ONLINE BOATING SAFETY CLASSES
2020-09-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-09-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-09-22 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-09-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
CLEARWATER COAST GUARD AUXILIARY TEACHING BOATING SAFETY CLASSES ONLINE
A New Way to Learn … A New Crop of Safe Boaters
With the advent of COVID-19, the Coast Guard Auxiliary was advised to discontinue in-person classes for the safety of the instructors and students. The good news is that the State of Florida (FWC) and the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved the Coast Guard Auxiliary to conduct online classes.
These classes are not your standard webinar sessions where the students sit at their computers and are lectured at. And they’re not animated cartoon sessions where you have to keep pressing enter to get to the next topic.
The Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering “Boat America” taught by certified instructors. The next evening classes will be on four consecutive evenings on September 21, 22, 23 and 24 from 7pm to about 9pm.. Classes are $40 per student and include the books, supplemental materials and course completion certificates.
The classes being offered by the Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary are conducted on Zoom with the same instructors they would have had in the classroom and includes lots of questions and answers. In addition, because they’re on the Internet, there’s no commuting to a classroom – the students can be anywhere in Florida!
The boating safety class is also a requirement for many boaters in Florida. In the Sunshine State, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1988, must successfully complete a boater safety course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in order to operate any boat powered by more than 10 horsepower, and they are required to carry their boater education card with them when out on the water along with picture ID.
Ninety members of the boating public graduated with honors from the first three boating safety classes conducted online. The instructor certified members of the Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary presented their Boating Safety courses online over four sessions on Zoom.
Contact the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Clearwater Flotilla, for boating safety classes at: www.clwboatingsafety.com or by email at clwtr.auxboating@gmail.com or call 727-469-8895. Also, on Facebook at #clearwatercgaux.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is a uniformed civilian volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America’s Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions

Bethune Park Tree Planting
2020-09-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Bethune Park, 5809 Edina St, Wimauma, FL, 33598, United States
Join Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation to help plant Crape Myrtles and Sabal Palm trees. This fun planting event will limited to 30 volunteers.

Where: Bethune Park, 5809 Edina St.
Wimauma, FL 33598
REGISTER HERE

Kids Can Virtual Bingo
2020-09-24, 2020-09-23, 2020-09-22, 2020-09-21, 2020-09-20, 2020-09-19, 2020-09-18, 2020-09-17 and 1 more date
Kids Can is one of our favorite biannual activities. Since gathering together is more complicated this year, we’re switching it up! We’re excited to announce a reimagined Kids Can Program designed to educate and empower youth (ages elementary to middle school) to make a positive impact on the environment through activities you and your family can do safely near home.
Join us this fall, during National Estuaries Week, for our first game of Kids Can Bingo! Squares include activities such as exploring a local park, turning trash into art, and participating in our #PickUpPinellas cleanup. Once you register, we’ll send you the bingo card and some simple instructions. As you fill out the card, you’ll document your work. Everyone who gets Bingo will receive a prize, and a few Grand Prizes are available for those who want to go above and beyond! Through activities like “Kids Can”, we hope to lay the foundation of environmental sustainability for generations to come.
This program will run for one week only – from September 19th to 26th. Submissions must be sent in ONE EMAIL to education@kpbcares.org by the end of the day on September 26th. Prizes will be mailed.
REGISTER HERE

ZOOM: Florida Supernature
2020-09-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2020-09-16 14:00 - 15:00, 2020-09-09 14:00 - 15:00
These classes take place online in a webinar room. Registered participants will receive the web link via email at the time of registration.
Upcoming Webinars & Topics

September 9 – At Home In A Cypress Dome

Cypress domes are small swamps dominated by cypress trees. They are often caused by old sinkholes that fill up with fresh water; the perfect habitat for cypress. In these special wetlands you will find plants and animals perfectly-suited for life with their “feet wet.” Join us and let’s see what we can discover!

September 16 – Channel X, Re-taking a Man-made Waterway

Although Brooker Creek Preserve exists more-or-less in its original state, development all around has created the necessity to channel some of the flow to prevent flooding. We’ll explore a man-made channel, and channel the energy of the plants and animals found there!

September 23 – On Brooker Pond

Certain areas of Brooker Creek Preserve contain large ponds/small lakes. Let’s dive in and discover submerged, emergent and floating plants, and perhaps some wildlife at home there!

September 30 – A Flooded Forest

In this session, we’ll stomp through the swamp and explore a flooded hardwood forest. The boardwalks around the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center cut through a flooded forest dominated by tupelo and sweetbay trees. What will we find there? Tune in to find out.
Participants can register for one or more of the topics by clicking the titles(s) above.
Registration is required.

Beach Ecology
2020-09-19 10:30 - 14:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Science Saturday
Beach Ecology
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!

Temple Terrace Tree Planting
2020-09-19 08:00 - 10:00
Help beautify the City of Temple Terrace. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is seeking volunteers to help plant residential trees.

Where: Meet at Temple Terrace City Hall Parking Lot, 11250 N. 56th Street
REGISTER HERE

WEBINAR- Mangrove Considerations
2020-09-18 12:00 - 13:00
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.

WEBINAR- Care & Maintenance of your Fall Garden
2020-09-16 13:00 - 15:00
Care and Maintenance of your Fall Garden –
You have planned your fall garden, now it is time to start planting and growing. This class covers timing, spacing, and placement of vegetable plants in the garden as well as fertilizing, mulching, watering, and other maintenance tasks.
To Register, click here.

Clubs & Societies of Moccasin Lake
2020-09-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States

ZOOM: Florida's Turtles
2020-09-16 10:00 - 11:00
“Florida’s Turtles”
​Jeanne Murphy, Senior Wildlife Biologist / Co-Founder, Sensing Nature​

​​​Zoom video conference in the comfort of your own home!
Free; Donations greatly appreciated

Learn about Florida’s incredible turtle diversity, some of their behaviors, life histories, and adaptations. Our majestic, shelled animals traverse from salt to sandhill.
REGISTRATION: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-aquzXP3T42lk91kaw0tdQ

Turfgrass to Natives
2020-09-16 08:00 - 17:00
Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
September Meeting: Turfgrass to Natives
In this casual conversation, SNPS member Janet Bowers will discuss with chapter President Virginia Overstreet how she is transforming her own landscape from a yard once dominated by turfgrass and a swimming pool to one showcasing native plants in a variety of habitats. The Go To Meeting link will be posted on the SNPS website a few days before the meeting.
This event is members-only YouTube Live video. Please check your email or the members-only facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/fnpsmembersonly/) for a link to the meeting.

Small Wonders: Insects in Focus
2020-09-12 16:00 - 20:00 | Bishop Museum of Science ﻿and Nature, 201 10th St. West, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
IQuest
4pm September 12

IQuest is for smart, curious middle school students in grades 6 through 8. This month’s program features the Earth’s tiniest organisms in “Jointed Wonders — Amazing Arthropods.”

Arthropods far outnumber humans, yet many details about their existence are still a mystery. Discover the diversity of arthropods through live insect observations, art projects, and a close look at the special exhibition Small Wonders: Insects in Focus.

Please note: Due to limitations on attendance and staffing, attendees must pre-register before 11am on the day of the program. We are adhering to social distancing measures during all activities and the class size is limited to 10 children. Masks are required for all staff and students, and all students will be temperature-screened upon arrival.

4-8 p.m. Saturday, September 12
Admission is $8. Kids only — this is a drop-off program!
Paid reservations required; includes a slice of pizza and a drink.

REGISTRATION: https://bishopscience.org/wonders-expanded/

REGISTER NOW

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!

Wild Wings Bird Hike
2020-09-12 08:00 - 09:30 | 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

WEBINAR- Fall Garden Prep & Planning
2020-09-09 13:00 - 15:00
Fall Garden Prep and Planning
Success in the fall vegetable garden starts with planning and preparation. Learn the best sites and environmental conditions for your garden, soil preparation, seasonal veggie selections, and using seeds and transplants to begin growing.
To register, click here.

ZOOM: What's in a Swamp?
2020-09-09 10:00 - 11:00
We’ve all heard of swamps. Maybe you have even ventured through a swamp or three. Join Sensing Nature ecologist Brian Lane as he reveals some of the true swamp residents. Maybe next time you too will be lucky enough to see some of these wonderful creatures on your next swamp tromp.
REGISTRATION: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mOiC6iMfS2quXHbT-ThfdQ

Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins! OH MY!
2020-09-05 10:30 - 14:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Science Saturday
Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins! OH MY!
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!
