Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2025-03-19 10:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 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!

Heat Tolerant Plants for Florida Landscapes
2025-08-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join us to learn about the best heat-tolerant plants for your Florida landscape!
Welcome to Heat Tolerant Plants for Florida Landscapes!
Join us at Palma Sola Botanical Park for a fun and informative event all about plants that thrive in the Florida heat. Learn about the best species to add to your landscape that can withstand the hot and humid climate of Florida. Discover tips and tricks for caring for these plants so you can have a beautiful and vibrant garden all year round. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your gardening skills and create a stunning outdoor space!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Boat America Classes
2025-08-23 09:00 - 2025-08-24 14:00 | U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-1 Headquarters, 510 North Ft. Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL, 33755, United States
Boat America Classes
Boat America is a boating certificate class that offers an in-depth and interesting boating safety course, and provides the knowledge needed to obtain a Florida Boating Safety ID Card.

For the convenience of our students, some classes are held online via Zoom. These virtual classes utilize the same instructors and materials you would enjoy during the in-person classes. The schedule below notes whether the class is in person or via Zoom.
To register click on the Registration Form link at the bottom of this page or send an email to the Flotilla 11-1 Public Education Officer at clwtr.auxboating@gmail.com

2025 Boat America Classes

June 28 and 29 – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Zoom
July 26 and 27 – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – In-Person
August 23 and 24 – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Zoom
September 27 and 28 – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – In-Person
October 25 and 26 – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Zoom
November 22 and 23 – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM – In-Person

Class cost includes book.

Register for Boat America class

Global Raptors
2025-08-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us to learn about our aerial predators!
Join us to meet this distinctive trio of aerial predators. We will feature the peregrine falcon, the osprey and the barn owl, examining each species, and comparing their strategies for survival. Expect to be amazed!
Join Barbara Walker of the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue for this enlightening, photographic enriched program AND meet live raptors!
>>> GET TICKETS

Pollinators
2025-08-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th Street, Dade City, FL, 33523, United States
Who are the pollinators and why are they important to our world?
Pollinators are critical to our ecosystem, and they are in trouble. Who are the pollinators and why are they important to our world? Why we should care about them and how we can help them survive our ever-increasingly warm climate.
A healthy garden with the right plants will support natural beneficial insects and their needs. Learn what’s causing their decline and how planting a pollinator friendly habitat in our yards will benefit them and us!
>>> GET TICKETS

WILDFLOWER WALK: ASL EDITION
2025-09-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Immerse yourself in the beauty of native Florida flowers on this inclusive, ranger-led hike. We’ll explore how the flowers, trees, and green spaces at Boyd Hill contribute to the health and vitality of the preserve. Each month, participants have the opportunity to learn about up to 10 flowers currently in bloom.
In recognition of Deaf Awareness Month, this hike will be interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) to promote accessibility and inclusion. An additional ASL-interpreted hike will be offered at the end of the month.
Ages 12 and up
>>> REGISTER HERE

Permaculture Design Course Florida
2025-09-13 09:00 - 17:00 | Lakewood United Church of Christ, 2601 54th Ave S., St. Petersburg, FL, 33712-4700, United States
🌎 Endorsed by the Permaculture Institute of North America (https://pina.in)
Don’t wait—take the first step toward a regenerative future today! 🌿✨
## Subjects covered in the course
• Permaculture design ethics, principles and tools
• Creating abundance with natural patterns
• Grow more food with less work by working with nature
• Edible landscaping, food in small spaces
• Building food forests
• Nutrient dense “beyond organic” gardening and farming
• Agroforestry and ecoagriculture, regenerative farming
• Aquaculture
• Building rich, live soils
• Composting and vermicomposting
• Alternative pest management
• Designing sustainable water use
• Greywater and rainwater catchment
• Natural building and regenerative building technology
• Reducing energy costs in your home
• Best forms of sustainable energy
• Appropriate technology
• Boosting your career with permaculture
• Sustainable economics
• Increasing quality of life through “placemaking” design
• Designing for climate change
• Community revitalization and rebuilding
• Successful intentional communities, ecovillages and cohousing, urban and rural
>>> RESERVE A SPOT

Feathers: Birds' Most Distinguishing Feature
2025-10-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Join ornithologist Alexa DeJoannis for a talk ALL about feathers!
Feathers are synonymous with birds: all birds have feathers, and only birds have feathers! To us hairy mammals, feathers seem exotic and beautiful. How do feathers accomplish multiple functions at one time?
Ornithologist Alexa DeJoannis gives a good grounding in the form and function of feathers, birds’ most distinguishing feature.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bats
2025-10-14 14:00 - 15:00 | New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33543, United States
Humans need our beneficial flying friends, the Bats! Come learn more about bats at this educational seminar.
Worldwide there are more than 1,400 species of bats. That is about 20% of all mammal species.
Bats live everywhere on Earth, except in the most extreme deserts and polar regions. Bats consume insects, pollinate plants and disperse seeds. A single bat can eat up to its body weight in insects each night and reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
>>> REGISTER HERE

International Archaeology Day Celebration!
2025-10-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us for International Archaeology Day! International Archaeology Day is a celebration of archaeology and its contributions to society.

Pop-Up Exhibits from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Archaeology Talk from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

⚱️Explore a one-day exhibit of pre-Columbian artifacts from the Tampa Bay region and beyond! Archaeologists will illustrate the use of early stone and shell tools and their importance to indigenous people. Bring in found or inherited items such as spear points, tools, and pottery sherds for expert identification.
🌿Discover how indigenous Floridians used native plants in the pop-up “Florida Native Plants Through Time” exhibit. Exhibit designer and plant expert, Ben Metcantade, will also demonstrate how to make fiber-thread from our native yucca plant! Enjoy native plants, books, and resources on sustainable design and the importance of pollinators.
🎤Learn about the fascinating relationship between botany and archaeology in a special presentation from Dr. Christopher A. Kiahtipes, Associate Curator of the University of South Florida Herbarium. Using herbaria as a lens, Dr. Kiahtipes will discuss the intellectual, ethical, and curatorial challenges both disciplines face—especially in the context of our digital culture. Dr. Kiatipes talk is More than Collections: Making the Case for Physical Collections in a Digital World.
>>> GET TICKETS

Lets Walk Florida: Mangrove, Coastal Plants, & Marine Tour
2025-10-23 09:00 - 11:00 | Key Vista Nature Park, 2700 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday, FL, 34691, United States
Join us for an educational guided walking tour through Werner Boyce Salt Springs Park and help support Let’s Walk Florida.
Join us to walk and learn!
An educational guided nature walk will be led by Dr. Megan Moore, the UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant Agent for Pasco County. You will learn about mangrove identification, coastal plants, oysters, and the ecosystem benefits these systems provide.
We are teaming up with the UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent to support the Let’s Walk Florida Program! You are welcome to join us just for a fun educational day or to join the Lets Walk Florida Group!
Let’s Walk, Florida! Is a six-week walking program designed to encourage a physically active lifestyle. Walk anywhere on your own time, but also join the optional structured group walks to not just earn activity minutes, but to learn about our ecosystems. Join the group here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-walk-florida-pasco-tickets-1595865609999?aff=oddtdtcreator
We will provide a headset listening device so you can hear the tour easily during the walk! This walk will include boardwalks and dirt paths with around 1.5 miles of total walking. The first half of the tour is on the boardwalk and is much shorter if you want to join and only attend part of the tour! Bring hats, water, and walking shoes.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Florida Orinithological Society Meeting
2025-10-24 - 2025-10-26 | Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd N, Fort Myers, FL, 33965, United States
Field Trips
Birdwatching enthusiasts can spot an impressive variety of species, including herons, ospreys, and the iconic roseate spoonbills, while exploring the mangroves and marshes. These field trips offer not just an opportunity to witness the beauty of nature up close but also serve as a valuable educational experience, highlighting the importance of conservation and preserving these fragile ecosystems for generations to come.
Flocking Social Hours & Banquets
Our flocking social hours provide a delightful setting for bird enthusiasts to unwind, share their experiences from the day’s field trips, and indulge in delicious catered food. These gatherings offer a chance for like-minded individuals to relax, exchange stories, and build connections.
Presentations & Keynote Speakers
Get inspired by passionate ornithological students and professionals who will present their unique findings and contribute a fresh perspective to the field. Our meeting isn’t just about disseminating knowledge; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of avian wonders, get motivated by the passion of fellow enthusiasts, and contribute to the future of bird research and conservation efforts. Join us and be part of an enriching experience that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of our feathered friends and their impact on our world!
To register, go to https://fosbirds.org/meetings-and-events/

Meet your Forest: Tree & Fungi Walk and Talk
2025-01-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Trout Creek Wilderness Park, 12550 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, 33592, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Urban Forestry Agent, Alyssa Vinson for a walk and talk about our local trees and fungi.
She will cover tree identification techniques, including using iNaturalist to document your findings. Be prepared to walk with closed toed shoes, water, hat etc. A map will be emailed to you the day prior with the exact meeting location. Be aware that the park has a $2 entry fee.
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Watershed Walk
2025-10-24 09:30 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Venture out along our tails with Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan!
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 walk through the woods with Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County!
>>> REGISTER HERE

Bats in our Central Florida Neighborhoods
2025-11-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Canterbury Farms Nursery & Garden Center, 14220 Thornwood Trail, Hudson, FL, 34669, United States
Most of what people think they know about bats is wrong. Come learn all about them at this informative seminar.
Bats are not blind, they are not flying mice, and they wont get tangled in your hair. Yet, we have let our ignorance jeopardize one of Earth’s assets. Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems around the world & their loss would threaten countless plants and animals, diminish human environments and economies. One of the best things we can do to protect these vital but embattled animals is to learn more about them and share that knowledge with others.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Afternoon Adventures: Birding For Beginners
2025-11-01 15:30 - 16:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join our rangers as they teach all about birding, no matter your experience!
Learn what you will to become an avid birder. Explore why birds are important, what dangers they face, and how you can help our flighted friends.
Binoculars will be available for loan.
>>> REGISTER HERE
