Composting & Food Waste Prevention with Landfill Tour
2024-04-05 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Lena Road Landfill, 3333 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL, 34211, United States
Learn about recycling, food waste reduction, composting, and tour the landfill!
A partnership between UF/IFAS Extension and Manatee County at the Lena Rd Landfill, this eye-opening day of learning will tell you everything you always wanted to know about recycling, food waste reduction and tips on composting, followed by an informative tour of the landfill!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Moth Night
2024-04-05 20:00 - 22:00, 2024-06-07 20:00 - 22:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Discover Denizens of the Dark at the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center.

After a brief lecture, we will venture into the night to find moths of many sizes and colors, all attracted to our artificial lights. This evening experience is best for adults and children over 12.
Registration is required. Space is very limited. Once registered, please check your confirmation email for important details on where to meet.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2024-04-10 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-04-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-05-29 10:00 - 11:00 and 3 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 <<<

INSECTS, BIRDS, AND GARDENERS
2024-04-10 11:30 - 12:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
MASTER GARDENER SPEAKER SERIES:
INSECTS, BIRDS, AND GARDENERS
Insects and birds can be both friends and foes to gardeners! Join Master Gardener, Debbie Ingram, as she explores how to tell the difference between helpful and harmful wildlife and how to cultivate balance between the two.

Natives @ the USF Botanical Garden
2024-04-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Dr. Craig Huegel, founding member of the Pinellas Chapter of FNPS and current director of the USF Botanical Garden on the Tampa campus, will give a presentation about recent enhancements to the garden that have enhanced its biodiversity and habitat value and provided new opportunities to educate USF students, volunteers, and the public about the beauty and value of native plants. We will follow up with a field trip to the garden on April 20th.
Also:

Learn how our chapter is participating in community events and how to get involved
PLANT SWAP – Bring one or several plants to swap
DOOR PRIZE – Plant of the month – To Be Announced

Archaeology Lecture: Discoveries from the Garrison
2024-04-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
The Garrison Neighborhood, established in 1896, was the first Black-owned neighborhood in Tampa.

Archaeology lecture hosted by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society (CGCAS) and the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education (AWIARE).
The Garrison Neighborhood, established in 1896, was the first Black-owned neighborhood in Tampa. Until the 1940s the neighborhood flourished with Black-owned businesses, schools, and churches. Despite this, few mentions of the neighborhood exist in archaeological reports of the area. Downtown Tampa’s archaeological requirements prioritizes the National Register eligible Fort Brooke site, leaving this unique Black neighborhood underutilized in the study of Tampa’s diverse early pioneers. Since 2016 Stantec has been excavating portions of the Garrison, including the Caesar Street School, an African Methodist Episcopal Church, storefronts, and numerous residences. Through the artifact assemblages of these sites a greater understanding can be gleaned of life in this important Tampa neighborhood.
This lecture will feature Kelsey Kreiser, an archaeologist at a local Stantec office in Tampa. She has been working in cultural resource management since 2018, conducting fieldwork across much of Florida and the greater southeastern United States.
Learn more about CGCAS & AWIARE’s archaeology lecture series.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Gift of Trees
2024-04-19 10:30 - 12:00 | ZOOM, United States
Join us for a crash course in trees!
We will cover the value of trees in our communities, tree selection and planting, maintenance, pruning and long term care considerations.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Earth Day Birthday!
2024-04-20 09:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
A Springtime Conservation Celebration!
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve Present: Earth Day Birthday: A Springtime Conservation Celebration!
Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve are pleased to announce a special celebration of the Environmental Education Center’s 20th birthday and the Friends’ 30th year providing support for the Preserve.
Join staff, volunteers, and your fellow community members to explore the Education Center, hands-on activities, and the wonders of Our Wildest Place!
————————————————-
Ongoing Activities:

Touch-a-Truck: Meet staff from the Florida Forest Service and some of the equipment they use when fighting (or starting!) fires in natural areas.
*Build a Pollinator House: Some of our smallest wildlife needs your help! Learn about native bees, how important they are and how you can help provide habitat. *while supplies last
Green Careers in Pinellas: Meet staff from several Pinellas County Government departments and non-profit organizations who will share their work and experiences with you.
Free Trees: Pinellas County’s Urban Forestry will have a variety of trees available to take home for planting and preservation of our urban forest.
Injured Wildlife: Meet ambassador animals from Owl’s Nest Wildlife Sanctuary and learn the dos and don’ts of wildlife rescue from local experts.
Crafts and Quests: Visit the Exhibit Hall for crafts and pick up a plant quest to enhance your hiking experience.

————————————————–
Scheduled Activities: *Registration required, space is limited. Click on an activity to register.

Bio-Blitz at 9am: Learn how to be a citizen scientist, gathering data on the flora and fauna of the Preserve!
Guided Hikes at 9am, 10am, and 11:30am: Explore “Our Wildest Place” on a nature hike. There are four separate hike options to choose from!
Native Bee Hunt at 10am: Join UF field researcher Clint Gibson on a search for rare and elusive native bees!
Bird Nest Box Workshop at 10:30am: Learn how to build your very own nest box for a Great Crested Flycatcher!
Dish Gardens at 1pm: Put together a pollinator buffet using small native plants to create a pollinator garden perfect for a small space! Sponsored by the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
Architecture Tour at 1pm: Learn about our buildings with the architect of the project!

—————————————————–
Happy Birthday to us at 2pm! Stay for cupcakes and celebrate with the County officials who work to keep the Preserve Wild!
Parking is first-come-first-served all day in the main parking lot. No pets are allowed on Pinellas County Preserves. Pedestrians only on boardwalks and trails.

Sharks Unknown: Beyond Jaws
2024-04-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn all about the sharks in Tampa Bay with amazing shark scientists!

Come explore the wonderful world of sharks with M.I.S.S (Minorities in Shark Sciences) to learn about the wide diversity of sharks and the scientists who study them. You’ll also learn how you can get involved in protecting and studying these amazing creatures.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Weedon Island. The Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Become a Friend today!

2024 Florida's Birding & Photo Fest
2024-04-24 - 2024-04-28 | Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S, St. Augustine Beach, FL, United States
Nearly 100 exciting photography & birding events including field workshops and classroom seminars.

The 2024 Birding & Photo Fest will feature the return of festival favorites, world-class photographers along with new professionals and instructors who will offer technical training opportunities and more birding in-field programs than ever before.
As always, festival participants will benefit from insights and instruction from a collection of upper echelon international nature and wildlife photographers — a group that continues to solidify Florida’s Birding & Photo Fest as one of the premier events in North America. And of course the community of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and all of Florida’s Historic Coast is welcoming bird lovers and photography aficionados with the friendly hospitality you’ve come to expect.
The 2024 event will be held April 24-28, 2024 at Celebration Hall, St. Anastasia Located at 5205 A1A S., St. Augustine Beach, FL
For more information go to https://www.floridasbirdingandphotofest.com
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

RAPTORS AND REPTILES
2024-04-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Learn about the incredible world of reptiles and raptors that call Boyd Hill Nature Preserve home. Meet our resident reptiles and raptors up close, learn about their natural habitat, behaviors, and conservation efforts.

Science Rocks!
2024-05-02 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-06-06 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

Frogs!
2024-05-04 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!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Invasive Plants to Know and Avoid
2024-06-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension for a discussion on Invasive plants.
How can we tell the difference between the plants we want in our landscape and those that might be problematic? What’s the difference between a nuisance plant and an invasive plant? Join UF/IFAS Extension for a discussion on Invasive plants; what are they? how do we identify them? what can we use in our landscapes instead?
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Why Snakes are Cool
2024-06-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Learn why snakes are cool and the important ecological roles they play!
There are 46 native species of snakes in Florida and most occur in the central peninsula. Despite playing important ecological roles as both predators and prey, snakes remain highly misunderstood vertebrates. Only four venomous species occur in central Florida and these snakes present little danger when left alone. Local herpetologist and environmental educator George L. Heinrich (Heinrich Ecological Services) will present on why snakes are cool, emphasizing Florida snake diversity, natural history, conservation, and snake safety.
A selection of LIVE snakes will be available for viewing and handling if participants choose to do so (we hope that you will). *This program is recommended for adults and children 7+
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
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 or “Butterfly Room”.
*Please note this will be an hour long educational PowerPoint presentation with an opportunity to handle snakes at the very end. If your child cannot sit through the entire presentation, please bring them out of the room to avoid disruption of the program, and as a courtesy to those that are here to learn. We appreciate your cooperation, and thank you in advance.
———————————————————————————-
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.

Speaker Bio: George L. Heinrich is a field biologist and environmental educator specializing in Florida reptiles. His company, Heinrich Ecological Services (www.heinrichecologicalservices.com), is based in St. Petersburg, Florida and conducts wildlife surveys and research, natural history programming, and nature-based tours. George is currently the Executive Director of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust (www.ftct.org).

Silent Sentinels
2024-06-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Online Event
Learn about long-lived trees!
Join UF/IFAS Extension to learn about long lived trees, their history, cultural significance and how we can manage for their care in urban environments.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
Special Accommodations:
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Pollinator Promenade Youth Hike
2024-06-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Celebrate Pollinator Week with us by strolling through the Preserve searching for local pollinators! We’ll identify native pollinators we see along our route, learn why they are so important, and actions we can take to help them thrive! Geared towards ages 7 to 11.
This youth program is geared toward ages 7 to 11. Registration is required.
Space is limited and this program will cap at 20 participants. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program. Meet in the Exhibit Hall.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Birds of Prey
2024-06-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Meet the animal ambassadors of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve!
Several LIVE birds of prey will be used to illustrate aspects of predator-prey relationships, adaptations that ensure success as predators, and their role in maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems. The basic natural history of each species is also discussed along with the impact of humans on their habitats and populations. Great for all ages!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
