Mushroom Hike
2023-08-17 08:30 - 11:30, 2023-08-19 08:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Learn how to identify mushroom species at Rye Preserve!

Join UF/IFAS for an engaging walk into the fantastic world of fungi on a tour through one of our local natural areas. These walks will focus on practicing skills needed for identification of local mushroom species as well as on the broader ecology associated. Be prepared to walk a long distance. Appropriate footwear, hat, sunscreen etc. are required.
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.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Book Time at Brooker
2023-08-17 10:30 - 11:00, 2023-08-24 10:30 - 11:00, 2023-08-31 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 <<<

Youth Program: Mosquito Mania
2023-08-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Have a future entomologist on your hands?
Kids ages 6-11 are invited to learn about the wonderful world of insects!
We will discuss what makes insects different from other animals, what they need to live, their life cycle, and then apply what we learn to mosquitoes. After the presentation attendees can explore live aquatic insect stations and use microscopes to view them up close!
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. Registration is required and space is limited. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program.
Presented by Kailey Travis, Environmental Specialist III with Pinellas County
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Tot Time
2023-08-18 10:30 - 11:30, 2023-09-01 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-themed stories and crafts at the Weedon Island Preserve.

Families of pre-school aged children are invited to explore the wonders of the natural world at the Weedon Island Preserve. Families will be treated to rhymes, stories, songs, crafts, and other activities that connect them to our environment. Activities are intended for youth aged 3-5.
Parents or guardians now only need to register the youth(s) attending, but youth must still be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. This program will take place inside the Cultural and Natural History Center unless otherwise specified.
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 <<<

Davis Park Birding
2023-08-19 07:00 - 11:00 | Davis Park, 612 N Parsons Avenue, Brandon, FL, 33510, United States
Davis Park is a hidden gem in Brandon just north of Highway 60 off of Parsons. The park has one named lake, Mead Lake, and two unnamed lakes. All three lakes are home to breeding Wood Ducks, Sandhill Cranes and other waterfowl. Black-bellied Ducks, Wood Ducks, Black-crown Night Herons, cranes and other bird species roost for the night in the park. American Kestrels, Red-shouldered Hawks, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Flickers and many other species breed here.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the small parking areas on the right side of the park open field [27.947294, -82.290945] shortly after you drive through the wooded area.
Details of the Davis Park eBird reports are here: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L8712193
RSVP field trip leader Mic McCarty mic.mccarty@tampaaudubon.org
Important! Pre-registration is required and participation is limited. 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.

Bird Feather Identification
2023-08-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Have you ever found a bird feather and wondered from which bird it came? Learn the basics about bird feather identification and common feathers you might find in our area. Participants will sketch feather patterns and make a mini-identification booklet.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Falcon Day!
2023-08-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, 18328 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL, 33785, United States
It’s Falcon Day and that means stopping by Seaside to see our wonderful falcons, Phantom and Kevin!

Gardening & Cooking with Herbs
2023-08-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Herbs bring fresh, bright flavors to your cooking! Join us as we learn about how to grow, store, and cook with various herbs including fresh thyme, rosemary, basil, chives, parsley, mint and more. Participants will sample a few dishes made with fresh herbs, too!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Mangrove Trimming Best Management Practices
2023-08-21 08:00 - 11:00 | Emerson Point Preserve, 5801 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a workshop covering Mangrove Trimming Best Practices!
This workshop will cover: Mangrove Ecology and Identification, Mangrove Trimming Regulations, Mangrove Trimming Demonstration of Best Practices.
Classroom located at the Nature Center, follow the road past the first parking lot on the left.
Preapproved with ISA CEUs.
Materials & light refreshments provided.
Free tickets for government employees, $15 (plus Eventbrite fees) for non-government employees.
>>> BUY TICKETS <<<
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.

Community Tree Care for HOAs
2023-08-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension and Professional Arborists for a presentation and panel discussion on tree care and maintenance in HOA communities. We will focus on how to set up a tree care plan and contracts for care that are based on sound arboricultural practices.
Agenda:
9:00 Welcome and Introductions
9:15-10:15 Community Tree Care: Why, What, How?
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Setting up your Community for Success: Presentation and Panel discussion
11:30-12:00 Q and A and Resource Sharing
>>> 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.

Reptile Wednesdays with Dennis!
2023-08-23, 2023-08-30, 2023-09-06 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
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!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Summer Service Program
2023-08-23 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-08-30 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL, 33715, United States
Tampa Bay Watch is offering high school students an opportunity to earn community service hours this summer. The program is scheduled to take place on Wednesday mornings 9 AM – 12 PM from June 7 – July 19 at our facility in Tierra Verde with a maximum of fifteen volunteers per project. The minimum age to participate is 15 years old. Examples of projects include assisting with native plantings, oyster shell recycling, cleaning fishing line, and coastal cleanups.
Interested students should email rarndt@tampabaywatch.org with a cell phone number and the dates they’d like to participate.

Dragonfly Discovery Walk
2023-08-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join local dragonfly expert Paul Trunk as we explore the Preserve looking for dragonflies.
Brooker Creek Preserve is an excellent area that is home to approximately 20+ species of odonates.
We will learn about the natural history of dragonflies and their importance to a healthy ecosystem.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Bring your binoculars and also a camera if you enjoy taking pictures. Registration is required.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Pollinator Walk at the Preserve
2023-08-25 09:00 - 10:30 | Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Learn about the weird world of pollination, then go for a guided walk at Weedon Island to see some pollinators in action!

Learn about the weird world of pollination from a Center naturalist, then go on a walk to see the pollinators doing their thing at the Weedon Island Preserve! Bring your camera of choice to capture these interesting observations.
This walk is recommended for adults and youth ages 10 and up. All youth must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Awesome Alligator Hike
2023-08-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Learn about the American alligator, Florida’s state reptile, which calls our wetlands home.
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Smart About Squirrels
2023-08-26 18:00 - 22:00 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Did you know squirrels can communicate with their tails, make summer and winter homes, and plant the seeds for trees that grow all around us? Parents can enjoy a night out while kids learn all about squirrels in this popular drop off program. Participants will play games, make crafts, and enjoy a pizza dinner.
Ages 6 yrs – 12 yrs
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Pinellas County Bee City USA 2023 BioBlitz!
2023-09-02 08:00 - 14:00 | Eagle Lake Park, 1800 Keene Road, Largo, FL, 33771, United States
Join others in the community for a fun, citizen-science effort to record as many species of plants and insects at Eagle Lake Park

Pinellas County has recently been recognized as a Bee City (County) by the non-profit Xerces Society for the Conservation of Invertebrates. Part of our commitment to foster a community that supports insect conservation is to engage citizens in the collection of data on the health of our insect populations.
You are invited to join others in the community for a fun, citizen-science effort to record as many species of plants and insects at Eagle Lake Park on September 2, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This “Bio-Blitz” using the iNaturalist phone app (free) will give us an idea of the density and diversity of pollinators and the plants they depend on in one park in our county. Educators from the Brooker Creek and Weedon Island Environmental Education Centers will be on hand to get you started at the BioBlitz.
All are welcome to join us to start the blitz at Shelter 3, Eagle Lake Park, 1800 Keene Road, Largo, FL 33771 from 8:00am – 2:00pm.

Vulture Awareness Day
2023-09-02 08:00 - 16:00 | Seaside Seabird Sanctuary, 18328 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL, 33785, United States
It’s that time of year! Stop by Seaside this Vulture Awareness Day and learn all about our black and turkey vultures!

Native Plant Walk LLP
2023-09-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33637, United States
This program is led by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society’s Joel Jackson and Tina Patterson and supported by Tampa Audubon.
Come and learn about the real natural Florida and why it is so important to protect it during a plant walk at Lettuce Lake. The walks take place the first Saturday of the month, with no walks in July, August or December.
Meet in the visitor center for a short orientation slide show, then the walk is on the park’s boardwalk and nature trails.
Advance registration is required.
Things to know

Program is free, but the $2 per vehicle (up to eight people) park entry fee applies
Walk will last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours
Expect to walk 1 mile
Maximum of 25 participants
For larger parties, please email Suncoast Native Plant Society’s Joel Jackson
Meet at the Visitor’s Center

Things to bring

Water
Comfortable shoes
Sunscreen
Hat, if needed

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop on Zoom
2023-09-02 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM, United States
Learn how to collect rainwater for ornamental plant irrigation while reducing erosion and stormwater runoff, and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive one 45-55 gallon plastic food-grade barrel after attending the workshop. (1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
NOTE: To pick-up workshop items/giveaways you will need to make an appointment with our receptionist at 813-744-5519 on/after September 5, to come in and pick up your items. All items must be picked up within 30 days of the date of the workshop. No exceptions.

Family Night Hike
2023-09-02 19:30 - 20:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Bring your family and join our park rangers for our monthly night hikes!
All ages welcome with a registered adult. Please select the correct number of participants or seats needed for your family at the time of enrollment.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Sunday Bird Hike
2023-09-03 08:00 - 09:30 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Come out for this “early morning” walk in the woods.
Come out for this “early morning” walk in the woods with Alexa, our awesome volunteer, to seek out the resident and visiting birds of Brooker. Beginners and all levels of birders welcome. Meet in the parking lot at 8:00 a.m.
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
Volunteer Hike Guides will meet participants in the parking lot 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.

Additional Notes: It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot.
