Recycle Your Yard & Recycled Yard Art
2023-04-11 10:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
This fun and educational workshop will showcase what and how you can reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County residents/employees only.
This fun and educational workshop will showcase what and how you can reduce, reuse, recycle and repeat! This includes plants and other items in your landscape and home. If you have a good sense of humor, love to reuse items in your home and landscape, want to become more creative, and enjoy seeing artistic yard treasures, this workshop is for you!
There will be several drawings for various pieces of recycled yard art during this workshop. If you are signed on to the Zoom workshop, your household’s name will be placed in a compost bucket and names will be drawn during the presentation to determine winners. Each winner will be announced after their name is selected. **Product pick-up will be at our office by scheduling an appointment with our Receptionist on/after April 14 at 813-744-5519. Pick up must be made within 30 days of the workshop – NO exceptions.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
NOTE: There is a non-refundable $5.00 registration fee per household for this workshop. Please be advised, if you or someone in your household has already attended this workshop or if you reside outside of Hillsborough County, you are not eligible to attend and your registration fee will not be refunded, nor is it transferrable to another party or workshop.
This workshop will be offered online via ZOOM. No additional software is required and only basic computer skills are necessary.
**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 from Angie Maki (makia@hillsboroughcounty.org). If no link is received, please contact Angie at 813-744-5519 Ext. 54127 for assistance.
Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Lynn Barber, barberl@hillsboroughcounty.org or 813-744-5519 ext. 54105 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
For questions contact: Lynn Barber, 813-744-5519 ext. 54105
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution.

This or That? Trees!
2023-04-11 12:00 - 13:00 | ZOOM, United States
Inspired by the “This or That? A Beginner’s Guide to Commonly Misidentified Animals and Plants in Florida”, this presentation will feature key characteristics to differentiate between the common trees found in Pinellas County. Step up your naturalist skills by participating in this lunch-n-learn webinar.

Presented by Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County

>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Wind Pollination: How and Why?
2023-04-12 14:00 - 15:00 | ZOOM, United States
Allergy season is upon us, and airborne pollen is likely to blame. Learn the truth about what species are responsible, what species are NOT and how plants have evolved to take advantage of this free pollination service.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor. Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Photography Hike
2023-04-13 09:00 - 11:00
Hike the boardwalks and natural paths of Weedon Island, capturing photographs of native flora and fauna along the way.
Hike the Preserve in search of that perfect shot! After a brief classroom session, enjoy a docent-guided hike of Weedon Island that highlights the seasonal features of the Preserve, as well as specific wildlife behaviors that will help participants capture the natural beauty of the area. This program provides great opportunities for photographers of all levels to hone their skills.
This hike is ~2 miles in total length on a combination of boardwalks and unimproved, natural paths. This hike is is best suited for adults.
REGISTER HERE

Gardening with Native Plants
2023-04-13 10:00 - 11:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn about native plants for your landscape and their benefits to our ecosystem.
Learn how to garden with native plants and select species that are native to Florida that match your site conditions. Natives provide ecological benefits important to a healthy garden such as habitat for wildlife and food for pollinators. We will talk about native wildflowers, perennials, shrubs and trees suitable for planting in Central Florida home landscapes.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
***The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact: Tia Silvasy, tsilvasy@ufl.edu, 813-744-5519 Ext. 54145, at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Book Time at Brooker
2023-04-13 10:30 - 11:00, 2023-04-20 10:30 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Bring your pre-schooler to Book Time at Brooker.
Bring your Preschooler to this program designed to connect them to the wonders of the natural world. In addition to hearing a great story, your child will participate in a craft related to the story that is read. This activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5.
Registration is not required for Book Time, just show up with your kiddo! This program is led by Brooker Creek Volunteers.
Additional Notes: It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Education Center building. We will start promptly at 10:30am. Follow signs to the Exhibit Hall.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Talk Plants with Me
2023-04-13 11:30 - 12:30 | Online Event
Ask a Horticulture Agent Webinar!
Submit your questions to our Horticulture Agent for live Q&A. We will talk about hot topics in the plant world and may have a few guests join us along the way.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Katie Granberg, katiebg@ufl.edu, (941) 722-4524 x 1815 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Swallow-tailed Kites & Short-tailed Hawks
2023-04-13 14:30 - 15:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Conservation and Tracking
Swallow-tailed Kites & Short-tailed Hawks
Join us to learn about the tracking of swallow-tailed kites and short-tailed hawks by the Avian Research and Conservation Institute.
Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus) and Short-tailed Hawks (Buteo brachyurus) are two of Florida’s rarest and most special raptor species. The Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI), based in Gainesville, FL, studies these raptors and tracks their movements and activity– including their presence at the Weedon Island Preserve! Join us for a presentation from Gina Kent of ARCI to hear about the latest conservation issues and status trends of these beautiful raptors.
Gina Kent has worked with ARCI since 2000 and is a Senior Conservation Scientist. She conducts bird surveys from small planes, boats around the Florida Keys, and climbs 100-foot-tall trees, while working with many Florida specialty birds including Crested Caracara, Swallow-tailed Kites, Snail Kites, Reddish Egrets, White-crowned Pigeons, and others. She is based in Florida but travels throughout the southeastern U.S. and internationally to research birds. Gina received an undergraduate degree in wildlife from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and a master’s degree from the Georgia Southern University. Her graduate thesis was on Swallow-tailed Kite migration and stopover sites.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Botany Walk
2023-04-14 09:30 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
We will identify wildflowers, ferns, epiphytes, trees and more. The ecology of various plant communities will also be examined. Best suited for adult participants. Registration is required.
This is a free hike, however space is limited. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Guided Hike Information

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.
An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Migrating Birds Journey Home
2023-04-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Pinellas Pioneer Settlement, 3130 31st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712, United States

Fort De Soto Field Trip
2023-04-15 08:00 - 10:00 | De Soto National Memorial Park, 8250 De Soto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, United States
Spring at Fort De Soto offers a multitude of bird species migrating to their nesting grounds. What will we spot this year? Join us to find out!
This field trip will be capped at 30 participants.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Science Sprouts
2023-04-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-04-22 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.

Rye Preserve Tour
2023-04-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Join the Manatee County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers on an educational stroll.

Take a hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Branch and learn about Florida’s native plants, natural history, and early settlement of the area.
Suitable for all ages.
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to the event.
Register HERE!

Rye Preserve Tour
2023-04-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Tour Rye Preserve with a Master Gardener!
Take a hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants, natural history, and early settlement of the area.
Suitable for all ages.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Saturday Guided Hike
2023-04-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2023-04-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the trails and boardwalks of the Weedon Island Preserve.

Explore the mangrove and upland ecosystems of Weedon Island on this guided hike of the Preserve. Learn about the coastal environment, native wildlife, and early history of the island. This tour is for adults and youth ages 10 and up. Youth must be supervised by an adult for the full duration of the program.
Attendees will meet inside the Cultural and Natural History Center for a short introduction before departing for the trails. The total hike length may be up to two miles. This hike may traverse uneven, natural paths or boardwalks so please prepare accordingly. Afterwards, attendees will return to the Center to complete an evaluation of the hike and explore the museum’s exhibits.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Proceeds from this program go to the Friends of Weedon Island. The Friends support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation and protection of its habitats, ecology, and cultural history. Become a Friend today!

Swallow-Tailed Kites & People Who Track Them
2023-04-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
The Story of Swallow-Tailed Kites
And the People Who Track Them
Swallow-tailed Kites that breed in North America spend most of their lives on the wing traveling over vast distances. It is a treacherous journey at a treacherous time for this neo-tropical species that breeds primarily in the southern states, with Florida being their primary breeding grounds. They are highly social birds with intricate lives and are among one of the most beautiful birds in the world. People have tracked them from the ground, from the water, from the air and with tracking devices to study their migratory patterns, their life cycles and their social habits.
Join Barbara Walker of the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue for this enlightening, photographic enriched program and meet a live kite!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.

CONSTELLATIONS & THE NIGHT SKY
2023-04-15 18:30 - 21:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Take a tour of the night sky through telescopes provided by the St. Petersburg Astronomy Club.
Cost: Free | All ages welcome

Adult Night Hike
2023-04-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Adults enjoy a night hike out into the preserve after hours and in the dark! Join our park rangers for astronomy night adventures.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Night Hike in the Preserve
2023-04-15 20:00 - 21:30 | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, United States
Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve for a one-mile hiking experience along the Ed Center Trail…at night! These special hikes are open to the public and limited to 20 people per hike. A $3 per person donation is requested. Hikes are led by Preserve volunteers who are knowledgeable about nocturnal wildlife. The hike is about one-mile in length and will take about 1.5 hours.
Space is limited, registration is required. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.
These hikes are for adults and families only. Children must be accompanied by parents. Please leave your pets at home. Pets are not permitted in County Preserves.
Meet at the main parking lot at Brooker Creek Preserve. You must pre-register for the night hikes!
Questions: info@FriendsOfBrookerCreekPreserve.org or 727-934-2680.

>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Intro to Beekeeping
2023-04-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Introduction to Beekeeping:
A Hobby with Sweet Rewards
Learn the Basics of Apiculture!
This program is an introduction to honey bees and will introduce you to the basics of honey bees, their biology and the guiding principles of beekeeping.
Instructor: Robert Burkard, President of the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve’s Beekeepers Club
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, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium.
In addition to the personal satisfaction of harvesting your own pure natural honey, many of our food staples would disappear without honey bees for pollination. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these under-appreciated workers pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops, which constitute one-third of everything we eat. Honey bees are important for pollinating familiar crops such as oranges, grapefruit, apples, almonds, blueberries, pumpkins, asparagus, and cucumbers, and also contribute to our beef and dairy industries by pollinating alfalfa. Hobbyist beekeepers play a vital role in keeping our honey bee population healthy.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Beer for the Bay
2023-04-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Green Bench Brewing, 1133 Baum Ave N., St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States

Plant Harvest
2023-04-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL, 33572, United States
Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers for a native grass harvest project at Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, 6650 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572. We will be pulling the plugs of plants from the ground of the marsh (it’s tough work!) which will be planted at an upcoming Earth Day event at Lassing Park.
Click here to register to volunteer

This or That? Mammals!
2023-04-18 12:00 - 13:30 | ZOOM, United States
Inspired by the “This or That? A Beginner’s Guide to Commonly Misidentified Animals and Plants in Florida”, this presentation will feature key characteristics to differentiate between some commonly confused mammal species we have in Pinellas County. Not sure what mammals could be confused for one another? Join us to find out and step up your naturalist skills by participating in this lunch-n-learn webinar.
Presented by Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

THE SWAMP PEDDLERS
2023-04-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, 400 Palmetto Avenue, Osprey, FL, 34229-0902, United States
Join us at Michael’s On East for our fourth annual Nature Lecture! This event brings a noted mission-relevant speaker to Sarasota. Past speakers include noted Florida photographer, Clyde Butcher; author, Andrea Wulf; and world-renowned entomologist, Dr. Jack Longino.
This year’s speaker is award-winning author and historian, Jason Vuic.
THE SWAMP PEDDLERS
How Lot Sellers, Land Scammers, and Retirees Built Modern Florida and Transformed the American Dream
Originally from Punta Gorda, FL, Jason Vuic is a graduate of Wake Forest University, and holds an M.A. in history from the University of Richmond and a Ph.D. in history from Indiana University Bloomington. His first book, The Yugo: the Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History, received rave reviews in over 100 print and web-based publications, and in 2016, his book The Yucks! Two Years in Tampa with the Losingest Team in NFL History, garnered wide acclaim from several dozen media outlets and publications.
In 2021, Vuic published The Swamp Peddlers, a tale of misguided land development in Florida during the grow-at-any-cost 1950s and ’60s, which won the Phillip and Dana Zimmerman Gold Medal Prize for Florida Nonfiction at the 2021 Florida Book Awards, as well as the 2021 Charlton Tebeau Award for outstanding general interest book from the Florida Historical Society.
In this lecture by the same name, Vuic dives into the history of the “installment land sales industry,” which seemingly appeared out of nowhere to sell billions of dollars of Florida residential property, sight unseen, to retiring northerners. For only $10 down and $10 a month, working-class pensioners could buy a piece of the Florida dream: a graded homesite waiting for them in a planned community when they were ready to build. The result was Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, Deltona, Port Charlotte, Palm Coast, and Spring Hill, among many others–sprawling exurban communities with no downtowns and little industry but millions of residential lots. These communities allowed generations of northerners to move to Florida cheaply, but at a price.
We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a captivating program.
>>> RSVP HERE <<<

Earth Night
2023-04-20 17:30 - 20:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center’s annual party, Earth Night, will be held Thursday, April 20, 5:30 – 8:00 PM at Tampa Bay Watch Headquarters in Tierra Verde.
This year’s event, Grown in the Gulf, is a celebration of local food, beverages, and creativity, and an occasion to taste and learn about sustainable seafood.
Click here to read more about the event and get your tickets!

Youth Earth Day Hike
2023-04-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Let’s Celebrate Earth Day!
Celebrate Earth Day by exploring our local natural wonders on a leisurely hike along the Ed Center Trail! Stick around after the hike and visit our nature activity stations in the Ed Center.
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. Registration is required. Space is limited and this program will cap at 30 participants. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program. Meet in the Exhibit Hall.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Perico Preserve Tour
2023-04-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Tour Perico Preserve with a Master Gardener!

Explore one of Manatee County’s newest preserves and learn about Florida’s native plants, how they benefit wildlife, and how they can be used in the home landscape.
Learn about the wide variety of ecosystems on display and how the preserve was transformed into what it is today.
Suitable for all ages.
Please meet at the pavilion right next to the parking lot at 9AM.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Katie Granberg, katiebg@ufl.edu, (941) 722-4524 x 1815 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
