Mono Clean-a-thon
2023-10-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

30th Annual Fishing Line Island Cleanup
2023-10-21 - 2023-10-29 | FL
Join Tampa Bay Watch and Audubon Florida for the 30th Annual Fishing Line Island Cleanup!
This will be a self-led event, where participants will travel out to their designated location by personal boat/other watercraft any day between October 21st – October 29th to target shorelines where fishing line has been caught in the shoreline vegetation. Volunteers will compile the recovered monofilament to be collected, cleaned, and recycled.
There are a variety of sites, all critical bird nesting habitat, throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties. Click here to view the map of the predetermined site locations.
Click here to register to volunteer with your vessel.

Managing Our Underwater World in Tampa Bay
2023-11-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Meet the Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves program and learn about the coastal resources they protect in Tampa Bay.
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. Join the TBAP program at Weedon Island to learn how they are working to restore & protect the coastal resources in our own backyard.
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.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Sea Turtle Nest Tracking
2023-11-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, 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

VOGs and Eggnog
2023-12-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Give back to our Tampa Bay estuary with vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) while getting in the holiday spirit!

Want to give back to our local Tampa Bay estuary while getting in the holiday spirit? Join us to learn more about oysters and how they help Tampa Bay while making your very own vertical oyster garden (VOG)!
Participants who would like to hang a VOG from their personal pier or seawall will also have the opportunity to contribute to current oyster restoration efforts by enrolling in our new citizen science program. Holiday refreshments and activities will be provided. All ages are welcome!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Wading Bird Walk
2023-12-28 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 key behaviors of our most common wading birds at the Weedon Island Preserve during a guided hike of the trails.
A brief classroom session before the hike will give visitors an overview of the birds found on the Preserve, including tips on when and where these species are most likely to be seen. This guided tour may be up to 2 miles in total length and will traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly. This tour is recommended for adults. Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Wading Bird Walk
2024-01-30 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 key behaviors of our most common wading birds at the Weedon Island Preserve during a guided hike of the trails.
A brief classroom session before the hike will give visitors an overview of the birds found on the Preserve, including tips on when and where these species are most likely to be seen. This guided tour may be up to 2 miles in total length and will traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly. This tour is recommended for adults.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Lionfish Dissection
2024-03-31 15:00 - 16:00 | 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.
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

Sea Turtle Awareness Day Lake Cleanup
2024-04-06 09:00 - 13:00 | Lake Belleview, 1426 S M.L.K. Jr Ave., Clearwater, FL, 33756, United States
Come join the city of Clearwater and Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Nesting Team for a lake cleanup! Get the chance to learn about sea turtle conservation and how you can help our local sea turtle population.
This event will include raffle prizes, the opportunity to personalize a sea turtle nesting stake, a photo opp and much more!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bay Babies
2024-04-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Come join us with your young scientists!
This program is for the youngest ocean explorers. Bay Babies is offered for 3 to 6 year olds monthly. Each session includes story time, crafts, activities, and animal interactions to keep your little one(s) engaged and excited. Program is held in our indoor classroom and space is limited.
Children must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom
>>> REGISTER HERE

Birding on the Bay
2024-04-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Birdwatching Excursion Aboard Our Eco-Vessel!
Duration

75 Minutes

About

Join us for a special birdwatching excursion aboard our eco-vessel and let’s spot feathered friends in their natural habitat. This program includes a boat-based visit to a local bird sanctuary island with plenty of time for observation, and our educators will share their knowledge of the local avian population.
All proceeds support Tampa Bay Watch’s mission to foster a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

What to Bring

You are welcome to bring your own snacks and/ or beverages.
We do not allow alcohol on the eco-vessel.
Please dress with consideration to the Florida climate and weather.
Sun protection is highly recommended.

For all ages!
>>> BUY TICKETS

Walking With Wildlife
2024-04-14 09:00 - 10:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Guided Nature Walking Tour Along the St Pete Pier
The new St Pete Pier offers a variety of amenities for locals and tourists alike. However, humans are not the only ones who can be found soaking up the Florida sun! Join us for a guided walking tour to get a closer look at the wildlife and habitats found nestled into the St Pete Pier.
During this 90 minute walking tour, participants will learn how to become citizen scientists by discovering how to properly identify species and how to import their sightings into a global data collection platform. There will be multiple stopping points along the way as we examine the interactions between humans and nature while conducting citizen science.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Sharks Unknown: Beyond Jaws
2024-04-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn all about the sharks in Tampa Bay with amazing shark scientists!

Come explore the wonderful world of sharks with M.I.S.S (Minorities in Shark Sciences) to learn about the wide diversity of sharks and the scientists who study them. You’ll also learn how you can get involved in protecting and studying these amazing creatures.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bay Babies
2024-05-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Come join us with your young scientists!
This program is for the youngest ocean explorers. Bay Babies is offered for 3 to 6 year olds monthly. Each session includes story time, crafts, activities, and animal interactions to keep your little one(s) engaged and excited. Program is held in our indoor classroom and space is limited.
Ages 3 – 6 • 1 Hour
Children must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom
>>> REGISTER HERE

Lionfish Dissection
2024-05-14 16:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Lionfish dissection in our classroom!
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.
Multiple Dates:
>>> REGISTER HERE

Squid Dissection
2024-05-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Hands-on squid dissection!
What makes a mollusc a mollusc? During this hands-on squid dissection, you’ll find out! Participants will learn about the wide variety of molluscs found in our region and what sets them apart from other animals. This program is held in our indoor classroom and space is limited.
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.
Multiple Dates:
>>> REGISTER HERE

Sensory Sundays with the Discovery Center!
2024-05-19 08:30 - 10:30 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Sensory programs at the Discovery Center are thoughtfully designed for individuals on the Autism Spectrum or with other sensory processing differences. During scheduled times, our exhibit hall will adopt lower lighting, decreased noise levels, and focus on learning with the senses. All who would benefit from a lower sensory experience and hands-on learning are welcome!
For all ages! • 2 Hours
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bay Babies
2024-06-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Come join us with your young scientists!
Ages 3 yrs – 6 yrs
This program is for the youngest ocean explorers. Bay Babies is offered for 3 to 6 year olds monthly. Each session includes story time, crafts, activities, and animal interactions to keep your little one(s) engaged and excited. Program is held in our indoor classroom and space is limited.
Children must be accompanied by an adult while in the classroom
>>> RESERVE A SPOT
