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

Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2022-08-03 10:00 - 16:00 | 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

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

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 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

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

Diving Deep to explore the Gulf of Mexico Blue Holes
2023-01-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Dr. Emily Hall joined Mote in the Chemical Ecology Program in 2005 and is involved in research and monitoring of nutrient patterns in relation to harmful algae blooms along the west coast of Florida, and investigating sources of nutrients in aquatic systems. She also leads the Ocean Acidification Program, investigating the effects of acidifying waters on the marine environment. Jim Culter joined Mote in 1979 to develop the Benthic Ecology Program, specializing in marine and estuarine ecology and environmental assessment with an emphasis on benthic habitats and invertebrate ecology.
In their lecture on Jan. 16, Hall and Culter will answer the question; What are blue holes?
Blue holes are underwater sinkholes, similar to sinkholes on land. They vary in size, shape and depth, but most are ecological hot spots. A blue hole can be an oasis in an otherwise barren seafloor. Join these Mote scientists as they take you with them on a journey and explore these beautiful and mystery-filled holes in our own Gulf of Mexico! One dive took them over 400 feet below the surface of the water!
Mote Members also receive discounted admission to the event.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

WHAT IS A CARBON FOOTPRINT? CARBON FOOTPRINT ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
2023-01-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Have you ever thought about reducing your carbon footprint but didn’t know where to begin? Join us for free activities demonstrating easy ways you and your family can adjust your carbon footprints.
All ages welcome!
No registration required.

Red Tide Demise: Mitigation Initiative Update
2023-01-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Mote Associate Vice President for Research, Dr. Richard Pierce, also serving as the Program Manager for Ecotoxicology Research, joined Mote in 1981 as a Senior Scientist, developing a research program focusing on the source, fate and effects of toxic chemicals in the marine environment. With more than 75 published manuscripts and lectures nationally and internationally on his research, Pierce and Dr. Cynthia Heil, a Senior Scientist and Director of Mote’s Red Tide Institute will lead a lecture on Jan. 23. Heil, who has more than 25 years of experience with the science and management of marine and freshwater harmful algae bloom species, focuses on monitoring and mitigating Florida red tide along with the ecology and management of marine and freshwater HABs, nutrients and water quality.
Their lecture on Florida red tide will explain its severe negative impacts on the environment, economies and human health along Florida’s west coast, along with the Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative put in place to combat it. The Initiative, a result of the severe 2017-2019 red tide, provides funding for Mote scientists to partner with other institutions and companies to conduct extensive laboratory and field research on the efficacy of a variety of potential products and technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of red tide.
Mote Members also receive discounted admission to the event.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

Aquaculture's Role in the Global Food Security Agenda
2023-01-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Farming the Future:
Aquaculture’s Role in the Global Food Security Agenda
Dr. Nicole Rhody will lead the last lecture of the series on Jan. 30. With over 20 years of experience in the field of aquaculture and based at the 200-acre Mote Aquaculture Research Park, she aids in leading a team of scientists focused on conservation and cultivation of marine finfish, bivalves, crustaceans and aquatic plants.
On Monday, Jan. 30, attendees can discover the new and innovative ways Mote’s aquaculture research scientists are working to ensure global access to healthy and sustainable protein options. The lecture focuses on aquaculture, currently the fastest-growing food production sector globally and a sustainable option for attaining food security. Guests will learn how sustainable aquaculture methods can protect our oceans and help meet the increasing demand for seafood. By expanding our ability to cultivate aquatic animals and plants we can ensure sustainable human food production in the future.
Mote Members also receive discounted admission to the event.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

State of the Bay
2023-02-02 18:00 - 21:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Tampa Audubon is presenting the program State of the Bay, Thursday, Feb 2. The speaker is Joe Whalen, Science Communication Designer and Creator with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP). The meeting is at the UF/IFAS County Extension Office, 5339 County Line Road 579, Seffner, 33584.
The evening starts with a bird/wildlife photo presentation at 6 pm, followed by a potluck at 7 pm. The presentation starts at 7:30 pm. Everyone is invited to attend, and reservations are not required. You can also participate on Zoom. To join the meeting, click https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5090969712.
If you would like to show photos in the photo presentation, learn how to participate here: https://www.tampaaudubon.org/program. If you’d like to join the potluck, please bring a dish to share.
Whalen’s talk will provide the audience with a comprehensive overview of restoration and community engagement in Tampa Bay. He will also answer questions regarding the successes of the estuary program and the challenges it faces.
TBEP works to measure and communicate the result of its work to the Tampa Bay community. The recently released 2022 “State of the Bay Progress Report” showcases the program’s progression towards its goals across three priorities: clean waters & sediments, thriving habitats & abundant wildlife, and informed, engaged, & responsible community.
Whalen is a science communication designer and creator with the TBEP. With a background in visual arts, communications planning, marketing, and environmental education, Joe uses his skills to amplify the science being done by TBEP and its partners, primarily through digital media platforms like social media and the tbep.org website. Outside of work, he enjoys underwater photography, birdwatching, and playing music in a local rock band.
Tampa Audubon sponsors monthly meetings and field trips, and participates in multiple conservation efforts in the Tampa Bay area. For more information, visit our website at www.tampaaudubon.org or contact Ann Paul, president, at Ann.paul@tampaaudubon.org.

Planetarium Day
2023-02-04 11:00 - 15:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
The East Lake Community Library and the Brooker Creek Preserve are teaming up to bring MOSI’s Star Lab to the Preserve!
The Museum of Science and Industry’s portable planetarium will re-create the night sky complete with stars, galaxies and constellations! Attendees will learn how to interpret the night sky and listen to stories about the stars with MOSI staff. For ages 5 and up.
We are offering one show each hour from 11:00AM to 3:00PM in the auditorium. Each show will last about 45 minutes in length. Space is limited, and registration is required. Choose your time slot from the ticket options. Shows will begin promptly at their start times. Please arrive on time as we cannot accommodate attendees if they are late. If you reserve a ticket and can no longer attend please cancel your ticket ASAP so that others may have a chance to enjoy the show.
Important Additional Notes: It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 3-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Education Center buildings. This event will be held in our auditorium. Portions of our boardwalk are closed for reconstruction. Please follow any signage highlighting closed portions of the boardwalk and follow detours.
>>> REGISTER HERE

The Incredible Horsehoe Crab
2023-02-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
