Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2023-10-18, 2023-10-25, 2023-11-01, 2023-11-08 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Dennis is the president of the Suncoast Herpetological Society, Inc. and spends his Wednesdays at Moccasin Lake Nature Park educating guests about reptiles. Come with your questions!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Puddle Jumpers
2023-10-18 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-10-25 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-11-01 09:30 - 11:00, 2023-11-08 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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
2023-10-18 09:30 - 12:00, 2023-10-25 09:30 - 12:00, 2023-11-01 09:30 - 12:00, 2023-11-08 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 <<<

Spooky Swamp Hike
2023-10-20 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Come with the whole family on a special Halloween Night Hike! You will be guided through the trails with a kid friendly story of the frights and phantoms residing at the preserve!
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> RESERVE A TIME SLOT <<<
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Terror in the Trees Adult Hike
2023-10-21 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join the rangers on a frightful hike full of surprises and twists around each dark corner! Be prepared for a night of spooky ambiance and scary stories while traversing the haunted trails of Boyd Hill.
Ages 18 yrs +

>>> RESERVE A TIME SLOT <<<
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Birding at Fort De Soto
2023-10-21 08:00 - 14:00 | Fort DeSoto Park, 8250 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Meet at flagpole at the ranger station at 8:00 a.m. Finished by 2 pm. Driving to various hotspots within Ft D, easy hiking up to 1 ½ miles at some locations. Hoping to catch fall migrants and maybe some early winter arrivals plus local favorites and shorebirds at lagoon. Dress for weather, bugs, sunscreen, hat! Bring lunch!
Important! Pre-registration is required and participation is limited to the first 10 people who sign up. Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority. Tampa Audubon reserves the right to cancel outings as necessary to respond to Covid 19.
RSVP to trip leader Mary Keith at mary.keith@tampaaudubon.org

Hidden Wonders Nature Walk
2023-10-21 09:00 - 10:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
This family-friendly nature hike will take you on an exploration of the wet and dry habitats of “Our Wildest Place.”
This family-friendly nature hike will take you on an exploration of the wet and dry habitats of “Our Wildest Place.” We will investigate some interesting plants and animals that call Brooker Creek Preserve home. Summertime reveals new natural wonders to enjoy, join us! Registration is required.
Additional Notes: Volunteer hike guides will meet participants in the lobby of the Education Center 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. Please note that it takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Education Center. We strongly suggest all hikers visit the restroom before you begin as there are no facilities along the trail.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Canoe paddle tour
2023-10-21 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-11-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Clam Bayou Nature Preserve, 34th Avenue S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Enjoy an hour and half of easy paddling on the Little Manatee River loop with your guide. Three seater canoe rentals or 1 person kayaks can be rented for $25. Or bring your own canoe or kayak and join us with a $5 donation. Reserve your canoe or kayak by calling the office at 813-641-8545. Limited availability. campbayou@gmail.com

Map and Compass Navigation
2023-10-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
This camping skills course will teach you how to read a map and compass to help you better develop a sense of direction and travel for any outdoor expedition.
Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed for your family at the time of enrollment.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Perico Preserve Tour
2023-10-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Guided tour through Perico Preserve with a Master Gardener Volunteer.
Explore one of Manatee County’s newest preserves and learn about Florida’s native plants, how they benefit wildlife, and how they can be used in the home landscape. Learn about the wide variety of ecosystems on display and how the preserve was transformed into what it is today. Suitable for all ages.
Please meet at the pavilion right next to the parking lot.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Shelter Building
2023-10-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
This shelter building exercise will help you to choose the best shelter building options, as well as different coverage material options for any wilderness adventure.
Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed for your family at the time of enrollment.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Night Hike in the Preserve
2023-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
At night, the world is full of sounds and smells very different from the daytime.
Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve for a one-mile hiking experience along the Ed Center Trail…at night! These special hikes are open to the public and limited to 20 people per hike. A $3 per person donation is requested. Hikes are led by Preserve volunteers who are knowledgeable about nocturnal wildlife. The hike is about one-mile in length and will take about 1.5 hours.
Space is limited, registration is required. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
These hikes are for adults and families only. Children must be accompanied by parents. Please leave your pets at home. Pets are not permitted in County Preserves.
Meet at the main parking lot at Brooker Creek Preserve. You must pre-register for the night hikes!
Questions: info@FriendsOfBrookerCreekPreserve.org or 727-934-2680.

Florida Forests Hike
2023-11-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Venture out along the Flatwoods Trail loop with Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan to learn all about her most favorite thing…TREES! Get ready to look up and explore the world of trees. Lara tends to throw in some surprises on her hikes, so be ready when she asks for volunteers!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Nature Journaling Class Series
2023-11-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Emerson Point Preserve, 5801 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Take a fun, interactive workshop on nature journaling!
Nature journaling is an immersive experience where you can document your experiences in the outdoors. Whether you plan to use your nature journal to track the progress of your gardening endeavors, sketch and write during nature hikes, or document seasonal bird sightings all will grow your skills in observation and mindfulness. Join UF/IFAS Extension agent Alyssa Vinson, for a weekly class series devoted to growing your Nature Journaling skills. This series is aimed at beginners however some modules will include plant identification skills that would be beneficial to the experienced journalist. Classes will take place at Emerson Point Preserve in the Nature Classroom.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Native Plant Walk @ LLP
2023-11-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
This program is led by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society’s Joel Jackson and Tina Patterson and supported by Tampa Audubon.
Come and learn about the real natural Florida and why it is so important to protect it during a plant walk at Lettuce Lake. The walks take place the first Saturday of the month, with no walks in July, August or December.
Meet in the visitor center for a short orientation slide show, then the walk is on the park’s boardwalk and nature trails.
Things to know

Program is free, but the $2 per vehicle (up to eight people) park entry fee applies
Walk will last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours
Expect to walk 1 mile
Maximum of 25 participants
For larger parties, please email Suncoast Native Plant Society’s Joel Jackson
Meet at the Visitor’s Center

Things to bring

Water
Comfortable shoes
Sunscreen
Hat, if needed

Naturalist Guided Hike
2023-11-04 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 trails and boardwalks of the Weedon Island Preserve.
Explore the coastal and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided tour of the Preserve. Participants will learn about the 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 tour 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.
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!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Paddle and Learn
2023-11-04 09:00 - 12:00 | ROBINSON PRESERVE, 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Paddle and Learn –
Kayaking with Mangroves
Join Alyssa Vinson with UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County and Sarah Denison with Manatee County Natural Resources for a special kayaking program at Robinson Preserve! On this approximately 2-mile paddle, we will learn about one of Florida’s most important coastal trees – Mangroves!
Single and tandem kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are available to borrow free of charge on a first come-first served basis. All participants must wear a life jacket. All participants must be able to meet the County’s minimum eligibility requirements: https://www.mymanatee.org/departments/natural_resources/ecoevents#kayak
Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear that can get wet – no flip-flops or sandals unless they have a heel strap. You may wish to bring light layers and wear sun protection.
This is an easy paddle that can be enjoyed by beginning kayakers, but we do recommend some prior paddling experience. Program suitable for all ages. Participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
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.

Family Night Hike
2023-11-04 19:30 - 20:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Bring your family and join our park rangers for our monthly night hikes!
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed for your family at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Hiking with Heroes
2023-11-11 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 <<<

DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve Tour
2023-11-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Fort DeSoto Park, 8250 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Guided tour through DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve with a Master Gardener Volunteer.
Casually stroll through the beautiful Riverview Pointe Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment. Suitable for all ages.
Tour begins in the parking area of DeSoto National Memorial Park and enters into Riverview Pointe Preserve.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
