FL 33565
Volunteers should plan on light maintenance to pull and cut invasive species from around the park. Dress to get messy and stay comfortable in the weather.
Park staff will be available on site to provide supplies and direction on how to detect and remove the invasive plants!
>>> REGISTER HERE

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

Mangrove Trimming Best Management Practices
2023-05-31 08:00 - 11:00 | Emerson Point Preserve, 5801 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a workshop covering Mangrove Trimming Best Practices!
This workshop will cover: Mangrove Ecology and Identification, Mangrove Trimming Regulations, Mangrove Trimming Demonstration of Best Practices.
Classroom located at the Nature Center, follow the road past the first parking lot on the left.
Preapproved with ISA CEUs.
Materials & light refreshments provided.
Free tickets for government employees, $15 (plus Eventbrite fees) for non-government employees.
>>> BUY TICKETS

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

Talk Plants with Me
2023-07-06 11:30 - 12:00 | ZOOM, United States
Ask a Horticulture Agent Webinar!
Submit your questions to our Horticulture Agent for live Q&A. We will talk about hot topics in the plant world and may have a few guests join us along the way.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION

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

Native Plant Garden Maintenance
2023-07-29 08:00 - 17:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
This program is led by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society’s Joel Jackson and Tina Patterson and supported by Tampa Audubon. Bring your own gloves and hand tools. Park fee of $2 per vehicle (up to eight people) park entry fee applies.

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

Living with Coyotes
2023-09-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join the FWC to learn about coyotes in Florida!
Join Jessica from the FWC for a talk about coyotes in Florida. She’ll review their history, biology, presence in communities, and best management practices for protecting people, pets, & property. Please join us for this informative program about coyotes!
Presented by Jessica Moore, Wildlife Assistance Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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 the auditorium.
>>> REGISTER HERE

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

Return the Preserve Work Day
2023-10-14 08:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
The Preserve Work Days are hosted by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve!

The Return The Preserve Work Days focus on areas of the preserve where exotic invasive vegetation and unnatural overgrowth exists. It is our goal to help return the preserve to its natural beauty.
Working with FOBCP leadership and Preserve staff, volunteers provide the much needed hands-on support necessary to remove nuisance plants providing a more healthy environment for native wildlife.
Registration is required. This event is capped at 25 volunteers. In addition, the Volunteer Form must be completed and brought with you the day of the event.
We will meet in the main parking lot. Registered participants will meet at 7:45, start at 8:00, and work until 11:00.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Wicked Weeds: Invasives & Control
2023-10-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteers to learn all about those undesirable plant species in your landscape and how to best manage them and manage your landscape expectations.
>>> REGISTER HERE

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
