Tortoise Talk
2022-02-02 15:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | ROBINSON PRESERVE, 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join us for this informal program on the Valentine House lawn as we take our education tortoise out to graze! In the wild, foraging is an integral part of a gopher tortoise’s lifestyle, so we encourage it as much as possible. Stop by and say hello, get a chance to meet him up close, and ask any questions you may have. Learn all about what tortoises need to survive, how we care for our tortoise, and what efforts we can take to protect these important members of our Florida ecosystems. Program suitable for all ages.
No reservations required. For more information please contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org.
Robinson Preserve – Valentine House Lawn

Tortoise Talk
2022-03-16 15:30 - 16:00 | ROBINSON PRESERVE, 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join us for this informal program on the Valentine House lawn as we take our education tortoise out to graze! In the wild, foraging is an integral part of a gopher tortoise’s lifestyle, so we encourage it as much as possible. Stop by and say hello, get a chance to meet him up close, and ask any questions you may have. Learn all about what tortoises need to survive, how we care for our tortoise, and what efforts we can take to protect these important members of our Florida ecosystems.
Program suitable for all ages.
For more information contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org.
REGISTER HERE

Frogs!
2022-04-30 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Do you know why frogs are so important to our world, and how by saving them, we save the environment?

Explore challenges frogs are facing, as well as some ways that ordinary people of all ages can help. Learn about our very own Florida frogs, and maybe even croak in a human frog chorus! Program suitable for all ages.
Join Avalon Theisen, the young founder of Conserve It Forward, Inc. for Florida Frogs!
About Avalon:
A passionate changemaker with over a decade of service to people and planet, Avalon Jade Theisen is dedicated to empowering others to Conserve It Forward for a sustainable future and inspiring the next generation of peacemakers. At age 7, she first realized she could make positive, effective change. Her efforts resulted in the creation of a non-profit organization. Encouraging the use of kindness and compassion to confront global issues, she has traveled the world to share her message and work alongside others.
A graduate of the University of South Florida, Avalon Jade was a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College and Provost Scholars Program, where she studied Religious Studies, especially its cultural relationship to nature and food. These topics have been the focus of her academic research, including multiple presentations and being published.
Currently a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University, her research continues to focus on religious studies, ecology, anthropology, and volunteering efforts. With a goal of helping other people understand new concepts that can improve quality of life and planet health, a common theme she uses is “Small Acts, BIG Change” to demonstrate how our collective, positive actions add up to have great impact. No one is alone, we are all in this together!
She believes that when we better understand each other’s foundational beliefs, we improve our connections and can more effectively collaborate to solve local and global challenges. Her academic experience reflects the journey of service and academics she has been on since childhood.
Teaching elementary, middle, and high school students about cultural empathy, peacemaking, sustainability and world religions through curriculum she created, Avalon Jade has been a educator at Athena’s Advanced Academy since 2017. She loves helping her students understand others and the world we live in.
To maintain balance and focus, Avalon practices mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. She is the 2018 USA Yoga National Youth Champion and in December 2018, won a gold medal and the title of World Champion of Yoga Sports when she competed in Beijing, China.
“My goal is that everyone should feel interconnected with other living things and the world so that we are inspired to become positive changemakers.”
For more about Conserve It Forward, Inc., please visit www.ConserveItForward.org or
www.facebook.com/ConserveItForwardWithAvalon.
REGISTER HERE

Turtle Bioartifacts
2022-07-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Turtle Bioartifacts and What They Can Teach Us

Examine turtle bioartifacts and learn about turtle biology and ecology.

This hands-on workshop will focus on turtle bioartifacts (natural history objects) commonly found during nature forays. Numerous specimens of shells and skulls will allow us to learn about turtle anatomy and explore their diversity. We will also examine a variety of eggs and dissect gopher tortoise scat. This workshop is recommended for ages 16+.
This workshop is part of “Turtle Science 101,” a 3-part series of monthly programs led by George L. Heinrich. Heinrich is a field biologist and environmental educator specializing in Florida reptiles.

June 9, 2022 at 2:00pm: Why Turtles Are Cool
July 8, 2022 at 10:00am: Turtle Bioartifacts and What They Can Teach Us
August 26, 2022 at 2:00pm: Turtle Eggs, Nesting, and Conservation Concerns

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Weedon Island. Our Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Learn more about our Friends at https://friendsofweedonisland.org/.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2022-08-03 10:00 - 16:00 | 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

Science Sprouts: Dinosaurs & More
2022-08-06 10:00 - 11:00 | 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!

August’s Theme: Dinosaurs and More
When/Where: 10-11am every Saturday in the Mosaic Backyard Universe
Cost: Included with Museum admission

Snakes of Southwest Florida
2022-09-16 10:30 - 12:30 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn all about common snakes of Southwest Florida!

LOCATION: UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County Office, Rogers Auditorium
Want to find out more about these interesting and often misunderstood reptiles? You’ll learn which ones you’re most likely to see in your SW Florida yard and how to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event.
>>> REGISTER HERE

SNAKES IN THE WILD
2022-09-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 13 & up
Explore the world of snakes! Learn about their role in ecosystems and observe a variety of live snakes from around the world.
RESERVE A SPOT

RAD REPTILES
2022-09-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 6 and up
Come learn about incredible reptiles from around the world! Each class includes hands-on activities, a guided hike on the trails, and live animal encounters. Participants will enjoy a safe learning environment that promotes knowledge of the local environment and a love of nature.
REGISTER NOW

Turtle Bioartifacts
2022-10-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Turtle Bioartifacts
And What They Can Teach Us

Examine turtle bioartifacts and learn about turtle biology and ecology!

Dive into turtle science 101 with local herpetologist and environmental educator George L. Heinrich! This hands-on workshop will explore turtle bioartifacts (natural history objects) commonly found during nature forays. Numerous specimens of shells and skulls will allow us to learn about turtle anatomy and species diversity. We will also examine a variety of eggs and dissect gopher tortoise scat. Participants may also get to observe some of the Preserve’s resident gopher tortoises.
This workshop will take place outdoors, under the covered pavilion adjacent to the Cultural and Natural History Center. This program is recommended for ages 16+ and youth should be accompanied by an adult.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Weedon Island. Our Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Learn more about our Friends at https://friendsofweedonisland.org/.
>>> REGISTER HERE
