Holiday Themed Container Gardening
2025-12-09 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL, 33543, United States
Planting in containers on your Lanai, porch, or indoors offers you a chance to be creative. Come learn more at this informative seminar.

Even if you have a small space, you can have a wonderful variety of plants to enjoy year-round. Planting in containers on your lanai, porch, or indoors offers you a chance to be creative. You will learn the basics of growing in pots from selection of plants and pots to grouping plants together with similar needs. Tips on repotting, soil mixture and growing the healthiest plants will be provided in this free UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension program with a holiday theme.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2025-12-10 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-17 10:00 - 15:30 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Explore reptiles with a friendly expert, get your questions answered, and level up your knowledge in a relaxed, beginner-friendly session.

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!

Book Time at Brooker
2025-12-11 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-12-18 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.
>>> MORE INFO <<<

Meet a Master Gardener
2025-12-11 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Stop in to talk all things plant-related, like attracting butterflies and birds to your garden and growing vegetables and herbs.
Feel free to bring samples or photos for plant identification or problem solving.

Container Gardening For Every Space on Zoom
2025-12-11 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM, United States
Get your green thumb ready and join us online to learn how to create a beautiful garden in any space during our Container Gardening Workshop

>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Dune Savers Work Day
2025-12-12 07:30 - 08:30, 2025-12-19 07:30 - 08:30 | To Be Determined, FL, United States
Contact Deb Rothenberger for location: d2bv4@aol.com
Thank you all and can’t wait to see you Friday morning!

Botany Walk
2025-12-12 09:30 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join James Stevenson to explore the fascinating plants found at Brooker Creek Preserve!
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. Led by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Specialist.
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. Meet in the Exhibit Hall.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Nest Box Building Workshop
2025-12-12 10:00 - 11:30 | 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 Chickadee nest box for your yard!
Want to help our local cavity nesters?
Learn how to build your very own nest box for a Carolina Chickadee!
In this workshop you will learn about proper nest box placement and mounting, additional information specific to the nesting habits of Carolina Chickadees, and other fun facts about this species!
We will be building a nest box for a Carolina Chickdee, which is a year-round resident North and Central Florida, including Pinellas County.
Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension.
The workshop costs $15
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
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.

Gardening From Seeds for the Home Gardener
2025-12-12 11:30 - 12:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Master Gardener Speaker Series
Gardening From Seeds for the Home Gardener
Why not start your garden with seeds?
Learn different methods and what tools are needed to start seeds successfully and boost seedling survival.
We will also cover how to care for seedling and transplant with confidence, as well as seed sources and how to harvest and preserve seeds for future seasons.
All ages welcome with a registered adult.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Volunteer Archaeology Lab
2025-12-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn how to sort, identify, and clean artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites!

Ages 12+

Join us in the Lab for a hands-on experience in archaeological discovery! Led by professional archaeologists from the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN), this volunteer lab gives you the chance to sort, clean, and identify real artifacts uncovered at the Weedon Island Preserve. You’ll learn how archaeologists process materials for study and contribute to ongoing research about the people who once lived in this coastal region. No experience is necessary — just curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty!
Who Can Participate:
This lab is open to adults and youth ages 12 and up. Youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire session.
Space is limited — registration is required.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of real archaeological work!

Friday, December 12 at 1:00 p.m. — Register today
Friday, January 9 at 1:00 p.m. — Register today

Request A Youth Lab:
If you’re part of a homeschool group and would like to schedule a youth-focused lab, please email westcentral@fpan.us to request a separate Lab session.

S'MORES WITH SANTA
2025-12-12 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Boyd Hill – Pioneer Settlement, 2900 31ST ST S Gate 2, St. Petersburg, FL, 33712, United States
Let’s have s’more fun with Santa, his elves, and our rangers! Join us around the campfire to make delicious s’mores and snap photos with Santa at the Pioneer Settlement photo set.
Join us on Friday or Saturday evening. Registration is required. However, Saturday also includes a limited walk-up option before TASCO’s Movie in the Park. After your sweet treat, stay for even s’more holiday fun and enjoy a showing of “The Santa Clause” at Boyd Hill with TASCO.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve Tour
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Fort DeSoto Park, 8250 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Guided tour through DeSoto/Riverview Pointe Preserve with a Master Gardener Volunteer!

Second Saturday of the month (November – May), at 9:00am
Casually stroll through the beautiful Riverview Pointe Preserve and learn about Florida’s native plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment.
Suitable for all ages.

>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Tour begins in the parking area of DeSoto National Memorial Park and enters into Riverview Pointe Preserve.
Special Accommodations:
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 our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Beginning Bird Walk at LLP
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
Important! Pre-registration is required and participation is limited to the first 10 people who sign up.
Please do not attend this or any Tampa Audubon Society events if you have flu, cold, or covid symptoms. Tampa Audubon is committed to reducing the spread of illnesses. The health and safety of our members is of the highest priority.
Entrance fee for park $2. Meet in the parking lot by the Visitor’s Center in Lettuce Lake Park at 8:30 a.m. We’ll walk the boardwalk or trails, depending on where the best birds are. We have binoculars to loan, and someone will have a spotting scope so you can get up really close and personal! Bring water and a snack.
RSVP to field trip leader, Jim Hengelbrok at jimhengelbrok@gmail.com

Weedon Island Naturalist Guided Tour
2025-12-13 09:30 - 11:00 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Take a walk through some of Weedon Island’s coastal habitats on a guided tour of the Tower Boardwalk. Led by a knowledgeable Center naturalist, this tour offers a chance to explore the Preserve’s diverse ecosystems, native wildlife, and rich cultural history.
Designed for adults and youth ages 10 and up (youth must be accompanied by an adult), this tour is a great way to learn about Florida’s environment and how people have interacted with it for thousands of years. Climb the stairs to the top of the Observation Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area!
The walk will cover approximately 1 mile along paved paths and boardwalks. Some transitional areas may be uneven, so please wear sturdy shoes and prepare for outdoor conditions.

Saturdays, December 6 & 13 at 9:30 a.m. — Register today
Saturdays, January 3 & 10 at 9:30 a.m. — Register today

Space is limited — register today to secure your spot on this engaging and educational walk through the Preserve!

Advanced Plant Identification - 4-Part Series
2025-12-13 10:00 - 14:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
This four-part plant identification series will introduce participants to the steps required to positively identify plants.
Plant identification is based on close observation of morphological characteristics, contextual clues and lots of practice. This four–part advanced plant identification series will introduce participants to these concepts and the associated vocabulary of the plant scientist.
The class follows the contents of Harrington’s “How to Identify Plants” (1957); a copy of which is provided to each registrant. This concise text contains a comprehensive vocabulary of terms and illustrations to help clarify concepts.
A packet of supplemental educational materials will also be provided to each registrant.
About this Event
During each 4-hour classroom event, participants will engage in a participatory lecture, and have plenty of time for Q & A. The final session will be a hands-on workshop that will include graduates from previous courses. Each session will build on the previous; attending the entire series is recommended.
Classes are four consecutive Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bio-breaks are factored into the schedule for each day! Bring a bag-lunch (refrigeration and a microwave are available).
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Class dates and syllabus:
Week 1, March 8
Plant Classification

Parts of a Flower
Inflorescence Types
Non-Flowering Plant Identification
Read Harrington Chapter I – V

Week 2, March 15

Roots-n-Shoots
Leaves
Surfaces
Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae
Read Harrington Chapters VI – XI

Week 3, March 22

General Terms
Fruits and Seeds
Using a Dichotomous Key

Week 4, March 29

Review, general questions
Hands-on Workshop with former graduates
Graduation!

Upon completion of the entire course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Florida.

Intro to Plant Identification
2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Explore the major plant groups!

Join James Stevenson and examine the basics of plant identification, from using simple keys to identifying critical characteristics that will help any would-be botanist in the field. An emphasis will be placed on flowering plants.
This class will provide a basic introduction to plant identification. This class is recommended as a precursor for anyone interested in taking our Advanced Plant Identification series in January.
Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Counting with the Birds
2025-12-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Have you heard of the Christmas Bird Count? It began in 1900—yes, that’s right, 1900—and is the longest-running national citizen science project organized by the Audubon Society.
Join us to learn about the CBC, discover how to count birds, and take part in a hike to apply your new skills. This is an educational program, and the birds counted will not be evaluated by Audubon.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Sleep In Saturday Hike
2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Spend Saturday afternoon with a Naturalist who will lead you on a family-friendly nature hike in the Preserve!
Explore the ecosystems and habitats of the Preserve with a volunteer hike guide.
Volunteer hike guides will meet participants in the lobby of the Education Center 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade
2025-12-13 18:00 - 20:30 | Lowry Park Boat Ramp,, 1204 W Flora Street, Tampa, FL, 33604, United States
25th Annual Holiday Boat Parade sponsored by Friends of the Hillsborough River and the Tampa Bay Sierra Club

Signup Instructions: All participants must register.
Bring: Battery operated lights to decorate your canoe, kayak, paddle board or boat; water; layers of clothing in case it is cool after sundown; a flashlight; your own vessel; a whistle; LIFE JACKETS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES
Signup Restrictions: All participants must register and sign the Waiver
Additional Directions: We will gather at the Lowry Park Boat Ramp beginning at 5:00 pm to begin decorating boats so that we can launch at 6:00 pm. Canoes and kayaks lead the parade upstream past the Bird Street bridge at I-275 where the decorated boats will come and turn around and then lead the paddlers back to Lowry Park Boat Ramp.
Cancellation Policy: Heavy rain cancels

For more information and to Register:
https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001AJTEcIAP

Holiday Plants
2025-12-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday, FL, 34690, United States
Come and get some tips about getting your plants ready for the season at this seminar.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Horticulture in Arts and Crafts
2025-12-16 17:30 - 18:30 | New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey, FL, 34652, United States
Discover how to use your flowers and plants for decorations, crafts and gifts at this seminar.

Have you grown lots of flowers and plants? Now what? Discover how to preserve and use them for decorations, crafts and gifts. Samples will be shown of greeting cards, framed flower pictures, potpourri, a variety of seed tapes, seed balls, gift tags, gift boxes, book marks and 2 topiaries. Handouts for making some items will be given out.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<

Create Clearwater Green Mixer
2025-12-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
The purpose of this group is to offer a space for those who want to create all the things about city living that we would most love to live with. That would include access to fresh, healthy food, clean water, clean air, educational opportunities, lots of art, music, dance and theatre, parks and nature, community gathering places, community gardens, decent mass transit, and healthy neighborhoods. What is your vision of what Clearwater could be?
We currently have “Green Mixers” every third Tuesday at Moccasin Lake Nature Park at 6 PM. Every month, we meet more great people at these.
A few of us are working on some projects to revitalize the downtown area. We have some great ideas in the works, and are looking for more people to play with. What would you like to see happen downtown?
We are interested in getting community gardens going and there is some great news on that front too. We’ll keep you updated here.
We want to know what is important to you and what you would like to see happen in this city, so please, let us know!

Florida-Friendly Landscaping: Water Efficiently
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:00 | ZOOM, United States
FFL Principle Number 2, “Water Efficiently,” provides guidance on how to irrigate right and not over water. Save water and save money!

This is the third in a series of Florida-Friendly Landscaping webinars for residents of Pasco County! Please register for each individual webinar presentation of the series, as the corresponding Zoom link will be sent out via email two days prior to the event. The Zoom link will only apply to the individual presentation.)
An efficient irrigation system conserves water and helps to ensure that fertilizer and other pollution doesn’t flow into water bodies. However, even an efficient irrigation system can waste water if not appropriately programmed and regularly maintained.
If an irrigation system is present, a rain shutoff device should be installed and maintained to prevent irrigation after a rain event. Don’t let the calendar tell you when to water – look to your plants for telltale signs of water stress and turn on your irrigation system manually instead of allowing the automatic controller to run on a set schedule. Hand watering, microirrigation, mulching and mowing at the highest setting are ways to reduce water use in your landscape.
What you do in your landscape matters. From the fertilizers you apply to the water you use, your gardening choices can have an impact on land, water, wildlife, and the overall well-being of Florida’s residents.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) Program is here to help you learn how to have healthy and beautiful landscapes that protect Florida’s natural resources by following nine science-based principles:

Right Plant, Right Place
Water Efficiently
Fertilize Appropriately
Mulch
Attract Wildlife
Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
Recycle Yard Waste
Reduce Stormwater Runoff
Protect the Waterfront

A Florida-Friendly landscape can be designed to look the way you want, fit the aesthetics of your community, and suit your lifestyle, while being environmentally sustainable. Join us to learn how!
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
After registering for this webinar presentation, you will be emailed the Zoom link 2 days prior to the event.
This lecture is presented by Kate Kaste, UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, FFL Program Manager.

Watershed Walk
2025-12-19 09:30 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Venture out along our tails with Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan!
Water is an important feature at Brooker Creek Preserve and on this hike you will learn the different ways we interact with water, the importance of wetlands and how you can make a difference in issues surrounding our water quality and quantity.
Come and enjoy this family friendly walk through the woods with Lara Milligan, Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Walking With Wildlife
2025-12-20 09:00 - 10:30 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Guided Nature Walking Tour Along the St Pete Pier
The new St Pete Pier offers a variety of amenities for locals and tourists alike. However, humans are not the only ones who can be found soaking up the Florida sun! Join us for a guided walking tour to get a closer look at the wildlife and habitats found nestled into the St Pete Pier.
During this 90 minute walking tour, participants will learn how to become citizen scientists by discovering how to properly identify species and how to import their sightings into a global data collection platform. There will be multiple stopping points along the way as we examine the interactions between humans and nature while conducting citizen science.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
