Rye Preserve Tour
2022-08-20 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-09-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-10-15 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Join the Manatee County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers on an educational stroll.

Take a hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Branch and learn about Florida’s native plants, natural history, and early settlement of the area.
Suitable for all ages.
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to the event.
Register HERE!

Forest Bathing Guided Walk
2022-08-20 09:30 - 11:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Forest bathing is a guided walk designed to relax and rejuvenate. We’ll bathe our senses in the healing qualities of nature and share our experiences through conversation. We’ll leave refreshed by this contemplative practice that we can carry into our everyday routines. Please wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Weedon Walkabout
2022-09-03 08:00 - 10:00, 2022-09-17 08:00 - 10:00, 2022-10-01 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-10-15 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.

This docent-led walk will visit the mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Weedon Island Preserve, including a visit to the Preserve’s 45 ft. tall Observation Tower for a 360 degree view of the area. Learn about the coastal environment, native wildlife, and early history of the Preserve. This tour is recommended for adults and youth ages 6 and up.
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 <<<

Fort De Soto Birding Field Trip
2022-09-10 08:00 - 09:00 | Fort DeSoto Park, 8250 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
What better way to kick off the field trip season than with a trip to Fort De Soto County Park just as fall migration is starting up.
Meet-up location: Ranger’s Station
Surface: Sand, dirt, paved
Difficulty: Moderate
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Wild Wings Bird Hike
2022-09-10 08:00 - 09:30, 2022-10-08 08:00 - 09:30, 2022-11-12 08:00 - 09:30 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Wild Wings –
Birds of Brooker Hike
Have you wondered what bird is singing in your backyard? Do you see and hear birds but don’t know who they are? If so, join us for a Beginning Bird Hike to learn how to identify the county’s common birds as we meander along a one-mile trail.
All ages are welcome. Children under the ages of 16 must be accompanied by an adult and those younger than 6 may find this hike challenging.
Guided Hike Information
Volunteer Hike Guides will meet participants outside the Exhibit Hall 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. We strongly suggest all hikers visit the restroom (located in the Classroom Building) before we begin as there are no facilities along the trail.

Guided hikes are under a mile in length, much of which is on unimproved, uneven sandy trails.
Hikes take about two (2) hours to complete.
Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, sneakers or boots.
Insect repellent (bug spray) is strongly recommended in summer months.
Bring plenty of drinking water and a snack.
A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.
Pets are not permitted.
No smoking is allowed.
Trained volunteers will guide the hike.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-wings-birds-of-brooker-hike-tickets-53439990450?mc_cid=a4dbfdde6b&mc_eid=1cbba2e07b

Wading Bird Walk
2022-09-10 08:30 - 10:30 | 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!

Learn the identifying marks and behaviors of the most common wading birds at Weedon Island Preserve during a one to two mile guided walk of the trails. A brief classroom session before the walk will give visitors an overview of the birds found at Weedon Island, including tips on when and where different species are most likely to be seen.
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 <<<

MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION HIKE
2022-09-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
All ages welcome!
Come find out why mushrooms rule the fungi kingdom! Look at native mushrooms up close and discover the benefits and valuable uses of our native species.
RESERVE A SPOT

RAIN GARDEN TOUR
2022-09-10 15:30 - 16:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Free with admission, all ages
Learn how to create a rain garden in your own backyard! We will discuss rainwater capture techniques, plant selection, and much more!

Songbird Sunrise
2022-09-24 05:00 - 07:30, 2022-10-29 06:00 - 07:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Bring your coffee and favorite folding chair to join a quiet sunrise listening experience!

The event begins in total darkness to allow participants to hear the nighttime calls of nocturnal birds. As the sky lightens with the sun’s ascent, daytime birds begin their vocal greeting. Birds will be identified by their songs and calls by knowledgeable Preserve volunteer staff. This event encourages silence for optimal enjoyment of the natural environment.
Please arrive no later than what is listed below:
5:30 am start (arrive by 5:15, gate closes at 5:30)
The entrance gate will be closed after this time until the normal opening time of 7:00 am. Free. Open to the public.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Birds of Brooker Hike
2022-09-24 08:00 - 10:00, 2022-10-29 08:00 - 10:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Have you wondered what bird is singing in your backyard?

Do you see and hear birds but don’t know who they are? If so, join us for a Beginning Bird Hike to learn how to identify the county’s common birds as we meander along a one-mile trail. Registration is required.
This is a free hike, however space is limited. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.
Guided Hike Information
Volunteer Hike Guides will meet participants outside the Exhibit Hall 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. We strongly suggest all hikers visit the restroom (located in the Classroom Building) before we begin as there are no facilities along the trail.

Guided hikes are under a mile in length, much of which is on unimproved, uneven sandy trails.

Hikes take about two (2) hours to complete.

Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, sneakers or boots.

Insect repellent (bug spray) is strongly recommended in summer months.

Bring plenty of drinking water and a snack.

A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.

Pets are not permitted.

No smoking is allowed.

Trained volunteers will guide the hike.

>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Moth Night!
2022-09-24 20:00 - 22:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Discover Denizens of the Dark at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center.

After a brief lecture and hands-on science experience, we will venture into the night to find moths of many sizes and colors, all attracted to our artificial lights.
Registration is required. Space is very limited.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Clearwater Audubon Society Bird Walk
2022-10-01 08:00 - 10:00, 2022-11-05 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 <<<

Morning Nature Walk
2022-10-01 20:00 - 21:00 | J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center, 10500 Wilderness Road, New Port Richey, FL, 34655, United States
Join us for informative and casual walking tour of the park
1 to 3 mile walk

Tap to Tide Water School
2022-10-05 09:00 - 15:00 | Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant, 995 Riverside Drive, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Tap to Tide Water School topics explore water quality and conservation concerns.

Join UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension for an in depth look at emerging water issues in our region. We will provide expert presentations and deep dives into the topics during facilitated discussions. This program is intended for local policymakers but all interested are welcome to register.
Please bring your own reusable water bottles, sunscreen, hat, etc. for the boat tour portion of Water School.
Agenda:
9:00-12:30 Class session (coffee provided)
12:30 Lunch
1:15-3:00 Field Trip, boat tour

>> BUY TICKETS <<<

The History of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
2022-10-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States

Photography Hike
2022-10-08 08:30 - 10:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Walk the boardwalks and natural paths of Weedon Island, capturing photographs of native flora and fauna along the way.

Grab your camera of choice and enjoy a guided tour of the trails at the Weedon Island Preserve! This program will begin with a brief classroom session to highlight the seasonal features of the Preserve, as well as specific wildlife behaviors, that will help participants capture the natural beauty of the area. Photographers of all skill levels are welcome.
This hike is roughly 2 miles in total length on a combination of boardwalks and unimproved, natural paths. This program is is best suited for adults.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Proceeds will support the Friends of Weedon Island, a non-profit organization that works to promote education and conservation of the Weedon Island Preserve. Learn about our Friends!

Birding Moccasin Lake Nature Park
2022-11-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Monthly Bird Outing
Meet at 8:00am. Leader – Madeleine Bohrer
Visit the Wild Raptor Sanctuary after the outing.
Accessible with assistance ♿

clearwateraudubonsociety@gmail.com

The Ways of Water Hike
2022-11-05 09:00 - 10:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Water is an important feature at Brooker Creek Preserve .
Water is an important feature at Brooker Creek Preserve and 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 <<<

500 Million Years at Brooker Creek Preserve
2022-11-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
Have you ever looked at an alligator or a wood stork and thought “man, they look like living dinosaurs!”? Have you ever seen fossils and thought they looked similar to creatures still around today? And what about Florida specifically – when did all of the animals and plants we see here actually get here? This webinar will take a 500 million year journey through evolutionary history, looking at the origins of many of the creatures that call Brooker Creek home! We will find out that dragonflies haven’t changed much since before the dinosaurs, but that just 15,000 years ago (the blink of an eye in geologic time) Florida was full of enormous mastodons and mammoths, saber-toothed cats and giant ground sloths!
This whirlwind tour of natural history is geared towards adults and interested youth are welcome to join.
Presented by Brian Magnier. Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Wading Bird Walk
2022-11-10 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.

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!
Learn the identifying marks and behaviors of the most common wading birds at Weedon Island Preserve during a guided walk of the trails.
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.
Spots are limited on this hike so every individual attending must be registered.

>> 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!
