Lionfish Dissection
2024-08-31 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 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 <<<

Science Rocks!
2024-09-05 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-10-03 10:30 - 11:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
This free event at Moccasin Lake Nature Park is hosted by the Clearwater Community Women’s Club, and it covers a range of science topics through hands-on activities, discussion and crafts. Registration is required by emailing ScienceRocksMoccasin@gmail.com.
Sept. 7: 5 Senses
Oct.5: Water
Nov. 2. Bees
Jan. 4: Push/Pull
Feb. 1: Flight
Mar. 7: Frogs and Toads
April 4: The Sun
May 2: 3 States of Matter

Weedon Island BioBlitz 2024!
2024-12-05 09:30 - 14:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us for a fun filled day of exploration, science, and nature!
Families with youth will become Weedon Island Explorers and Scientists as we learn about our environment and take to the trails to see what we can find! No experience necessary. All you need is a smartphone, your family, and the spirit of adventure (sunscreen and bug spray is also recommended)!
We will be tracking our observations under the project “Weedon Island BioBlitz 2024!” in the free iNaturalist app. Haven’t used iNat before? No problem! We will guide everyone through the process of using the app in the morning.
This biological survey allows us to see what plants, animals, and fungi exist within our environment at this moment of time. We can use this data to see how things change day to day, season to season, or throughout the years.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Agenda

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Introduction and INaturalist Demonstration

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Morning BioBlitz Session

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Lunch Break

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Hurricane Impact Discussion

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Afternoon BioBlitz Session

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Reflection & Wrap Up

Astronomy Night
2025-01-04 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-01-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Star Party
2025-03-08 19:00 - 22:00 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Join The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve and St. Pete Astronomy Club for a Star Party! Observe the stars through telescopes and enjoy an evening at Brooker Creek Preserve after dark.
Night hikes will be conducted as well along the .75 mile Ed Center Trail through the woods. Please bring a chair, water, insect repellent, and your own telescope if you have one.
As always, no pets, no smoking, & no alcohol.
Meet at the main parking lot & please arrive between 6:30 and 7:00pm; as the gates will only be open during this time.
A suggested donation of $3.00 per person is appreciated.
Questions: info@FriendsOfBrookerCreekPreserve.org or 727-934-2680
—–Registration is not required, join us!——

Afternoon Adventures Weather or Not
2025-03-15 15:30 - 16:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join our Rangers in exploring what weather is, how it is different from climate, and how does it form. We will look at everything from the tilt of the Earth, solar radiation, the Coriolis effect, air pressure/temperature, to how large bodies of water and different landforms (forest, desert, mountains, plains) affect our weather and climates.
Ages 8 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Nature Detectives Camp - BHNP Spring 2025
2025-03-17 08:00 - 2025-03-21 17:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Ages 7 yrs – 11 yrs
Explore the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles (such as gopher tortoises, frogs, lizards) with hands-on learning, hikes, and animal encounters.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Community Science Using eBird
2025-03-18 19:00 - 20:30 | ZOOM, United States
Speaker: Alli Smith, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Everyone can contribute to science, even on a local scale! Alli Smith will tell us about eBird, how to navigate the app, and the way scientists can use this data for conservation.
Location: Zoom (click here to register)

Parents Night Out- Wild Wetlands
2025-03-28 18:00 - 22:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Parents enjoy a night out while the kids experience a night of Edventure Exploration! Come learn about our themed nights through games, activities, crafts, and a night hike. A pizza dinner is included.
Participants will learn about the plants and animals that thrive in these unique environments, and how wetlands help our planet. Through games, nature walks, and interactive activities, children will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of wetlands in preserving biodiversity and supporting clean water.
Ages 6 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Science Rocks
2025-04-03 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Science Rocks for kids 4 – 6 years of age. New topic every month! Free program!
Reservations are required!

Phytoplankton and Their Friends
2025-04-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join Dr. Margaret “Maggi” Brisbin and Pinellas County Sea Grant Agent Katie Mastenbrook for an opportunity to deep dive into the world of plankton. The presentation will cover plankton communities in the Tampa Bay region, highlighting research on the plant plankton communities know as phytoplankton.
Dr. Brisbin will cover Pyrodinium bahamense (the toxin and light producing species that blooms in Upper Tampa Bay), Karenia brevis (Red Tide), and other lesser-known species important to the region. Dr. Brisbin will share how they monitor and study phytoplankton communities at USF and explain exciting recent research developments. Pinellas County Sea Grant Agent will further showcase other common types of animal plankton known as zooplankton, highlighting the importance of all are plankton species.
Participants will have a chance to view and get a hands-on experience with live plankton samples using traditional microscopes and cutting-edge, automated microscopes.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Parents Night Out- Earth Day
2025-04-25 18:00 - 22:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Parents enjoy a night out while the kids experience a night of Edventure Exploration! Come learn about our themed nights through games, activities, crafts, and a night hike. A pizza dinner is included.
Celebrate with Boyd Hill for an evening of fun, hands-on activities dedicated to protecting our planet. Participants will enjoy planting a native plant to take home, creating recycled crafts, and learning practical ways to help care for the Earth. Through these engaging experiences, participants will discover how small actions can make a big impact on the environment.
Ages 6 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Youth Program: Planet Protectors!
2025-04-26 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
For youth nature lovers, this thrilling program is full of educational fun. It is specifically designed for young Floridans to understand what can be done for the environment in their home town and then express that knowledge through multiple artistic mediums. We’ll also meet some very special animal ambassadors and get to interact with them!
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Presented by Paige Konger of Paige’s Planet. Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.
Additional Notes: 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 buildings. This program meets in the Auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium.

Parents Night Out- Turtle, Turtle, Tortoise
2025-05-23 18:00 - 22:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Parents enjoy a night out while the kids experience a night of Edventure Exploration! Come learn about our themed nights through games, activities, crafts, and a night hike. A pizza dinner is included.

It’s International Turtle Day!
Let’s celebrate these amazing animals and their adaptations to their ecosystems. Learn about the turtles on our property and have fun doing it. Participants will learn the importance of turtles, meet some of our ambassador turtles, and go on a hike to find tortoises on the preserve.
Ages 6 yrs – 12 yrs

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Backyard Science
2025-05-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Make your Saturday mornings even more fun!
Check out the Backyard Science program for elementary-aged learners at The Bishop’s incredible indoor Mosaic Backyard Universe. This wildly popular learning program launched last year and offers a wide range of activities, observations, and crafts that are sure to excite curiosity and ignite learning. Using unique Museum resources, hands-on activities, and thinking questions within this amazing educational space, you and your child will explore a different topic each month.

Eagle Lake Park BioBlitz!
2025-06-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Eagle Lake Park, 1800 Keene Road, Largo, FL, 33771, United States
Join others in the community for a fun, citizen-science effort to record as many species of plants and insects at Eagle Lake Park!

Pinellas County has recently been recognized as a Bee City (County) by the non-profit Xerces Society for the Conservation of Invertebrates. Part of our commitment to foster a community that supports insect conservation is to engage citizens in the collection of data on the health of our insect populations.
You are invited to join others in the community for a fun, citizen-science effort to record as many species of plants and insects at Eagle Lake Park on June 28th. This “Bio-Blitz” using the iNaturalist phone app (free) will give us an idea of the density and diversity of pollinators and the plants they depend on in one park in our county. Educators from the Brooker Creek and Weedon Island Environmental Education Centers will be on hand to get you started at the BioBlitz.
>>> GET TICKETS <<<

The Cosmic Recipe for Life
2025-08-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
How does life not only survive, but thrive in Earth’s most extreme environments? How do we search for life beyond our home planet? Is there a cosmic recipe for life?
Join us in The Planetarium at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature for a one-hour live presentation diving into the science behind the Life on the Edge exhibit! We’ll explore extremophiles on Earth, alien oceans, icy moon missions, and exoplanets at the edge in search of The Cosmic Recipe for Life!
The Life on the Edge exhibit will be open for an exclusive viewing from 6:30pm-7pm and again from 8-8:30pm, with a one-hour live presentation in The Planetarium from 7-8pm.
Doors open at 6:30pm. The presentation begins at 7 pm inside the Planetarium.
Preregistration required.
$10/$3 for Members/Members under 17; $15/$5 for Non-Members/Non-Members under 17.
Beer and wine cash bar available.`
Seating in the Planetarium is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parks for Pollinators Bio Blitz!
2025-09-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Largo Central Park Nature Preserve, 150 Highland Ave. N, Largo, FL, 33770, United States
Take part in Citizen Science and help conserve our mini-wildlife at Largo Central Park Nature Preserve!

Join the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz 2025 and Help Save Local Pollinators!
A Bio Blitz is a quick, targeted survey of species in a particular area.
At this event we will learn and practice making observations of pollinators and the flowers they are visiting. Observations made at this event with the iNaturalist phone app will be added to a national database that tracks the health of pollinators across the country. Meet local naturalists, learn how to use the iNaturalist app, and explore the trails to make your first observations with experts on hand!
Educators from the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and the City of Largo Parks Department will be on hand to get you started at this BioBlitz. Then, participants are invited to continue making observations for the month of September in any park in Pinellas County!
This event will be held at Largo Central Park Nature Preserve
Every Observation = Real Scientific Data
By participating, you’re not only helping to raise awareness — you’re contributing to real data that helps Pinellas County and conservation organizations across the Country make better decisions for wildlife and land management.
>>> GET TICKETS <<<
Learn More: www.nrpa.org/BioBlitz

A Celestial Affair: The Bash at The Bishop
2025-11-01 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
— AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EVENING —
— COCKTAILS | DINNER | DANCING —
THE BISHOP MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND NATURE | 201 10TH STREET WEST BRADENTON, FL 34205
>>> GET TICKETS <<<

GET READY TO BID BIG FOR A GREAT CAUSE!
Join Jess Jewelers for our Mega Basket Auction, where you can win incredible prizes while supporting The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. With tickets just $100, you’ll have the chance to bid on four amazing baskets:

Introduction to iNaturalist app
2025-11-01 11:00 - 12:00 | J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center, 10500 Wilderness Road, New Port Richey, FL, 34655, United States
Don Fraser will give a practical introduction to the iNaturalist app.
If you’re not already making use of this simple and exciting app, you probably should be. Whether your primary interest is birds, butterflies, or anything flora and/or fauna, this is the app for you.
Don will help us all make the most of the features this app offers, so this will be a great opportunity to learn something really useful.

Science Rocks!
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Science Rocks is FREE and hosted by the Clearwater Community Woman’s Club.
This class is designed for children ages 4-6 years old, and all must be accompanied by a guardian. The class will cover many different science topics through literature, hands-on activities, discussion, art activities, and invited speakers.
There is a maximum of 12 students for each class.
Registration is required for the children only. Please make plans now before classes fill up!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
The date/topic for the Science Rocks classes is as follows and is always 10:15am to 11:30am:
September 4: The Scientific Method
October 2: Sea Life
November 6: Gobble, Gobble…Turkeys
January 8: Germs, what are they?
February 5: Teeth First, Food Second
March 5: Rabbits
April 2: The Secret Life of Plants
May 7: Cats…Meow, Meow
Communication with teachers: [sciencerocksmoccasin@gmail.com](mailto:sciencerocksmoccasin@gmail.com)
Classes held at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL 33759. 727-562-4315, then press 1.

Marine Biology Homeschool Classes
2025-11-07 14:30 - 15:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Dive into Marine Biology with Tampa Bay Watch!
Tampa Bay Watch is thrilled to introduce a brand-new marine biology unit designed specifically for local homeschoolers. Join us at the beginning of each month for an exciting, hands-on learning experience!
These student-only sessions are perfect for curious minds ages 6 and up, offering opportunities to explore marine ecosystems and engage with real-world science. Whether you drop in for a single class or register for the full series, each session promises discovery, adventure, and fun.
Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!
$20 per participant
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

October 3rd 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Invertebrate Investigation

Get up-close and personal with some fascinating residents of our estuary as we dive into the world of invertebrates. What makes an invertebrate an invertebrate? Students will explore this question through interactive encounters with animals like sea stars and horseshoe crabs. We’ll sharpen our observation skills and practice scientific classification in a fun, engaging environment.

November 7th 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Squid Dissection

What do snails, clams, and octopuses have in common? In this hands-on program, students will discover what makes a mollusc a mollusc! A guided squid dissection will help us uncover the special traits that unite this diverse group of animals and learn about the many molluscs that call our region home. From shells to squishy bodies, the lesson will be full of surprises and science.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
December 5th 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Iguana Intel

How did iguanas even end up in Florida, and why are they thriving? Students will scope out the story behind these scaly invaders, explore what makes them so successful in our environment, and learn how their presence impacts native wildlife and habitats. A combination of wildlife observation and conservation science, this program empowers students to take action and become stewards of Florida’s natural ecosystems.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
December 5th 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Iguana Dissection

Ages 12+
In this hands-on dissection experience, students will explore the anatomy and adaptations of these reptiles in more detail to better understand their impact on local ecosystems. We’ll also discuss practical ways to protect Florida’s native species and habitats from this persistent invasive species.

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Birding Made Easy
2025-11-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
How everyone from beginners to advanced birders can use Merlin and eBird to enhance their birding.
Speaker/leader: John Ficken
Join us for our November Meeting and Program. John will start with a short slide presentation to introduce you to the latest updates to these birding tools from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Afterward, we’ll head out into the field to try them in action
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom

Stelliferous Ancient Skies – Maya Astronomy
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Join us in the Planetarium at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature as we explore the Maya masters of astronomy! Dive into the mythology behind the movement of celestial bodies, uncover the astronomical secrets hidden within incredible feats of architecture, unlock the intricate puzzle of the Maya calendar, and get lost in the legends of Maya constellations.
Doors open at 6:30pm. The presentation begins at 7 pm inside the Planetarium.
Preregistration required.
$10/$3 for Members/Members under 17; $15/$5 for Non-Members/Non-Members under 17.
Beer and wine cash bar available.
Seating in the Planetarium is on a first-come, first-served basis.
