The calendar is compiled far in advance so we strongly suggest that you contact the sponsoring organization prior to the event. Some events may have fees for participation.

Ongoing events

Reef Readers, 6-7pm, a reading improvement program for elementary school pupils, every Wednesday at The Pier Aquarium. Call 727-895-7437 X208.

May-July, ongoing surveys of beach-nesting birds and rooftop-nesting least terns by the St. Petersburg Audubon Society. To participate or learn more, call 727-230-0732.

Third Saturday of each month, 1-3pm, Audubon Photography Club meets at the Audubon Resource Center, Lettuce Leaf Park. The club is open to anyone interested in nature photography. Learn about equipment, locations where wildlife are observable, composition, and archiving images. Call 727-460-9933 or e-mail dnphotojoe@aol.com.

Continuing through May 31, Wednesday through Sunday, 10am-4pm, Our Florida Legacy by Christopher Still, Weedon Island Preserve. Enjoy the incredible talents of nationally recognized Florida artist Christopher Still. This exhibit of limited edition prints and reproductions connects multiple levels of symbolism and historic references. For information, call 727-453-6500.

Monday through Friday, 8am- 5pm, Garden Explorer Discovery Backpack Tour at Florida Botanical Gardens.
To make your self-guided tour even more fun, a Discovery Backpack is available for checkout. The backpack is loaded with I-spy sheets featuring art, flowers, insects and birds that may be found throughout the gardens. A pair of binoculars and a map with interesting factors about plants are included. With more than 30 acres of cultivated gardens to explore, plan about two hours for this adventure. For more information, call 727-582-2581.
Apr. 26, 8:30am–1pm, “Give a Day for the Bay” sponsored by Tampa Bay Estuary Program at Taylor Park. To register, call 727-893-2765.

April

Apr. 26, 8:30am, Tampa Audubon Society trip to Fort DeSoto Park. Contact Dave Bowman at dsbowman@earthlink.net or call 813-948-8516.

Apr. 26, 9am, Tampa Audubon Society trip for beginning and experienced birders. Meet at the Audubon Resource Center, Lettuce Lake Park. Contact keithma1@juno.com or 813-935-6115 or annfpaul@gmail.com or 813-626-2051.

Apr. 26, 9–11am, guided hike at the Weedon Island Preserve. Hike through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Pre-registration required, call 727-453-6500.

Apr. 26, 9am-noon, and Apr. 27, 9am-3pm, Spring Weekend Turtle Workshops - Florida’s Riverine Turtles: Identification, Natural History, and Conservation led by George L. Heinrich, field biologist and environmental educator at Weedon Island Preserve. This workshop focuses on the identification, natural history and conservation of turtles found in Florida’s riverine systems and includes a classroom session at Weedon Island Preserve on Saturday and a Sunday field trip to Rainbow Run in Dunnellon. Pre-registration required, call 727-453-6500.

Apr. 26, 11am, Audubon Resource Center program on roseate spoonbills, presented by Audubon spoonbill technician and current co-president of Tampa Audubon Rob Health, who shares new information about roseate spoonbill behavior, biology, and conservation and describes Audubon’s research projects.

Apr. 26, 2-3pm, Special Program on “Painting Our Florida Waters” with Christopher M. Still, Florida artist, and Dr. Randy J. Runnels, oceanographer. Still captures the beauty of our Florida waters in works of fine art. Oceanographer and Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves Manager Dr. Randy Runnels has worked with Still for many years.  Together they have synthesized the best of art and science to depict Florida’s unique marine and freshwater environments. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Apr. 26 & 27, 9am-4pm, Green Thumb Festival at Walter Fuller Park sponsored by City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Extension and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This annual event features plants and landscaping with workshops, exhibits and plant sales. The district's Water Conservation Restroom Station will be on hand to provide information on water conservation and Florida-friendly landscaping. Contact Melissa.Roe@WaterMatters.org or call 352-796-7211 X4776.

Apr. 27, 8am, Tampa Audubon Society trip to Weedon Island Preserve. Beginning and experienced birders meet at the Weedon Island Nature Center. Contact keithma1@juno.com or 813-935-6115.

May

May 1, 10am–4pm, Native Visions by Brenda Hofreiter, “plein air” artist opening exhibit at Weedon Island Preserve. The exhibit will be on display through June 20. For information, call 727-453-6500.

May 2, 9am–noon, guided canoe trip at Weedon Island Preserve. Explore the south canoe trail of Weedon Island Preserve and get a rare look at the aquatic ecosystems that make west-central Florida special. Trained guides lead through mangrove stands and over seagrass and oyster beds while pointing out various flora and fauna. Pre-registration required, call 727-453-6500.

May 3, 9am, Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary boat trip sponsored by Tampa Audubon Society. Spectacular multi-species waterbird colony nesting island. Reservations required, space limited. Contact annfpaul@gmail.com or 813-626-2051.

May 3, 9-10am, Migratory bird and nature tour at Florida Botanical Gardens. Come learn about migratory and resident birds while identifying them with clues like sound, sight and behavior. To register, call 727-582-2673.

May 3, 9-11 am, Guided hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. Take a walk through time on a guided hike along the Brooker Creek Preserve Trail. See how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 3, 9-11am, guided hike at Weedon Island Preserve. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 3, 10am–2pm, A Tisket, a Tasket – Weave Yourself a Basket at Heritage Village, Largo. Join instructors Diane Frederick and Angela Jones and create a woven basket while learning basic and intermediate skills. Registration required, call 727-582-2426.

May 3, noon-2pm, “Sea Turtles,” The Pier Aquarium. It's the season for turtle nesting. Learn what you can do to help improve the survival of these ancient animals. Call 727-895-7437 X208.

May 3 and 4, Pinellas Living Green Expo at Harborview Center, Clearwater. A collaboration of government agencies, non-profit groups and businesses seeking to promote sustainability-oriented products and behaviors in Pinellas County. It will feature exhibitors offering a wide selection of products, services and information. In addition, expo info sessions on a variety of topics including, business, home, transportation, smart energy and water solutions will be offered, as well as special activities for youth and children.

May 4, 7:30am, join Tampa Audubon Society for a trip to Myakka River State Park. Meet at McDonalds Hwy 60 at I-75 in Brandon. Contact keithma1@juno.com or call 813-935-6115.

May 4, 7:45–9am, early morning nature walk at Brooker Creek Preserve. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 4, 8-10am, photography hike at Weedon Island Preserve. A guide will highlight seasonal features and wildlife behaviors to help you capture the preserve’s natural beauty. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 4, 1-4pm, “Watersheds Connect Us All” presentation at Brooker Creek Preserve. Meet Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough county students who participated in a juried art exhibition for grades 6 through 12. The exhibit is open through June 29. Call 727-453-6800.

May 7, 7-8:30pm, family night hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. Experience Brooker Creek Preserve after dark as we look and listen for creatures of the night. Discover the unique adaptations of nocturnal animals. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 8, 10:30-11:15am, Book Time at Brooker Creek – “Gotta Go! Gotta Go!” This engaging tale is about a “creepy-crawlie bug” that just has to get to Mexico. Discover the mystery of what she is and why she must undertake this long journey. Registration required, call 727- 453-6800.

May 8, 10:30-11:30am, Wee-time at Weedon:  “Jack’s Garden.” This is a beautifully illustrated tale that follows the garden from seed to bloom, teaching about soil, weather, insects and more. Registration required, call 727-453-6500.

May 9, 9am–3pm, adult ecology workshop, “Lichens: Identification and Ecology” at Brooker Creek Preserve led by Dr. Dana Griffin, retired professor of botany at University of Florida. Hands-on field and laboratory investigations teach ecology, use of taxonomic keys and techniques. After an introduction to morphology and collection techniques in the morning, time will be spent collecting samples around the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Center followed by an afternoon identification workshop. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 10, International Migratory Bird Day. Enjoy a walk at Brooker Creek Preserve from 8–11am and add birds seen to the official bird day count. Registration required, call 727-453-6800. St. Petersburg Audubon Society also needs all levels of experienced birders to count species & individual birds throughout Pinellas County. Call 727- 398-4124. In Hillsborough, email dgood389@aol.com to participate. At Weedon Island, a special program from 2-3pm explores the connections between birds that make fantastic journeys between their summer and winter homes. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 10, 8:30am-3:30pm, teacher training workshop at Brooker Creek Preserve. This workshop provides teachers with the training and materials necessary to design and lead learning experiences that are tailored to their classroom curriculum goals. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 10, 9-10am, Boca Ciega Millennium Park critter hike. Enjoy a guided walk through five different natural communities looking for evidence of critters that call this beautiful park home. To register, call 727-588-4882.

May 10, 9-11am, guided hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. Join in this walk, see how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 10, 9-11am, Saturday guided hike at Weedon Island Preserve. Hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 10, 9am-1pm, Master Gardener Plant Sale at Florida Botanical Gardens & Pinellas County Extension. Spruce up the garden at this sale offering a good selection of many different plants and garden accessories. For information, call 727-582-2599.

May 10, 9am-3pm, “Threatened Icon of the Uplands” - Weedon Island Preserve. Join George Heinrich, field biologist and environmental educator, to learn about the gopher tortoise, a species in decline in a vanishing habit and the key role it plays in upland ecosystems. Registration required, call 727-453-6500.

May 10, 1-3pm, One Room School Days at Heritage Village. Children ages 5 to 11 take a trip back in time with the Doodlebugs. The program includes living history activities, a targeted tour, story time and a craft. Registration required, call 727-582-2426.

May 11, 8:30-9:30am, Sunday stroll at Weedon Island Preserve. Look for birds and other wildlife while strolling through some of Weedon Island Preserve’s habitats. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 11, 9-11am, Sunday morning bird walk at Brooker Creek Preserve. Join in a morning bird walk along the Brooker Creek’s trails. Learn to identify common birds of the preserve by sight, behavior and sound. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 11, 6:30pm, Coffeepot Bayou/Bird Island Colony boat trip with St. Petersburg Audubon leaving from the St. Petersburg Pier. Reservations required, call 727-230-0730.

May 12, 6:30pm, seven-week class on safe boating starts, sponsored by St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron at Demens Landing. The course includes legal and safety requirements, trailering, lines and knots, waterway signs, weather, rules of the road, introduction to navigation and nautical charts and satisfies Florida’s education requirement for boaters under age 21. Registration required, call 727-565-4453 or visit www.boating-stpete.org.

May 14, 7-8pm, Cypress Swamp Café at Brooker Creek Preserve. Learn just what is in your personal care products and how to make choices that are healthier for the environment and you. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 15, 4-8pm, May 16, 8:30am-4pm and May 17, 8:30-3pm, Tampa Ground Water Institute for teachers at Nature's Classroom in Thonotosassa sponsored by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This is a three-day event that will include teacher trainings and an educational field trip focusing on groundwater issues. Contact Mary Alice Makoid at 352-796-7211 X4771 or visit MaryAlice.Makoid@WaterMatters.org.

May 15, 7-8pm, Spring butterfly identification seminar at Weedon Island Preserve. Discover the skills needed to identify species of butterflies that visit Weedon Island Preserve. This seminar prepares you to help with the May 17 Spring Butterfly Count. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 17, 8:30am-noon, The Pier Aquarium’s Kids’ Fishing Tournament. Kids 12 years and younger learn about fishing, fish from the pier and win ribbons, trophies and other prizes. Visit www.pieraquarium.org or call 727-895-7437 x208.

May 17, 9am, beginning birders join the Tampa Audubon Society at Lettuce Lake County Park at the Audubon Resource Center. Contact keithma1@juno.com or 813-935-6115 or annfpaul@gmail.com or 813- 626-2051.

May 17, 9-10:30am, guided nature walk at Chesnut Park. Explore the outdoors and discover plants naturally found in wetlands and pine flatwoods. Learn how these plants have been used over the years. Registration required, call 727-669-1951.

May 17, 9-11am, guided hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. See how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 17, 9-11am, Saturday guided hike at Weedon Island Preserve. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 17, 9am-4pm, Civil War Days Featuring the 25th Annual Heritage Village Skirmish. See what life in Florida was like in the 1860s for pioneers and soldiers. Call 727-582-2123 or visit www.pinellascounty.org/heritage.
May 17, 9:30am-1pm, Spring Butterfly Count at Weedon Island Preserve. Contribute butterfly count data to an important long-term monitoring program through the North American Butterfly Association. Volunteers at all skills levels should first attend the Spring butterfly identification seminar on May 15. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 17, 10am-8pm, Opening Day of “Counting on Fish” at The Pier Aquarium, a new interactive exhibit on sport fish with a touch screen, displays, models and art illustrations. The exhibit is funded and sponsored in part by Sport Fish Restoration, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Fisheries, Fish Florida and JMC Communities. Visit www.pieraquarium.org or call 727-895-7437 X208.

May 17, 10:30am-noon, Compost Happens workshop at Dunedin Community Center. Join the pros from Pinellas County Extension and learn how easy it is to create compost to use in your garden and landscape. Pinellas County residents attending receive a free 17.6-cubic-foot plastic compost bin after completing a short survey. To register, call 727-298-3215 x24.

May 17, 1-2:30pm, Doodlebugs at Brooker Creek Preserve. Learn how antlions, often called doodlebugs, make a living under the soft sand. This program includes an indoor presentation and an outdoor walk. Registration required, 727-453-6800.

May 18, 7am, beginning and experienced birders join the Tampa Audubon Society for a trip to Orlando wetlands. Meet at International House of Pancakes, Fowler Ave & I-75. See gallinules, waterbirds and stilts. Contact keithma1@juno.com or call 813-935-6115.

May 18, 10:30–noon, young naturalist walk at Brooker Creek Preserve. Join the staff at Brooker Creek Preserve for a short walk along the center’s trails to discover nature. The use of all senses will bring out the naturalist in children of every age. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 21, 7-8:30pm, Butterfly identification seminar to prepare for Spring count at Brooker Creek Preserve. Attend a free butterfly identification seminar before helping with Brooker Creek Preserve’s Spring butterfly count. The actual count takes place May 24, from 9:30am-2pm at the Pinellas County Biological Field Station. To registration, call 727-453-6900.

May 22, 10:30-11:15am, Book Time at Brooker Creek – “Where Does the Wind Blow?” by Cindy Rink. This beautifully illustrated story reminds us that there are experiences that connect all of us who call this planet home. This program also includes a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story for ages 3 to 5.Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 22, 10:30-11:30am, Wee-time at Weedon, “All Around Me I See,” by Laya Steinberg. The book is a lovely story of a child on a walk who discovers that the natural world is a magical place. When tired from her walk, the child naps and dreams she is a bird, a bee and other things she has seen. A hands-on craft or other activity is included. Registration required, call 727-453-6500.

May 23, 7:40am-noon, Integrated pest management update for nurseries and landscapers at Pinellas County Extension. The Pinellas County Extension provides comprehensive education and training based on latest research from University of Florida. Get an update about integrated pest management, how it works and how it can be implemented in a nursery. Visit www.pinellascounty.org/extension and click on commercial horticulture.

May 24, 9-10:30am, guided nature walk at Philippe Park. Learn about nature at one of Pinellas County’s oldest historic parks. Registration required, call 727-669-1947.

May 24, 9-11am, guided hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. See how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 24, 9-11am, Saturday guided hike at Weedon Island Preserve. Hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the preserve’s early residents. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 24, 9am-noon, guided canoe trip at Weedon Island Preserve. Explore the south canoe trail of Weedon Island Preserve and get a rare look at the aquatic ecosystems that make west-central Florida special. Registration required, call 727-453-6500.

May 24, 1-2pm, “Home Invaders,” Brooker Creek Preserve. Learn how to appreciate the common home invaders, spiders, roaches and mice. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 24, 2-3pm, creating wildlife nesting resources, Weedon Island Preserve. Discover how to welcome wildlife to your yard with simple, low-cost nesting resources. Bird and bat houses are some of the common structures that you can add to make it family-friendly for feathered and furred neighbors. Registration required, call 727-453-6500.

May 25, 8-9:30am, The Great Weedon Bird Quest at Weedon Island Preserve. Learn identifying marks and behaviors of feathered year-round residents and seasonal visitors while helping to compile an annual bird checklist. Experienced birders lead the way. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 25, 11am-3pm, open classroom – discovering nature with your child at Booker Creek Preserve. Stop by the Brooker Creek classroom to participate in a variety of self-guided nature games and activities that will answer these questions and many more. Call 727-453-6800.

May 25, 1-2:30pm, discovery tour at Florida Botanical Gardens.To register, call 727-582-2581.

May 31, 8:30am-1pm, “Give a Day for the Bay” sponsored by Tampa Bay Estuary Program at War Veterans’ Memorial Park. To register, call 727-893-2765.

May 31, 9-11am, guided hike at Brooker Creek Preserve. See how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 31, 9-11am, Saturday guided hike at Weedon Island Preserve. Take a two-hour hike with the experts through Weedon Island Preserve’s coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems. Learn about the coastal environment and the preserve’s early residents. To register, call 727-453-6500.

May 31, 10am-noon, Compost Happens workshop at Pinellas County Extension. Pinellas County residents will receive a free 17.6-cubic-foot plastic compost bin after completing a short survey. To register, call 727-582-2673.

May 31, 1-2pm, “Decomposers – Breaking it Down and Cleaning it Up,” Brooker Creek Preserve. Come learn about the three main types of decomposers in the environment and get a chance to thank them in person for the job they do. Discover what happens to plants and animals when they die. Registration required, call 727-453-6800.

May 31, 3-4pm, Boca Ciega Millennium Park “Swamp Tromp.” Take a walk in Boca Ciega Bay collecting living and non-living items for identification and release. The importance of the bay, sea grasses and mangroves will be explored. To register, call 727-588-4882.

Jun. 7, 9-10:30am, rain barrel workshop at Pinellas County Extension. Learn how to set up a recycled plastic barrel to collect rain water from your roof. To register, call 727-582-2673.

Jun. 7, Noon-2pm, ROV workshop, The Pier Aquarium. Learn how to build a remote operated vehicle using simple hardware store materials. Participants will build and fly (in the water) an ROV during class. Call 727-895-7437 x208.

Jun. 8, 8am, join beginning and experienced birders with the Tampa Audubon Society at Gibbons Preserve. Contact Rob Heath at heathcom@aol.com or call 813-310-0072.

Jun. 8, 11am-2pm, World Ocean Day Family Festival at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota. Mote will host a family festival in celebration of World Ocean Day. Event highlights will include conservation-focused performances of song and dance by international children's entertainer Rosie Emery, various environmental groups, watersport-style games, as well as educational crafts and programs. Call 941-388-4441 or visit www.mote.org.

Jun. 12, 4-8pm, Jun. 13, 8:30am-4pm and Jun. 14, 8:30-3pm, Sarasota Ground Water Institute for teachers at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Headquarters in Sarasota, sponsored by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.This is a three-day event that will include teacher trainings and an educational field trip focusing on groundwater issues. Contact Mary Alice Makoid at 352-796-7211 X4771 or email MaryAlice.Makoid@WaterMatters.org.

Jun. 14, 9am, beginning and experienced birder trip to Lettuce Lake Park with Tampa Audubon Society. Meet at the Audubon Resouce Center. Contact keithma1@juno.com or 813-935-6115 or annfpaul@gmail.com or 813-626-2051.

Jun. 14, 11am, Tampa Audubon Society meeting at Audubon Resource Center with presentation on TECO powerlines and wildlife management by Stanley M. Kroh, past president and current treasurer of Tampa Audubon Society. He will outline Tampa Electric Company’s efforts to protect wildlife, including kestrels, ospreys, eagles and woodpeckers. He’ll also outline innovative efforts to protect birds and wildlife from electrocution hazards.

Jun. 14, 11:30am-12:30pm, rain barrel workshop, Sunken Gardens. Educators from Pinellas County Extension will teach you how to set up a recycled plastic barrel to collect rain water from your roof. To register, call 727-551-3100.

Jun. 14, 9am-5pm and Jun. 15, 9am-4pm, Pirate Coast Dive Festival at Siesta Key. Mote Marine Laboratory is hosting the first annual Pirate Coast Dive Festival to showcase the natural wonders of the Gulf of Mexico through education, conservation and recreation. Call 941-388-4441 X442 or log onto http://www.piratedivefest.com.

Jun. 14 and 15, Butterfly & Herb Fair at USF Botanical Gardens. Visit the Botanical Gardens website at http://www.cas.usf.edu/garden or contact 813-974-5653.

Jun. 21, 8am, Mote's 4th Annual Dive Cleanup. Divers are invited to participate in Mote Marine Laboratory's 4th Annual Artificial Reef Cleanup & Treasure Hunt. Spend a day diving local artificial reef sites while removing the trash and debris that has accumulated on these habitats. Treasure rocks will be located on the reef sites netting the finder a prize. After the dives, relax and enjoy a beach bar-b-que with live entertainment and door prizes at Mote's Chickee Hut. Call 941-388-4441 X442 or visit www.mote.org.

Jun. 21, noon-2pm, program on Hurricanes, Book Nook by the Bay, The Pier Aquarium. Participants will learn how NOAA tracks hurricanes and how to follow along. Call 727-895-7437 x208.

Jun. 26 and Jul. 7, 9am-noon, collecting critters. Teachers interested in collecting critters for the classroom can earn a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collection Certificate during this workshop. Mote educators will explain the latest information on state regulations regarding species collection, collecting processes and fishing gear. An optional field sampling training will conclude the experience. Call 941-388-4441 or visit www.mote.org.

Jul. 26, 10-11:30 am, Compost Happens sponsored by Pinellas County Extension. Discover how easy it is to create compost to use in your garden and landscape. To register, call 727-582-2673.

Jul. 31, 10am-noon, reef fish ID training. In collaboration with the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), Mote will be offering a two-hour session to introduce recreational divers and snorkelers to the enjoyable and educational activity of fishwatching. Participants will learn the basics of fish shape and anatomy and how to use these traits for identification. Upon completion of the program, participants will be certified REEF surveyors able to contribute to the world of “citizen science.” Call 941-388-4441 or visit www.mote.org.