Science Sprouts
2023-01-14 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-01-21 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-01-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-04 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-11 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-18 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-02-25 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-03-04 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) and 3 more dates | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Budding scientists ages 2-5 can bring their favorite grown-up to explore and discover a variety of science and nature topics in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. The program sparks kids’ natural curiosity using imaginative play, crafts, stories, songs and more! Please note: This program does not include Museum admission.

On Saturday, June 4, explore “In the Deep Ocean”
On Saturday, June 11, explore “Swirly Whirly Snails”
On Saturday, June 18, explore “Manatee Mischief”
On Saturday, June 25, explore “Busy Buzzin’ Bees”
When/Where: 9-10am every Saturday in the Mosaic Backyard Universe
Cost: $12 per child for members of the Discovery Society; $15 per child for all others. (Includes one adult per child.)
Advance reservations required. Attendance limited to 12 children.

Register now
The Bishop follows the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels guidelines. Please visit www.CDC.gov to see the current Manatee County Community Level before visiting. Masks must be worn indoors when Community Levels are high.

Diving Deep to explore the Gulf of Mexico Blue Holes
2023-01-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Dr. Emily Hall joined Mote in the Chemical Ecology Program in 2005 and is involved in research and monitoring of nutrient patterns in relation to harmful algae blooms along the west coast of Florida, and investigating sources of nutrients in aquatic systems. She also leads the Ocean Acidification Program, investigating the effects of acidifying waters on the marine environment. Jim Culter joined Mote in 1979 to develop the Benthic Ecology Program, specializing in marine and estuarine ecology and environmental assessment with an emphasis on benthic habitats and invertebrate ecology.
In their lecture on Jan. 16, Hall and Culter will answer the question; What are blue holes?
Blue holes are underwater sinkholes, similar to sinkholes on land. They vary in size, shape and depth, but most are ecological hot spots. A blue hole can be an oasis in an otherwise barren seafloor. Join these Mote scientists as they take you with them on a journey and explore these beautiful and mystery-filled holes in our own Gulf of Mexico! One dive took them over 400 feet below the surface of the water!
Mote Members also receive discounted admission to the event.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

Oyster Reef Ball Construction
2023-01-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-01-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-01-23 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-01-25 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-01-31 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-02-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Join us at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde to help build oyster reef balls!
This task involves pouring marine-friendly concrete into a fiberglass mold to create oyster reef balls, then taking apart the molds when dry. The reef balls will be installed at a future date to stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion while creating habitat similar to natural oyster communities found along shoreline areas throughout Tampa Bay.
Click here to visit our webpage to learn more about reef balls.
Click here to register for this project date.

Wading Bird Walk
2023-01-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Meet the wading birds of the Weedon Island Preserve on a guided walk of the trails.

Learn the identifying marks and behaviors of the most common wading birds at Weedon Island Preserve during a guided walk of the trails. This walk will take place during a low tide so participants will have the best chance for viewing wildlife that forage on the exposed tidal flats!
Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center for a short overview of the birds found at Weedon Island, including tips on when and where different species are most likely to be seen, before departing for the trails. Total walk distance will be ~1.5 miles.
Proceeds from this program go to the Friends of Weedon Island. The Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Become a Friend today!
Spots are limited on this hike so every individual attending must be registered.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

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.

Clearwater Audubon Society Bird Walk
2023-02-04 08:00 - 10:00, 2023-03-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Take a guided hike on Moccasin Lake’s nature trail while seeking birds by sight and sound. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Meet in Moccasin Lake Parking Lot.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Incredible Horsehoe Crab
2023-02-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States

Wading Bird Walk
2023-03-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Meet the wading birds of the Weedon Island Preserve on a guided walk of the trails.

Learn the identifying marks and behaviors of the most common wading birds at Weedon Island Preserve during a guided walk of the trails. This walk will take place during a low tide so participants will have the best chance for viewing wildlife that forage on the exposed tidal flats!
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 exhibits.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Proceeds from this program go to the Friends of Weedon Island. The Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Become a Friend today!

Family Program: The Pursuit of Plastics
2023-03-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Let’s take a closer look at plastic pollution and how we can help!

Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent with UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County will conduct a class with a hands-on activity to teach participants about plastic pollution and the effects on the environment. Join us for some educational family fun!
Registration is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Additional Notes: This event will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the main parking lot, and there is a 3-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Auditorium.
Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this class you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Prior to ten (10) working days before the class, please submit your request to accommodations@pinellascounty.org. In your request, please be sure to include the date and title of the program you need accommodations for and what specific accommodations you will need.

Oyster Reef Ball Construction
2023-03-22 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-03-24 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-03-28 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-03-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Join us at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South in Tierra Verde to help build oyster reef balls!
This task involves taking apart the molds that were previously made and pouring marine-friendly concrete into a fiberglass mold to create oyster reef balls. The reef balls will be installed at a future date to stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion while creating habitat similar to natural oyster communities found along shoreline areas throughout Tampa Bay.
Click here to visit our webpage to learn more about reef balls.
Click here to register for this project date.

"DEAR TAMPA BAY" FILM SCREENING
2023-03-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) dedicates a significant portion of their efforts towards protecting natural resources and building upon our conservation heritage for the sake of wildlife, ourselves, our neighbors, and future generations. A great way to spread information regarding conservation is through social media productions. The NWF has begun screening a short film titled “Dear Tampa Bay” at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. The twenty-minute film dives into the risk of climate change and the solutions needed for Tampa Bay to get ahead of these critical environmental issues. Through personal storytelling from community leaders located across the Gulf, Dear Tampa Bay explains the vulnerability the region possesses in regard to climate related catastrophes. Tampa Bay is referred to as an area of high risk and low readiness. The region has large, growing populations, including communities with high social vulnerability and extensive development in flood-prone areas. The film addresses everything from sea level rise, water quality and quantity, to climate solutions and resilience strategies. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is proud to be a partner to the National Wildlife Federation. Please join us for the upcoming screening of the short film “Dear Tampa Bay” on March 25th at 11 am in the Nature Center.
