Farming at Boyd Hill Garden
2023-09-07 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Fun, hands-on education on organic gardening, raising chickens, and fun activities from 4-H curricula.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Florida Native Gardening
2023-09-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Participants will learn about Florida-Friendly and Native plants, how to incorporate them into their landscapes and will participate in a planting activity where they will pot up native seeds to take home. Plant walk on the property is possible depending on the weather.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Seaside Spooktacular
2023-09-22 08:00 - 17:00
Join us at Seaside for an afternoon of spooky fun! Visit each of our resident birds for a treat, learn more about bats from Tampa Bay Bat Rescue, and carve a pumpkin!

Leave No Trace
2023-09-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
During this exercise, we will develop a greater awareness of the Leave No Trace principles. Through these practices we can better protect the wilderness for ourselves and future travelers.
Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed for your family at the time of enrollment.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE

Remnants of a Forest: Conservation of Gopher Tortoises
2023-09-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Herpetologist George Heinrich will discuss gopher tortoises in Florida and their conservation concerns on public lands.
The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is an imperiled chelonian that occurs in upland habitats within the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. This keystone species is listed as Threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Gopher tortoises are ecosystem engineers that create extensive burrow systems and disperse seeds, significantly contributing to upland biodiversity. The burrow systems provide important refugia from extreme temperatures, fire, and predators for the tortoises, as well as 364 other documented species rangewide. This presentation by George L. Heinrich will examine habitat restoration and management efforts (e.g., prescribed fire, thinning of trees, and control of invasive non-native plant species), and discuss the challenges of managing a natural area bordered by urban interface.
This program will take place inside the auditorium of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 10+. Youth should be accompanied by an adult for the 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

Taking The Mystery Out of Micro-irrigation
2023-09-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how to select, install, and operate your own water saving irrigation system.
Join Brian J Rigney, Program Assistant, to discuss an introduction to micro-irrigation. This includes learning to select, install, and operate your own water-saving irrigation system. The discussion will include information regarding the components, and how to assemble and maintain. Come hear the benefits and why it is important to water plants, shrubs and other landscape plants separate from your turfgrass.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Puddle Jumpers
2023-09-06 09:30 - 11:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Outdoor exploration and learning for children entering Pre-K. Dress for rain or shine!
Ages 3 yrs – 5 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE

Elemental Seasons Homeschool Class
2023-09-20 09:30 - 12:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join Ruth Glass as we study the seasons and traditional celebrations from around the world. Children will go on hikes, participate in celebrations of nature, and create nature art to take home.
Ages 5 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE

Healthy Landscapes
2023-09-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
RIGHT PLANT, RIGHT PLACE

Valrie Massey, Horticulture Program Assistant, will focus on Florida-Friendly Landscape tips such as Right Plant vs. Right Place, watering efficiently, and mulch benefits. We will have a brief discussion on your in-ground sprinkler system and the benefits of installing smart irrigation devices.
This class satisfies the landscape educational requirement for the Manatee County Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program.
Contact: Valrie (941) 722-4524 ext 1829 or vmassey@ufl.edu for further class information. Minimum class size required or class will be cancelled. Registered attendees will be notified.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Surprising Native Bees in Pinellas County
2023-09-29 10:00 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about the lifestyles of the native bees in your own Pinellas County backyard.
Find out about Pinellas County’s surprising and diverse native bees! Learn about their lifestyles (hint, no hives), how to identify them and what you can do to help them.
This program will take place inside the auditorium of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, but may also go outside briefly to look for bees. This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 8 and up.
This program will be led by Liz Childress, supervisor of the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. Liz is a life-long student of Florida’s natural environment, with special interests in insects, fish, and birds. A second-generation Pinellas native, Liz changed careers from technology to environmental education. She graduated from University of Florida and Georgia Institute of Technology with degrees in journalism and business, and has completed coursework in entomology. Liz enjoys providing programming to spark enthusiasm for Florida’s natural and cultural resources.
>>> REGISTER HERE

St Thomas' Animal Fair
2023-10-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Canterbury School of Florida, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33704, United States
Join us in honoring our pets and wildlife alike at St Thomas’ Animal Fair hosted in the courtyard of Canterbury School on Snell Isle!

Outreach Volunteer Training
2023-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Are you a people person? Tampa Bay Watch is looking for friendly volunteers to represent our organization at community events such as outdoor festivals and farmers’ markets. As an outreach volunteer, you talk to the public who come up to our table display about Tampa Bay Watch, including our mission, our restoration and conservation projects, and our volunteer and membership opportunities.
Attend the outreach volunteer training on Tuesday, October 3, 12-1pm or Tuesday, October 10, 6-7pm to learn more about the overall mission of Tampa Bay Watch so you’ll be able to comfortably represent us at community events. The training will include a tour of our facility and a presentation on Tampa Bay Watch restoration and education programs. Food will be provided. Please RSVP by September 27 to Rachel at rarndt@tampbaywatch.org or 727-867-8166 x233.

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

Navigating Nature: Brilliant Bird Adaptations
2023-10-07 08:30 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Did you know that some birds have combs on their toes? Join St. Petersburg Audubon Society for a free half-day program exploring wild and brilliant bird adaptations that allow birds to survive!
Preregistration required.
Ages 8 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
2023-10-07 08:30 - 21:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Harvest some of that rain to help in your garden!
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

Wildflower & Pollinator Festival
2023-10-07 09:00 - 16:00
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, face-art and more await you at this free event.
Ongoing Activities Outside:

Wildflower Quest- Take the challenge along the Ed Center Trail (last hunt at 3pm)
Butterfly Encounter- Enjoy a walkthrough tent where you are surrounded by live butterflies!
Native Plant Sale- Near the parking lot, starts at 8am (while supplies last).

In the Classroom Building:

Beeswax candle-making
Build a pollinator house (donation requested, while supplies last)

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!
Questions? Email brookercreek@pinellas.gov

Microirrigation Workshop
2023-10-07 09:30 - 11:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to save water when 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

Composting Workshop
2023-10-07 10:00 - 11:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Composting – learn how to turn trash into treasure!
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

Vermicomposting Workshop
2023-10-07 13:00 - 14:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Vermicomposting: Where the worms do the work and we reap the benefits!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Attend a Vermicomposting workshop with us and learn how to compost with worms. If you don’t have the space for traditional composting, try vermicomposting. In this class you will learn how to make a worm bin out a plastic tote (which you will receive), about other types of worm bins and how composting worms breathe. You will receive Composting Red Wiggler worms and learn about what they can consume, what they need from you and what you can do with vermicomposting castings (by-product) Please arrive 15 minutes before the program starts.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Mono Clean-a-thon
2023-10-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers to participate in a Mono Clean-a-thon. We’ll be cleaning “mono” or fishing line which involves sorting through the used line to remove debris, then cutting out hooks and lures. The clean line will be contributed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s statewide initiative for proper recycling and repurposing of used fishing line.
Click here to register to volunteer.

Florida Birding & Nature Festival
2023-10-12 - 2023-11-15 | Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL, 33572, United States
Four days of field and boat trips, expert seminars, keynote speakers, and a great free nature expo!
Festival Schedule Details for 2023

Florida Birding & Nature Festival
2023-10-12 10:00 - 16:00 | Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL, 33572, United States
Come celebrate the wonders of nature at this festival devoted to wildlife, birds especially! Find seminars, a silent auction, and a nature expo.
https://www.floridabirdingandnaturefestival.org/
