Lionfish dissection in our classroom!
2024-09-01 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Join us for an exciting lionfish dissection in our classroom. Learn how this beautiful invader threatens our ecosystem, and examine its stomach contents to find out which bay species it has been snacking on. All lionfish specimens are harvested as part of invasive species removal programs in Florida and donated to us.
For all ages! • 1 Hour
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom. All dissection guests must purchase a ticket to enter the classroom.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Meet your Forest: Tree & Fungi Walk and Talk
2025-01-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Trout Creek Wilderness Park, 12550 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, 33592, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Urban Forestry Agent, Alyssa Vinson for a walk and talk about our local trees and fungi.
She will cover tree identification techniques, including using iNaturalist to document your findings. Be prepared to walk with closed toed shoes, water, hat etc. A map will be emailed to you the day prior with the exact meeting location. Be aware that the park has a $2 entry fee.
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Nature's Teamwork
2025-02-15 15:30 - 17:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join the St. Petersburg Audubon to discover the intricate relationships in nature, such as parasitism and competition. We’ll examine how these interactions shape ecosystems, often providing benefits but at times devastating host populations in both plants and animal.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Phytoplankton and Their Friends
2025-04-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join Dr. Margaret “Maggi” Brisbin and Pinellas County Sea Grant Agent Katie Mastenbrook for an opportunity to deep dive into the world of plankton. The presentation will cover plankton communities in the Tampa Bay region, highlighting research on the plant plankton communities know as phytoplankton.
Dr. Brisbin will cover Pyrodinium bahamense (the toxin and light producing species that blooms in Upper Tampa Bay), Karenia brevis (Red Tide), and other lesser-known species important to the region. Dr. Brisbin will share how they monitor and study phytoplankton communities at USF and explain exciting recent research developments. Pinellas County Sea Grant Agent will further showcase other common types of animal plankton known as zooplankton, highlighting the importance of all are plankton species.
Participants will have a chance to view and get a hands-on experience with live plankton samples using traditional microscopes and cutting-edge, automated microscopes.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Meet an Arborist
2025-04-28 09:00 - 11:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Finding and Hiring a Certified Arborist for Tree Care
Join UF/IFAS Extension Urban Forestry Agent, Alyssa Vinson and local certified arborist, Carson Smith for an in depth conversation all about the importance of and the steps to, finding and hiring a certified arborist. We will discuss the in and outs of establishing your tree care goals, how to build a plan for long term care and where to find resources.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Ssssssnakes of Boyd Hill
2025-05-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 6 yrs – 13 yrs

Join our Ranger Intern to explore eight common native snakes that are found in the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. You will learn the difference between nonvenomous and venomous snakes.

There will be practice of snake identification so that you can be safe and smart in snake habitat. Activities will be interactive and engaging through crafts, games, and animal encounters.
Register here

It’s a Wasp’s World
2025-06-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Want to know the buzz about wasps? Join us for this event!

It’s a wasp’s world; we just live in it. Wasps have evolved for world domination, but maybe not in the ways that you’d expect. Join us for a deep dive into their fascinating and sometimes brutal strategies for survival. We’ll discover what they do, how they do it, and why they’re so important in our everyday life. You may not overcome your fear of wasps, but you just might start to appreciate them.
This program will include a presentation followed by a craft! Information and activities are suitable for adults and youth ages 8+
>>> REGISTER HERE

FFL HC Webinar Series: Control Yard Pests Responsibly
2025-06-23 08:00 - 17:00 | 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

Green Industries Best Management Practices (GIBMP) Certification
2025-06-24 08:00 - 16:30 | Plant City Recreation & Parks, 1904 South Park Road, Plant City, FL, 33563, United States
GIBMP Certification is required to obtain the FDACS Limited Urban Fertilizer license. The class provides CEUs to renew landscape licenses.

Anyone who applies fertilizer commercially/for hire in Florida is required to have the FDACS Limited Fertilizer license/certification. There are 2 steps to obtain the FDACS Fertilizer license/certification:

Attend a GIBMP class and pass the exam with a minimum score of 75%. You will receive a certificate of training from UF/IFAS and DEP.
Complete the FDACS license/certification application on the FDACS website link HERE , chose “New Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer”, upload your GIBMP certificate of training, and pay the $25 fee for a 4 year license/certification. This renews every 4 years with 2 Core and 2 LUF CEUs.

This class provides the training and exam required to obtain a Limited Certification for Urban Landscape Commercial Fertilizer (LCULCF) also known as Fertilizer License, as required by FL Senate Bill 494.
This program teaches the Best Management Practices for anyone working, supervising or advising in the lawn, landscape, pest control, or municipal grounds areas. The training is focused on reducing non-point source pollution resulting from fertilization or pesticide application and includes:

Lunch
Training Materials
Overview of Water Quality and Laws
Lawn and Landscape Best Management Practices
Irrigation Best Management Practices
Fertilization Best Management Practices
Pesticide Best Management Practices
Overview of Local County/Municipality Ordinances
Applications for LCULCF and Vehicle Decals
Exam

For a sneak peek at the training manual go : GI-BMP Manual
The Hillsborough County Landscape Management and Fertilizer Use Rule and the City of Tampa Fertilizer Ordinance require all commercial, governmental and institutional fertilizer applicators to be GI-BMP certified and that work vehicles be identified with a vehicle decal.
This training may be taken to satisfy some FDACS and FNGLA CEU requirements.
>>> REGISTER HERE

What You Need to Know About Weeds in Your FL Lawn & Landscape
2025-06-26 14:00 - 15:00 | New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33543, United States
“Why do I have so many weeds in my lawn?”
“Which product do I use?” or “Why didn’t this product work?”
Sound familiar?
Join us for an informative class on lawn and landscape weed management for home gardeners.
>>> GET TICKETS GET TICKETS

Pollinator Gardening & Insect Conservation
2025-07-15 14:00 - 15:30 | ZOOM, United States
Learn how to grow plants to attract pollinators to your yard and identify beneficial insects.
Pollinators need our help! Join our Southwest District UF/IFAS Extension team to learn strategies to conserve pollinators while suppressing plant pests. In this zoom webinar, you will learn about beneficial insects that prey on garden pests, conservation of butterflies, and strategies you can implement in your home for a more pollinator-friendly landscape. Participants who complete the survey and provide their mailing address will receive an Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management brochure, pollinator sticker, and a printout of the data sheet to participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on Aug. 22-23, 2025.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Work Day at Bell Creek Preserve
2025-07-16 08:00 - 10:00 | Bell Creek Preserve, 10940 McMullen Rd, Riverview, FL, 33569, United States
Suncoast Chapter supports the native plant garden at the Bell Creek Preserve entrance and the Hillsborough County CELM (Conservation and Environmental Land Management) office, whose headquarters are located there.
Master Gardener and Trail Cat volunteers have been cleaning up and removing invasive plants from the area. Suncoast members are invited to help with planting and maintenance. A county waiver form will be signed at the event.
Bring water bottle, gloves and personal tools.

Youth Program: Mosquito Mania
2025-07-19 10:30 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Have a future entomologist on your hands?
Kids ages 6-12 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 Caroline Scott, Environmental Specialist III with Pinellas County
>>> GET TICKETS

Green Industries Best Management Practices
2025-07-22 08:30 - 16:30 | Pasco County Extension Office, 36702 County Road 52, Dade City, FL, 33525, United States
Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMPs) is an educational program for people working in lawn-care and landscape maintenance.
Florida law states that all commercial fertilizer applicators must have a Limited Certification from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) (s. 482.1562, F.S.). To get this certification, each commercial applicator must be trained in the GI-BMPs and receive a certificate of completion from UF/IFAS Extension and FDEP. Local ordinances may require that non-commercial fertilizer applicators also be trained.
>>> REGISTER HERE GET TICKETS

Webinar on Prevention of Mosquito-borne Diseases in Florida
2025-07-24 13:00 - 14:00 | ZOOM, United States
Put on by UF/IFAS extension— 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Webinar on July 24:
Prevention of Mosquito-borne Diseases in Florida with Dr. Eva Buckner.
This is a live Zoom event that you can watch at home or your phone on the go. The event requires registration.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Integrated Pest Management Workshop
2025-08-05 17:30 - 19:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a presentation on sustainably managing pests on the farm or garden including common pest ID and their best control methods
Agenda:
What is IPM?
Common Florida Small Farm Pests
Control Methods
How to read a Pesticide Label
>>> REGISTER HERE
