Birds and Butterflies of Weedon Island
2020-03-14 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn the about the birds and butterflies found at Weedon Island Preserve!

St. Pete Audubon member Ron Smith will discuss the butterflies and not-so-common birds of Weedon Island Preserve accompanied by a photo presentation. Learn about these creatures life histories, why we find them on the Preserve and where you may be able to view them on the trails.
This program is recommended for adult and youth ages 12 and up.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-birds-and-butterflies-of-weedon-island-tickets-91818899801

Exploring Florida’s Rich Turtle Diversity
2020-04-02 07:00 - 09:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health situation, all programs have been suspended until further notice.
For COVID-19 updates from the City of St. Petersburg, visit stpete.org/emergency.

This or That?
2020-04-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Due to coronavirus (COVID 19), the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until further notice in accordance with the latest CDC suggested guidelines. All indoor public and private events are cancelled at least through April 22. Please check back for updates, close/open, and event information at http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/

Is it a Turkey Vulture or a Black Vulture? Is it a venomous or non-venomous snake? Is it an invasive exotic species or a native treasure? This class, for the whole family, will introduce you to some of Florida’s easily mistaken species. Learn how to quickly tell two similar plants or animals apart! A field guide by the same name, prepared by the presenters, will be available for purchase.
Presented by Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent and James Stevenson, Extension Specialist for UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County.
Questions or Concerns? Please contact Weedon Island Preserve at 727-453-6500 or weedonisland@pinellascounty.org.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-or-that-tickets-96243708523

Climate Science 102
2020-02-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
The City of St. Petersburg’s Emergency Management is closely monitoring the COVID-19 public health situation and working closely with public health officials and the Florida Department of Health.
At this time, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve’s trails are open; however, the nature center and all programs have been suspended until further notice.
For COVID-19 updates from the City of St. Petersburg, visit stpete.org/emergency.

This month’s topic: “Emotional Costs of Climate Change”

iCAR’s Community Climate Change Education Series launches its second year of monthly speaker series. The Climate Science Series is a monthly discussion of the potential impacts of climate change on our area. Each month, an expert will present on a specific topic, followed by a discussion with the audience. This series is presented by USFSP and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.

Spring 2020 Schedule

➜ January 21, 2020 – Building Economic Resilience and Recovery in the Tampa Bay Area
➜ February 4, 2020 – Emotional Costs of Climate Change
➜ March 3, 2020 – Protecting Cultural Heritage Sites from Climate Change
➜ April 7, 2020 – Understanding Climate Change Models
➜ May 5, 2020 – Hurricane Preparation

Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
1101 Country Club Way South, St. Petersburg, FL

For more information, contact Dr. Rebecca Johns
727-873-4556 | rjohns@mail.usf.edu

Deep Sea Archaeology
2020-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Due to coronavirus (COVID 19), the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until further notice in accordance with the latest CDC suggested guidelines. All indoor public and private events are cancelled at least through April 22. Please check back for updates, close/open, and event information at http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/

Archaeology Talk:
Deep Sea Archaeology
The deep ocean is one of the last unexplored frontiers in archaeology. Maritime archaeologist James Delgado takes us on a tour of the technology, expeditions and discoveries, including Titanic, lost World War II wrecks, and 19th century ships at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. These include sites he has explored and expeditions he has led or participated in, which he will share as part of a personal tour of the “great museum of the sea.”
James Delgado, Ph.D. is among the world’s leading experts in maritime archaeology and cultural heritage. Dr. Delgado joined SEARCH, Inc. in 2017 and serves as Senior Vice President. He is responsible for ensuring operational and research excellence, implementing strategic initiatives, and expanding the firm’s international footprint. Dr. Delgado also serves as a public speaker, international delegate, documentary host, and major project spokesperson. Prior to joining SEARCH, Dr. Delgado served as the Director of Maritime Heritage in the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries for NOAA for seven years, where he implemented heritage programs and active research in the nation’s waters, as well as promoted outreach and education on America’s underwater and marine heritage. Previously, he served a four-year term as President and CEO of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, the world’s leading scientific and educational organization dedicated to the understanding of humanity’s seafaring history through the excavation and scientific study of shipwrecks. Dr. Delgado was the Executive Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum in British Columbia, Canada for 15 years, and he served as Maritime Historian and Head of the US government’s Maritime Heritage Program for the US National Park Service for four years in Washington, DC. Dr. Delgado also served as the first historian for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the San Francisco Bay Area where he participated in the restoration and interpretation of Alcatraz.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/archaeology-talk-deep-sea-archaeology-tickets-88679136685

ECO Teacher Training Workshop 2020
2020-06-22 09:00 - 2020-06-26 15:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
See what the training is all about in our two promo videos: Video 1 or Video 2
Exploring Environmental Education Curriculum Options (ECO) Teacher Training Workshop
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Pinellas County’s Natural Resources Agent has teamed up with St. Petersburg College, College of Education Professor to offer this nationally award-winning, week-long environmental education workshop for pre-service elementary & ESE education students, current elementary & ESE teachers, and non-formal educators.
The aim of this workshop is to provide participants with tools and information to interpret the natural world and impart the need for resource conservation to their audience. Using local, state, and national curricula correlated to Florida Standards, participants will be given activities and resources to help foster environmental knowledge and good environmental stewardship in their students.
Each day will feature different environmental subjects and professional speakers will be brought in to provide background knowledge to participants. Workshop sessions will conclude with a reflection and an evaluation of the day’s activities. Certificates will be awarded for the completion of specific portions of the training as well as a final certificate of completion.
Note: Curriculum taught each year is different, so if you have participated in the past, you can participate again for a whole new educational experience!
ECO Teacher Training Workshop at Brooker Creek Preserve
June 22-26, 2020
All classes will run from 9:00am – 3:30pm, doors open at 8:30am.
Day 1 – Exploring 4-H Environmental Activities
Day 2 – Project WILD – Florida Black Bear
Day 3 – Cetacean (Whale & Dolphin) Curriculum
Day 4 – Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative & Curriculum
Day 5 – Project Learning Tree
Registration Ends June 14: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eco-teacher-training-workshop-2020-registration-93099461997
Have questions about ECO Teacher Training Workshop 2020? Contact Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center

Coastal Birds
2020-09-12 10:30 - 14:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Science Saturday
Coastal Birds
Be a scientist for a day! Science Saturday is a fun filled event covering various ocean topics! Each Science Saturday will have a marine science theme. Days often include a guest speaker, fun activities and ocean craft! Themes are always changing! Ask the front desk for details!
$6.00 per child
$8.00 per adult
Price includes admission to the Discovery Center!

WEBINAR- Mangrove Considerations
2020-09-18 12:00 - 13:00 | FL
Mangrove Considerations –
Mangroves are unique and wonderful trees and as such have rules governing how they are trimmed. This short webinar course will cover their ecological importance, ID of the three common species, and basic trimming guidelines.
To register, click here.

ONLINE: 2020 FALL GROWERS MEETING
2020-09-29 12:00 - 15:00 | IN YOUR HOME, YOUR FAVORITE PLACE, ANYWHERE
Don’t miss this free webinar. Registration is required. You’ll receive a confirmation email with information to join the meeting.

About this Event

12:00 – 12:10 PM – Crystal Snodgrass & Lisa Hickey, “UF/IFAS EXTENSION MANATEE COUNTY”, Welcome and Extension Updates, and COVID Impacts.
12:10 – 12:35 PM – Dr. Nathan Boyd, Weed Management Programs for Plasticulture Vegetable Production Systems. The presentation will focus on integrating multiple management options into a season-long program and techniques that can be used to optimize management efforts. The presenter will focus on general techniques that can be adopted for multiple crop types.
12:35 – 1:00 PM – Dr. Johan Desaeger, How to cope with Nematodes in conventional and organic vegetable production in Florida? The presentation will discuss the main nematode problems in Florida vegetables, and which strategies (products, cultural practices, cover crops) can be used to manage them. Both conventional and organic vegetable production will be covered.
1:00 – 1:10 PM – Discussion, Questions, Adjournment
1 CEU: Ag Row Crop, Private, Demo & Research
If you have any questions pertaining to class information or CEUs, please contact Dinora Santiago at 941-722-4524, Ext. 1823 or email d.santiago@ufl.edu
REGISTER HERE

ZOOM: Florida Supernature! Wetland Wildflowers
2020-10-07 14:00 - 15:00 | IN YOUR HOME, YOUR FAVORITE PLACE, ANYWHERE
The Florida Supernature Webinar Series explores the wonders of plants and animals in Florida! Join UF/IFAS Extension Specialist, James Stevenson every Wednesday in October at 2PM.
Florida’s freshwater wetlands are home to some amazing wildflowers. Let one of our specialists introduce you to these denizens of the swamp! We promise you won’t get your feet wet while meet these beautiful and interesting plants. Recommended for adults.
This free class will be presented online via Zoom.
Registration is required. Once you have registered you will receive an email from Zoom with a link to join the class.
Register here:
https://ufl.zoom.us/…/tJwrdOmqpz4uEtAFJrGwJNts1oehmslIBgmZ

ZOOM: Florida Supernature! Spiders
2020-10-14 14:00 - 15:00 | IN YOUR HOME, YOUR FAVORITE PLACE, ANYWHERE

ZOOM: Seahorses
2020-10-15 19:00 - 20:00 | IN YOUR HOME, YOUR FAVORITE PLACE, ANYWHERE
The Marine Discovery Center’s October online lecture will focus on “Exploring Seahorse Research at Bethune-Cookman University.”

Guest speaker for this webinar will be Dr. Sarah Krejci, assistant professor of biology and integrated environmental science at Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach.
Seahorses are a unique group of fish which have captivated generations of people around the world. However, their wild populations are facing threats from habitat loss, collection for the aquarium and curio trades and climate change.
Krejci and her students conduct research on laboratory and field populations of seahorses and their relatives, the pipefish, to illustrate the impacts that humans have on coastal ecosystems.
Krejci will share highlights of their studies, including photos and videos of their recent conjoined seahorse twins that were born in the university’s lab.
This lecture will introduce webinar attendees to the details of seahorse biology and ecology and students’ research projects from Bethune-Cookman University, one of 101 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in America.
Krejci will also discuss the importance of training diverse researchers, as well as the barriers that racism presents for black students in science by sharing their stories and future aspirations.

Interested guests for the October lecture may log in for the Zoom presentation at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_uXB4u12hT_CRUrVTSAon7Q

The program is free, but participants must set up a personal Zoom account to access the webinar. MDC will continue to offer programs online during COVID-19 precautions for the remainder of 2020.

For more information about the lecture, contact the Marine Discovery Center at 386-428-4828.

ZOOM: Florida Supernature! Pinellas Predatory Plants
2020-10-21 14:00 - 15:00 | IN YOUR HOME, YOUR FAVORITE PLACE, ANYWHERE

ZOOM: Itching for Answers
2020-10-21 14:00 - 15:00 | IN YOUR HOME, YOUR FAVORITE PLACE, ANYWHERE
Itching for Answers:
The Good, the Bad, and the Biology of Mosquitoes
Did you know that mosquitoes can breed in only a bottle cap of water? Or that some mosquitoes only bite leeches? Join us for a talk with Pinellas County Environmental Specialist Alissa Berro where we’ll go over the good, the bad and the biology of Florida’s least favorite insect! Learn more about what attracts mosquitoes, the most effective ways to prevent them, and answers to the questions you’ve been itching to ask.
This webinar will take place over Zoom. Recommended for adults.
Registration is required to participate in this program.
Please register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rP-0xdSSQeqrGhjOjg-fbg
Questions? Email us at weedonisland@pinellascounty.org

ZOOM: Florida Supernature! Plant Poison
2020-10-28 14:00 - 15:00 | IN YOUR HOME, YOUR FAVORITE PLACE, ANYWHERE

Scallops: What They Reveal about Ancient Tampa Bay Communities
2020-11-30 19:00 - 20:00 | ZOOM, United States
Did you know that scallops tell us a lot about the natural and cultural history of Tampa Bay? Get the inside story about fascinating research into the use of scallops by native communities in the Tampa Bay area and learn about how ancient cultures lived and what their environment was like thousands of years ago in this webinar!

Join us for Episode 2 of “Digging Into Weedon” where we meet Lindsay Parsons, a second-year master’s student in the Geology Department at the University of Georgia and the recipient of the 2020 Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeology Research and Education, Inc. (AWIARE)/Levitt Foundation scholarship.
After Lindsay takes us through her research, we will dig a bit deeper into what motivated Lindsay’s focus on scallops, her love of interdisciplinary science, and other aspects of her work.

This virtual program will take place over Zoom. Please register at https://ufl.zoom.us/…/tJctf-6vrDMsHNH2Mnua03ILjXkksaOyyPq7
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the Zoom meeting.

Amazing Ospreys
2021-06-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
This program leads participants into discovery about the amazing lives of ospreys living in dynamic urban areas. Attendees will learn about conservation and species management techniques used by local organizations to support our local osprey populations.
Presented by Barb Walker of Moccasin Lake Raptor Sanctuary. Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.
REGISTER HERE

Featured Creature: The Coyote
2021-06-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
During this program, UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension Agent, Lara Milligan will explore the life history of the coyote and its unique abilities to adapt and survive in urban environments. This presentation will also highlight ways we can learn to coexist with coyotes. If you have seen a coyote in Pinellas County, you are not alone. Come and learn about this featured creature and its presence in our area.
REGISTER HERE

Ickology!
2021-06-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Click here to register for Ickology!

Woodpeckers 101
2021-06-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
Did you know we have FIVE different kinds of woodpecker in Pinellas? Have you ever even thought about it? Woodpeckers are a fascinating family of birds with some similarities and many differences! Join us to explore these amazing birds.
Presented by James Stevenson, UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension Specialist.
Recommended for adults.
REGISTER HERE

Florida Black Bears
2021-06-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist David Telesco will engage participants by sharing information on the biology, research, and management of Florida black bears.
REGISTER HERE

IQuest: Welcome to the Jungle
2021-07-10 16:00 - 20:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
IQuest is a monthly program for smart, curious middle school students in grades 6 through 8. While each IQuest is different, you can always expect challenging projects and games that inspire out-of-the-box solutions to real world problems.
Due to limitations on attendance and staffing, attendees must pre-register by 11am on the day of the program. We will be adhering to social distancing measures during all activities and the class size will be limited to 10 children. Masks will be required for all staff and students, and all students will be temperature-screened upon arrival.

4-8 p.m. Saturday, July 10
Where: At The Bishop
Admission is $8. Kids only — this is a drop-off program!
Paid reservations required; includes a slice of pizza and a drink.

July 10: “Welcome to the Jungle”
What makes a jungle? How would you live there? Join us to unravel the real world and mythical stories of these mysterious habitats!

Register Now

Tortoise Talk
2021-07-20 08:00 - 09:00 | ROBINSON PRESERVE, 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
It’s tortoise time! Join us for this informal program on the Valentine House lawn as we take our educational tortoise out to graze! Foraging in the wild is an integral part of a gopher tortoise’s lifestyle, so we encourage our captive tortoise to graze as much as possible. Get up close with our tortoise. Learn what tortoises need to survive, how we care for our tortoise, and why we have him. Finally, discover what efforts everyone can take to protect these important members of our Florida ecosystems.
Program is suitable for all ages. No reservations required. For info contact coral.bass@mymanatee.org .
Robinson Preserve North Entrance

Mangrove Considerations
2021-08-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Event
Join UF/IFAS Extension’s Alyssa Vinson for a discussion of one of our most valuable coastal resources: Mangroves. Learn the ins and outs of living with these valuable and irreplaceable tree species. Topics covered will include; identification and ecology, rules and regulations and best practices for trimming.
REGISTER HERE
