Wildflower Walk
2025-01-18 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of native Florida flowers on this ranger-led hike.
Join us monthly to discover which flowers are in bloom and learn about their unique beauty and ecological importance in our area.
All ages welcome with a registered adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Perico Preserve Tour
2025-01-26 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.

Fourth Sunday of the month (January – April), at 9:00am
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.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Senior Artisans
2025-04-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 50 yrs +
It’s never too late to try out a new art form! Led by local artist Francine Michel. Explore the preserve by tram and create a piece of art based on nature.
All materials are provided.
Feel free to bring your own sketchbook and camera.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Elemental Seasons Homeschool - BHNP Spring 2025
2025-03-05 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.
Please bring water and a snack.
Ages 5 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> ENROLL HERE

Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2025-03-19 10:00 - 15:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Explore reptiles with a friendly expert, get your questions answered, and level up your knowledge in a relaxed, beginner-friendly session.

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!

Sunday Bird Hike
2025-01-05 08:00 - 09:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Come out for this “early morning” walk in the woods.
Come out for this “early morning” walk in the woods with Alexa, our awesome volunteer, to seek out the resident and visiting birds of Brooker. Beginners and all levels of birders welcome. Meet in the parking lot at 8:00 a.m.
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.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Herpetology Camp
2025-06-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 7 yrs – 11 yrs
Campers explore the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles.
Through up-close encounters with a variety of animals, such as gopher tortoises, frogs, lizards, and snakes, campers learn about ecology and conservation of amphibians and reptiles.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Family Fun Friday: Watershed Explorations at Brooker Creek
2025-05-23 10:30 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Celebrate Stormwater Stewardship Month!

In celebration of Stormwater Stewardship Month, join Pinellas County Environmental Management staff and UF/IFAS Extension for a Walk in the Watershed at Brooker Creek Preserve!
This program will be a combined environmental educational program and guided hike. We will investigate our local watershed, explore the flow of water, collect water quality data from Brooker Creek, take a short hike along the boardwalk to spot wildlife, and learn about ways we can all contribute to the cleanliness of our waterways. Everyone has a part to play when it comes to stormwater pollution prevention!
Intended for families with children ages 7 and up. Registration is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Morning Nature Walk Starkey Park
2025-06-07 07:30 - 11:30 | J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center, 10500 Wilderness Road, New Port Richey, FL, 34655, United States
Pasco Audubon
Meet 7:30 AM
Starkey Education Center
1 to 4 mile walk
Anyone interested in birding or nature in general is welcome to join us on field trips.
Almost all are free. Registration may be required, check the schedule for details.
Dress for the weather and prepare to be outdoors for about 4 hours.
For more info email Christine Rowland

Native Plant Walk LLP
2025-06-07 09:00 - 10:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
Meet behind the Joel E. Jackson Nature Center in the Native Plant Garden for a walk on the paved trail and boardwalk with a representative of the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society.
Learn what grows naturally in the hardwood swamp and how native plants benefit wildlife.
Walks are free but there is a $2 charge to enter the park. Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk.

Wildlife Ecology Camp - BHNP Summer 2025
2025-06-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 7 yrs – 11 yrs
Campers will explore the ecology and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and wildlands.
A blend of classroom and field sessions will include hands-on activities, guest presentations, and exploration of the preserve’s diverse habitats where campers will practice their nature detective skills.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve Tour
2025-01-11 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!

Second Saturday of the month (November – May), at 9:00am
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.

>> REGISTER HERE

Beginning Bird Walk at LLP
2025-01-11 09:00 - 11:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
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.
Entrance fee for park $2. Meet in the parking lot by the Visitor’s Center in Lettuce Lake Park at 8:30 a.m. We’ll walk the boardwalk or trails, depending on where the best birds are. We have binoculars to loan, and someone will have a spotting scope so you can get up really close and personal! Bring water and a snack.
RSVP to field trip leader, Jim Hengelbrok at jimhengelbrok@gmail.com

Egmont Key Sanctuary Tour
2025-06-14 16:30 - 20:30 | FL
Egmont Key Sanctuary Tour by boat with the Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges
Saturday June 14th 2024, 4:30-8:30pm approximate return (rain date Sunday Sat June 2)
Meet at the Bay Pier next to the Dog Park, 27.616871, -82.726690.
Reservations and prepayment required
Join us for our eleventh annual tour of the Egmont Key Bird Sanctuary Tour with a stop at the Ft Dade ruins, Lighthouse, and hopefully a Black Skimmer colony. The Egmont Key Ferry will take us around the south tip of Egmont Key to see the areas where birds are nesting. (These areas are not accessible by foot and only seen by visitors with boats). The chicks from our Laughing gulls, Royal terns, & Sandwich terns should be out on the beaches exploring. Brown Pelicans, White ibis, and American Oystercatchers can also nest on the islands.
Space is limited and this event sells out quickly.
Send your reservation to TampaBayRefuges@msn.com Wait for confirmation then send payment via credit card on PayPal or mail.
Credit card on PayPal: www.tampabayrefuges.org click Get Involved, then Donate. Enter One-Time and the amount, then click Donate with Debit or Credit Card and follow instructions.
Your space will be secure based on a first come first served basis AND receipt of payment. You will receive a confirmation email for your payment.
Mail: FTBNWR, PO Box 40782, St Petersburg, FL 33743-0782
Cost:

Members of Friends of the Tampa Bay NWR $35 each (includes tip for boat crew)
Individual Guests or non-members $50 each. You will receive a 1-year individual membership.
Family of 2 guests or non-members $95. You will receive a 1-year family membership. Additional family members add $35 ea.

Make checks payable to Friends of the Tampa Bay National Wildlife Refuges, PO Box 40782, St Petersburg, FL 33743-0782.
Reservations and Payment must be received by Saturday June 7 .
Questions: call Barb Howard at 727 512-4914 or email TampaBayRefuges@msn.com

Hidden Wonders Nature Walk
2025-01-18 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. Everyday reveals new natural wonders to enjoy, join us!
Registration is required.

Rye Preserve Tour
2025-05-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Guided tour through Rye Preserve with a Master Gardener Volunteer!

Take a hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants, natural history, and early settlement of the area.
Suitable for all ages.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Tiny Wildlife Walk
2025-04-19 09:30 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us on a naturalist-led walk to look for little creatures and discover the hidden beauty of the Weedon Island Preserve!

Wildlife abounds at the Weedon Island Preserve, especially the tiny kind, like butterflies, bees, and other invertebrates. Join naturalist Liz Childress on a walk to look for little creatures and discover the hidden beauty of the Preserve. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
The total walk length will be variable, but no more than a mile or so. We will traverse uneven, natural paths and boardwalks so please prepare accordingly.
>>> REGISTER HERE

OFF THE BEATEN PATH
2025-01-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Back by popular demand…
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
A nature-based fundraising hike series
This series of four hikes will take place in beautiful areas tucked away within Brooker Creek Preserve in sites that are closed to the public. Our guide, Dr. Craig Huegel, can identify everything, from the tiniest moss to the tallest tree including animal prints, bird calls, lichens, and more. He is full of stories and very patient in answering questions. The hikes will be not only educational, but a lot of fun as well!
The hikes will begin at 9:00 a.m. and be about 3-4 hours long. Bring water and lunch.
Cost: $80 donation for the series or $25 donation per hike with a 10% discount for members of Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve
Sites Off the Beaten Path:
Sep. 22, 2024 – Catesby’s Lilies…and More! – Located in the eastern part of the preserve, we will search for the threatened Catesby’s Lily. In so doing, we will see a profusion of beautiful fall wildflowers in full bloom.
Jan. 19, 2025 – Cypress Swamp – Located in the central part of the preserve, this site
features orchids, ferns, and epiphytes. Plan to get wet, or maybe not, as we plunge into the depths of the swamp!
March 16, 2025 – Sandhills – The only true sandhills of Brooker Creek Preserve. This site is in the northern end of the preserve and will feature an abundance of spring wildflowers.
June 22, 2025 – Interior Wildlands – We will be in parts of the Preserve so remote that
cell phones won’t work, areas so pretty you won’t believe you are in Pinellas County!
Reservations Required: info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org
Sign up early! Only 20 spots are open for these fabulous hikes off the beaten path!
Questions? Email info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org or call 727-934-2680.
