Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2022-10-12 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-26 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-09 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-16 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-23 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-30 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) and 6 more dates | 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 <<<

The Endangered Sawfish of Tampa Bay
2022-10-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us to see a three-foot sawfish replica, feel some real sawfish rostra (saws), and get some great free sawfish swag.

Sawfish are large shark-like rays that once were relatively common in Florida’s coastal waters including Tampa Bay. Now, Florida’s smalltooth sawfish is endangered and scientists are striving to learn as much as possible about this iconic and fascinating fish. Tonya Wiley, President of Havenworth Coastal Conservation, will provide a presentation with interesting facts about sawfish, updates on Tampa Bay area sawfish research, explanations of management tools such as the Endangered Species Act, and descriptions of ways you can be involved in the recovery of smalltooth sawfish. Join us to see a three-foot sawfish replica, feel some real sawfish rostra (saws), and get some great free sawfish swag.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther
2022-10-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
The Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department present the annual Natural History Speaker Series (NHSS), a program that offers fascinating presentations on the natural and cultural history of Florida by individuals who are authorities in their fields.

Archaeology Day at Weedon Island
2022-10-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Celebrate International Archaeology Day at the Weedon Island Preserve!

Examine ancient artifacts and discover the rich history of Tampa Bay at our celebration of International Archaeology Day at the Weedon Island Preserve!
The Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education (AWIARE) and the Central Florida Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (CGCAS) will be on-site with a diverse showcase of pre-Columbian artifacts from the Tampa Bay region and archaeological experts will be on-hand to illustrate the use of these tools and their importance to native populations.
Local fossil collectors are encouraged to bring in artifacts such as arrow heads, lithics, and pottery sherds for identification during Archaeology Day. No dollar value will be assigned or discussed, but educational information will be generously shared.
Explore the artifacts and talk with the archaeologists at your leisure anytime between 10am to 2pm. Also, check out the 1,100 year old dugout canoe on display in the Center and visit our free museum exhibit “Connecting People and Place” that tells the story of Weedon Island and its earliest inhabitants.
This event is suitable for all ages. The Center and its museum exhibits are open from 9am to 4pm.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Magic of Mushrooms
2022-10-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Mushroom Biology and Ecology, mushroom growing kits available for purchase

Mention mushrooms and most people think of three things: eating them, DYING from eating them and/or their use in recreational drug use. Let’s put those topics aside and explore fun facts about these fascinating and ecologically important organisms! Recommended for adults and youth over 12. Note: this class will NOT address edible wild mushrooms, BUT participants can purchase their own mini mushroom farm to watch the magic happen at home, thanks to the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Plant Food 101
2022-11-04 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for Plant Food 101! Come find out what plants need to grow.
In this two-hour workshop, we will covering basic plant nutrition. Learn about the role that nitrogen, potassium, and other elements play within a plant. For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at (941) 722-4524 ext.1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu. For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

In Pursuit of Florida's Paleo Hunters
2022-11-04 19:00 - 20:00 | FL

Mosquito Control & Why It Matters
2022-11-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States

Talkin' Turkeys
2022-11-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Let’s get to know the Florida Wild Turkey!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Learn more about the Wild Turkey and how it survives here in Pinellas County. Once you’ve met these wonderful fowl, you may want to re-think your Thanksgiving dinner!
Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor

Mangrove Cleanup & Restoration
2022-12-06 12:00 - 14:00 | Online Event
Mangrove Cleanup and Restoration:
Recommendations for Volunteer Leaders
Post-storm mangrove clean up & restoration.
Join Florida Sea Grant and UF/IFAS Extension to discuss recommendations for clean up and restoration of mangroves following storm damage. Topics will include: assessment methods, debris removal logistics, pruning, muck removal, and others. ISA CEU’s available.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Katie Granberg, katiebg@ufl.edu, (941) 722-4524 x 1815 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

The Role of Native Bees in Our Landscape
2022-12-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States

Currents & Crossroads: A Vision for Florida's Ocean & Coasts
2022-12-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States

Florida's Carnivorous Plants
2022-12-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn about Florida’s amazing carnivorous plants!

Learn about Florida’s endemic carnivorous plants! Florida has dozens of native species of carnivorous plants––more than any other state in the United States—including sundews, butterworts, bladderworts, and pitcher plants. These plants use appealing scents, leaves, and sticky fluids to trap and imprison insects. Digestive fluids then absorb the prey giving the plant its nutrients. Learn the evolution, people, and natural history of this area to discover why Florida is a hotspot of carnivorous plants.

Presented by Kenny Coogan, author of the new book “Florida’s Carnivorous Plants”.
Kenny’s book “Florida’s Carnivorous Plants” and a selection of carnivorous plants will be available for purchase after the talk!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Cure Your Crabbiness: Explore Weedon’s World of Crabs
2022-12-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Join us to learn more about the types of crabs that we find at Weedon Island and why mangroves are important for these special animals.

Have you ever wanted to know more about the small crabs climbing on the mangrove trees along the boardwalk? Join us to learn more about the types of crabs that we find at Weedon Island and why mangroves are important for these special animals.
This program will include a presentation inside the Cultural and Natural History Center, followed by a short walk along the boardwalk to see these crabs up close.
This program will be led by Olivia Blondheim, a Biological Oceanography doctoral student at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science. Her research explores the function of species at the transition zones between habitats. She is interested in the role of mangrove crabs in marine ecosystems and whether that role changes across mangrove and salt marsh habitats.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this class you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Prior to ten (10) working days before the class, please submit your request to accommodations@pinellascounty.org and cc weedonisland@pinellas.gov. In your request, please be sure to include the date and title of the program you need accommodations for, indicate that the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center is the program host, and include what specific accommodations you will need.

Rising to the challenge of coral reef restoration
2023-01-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Dr. Jason Spadaro joined Mote in December 2021 as a Postdoctoral Scientist to integrate an ecosystem approach into Mote’s premier science-based Coral Reef Restoration Program. His research focuses on manipulating ecological processes to support the restoration and recovery of Florida’s Coral Reef and other coral reef ecosystems.
In this lecture, on Jan. 9, Spadaro will explain how coral reefs are in trouble, and how Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are pioneers in coral reef restoration. Mote’s team actively propagates and restores corals to degraded reef structures, while actively selecting the most resilient and robust corals with the goal of creating a strong and resilient community of restored corals.
Recently, Mote has also invested in the restoration of critical ecosystem functions, such as grazing by herbivores such as Caribbean king crabs. Led by Spadaro, Mote scientists are engaged in the aquaculture of this large crab species that consumes many of the algae that otherwise would compete with corals for space on the reef. Tying all of these intricate and complex components together is nothing short of challenging. However, Spadaro, his team, and everyone at Mote are more than up to the challenge with cutting-edge science guiding the way.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

The Power of Fungi
2023-01-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States

Defend Yourself! How Bugs and Bloomers Survive
2023-01-14 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Insects and plants have evolved often astonishing and sometimes bizarre ways to survive when everything is out to eat them. For more than a decade, John Lampkin has been photo-documenting thorns and thistles and chemical cocktails, as bugs and bloomers battle it out. The result is a visually delightful, fun, and educational exploration of a 450-million-year-old “arms race.”
Presented by John Lampkin: John Lampkin’s photographs grace the pages of field guides, websites and magazines and he won the “American Butterflies” magazine 2020 photo contest. As a neo-classical composer, he won international prizes for his “Piano Concerto” and woodwind quintets. He has constructed many crossword puzzles, often with Nature themes, for the NY Times, LA Times and Wall Street Journal. At heart, he is just a guy with a camera who enjoys thinking and sharing what he discovers.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
