Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
2023-03-04 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how to collect rainwater for ornamental plant irrigation while reducing erosion and stormwater runoff, and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive one 45-55 gallon plastic food-grade barrel after attending the workshop. (1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.).
>>> IN PERSON REGISTRATION WEBINAR REGISTRATION

Saturday Guided Hike
2023-04-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-05-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the trails and boardwalks of the Weedon Island Preserve.

Explore the mangrove and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided hike of the Preserve. Learn about the coastal environment, native wildlife, and early history of the island. This tour is for adults and youth ages 10 and up. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center for a short introduction before departing for the trails. The total hike length may be up to two miles. This hike may traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly. Afterwards, attendees will return to the Center to complete an evaluation of the hike and explore the museum’s exhibits.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Parents' Night Out: Nighttime Sounds Exploration for Kids
2023-05-12 18:00 - 22:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Parents! Drop off the kids for an evening of outdoor activities!
From owls to insects, many animals are active all night long. Our evening together includes nature sounds activities, games, crafts, a pizza dinner, and a night hike!
Ages 6-12
Click here to register your child for this event.

NOAA Aircraft Operations & Hurricanes
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about hurricane research and reconnaissance with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Join us for a talk with Alan Goldstein, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aircraft Acquisition Program Manager, to learn about hurricane research and reconnaissance using specialized aircrafts.
Alan Goldstein is the NOAA Aircraft Acquisition Program Manager, responsible for all new aircraft acquisitions. Previously, he was a design engineer and head of the Science and Engineering Branch at NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center. Alan has over 46 years of experience with NOAA aircraft, including 350 hurricane penetrations and has participated in research projects from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic. He is married to Michelle Goldstein, who volunteers as a docent at the WIP Cultural and Natural History Center and leads the Tot Time programs. They both enjoy traveling and the outdoors, including kayaking at Weedon Island.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Great American Cleanup
2023-05-20 08:00 - 11:00 | FL
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers to participate in the Great American Cleanup at Grandview Park and Maximo Park in St. Pete in partnership with Keep Pinellas Beautiful on Saturday, May 20 from 9 AM – 12 PM. Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program which takes place annually during spring in an estimated 15,000 communities nationwide. A big thank you to the SeaWorld Conservation Fund and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation for supporting us in our marine debris efforts and our partnerships with the City of St. Petersburg and Keep Pinellas Beautiful!
Click your preferred site to register:
Grandview Park
Maximo Park

Long Center Water Safety Day
2023-05-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Long Center, 1501 N Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL, 33765, United States
Learn about life-saving techniques and the importance of water safety education at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road. Participants can take water safety evaluations with certified instructors, diving demos, swim team information, swim lessons and more. Free event.

Hiking with Heroes
2023-05-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
In honor of Memorial Day, join fellow members of the veteran community as we explore the mangrove and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided hike of the Preserve. Learn about the coastal environment, native wildlife, and early history of the island.
The hike may be to 3 miles in total length and will be on a combination of boardwalks, paved, or natural trails.
This tour is for military veterans and family members ages 10 and up. Veterans are requested to wear clothing or a hat indicating their military service branch. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE

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

The Ways of Water Hike
2023-01-07 09:00 - 22:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Water is an important feature at Brooker Creek Preserve .
On this hike you will learn the different ways we interact with water, the importance of wetlands and how you can make a difference in issues surrounding our water quality and quantity. Come and enjoy this family friendly fall walk through the woods.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Landscaping for Hurricane Season
2023-06-01 10:30 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how to prepare your lawn & garden for hurricane season!
As we approach hurricane season, we can take steps to prepare our landscapes for challenges related to flooding, high winds, sudden temperature changes and the slow appearance of stress damage over time. We will discuss lawn and landscape considerations as well as tree and palm pruning.
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.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Composting Workshop
2023-02-04 08:30 - 09:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to put your everyday food waste and organic materials to work for you! Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a compost bin, compost bucket and thermometer after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Please arrive 15 minutes before the program starts.
>>> IN PERSON REGISTRATION WEBINAR REGISTRATION

Archaeology Walk & Talk
2023-06-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the Weedon Island Preserve with a focus on its archaeological history.
Enjoy a guided hike at the Weedon Island Preserve and learn about the the peoples that inhabited this area thousands of years ago. The hike guide will also share information about the ongoing archaeological research being done to better understand these past cultures.
This hike is recommended for adults and youth ages 12+. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center for a short introduction before departing for the trails. The hike will be two miles in length and will traverse uneven terrain so participants must be able to manage these conditions. Afterwards, attendees will return to the Center to complete an evaluation of the hike and explore the museum’s exhibits.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Microirrigation Workshop
2023-02-04 09:30 - 11:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to save water watering your garden.
Learn how you can have healthy and attractive landscape beds while conserving water. This irrigation method not only conserves water, but is not limited by current water restrictions as is traditional in-ground irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a microirrigation kit after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
>>> IN PERSON REGISTRATION WEBINAR REGISTRATION

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
2023-02-04 11:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to collect rainwater for ornamental plant irrigation while reducing erosion and stormwater runoff, and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive one 45-55 gallon plastic food-grade barrel after attending the workshop. (1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.).
>>> IN PERSON REGISTRATION WEBINAR REGISTRATION

Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve Reader's Club
2023-06-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve Reader’s Club is back!
This club is for a group of readers interested in discussing books, articles, or other pieces about nature and our environment. All readers welcome!
June’s Selection: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Please note that registration is required due to a limited amount of seats. Please meet in the Conference Room inside the Visitors Center. *Note that books will not be provided for you.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Summer Service Program
2023-06-07 08:00 - 11:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Tampa Bay Watch is offering high school students an opportunity to earn community service hours this summer. The program is scheduled to take place on Wednesday mornings 9 AM – 12 PM from June 7 – July 19 at our facility in Tierra Verde with a maximum of fifteen volunteers per project. The minimum age to participate is 15 years old. Examples of projects include assisting with native plantings, oyster shell recycling, cleaning fishing line, and coastal cleanups.
Interested students should email rarndt@tampabaywatch.org with a cell phone number and the dates they’d like to participate.

Live Birds at the Library!
2023-06-09 12:00 - 13:00 | St. Pete Beach Public Library, 365 73rd Avenue, St. Pete Beach, FL, 33706, United States
Join us at the library for an educational program about our native wildlife featuring our avian ambassadors!

Managing Our Underwater World in Tampa Bay
2023-06-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about the interesting coastal resources in our backyard Tampa Bay, and how the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves program, in partnership with the community, is working to restore & protect them.
The Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves (TBAP), managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, highlight the best of what our state has to offer: open water, inlet bays, tidally influenced creeks and rivers, oyster reefs, seagrass beds, salt marshes and mangrove forests. These habitats are vital to Florida’s iconic wildlife such as manatees, dolphins, fishes, oysters, and an abundance of wading, nesting and migratory birds. Although not widely known, TBAP even has a variety of corals in its hard-bottom areas.
This program will feature Dr. Randy Runnels of the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves Program. Dr. Runnels earned his PhD in Oceanography from Texas A&M University. His 30+ year career has taken him from the temperate Northern Gulf of Mexico to the Florida Keys. In recent years he has been invited to China and Vietnam as a coastal management adviser on a number of issues. He has managed Tampa Bay’s aquatic preserves for over two decades, and continues to teach college courses in Biology, Marine Science and Environmental Science.
This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 12+. Youth should be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Native Trees: A Major Keystone to Life
2023-06-10 10:00 - 23:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Pinellas County, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo
Do you know what keystone plant species are and what role they play? Did you know that just a few native keystone plant species support most moths and butterfly larva, and the largest group of keystone plant species are categorized as trees?
Join our special guest speaker Zack Pitchford, owner of Wilcox Nursery as he presents the importance of native trees in our landscapes and how homeowners and commercial property owners can strategically implement keystone trees into their landscapes. We will dissect the who, what, when, where and how of keystone trees so that you know how to incorporate more trees into your landscape big or small! Zack will also bring some native trees for show and tell.
Register Here

Wild Birds Unlimited Trinity
2023-06-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, 11018 Scott Loop, Riverview, FL, 33569, United States
Come meet the birds and the Magical Bird Bus Artist Terry Klaaren.
This is a fund raiser for the center. Any monies donated today will be going towards the bus We are in the process of refurbishing the bus.

Animal Evidence Camp
2023-06-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Natalie Lloyd will lead campers as they learn how to identify bones, tracks, and scat through daily hikes in the preserve.
Ages: 7 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE
