Wild Wings Bird Hike
2020-01-11 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Wild Wings –
Birds of Brooker Hike
Have you wondered what bird is singing in your backyard? Do you see and hear birds but don’t know who they are? If so, join us for a Beginning Bird Hike to learn how to identify the county’s common birds as we meander along a one-mile trail.
All ages are welcome. Children under the ages of 16 must be accompanied by an adult and those younger than 6 may find this hike challenging.
Guided Hike Information
Volunteer Hike Guides will meet participants outside the Exhibit Hall 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. We strongly suggest all hikers visit the restroom (located in the Classroom Building) before we begin as there are no facilities along the trail.

Guided hikes are under a mile in length, much of which is on unimproved, uneven sandy trails.
Hikes take about two (2) hours to complete.
Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, sneakers or boots.
Insect repellent (bug spray) is strongly recommended in summer months.
Bring plenty of drinking water and a snack.
A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.
Pets are not permitted.
No smoking is allowed.
Trained volunteers will guide the hike.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-wings-birds-of-brooker-hike-tickets-53439990450?mc_cid=a4dbfdde6b&mc_eid=1cbba2e07b

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!

Mistaken Identities
2021-06-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Online Event
Learn which insects and plants are harmless or harmful.

A webinar from the Hillsborough County Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
Learn about common insects and plants and if they are helpful, harmful or harmless. Participants will be asked to guess what scenarios are actually problems that need to be addressed. You may be stumped on a few of these “mistaken identities”!
NOTE: Registrants will receive an emailed Zoom link to access the Webinar the day before the program. *If you do not receive the Zoom link, please check your SPAM folder for an email . If no link is received, please contact Tina Allen at 813-744-5519 Ext. 54112 for assistance.
This webinar will be closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
Contact: Nicole Pinson, 813-744-5519
This presentation is provided in partnership with the Bruton Memorial Library and the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative.
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution.
REGISTER HERE

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

Respirator Safety Training
2021-06-24 09:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
OSHA Respiratory Requirements for Worker Protection Standards

Are you a pesticide applicator using restricted-use pesticides that require the use of a respirator? Agricultural commodities like row crops, tree crops, forestry crops, nurseries, and other agricultural applications are the common commodities that the training applies to. We will provide guidelines on pesticide safety, label interpretations, and PPE information for use of respirators.
If you have asked yourself these questions, we will answer these during the training session.
·Can I do a fit test myself?
·How soon do I need to change my cartridges?
·What documentation do I need to stay in compliance?
·What OSHA components of the respiratory protection were incorporated into the WPS?
·How do I select the right respirator?
·Do I need to see a doctor to wear a respirator?
We will help you understand NIOSH nomenclature on respirators. We will have a representative present who offers respirator fit testing.
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

Sensing Nature's Summer Camp
2021-06-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
REGISTER HERE

KidSpace
2021-07-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Online Event
During KidSpace we unleash the awesome power of astronomy as we help kids become scientific masters of the universe! Join us as we take off from the Earth’s surface and fly to places humans have never been: the Sun, planets, other moons in our solar system, newly discovered solar systems in our galaxy, and beyond. KidSpace is designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome!

Where: On Zoom
When: 10:30am Saturday, July 10
Cost: Free

Register now to receive the Zoom link

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

Killer Snails
2021-07-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
“Killer Snails: From beach to lab bench to bedside”
with Dr. Mandë Holford
Venoms — molecules that evolved as toxins — have the power to transform lives. In this think + drink / science, we trace the scientific path from mollusks to medicine, examining how venom evolved over time in some predatory snails, and how we can use this evolutionary knowledge as a roadmap for discovering and characterizing new compounds with therapeutic potential for treating pain and cancer.
Dr. Mandë Holford is an associate professor in Chemistry at Hunter College and CUNY-Graduate Center, with scientific appointments at The American Museum of Natural History and Weill Cornell Medicine. She examines venoms and venomous animals as agents of change and innovation in evolution, and in manipulating cellular physiology in pain and cancer. She is also cofounder of Killer Snails, LLC, an award winning EdTech company that uses tabletop, digital, and XR games about extreme creatures in nature as a conduit to advance scientific learning in K-12 classrooms.

Where: On Zoom
Cost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all others.

Register now to receive the Zoom access code

This or That?
2021-07-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Event
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? Suitable for the whole family, this webinar will introduce you to some of Florida’s easily mistaken species. Learn how to quickly tell two similar plants or animals apart!

This webinar will take place over Zoom so registration is required.
Please register at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jzdB-24nTX2f4GQqoQBXZA.

Return the Preserve Work Day
2021-07-17 08:00 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
The Return The Preserve Work Days focus on areas of the preserve where exotic invasive vegetation and unnatural overgrowth exists. It is our goal to help return the preserve to its natural beauty.
Working with FOBCP leadership and Preserve staff, volunteers provide the much needed hands-on support necessary to remove nuisance plants providing a more healthy environment for native wildlife.
Registration is required. This event is capped at 25 volunteers. In addition, the Volunteer Form must be completed and brought with you the day of the event.
Registered participants will meet in the parking lot at 7:45, start at 8:00, and work until 11:00. Please bring clippers, loppers, hand saws, gloves, hat, and sunscreen. Long sleeve shirts and long pants are recommended; closed shoes are required.
For more information or questions, please contact the project leader: Evan Earle at eearlejr@gmail.com

Talking Telescopes
2021-07-17 10:00 - 15:30 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Talking Telescopes is an opportunity for you to learn about setting up and using telescopes and talk with our telescope expert, Ed McDonough, about the ‘scope you already have or one you’d like to own. Ed is a Museum volunteer who has been an astronomy hobbyist since he was 10 and has spent more than 25 years as a sales representative for the telescope maker Celestron. The program includes solar viewing (weather permitting).

Dates: July 17, August 21
Times: Solar viewing in the Riverside Plaza 10-11:30am (weather permitting) | Telescope demonstrations in the Planetarium lobby noon-4pm
Cost: Included in the price of admission

For an additional fee, we are also offering one-on-one or group sessions to help you learn to use the telescope you already have. If you’re interested in a session, please let us know here.
REGISTER HERE

Practical Guide to Nature Photography
2021-07-17 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join photographers Karl and Kathleen Nichter for a practical guide to nature photography!

While the Internet offers plenty of photography videos and advice, asking questions isn’t easy. Join photographers Karl and Kathleen Nichter for a practical guide to nature photography, gleaned from over 15 years of experience in the field. Plus, they are right there to answer your questions! Although we won’t be taking any photographs during this session, if you have any camera questions bring your camera along and we will do our best to answer them.
Registration is required. Space is limited for this workshop and will be capped at 25 participants.
REGISTER HERE

Rain Barrels
2021-07-18 19:00 - 22:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn about bugs with insect crafts and activities.

Suitable for kids of all ages. Families have an opportunity to see all the fun elements of the Children’s area and other demonstration gardens. Pick up a free plan in the greenhouse too!
REGISTER HERE

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

Rain Barrels for the Rainy Days of Summer
2021-07-28 10:30 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
The massive summer rains we experience can cause a lot of headaches in the form of stormwater runoff. Learn more about the issue and how you can help to manage stormwater runoff in your own yard by incorporating rain barrels to use for landscape irrigation.
REGISTER HERE

Walk in Nature with Jazz
2021-07-31 09:00 - 10:30 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Come and take a walk with two retired music teachers who love Brooker Creek and jazz.

We will hear 12 RECORDED excerpts (from 2-4 minutes each) from various jazz styles that refer to the wonderful natural things we see at Brooker. We will walk about a mile and stop and listen as we enjoy the beauty around us.
Guided Hike Information
Volunteer Hike Guides will meet participants inside the Exhibit Hall. We strongly suggest all hikers visit the restroom before we begin as there are no facilities along the trail.

Guided hikes are under a mile in length, much of which is on unimproved, uneven sandy trails.

Hikes take about two (2) hours to complete.

Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, sneakers or boots.

Insect repellent (bug spray) is strongly recommended in summer months.

Bring plenty of drinking water and a snack.

A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also recommended.

Pets are not permitted.

No smoking is allowed.

Trained volunteers will guide the hike.

Registration is required for each attendee.
REGISTER HERE

Back to School- Back to Nature
2021-07-31 09:00 - 12:00 | Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, 4202 24th St SE, Ruskin, FL, 33570, United States
Camp Bayou Back to School- Back to Nature is scheduled for Saturday, July 31 this year, from 9am-noon.
Children visit nature-activity tables then receive a free school supply item.
There’s more educational fun throughout the morning. Mark your calendars!

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

Weedon Walkabout
2021-08-07 09:00 - 11:00 | FL
Join us for a guided hike of the trails and boardwalks of the Weedon Island Preserve.

This docent-led walk will visit the mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Weedon Island Preserve. Learn about the coastal environment, native wildlife, and early history of the Preserve. This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 6 and up.
Proceeds will support the Friends of Weedon Island, a non-profit organization that work to promotes education and conservation of the Weedon Island Preserve. Learn about our Friends at https://friendsofweedonisland.org/.
REGISTER HERE

Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
2021-08-07 09:00 - 12:00 | ROBINSON PRESERVE, 1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Saturday Mornings at the NEST
Join us at the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science, and Technology for a morning of discovery. Walk the grounds of the historic Reasoner Tract and observe botanical giants collected from around the world. Explore the canopy boardwalk among the banyans, climb to the top of the crow’s nest, take in breathtaking panoramic views, and make an exciting exit from the building via slide. Learn about upcoming programs and exciting new additions to Robinson Preserve. Program suitable for all ages. No reservations required. For more information please contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org

Brooker Readers Club
2021-08-07 09:30 - 10:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States

Pinellas' Native Orchids
2021-08-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
Did you know we have 19 native orchids here in Pinellas County?
Learn the life history, biology and ecology of some of these special wildflowers from a Pinellas County Extension Specialist.
REGISTER HERE
