Library Learning: Metamorphosis
2022-03-16 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton, FL, 34203, United States
A tadpole becomes a frog, and a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Join us and explore the magic of metamorphosis! Through games, movements, songs, and a craft, your little one will be captivated by animals who experience extreme lifecycle changes.
Program suitable for preschool-age children
For more information please contact coral.bass@mymanatee.org or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6034.
Braden River Library

Tot Time
2022-03-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Families with little ones can enjoy nature-oriented stories and crafts at the Weedon Island Preserve.

Every first and third Friday of each month, families of pre-school aged children are invited to explore the wonders of the natural world at the Weedon Island Preserve. Led by volunteer docents, families will be treated to rhymes, stories, and crafts that connect them to our environment.
This program will take place outdoors so please prepare accordingly. Youth must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
Proceeds will support the Friends of Weedon Island, a non-profit organization that work to promotes education and conservation of the Weedon Island Preserve.
REGISTER HERE

Archaeology Day at Weedon Island
2022-03-26 10:00 - 14:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Celebrate Florida Archaeology Month at the Weedon Island Preserve!

Examine ancient artifacts and discover the rich history of Tampa Bay at our celebration of Florida Archaeology Month 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.
There will also be a special guided hike to an active archaeological dig-site on the Preserve. Spots on this hike are limited so advance registration is required. Register for the Archaeology Day Hike & Site Visit today!
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

Frogs!
2022-04-30 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!
About Avalon:
A passionate changemaker with over a decade of service to people and planet, Avalon Jade Theisen is dedicated to empowering others to Conserve It Forward for a sustainable future and inspiring the next generation of peacemakers. At age 7, she first realized she could make positive, effective change. Her efforts resulted in the creation of a non-profit organization. Encouraging the use of kindness and compassion to confront global issues, she has traveled the world to share her message and work alongside others.
A graduate of the University of South Florida, Avalon Jade was a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College and Provost Scholars Program, where she studied Religious Studies, especially its cultural relationship to nature and food. These topics have been the focus of her academic research, including multiple presentations and being published.
Currently a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University, her research continues to focus on religious studies, ecology, anthropology, and volunteering efforts. With a goal of helping other people understand new concepts that can improve quality of life and planet health, a common theme she uses is “Small Acts, BIG Change” to demonstrate how our collective, positive actions add up to have great impact. No one is alone, we are all in this together!
She believes that when we better understand each other’s foundational beliefs, we improve our connections and can more effectively collaborate to solve local and global challenges. Her academic experience reflects the journey of service and academics she has been on since childhood.
Teaching elementary, middle, and high school students about cultural empathy, peacemaking, sustainability and world religions through curriculum she created, Avalon Jade has been a educator at Athena’s Advanced Academy since 2017. She loves helping her students understand others and the world we live in.
To maintain balance and focus, Avalon practices mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. She is the 2018 USA Yoga National Youth Champion and in December 2018, won a gold medal and the title of World Champion of Yoga Sports when she competed in Beijing, China.
“My goal is that everyone should feel interconnected with other living things and the world so that we are inspired to become positive changemakers.”
For more about Conserve It Forward, Inc., please visit www.ConserveItForward.org or
www.facebook.com/ConserveItForwardWithAvalon.
REGISTER HERE

Science Sprouts
2022-06-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Budding scientists ages 2-5 can bring their favorite grown-up to explore and discover a variety of science and nature topics in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. The program sparks kids’ natural curiosity using imaginative play, crafts, stories, songs and more! Please note: This program does not include Museum admission.

On Saturday, June 4, explore “In the Deep Ocean”
On Saturday, June 11, explore “Swirly Whirly Snails”
On Saturday, June 18, explore “Manatee Mischief”
On Saturday, June 25, explore “Busy Buzzin’ Bees”
When/Where: 9-10am every Saturday in the Mosaic Backyard Universe
Cost: $12 per child for members of the Discovery Society; $15 per child for all others. (Includes one adult per child.)
Advance reservations required. Attendance limited to 12 children.

Register now
The Bishop follows the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels guidelines. Please visit www.CDC.gov to see the current Manatee County Community Level before visiting. Masks must be worn indoors when Community Levels are high.

Bug-Out Habitats
2022-07-09 10:00 - 11:30 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
This class introduces children to the world of bugs!
The children will examine a variety of real bugs, and learn about bug anatomy, life cycles, habitats, the important role bugs play in nature and many cool facts about bugs. In this fun class, the children will make their own bug habitat to take home that is filled with pretend bugs, plants and other fun items created in their own unique design. Time and weather permitting, the children will go on a bug hunt in our educational garden and use their magnifiers to get a closer look.
This is one of our most popular children’s programs so sign up early as the class is limited to 15 children. Suitable for ages 4-12.
Please reach out to katiebg@ufl.edu with special accommodations at least 10 days prior to event.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Saving Water- Youth Program
2022-07-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Why and How Can I Make a Difference?

Living in Florida you are never too young to learn about water conservation!

Did you know that not only we are surrounded by water in Florida, but we live on top of it too? Join Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Educator, Melissa West as we explore the water cycle, how to reduce pollution, and what you can do to protect our most precious resource, WATER!
This youth program is geared toward ages 7 to 12. Registration is required. Space is limited and this program will cap at 20 participants. Please register just your child (children).
Additional Notes: This program will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot. We will start promptly at 10am.
>>> REGISTER HERE

Nature Investigators' Club
2022-08-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Explore different aspects of nature at the Florida Botanical Gardens!

Free admission, pre-registration only.

Do you have a child ages 3-7 who loves to explore nature? Become a Member of the Nature Investigators’ Club!
We will meet at the Florida Botanical Gardens each Friday at 10 AM to explore the different parts of nature and their interactions for a period of 6 weeks.

Benefits include:Small group: personal interactions with a certified environmental educatorTime in plant-rich environment, which has several proven health and wellness benefitsLearning through exploration, fostering development of higher-level problem solving skills
Opportunity to interact with other children, fostering teamwork and group collaboration skills
One (1) nature journal for use through the duration of the session.
Limited capacity:7 children slots for each sessionParent/Guardian must be present for the entirety of the session.

>>> REGISTER HERE

Science Sprouts: Dinosaurs & More
2022-08-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Budding scientists ages 2-5 can bring their favorite grown-up to explore and discover a variety of science and nature topics in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. The program sparks kids’ natural curiosity using imaginative play, crafts, stories, songs and more!

August’s Theme: Dinosaurs and More
When/Where: 10-11am every Saturday in the Mosaic Backyard Universe
Cost: Included with Museum admission

Youth Nest Box Building Workshop
2022-08-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us for an in-person workshop to “make and take” a nest box for your yard!

Help our local cavity nesters! We will be building a nest box for a Carolina wren, which is a year-round resident in Pinellas County.
In this youth workshop you will learn about the nesting habits of Carolina wrens, and other fun facts about this species! Kids (alongside their parent) will build a wren nest box and then have the opportunity to decorate their nest box.
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. 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.
Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension.
>>> REGISTER HERE
