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.

Featured event

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s award-winning boating safety classes continue this summer - and into the fall – at locations around Tampa Bay.  Several of the courses run continuously, on almost every day of the week, allowing boaters to select a course – and a location - that fits their schedules.

Coast Guard Auxiliary courses present the critical information that boaters at all experience levels need to be safe on the waters of Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and inland lakes.  The courses meet FWC rules that now require residents born on/after January 1, 1988 and operating a vessel of 10 HP or more (including personal watercraft) to complete an approved boating education course.  More information is available at myfwc.com.

Boaters completing Auxiliary course are offered a complimentary one-year membership in BOATUS, the nation’s leading boating advocacy group and may be eligible for boat insurance discounts, which average between 10 - 25 per cent, depending on insurer.

Coast Guard Auxiliary courses are offered in either one-day, eight-hour sessions or multi-week, two-hour per week sessions.  Both formats are designed for new boaters seeking to develop skills and for old salts wishing to hone their “nautical knowledge.”  Boaters at all levels learn how to protect themselves, their passengers and vessels, how to handle emergencies, how human and environmental factors affect boaters and much more.  Topics include:

• Boat Handling - Anchoring; docking; heavy weather handling; man overboard retrieval.
• ’Highway’ Signs - Buoyage systems; chart symbology/reading; electronic navigation.
• Rules of the Road - Inland/International rules; stand-on/give-way concepts, emergency procedures.
• Navigation - Course plotting; compass/chart use; GPS technology; speed-time-distance calculations.
• Weather - Understanding wind, waves, currents and other factors affecting boats; avoiding storms.
• Boat Equipment - Operation/safety items; BUI/substance abuse; PFDs; First Aid.
• Lines, Knots and Hitches – Basic marlinspike skills, knot tying; types of lines.
• Marine Radios - Operation; DSC technology; distress/urgency/safety calls. 

Boaters in other areas around Tampa Bay, including Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin and Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Citrus, Manatee and Sarasota counties and points north and south can check on Auxiliary boating education classes near their homes by visiting: www.cgaux.org and using the 'flotilla finder' link.

Ongoing Events

2nd Thursdays of each month, Agency on Bay Management, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Call 727-570-5151 or email suzanne@tbrpc.org

2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, Get Your Gardening Questions Answered. 
Visit the Master Gardener information table outside the Rocky Bluff Branch Library (7016 US Hwy 301 in Ellenton) for all your gardening questions.  For more information, please contact the Master Gardeners on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday at (941) 722-4524.  The Master Gardeners will be available from 10:00am - 1:00pm. Manatee County Extension office.

Every first Monday of the month, Clearwater Audubon hosts a guest speaker.   To open the 2011/2012 birding season, we asked Mary Miller, Audubon Bluebird Hero at Flat Woods Wilderness Park to share the highlights of 2011 Bluebird breeding season. This promises to be an interesting evening so be sure to join us.  Remember that Clearwater Audubon also hosts monthly fieldtrips in and around Pinellas County.  Most trips, as well as the monthly meetings, are free.  http://www.clearwateraudubon.com/   Contact:  Mike MacDonald  727-409-0459. 

July through September, Discovering Southwest Florida with Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. Offered by the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, and funded by the Lee County Tourist Development Council Visitor and Convention Bureau, this exhibit presents a comparative look at “old Florida” in the time of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford (1885 to the 1940s). While wintering in the area, the Edison and Ford families explored beaches, cypress hammocks, Seminole communities, wildlife and waterways of the area. Visitors will enjoy comparing present day Florida to the wild and wonderful places these two families found during their time in Southwest Florida. For more information please call (727) 582-2125.

July 11 through 15, Toad-ally Terrific Field Day Camp at Brooker Creek Preserve: 1-week field camp, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $150 per camper. A science-based nature camp for youngsters 9 to 11 with strong interest in experiencing hands-on investigation of habitats in the preserve. Discover habits of insects, aquatic creatures and animal activities during these special days of summer. Information or to register info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org or (727) 934-2680.  Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.

July 17 – Aug. 31, Join naturalist John Sarkozy of the American Littoral Society on a guided kayak trip to some of the region’s most spectacular sites. Most trips start about 8:30 a.m. to beat the afternoon heat with an occasional sunset cruise. Visit http://www.sealitsoc.org/ for dates and locations and call Sarkozy at 941-966-7308 for reservations. Cost to non-members, including kayak rental and vest, is $25 for most trips.

July 25 to 29, Wildlife Ecology Day Camp at Brooker Creek Preserve: One-week field camp, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $150 per camper. Environmental educator and field biologist, George Heinrich will explore the ecology and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and wildlands with campers who have a strong interest in nature. Participants will enjoy a blend of classroom and field sessions that will include hands-on activities, guest presentations and exploration of the preserve’s diverse habitats. Information or to register George@heinrichecologicalservices.com or (727) 865-6255. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.

Beginning August 4, Keeping the Pressure Down, This class is designed to help people at risk for high blood pressure and those who already have this condition make healthy lifestyle choice to lower their blood pressure and reduce their health risks. Lessons include: Evaluating Your Risk; Building Activity Into Your Life; DASHing Toward a Healthier Diet; DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet; Balancing Minerals; Decoding Food Labels; Enhancing Your Lifestyle; Reforming Our Recipes; and Eating Out Sensibly.  This is a FREE class that will take place every Thursday afternoon for 4 weeks from 2 - 4pm starting August 4. Class size is limited to 12 participants.  Call Samantha at (941) 722-4524 ext. 242 to register. The deadline to register is July 27.

Sept. 9-11, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Bay Area’s Largest Boat Show Welcomes Everyone to the Water with Nautical Fun for All Ages, Hands-On Boating Education, and Sales on Hundreds of Boats and Marine Accessories. Thousands of new and seasoned boaters are expected to visit the 46th annual Tampa Boat Show, the fall’s sought after destination for on-the-water enthusiasts to view, board and buy hundreds of the newest boats and marine accessories at the best deals of the season. In addition to the vast selection of boats and marine products on land and in-water, the Bay Area’s largest boat show offers fun and educational attractions for new and experienced boaters alike, including the Discover Boating Resource Center featuring free boat rides and on-the-water courses; the Fishing Center offering daily seminars from the area’s top anglers; live music at the Party Barge; and much more. Tampa Convention Center, 333 South Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Tickets: $10 for adults (16 and older), FREE for kids 15 and under, All military personnel, EMTs, Firefighters and Police get in FREE on Sunday, Sept. 11 with valid ID. For more information and to pre-shop the show, visit TampaBoatShow.com. 954.441.3227

Through Nov. 30, Tampa Bay: 20/20 - This traveling photo exhibit featuring 20 images by local photographers celebrates the 20th anniversary of Tampa Bay Estuary Program. July 25-Aug. 26 at Mosaic Co. in Riverview, Sept. 1-30 at South Shore Regional Library in Ruskin and Oct. 10-Nov. 30 at Florida Aquarium in Tampa. Contact 727-893-2765 or www.tbep.org

Through Fall - The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s award-winning boating safety classes continue this summer - and into the fall – at locations around Tampa Bay.  Several of the courses run continuously, on almost every day of the week, allowing boaters to select a course – and a location - that fits their schedules.

Coast Guard Auxiliary courses present the critical information that boaters at all experience levels need to be safe on the waters of Tampa Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and inland lakes.  The courses meet FWC rules that now require residents born on/after January 1, 1988 and operating a vessel of 10 HP or more (including personal watercraft) to complete an approved boating education course.  More information is available at myfwc.com.  Classes meet FWC requirement for some boaters to carry the ‘Florida Safe Boating Safety Education ID Card’

July

July 19, 6:00 - 8:30pm, Low Down on Lawn Irrigation, Tune up your sprinkler system for the dry season. Learn how to adjust the timer and sprinklers, improve uniformity, eliminate water waste, and cut costs. There is also an introduction to micro-irrigation. A free lawn sprinkler tune up kit will be given to each attendee. Bring a sack supper to the evening classes if you would like. This class satisfies the irrigation education portion of the Manatee County Water Conservation Rebate Program. Presented by Jack Tichenor, Extension Agent.  This class is FREE and will take place at the Manatee County Extension office in Palmetto. Call Jack at (941) 722-4524 to register

July 19, 6-7-30pm, SciCafé, Japan Tsunami: The Science Behind Tsunamis and the Aftermath The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge. RSVP: www.pieraquarium.org/tsunamiscicafe.  Bring a bottle to add to our Wall of Wine to benefit the 18th Annual Fish Head Ball!  Info: estehle@pieraquarium.org

July 19, 10am-1pm, Sweetwater Kayaks, Little Manatee River, 24th Street. We'll put in and head upstream as far as we feel like it. We will be heading for the narrower sections and some tree canopies for shade. Then we will head back. $20 guide fee plus $30 rental
Register at 727-403-7046

July 20, 9:00 - 11:30am, Bucket Brigade: Container Gardening, Learn about container gardening and how to assemble a bucket to use for your gardening needs.  Bring two round 5-gallon buckets with you and go home with a completed bucket.  Presented by Ervin Shannon, Small Farms Program Assistant.  This workshop is FREE and will take place in the Horticulture Learning Center at the Manatee County Extension office. Call Millie at (941) 722-4524 to register

July 23, 8-10am, Photography Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg.  Hike the preserve in search of that perfect shot. This program provides great opportunities for photographers of all levels to hone their skills. After a brief classroom session, center volunteer guides highlight seasonal features of the preserve, as well as specific wildlife behaviors that help participants capture the natural beauty of Weedon Island Preserve. Recommended for adults. Please register by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

July 23, 9-10:30am, Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. A 0.75-mile guided hike along the education center trail offers citizens a first-hand look at how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, July 22, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.
     
July 23, 9-11am, Weedon Walkabout,  Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Participants will enjoy this free guided walk through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the preserve while learning about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Water, a snack, a hat and closed toe shoes are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 pm on Friday, July 22 for this free event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

July 23, 10am-Noon, Going Coastal: What’s in the Water?, Weedon Island Preserve,  
1800 Weedon Drive, N.E., St. Petersburg. Wondered how many eyes a horseshoe crab has or whether a sponge is a plant or animal, or how long a sea turtle can hold its breath? Learn the answers to these questions and more as visitors delve into the underwater world of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This free indoor activity is recommended for all ages. Registration is required by noon on Friday, July 22 by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, click on the Online Registration button, then the Weedon Island Preserve tab. For more event information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500 or for (727) 582-2100 to register.

July 27, 10:00 – Noon, Fall Gardening, Now’s the time to start planning your fall garden! Learn which seeds or seedlings are appropriate for the fall garden. We will cover the basivs of soil dynamics, fertilizers, compost amendments, nasty pest insects, and weed management. Presented by Crystal Snodgrass, Extension Agent and Barbara Davis, Master Gardener. This class is FREE and will take place at the Manatee County Extension office in Palmetto. Call Jennifer at (941) 722-4524

July 28, 10:30-11:15am, Wee-Time at Weedon: The Snail’s Spell, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE., St. Petersburg. Children are treated to a variety of stories and hands-on activities that connect them to their environment. This week’s book, The Snail’s Spell by Joanne Ryder, imagines if one were in a garden and as small as a snail. Recommended ages: 3 - 5. Advance registration for this free activity is required. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button then, the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500 or call (727) 582-2100 to register.

July 28, 10:30-11:15am, Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Designed for preschoolers to connect them to the wonders of the natural world, children ages 3 to 5 will hear a story and participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story. Space is limited to this free activity. Advance registration is required by noon on Wednesday July 27 by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or for more registration information, call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

July 30, 9-10:30am, Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. A 0.75-mile guided hike along the education center trail offers citizens a first-hand look at how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, July 29, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.
     
July 30, 9-11am, Weedon Walkabout, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE,  St. Petersburg. Participants will enjoy this free guided hike through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the preserve while learning about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Water, a snack, a hat and closed toe shoes are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Please register by 2 p.m. on Friday, July 29 for this free event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

July 30, 2-3pm, The Owl Cast Café, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Silent flight, fantastic vision, fast reflexes and piercing talons are all adaptations making the Florida owl a noble nocturnal predator. From small screech owls to large horned owls, learn from Sensing Nature® biologists how these stealth hunters benefit both nature and us through their chosen diets. Then enjoy an owl investigation by dissecting one of their casts and determine its previous meal.  Advance registration required by noon on Friday, July 29 by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.

August

Aug. 3, 6-7pm, Free Grant Writing Workshop for anyone wishing to apply for Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s annual Bay Mini-Grants, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. Grants up to $5,000 are available for bay improvement projects proposed by citizen groups and organizations in Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties.  Grant submission deadline Oct. 3.. Contact misty@tbep.org or 727-893-2765

Aug. 3, 10:00am – Noon, Recycle the Rain – Rain Barrel Workshop, Let us provide you with great water conservation tips and trivia. Learn how to install, paint, and maintain a functional rain barrel. Bring your truck or car with a large trunk and leave with your own rain barrel. Start conserving today. Fee for rain barrel. This class will take place at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E in Bradenton. Call Michelle at (941) 722-4524 to register

Aug. 5, 1-5pm, 8th Annual Heart’s Breath Flute Extravaganza, Children’s Storytelling, Drumming and Flute Workshops, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. An afternoon of children’s storytelling and indigenous flute and drumming workshops will be enjoyed as the 8th Annual Heart’s Breath Flute Extravaganza opens at the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. Shopping will be available for Native American enthusiasts in their special distinctive sounding flutes, flute bags and other crafts. Recommended for all ages and no registration required. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

Aug. 5, 6:30-8:30pm, Indigenous Sounds Concert, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. The performances of Native American-style music at the Indigenous Sounds Concert bring a day at the 8th Annual Heart’s Breath Flute Extravaganza to a fitting close. This free event is recommended for all ages and no registration required. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

Aug. 6, 8am – 11am, Boyd Hill Monthly Bird Walk with St. Petersburg Audubon, Boyd Hill Nature Park, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg FL. Monthly Bird Walk. Leader: Ron Smith - Meet 8 a.m., Nature Center parking lot. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before posted start time. Contact: Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or e-mail focus997@verizon.net for more information

Aug. 6, 10:30am-noon, aquarium, Book Nook by the Bay. Shark Month for The Pier Aquarium. Featured Book: Great Sharky Shark. Featured Creature: Coral Catshark.  Contact estehle@pieraquarium.org.  www.pieraquarium.org

Aug. 6, 9-10:30am, Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. A 0.75-mile guided hike along the education center trail offers visitors a first-hand look at how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, Aug. 5, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.

Aug. 6, 10am-5pm, 8th Annual Heart’s Breath Flute Extravaganza, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Enjoy a day-long event of performers featuring the music and art of Native American-style culture at this flute extravaganza! Hand-carved Native American-style flutes have a sweet distinctive sound and other ancient musical instruments with native rhythms include drums and rattles. Learn the basics of indigenous flute playing through demonstration and instruction at a 1 p.m. workshop. Join us for a silent auction of Native American-style flutes, arts and crafts or shop from vendors. Recommended for all ages. No registration required.

Aug. 9, 2-4pm, Tampa Bay Estuary Program Manatee Awareness Coalition, Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. Contact 727-893-2765 or www.tbep.org

Aug. 9, 7:30pm, "Florida Springs - The Original Native Plant Community", presented by Dr. Robert L. Knight.  St. Mark's Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson, FL. Telephone inquiries are taken by Mary at (727) 849-2335. http://www.pasconativeplants.org. His presentation will cover Florida's water needs, the ecology of the spring systems, threats to the springs that include nutrient issues, and what needs to be done to restore these precious Florida resources.  Dr. Knight is currently a consulting environmental scientist, an adjunct professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences at the University of Florida, and the founder and director of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute.  He has many published articles, and is the author of the book, Treatment Wetlands.

Aug. 9, 9:00am, ServSafe Food Protection Manager Training. This class uses the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's ServSafe curriculum to teach food service and restaurant managers the following food safety concepts: personal hygiene; food safety hazards; importance of food safety; HACCP concepts and Food Codes; proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures; safely receiving, cooling, serving, and storing foods; and proper thawing, cooking, hot holding, and reheating foods. The certification exam directly follows the class. To register, please call Debora Bell at 1-888-232-8723. Manatee County Extension office in Palmetto.

Aug. 9, 10:30-Noon, Compost Happens – Home Composting Workshop. Learn how to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into useful soil amendments. Participants will learn Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ concepts and details about how to set up a home compost bin. Workshop will take place at the Rocky Bluff Library, 7016 US Hwy 301 N in Ellenton.  Call Michelle at (941) 722-4524 to register

Aug. 10, 6-8:30pm, Shrubs that Will Rock Your Yard. Shrubs are the most versatile of plants in the landscape, serving as accents, hedges, or single specimens.  Topics include identification of shrubs, pruning time and maintenance.  Should you need identification of a plant, bring a long branch with its leaves (and ideally with flower or seed).  Presented by Elissa Mirabelli, Horticulture Program Assistant.  This class is FREE and will take place at the Manatee County Extension office in Palmetto. To register, call Elissa at (941) 722-4524.

Aug. 11, 1:30-4:30pm, Tampa Bay Estuary Program Management Board, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. Contact 727-893-2765 or www.tbep.org.

Aug. 11, 10:30-11:15am, Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. Designed for preschoolers to connect them to the wonders of the natural world, children ages 3 to 5 will hear a story and participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story. Space is limited to this free activity. Advance registration is required by noon on Wednesday, Aug. 10, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or for more registration information, call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Aug. 11, 10:30-11:15am, Wee Time at Weedon: Mister Seahorse, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. This week’s book, Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle, is a humorous and informative story about sea life and its good fathers. This free program is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Advance registration is required and closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button then, the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500 or call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Aug. 12, 10am-1pm,  Tampa Bay Estuary Program Policy Board, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. Contact 727-893-2765 or www.tbep.org.   

Aug l3, 8am, Lettuce Lake for beginning birders. Meet at the visitor center.  We will  walk the boardwalk and trails looking for resident waterbirds and landbirds.  Finished by 11, (Entrance fee to the park is $2.00)  Roger Sheets, 813-677-6577 -rwsheets3@gmail.com

Aug. 13, 9-10:30am, Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. A 0.75-mile guided hike along the education center trail offers citizens a first-hand look at how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, Aug. 12, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.

Aug. 13, 9-11am, Weedon Walkabout,  Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Participants will enjoy this free guided walk through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the preserve while learning about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Water, a snack, a hat and closed toe shoes are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 pm on Friday, Aug.12 for this free event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

Aug. 13, 2-3pm, Florida’s Wildlife Predators…and Their Prey, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. A wildlife predator must be quicker, more strategic, better adapted and sometimes just luckier than their meal. Visitors to this free program may explore the behaviors, habitats, adaptations and diets of Florida apex and mid-level predators from the Sensing Nature® biologist. Advance registration required by noon on Friday, Aug. 12 by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.

Aug. 16, 10am-Noon, Cooking with Herbs. Throw that salt shaker away!  Come learn about different kinds of herbs and how to use them to spice up your life.  Topics include selecting, drying, storing, and meal preparation.  Presented by Samantha Kennedy, Family & Consumer Sciences agent. This class is FREE and will take place at the Manatee County Extension office. Call Samantha at (941) 722-4524 to register

Aug. 17, 10am-Noon, Much About Mulch. A mulch layer around trees, shrubs, and planted beds provides many benefits.  All of the different kinds of mulch available in Florida have benefits and drawbacks.  Come learn about the different types and their appropriate uses. This class is FREE and will take place at the Manatee County Extension office in Palmetto.  Call Michelle at (941) 722-4524 to register

Aug. 19, 7:00-7:30 raffle for nature items. 7:30-8:15 Frog identification. 8:15-9:00 frog and nature walk.  Tampa Audubon Society presents Frolicking with Frogs at Little Manatee River State Park.  Learn about the variety of frogs found in our area with close up views while learning to recognize their calls. Then take a nature walk to see and hear them in their natural habitat. This is a Free Event.  Evening State Park fee is $3 per car. Appropriate for children of all ages.  Please bring a flashlight and bug spray.  Call trip leader, Nancy Murrah (813)205-1851 or e-mail webmaster@tampaaudubon.org for more details and to reserve a spot.  Event will take place rain or shine. 

Aug. 20, 9-10:30am, Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. A 0.75-mile guided hike along the education center trail offers citizens a first-hand look at how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, Aug. 19, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.

Aug. 20, 9-11am, Weedon Walkabout, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Participants will enjoy this free guided walk through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the preserve while learning about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Water, a snack, a hat and closed toe shoes are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Please register by 2:00 pm on Friday, Aug. 19 for this free event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

Aug. 20, 1-3pm, Coastal Classroom: Discover the Hidden World of Plankton with Your Child, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg. Discover the hidden world of the estuary with some of the smallest critters that live in Tampa Bay. The classroom will have live samples of plankton from Tampa Bay to examine and identify.  Plankton is a diverse group of organisms suspended in the water of estuaries, oceans and all other bodies of water. Microscopes will help reveal these fascinating creatures which exhibit a wide variety of bizarre shapes and adaptations.  Activities are self guided, just stop by the classroom between 1 and 3 pm to participate.  This is a free program and recommended for ages 8 and over. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

Aug. 23, 1:30-4:30pm, Landscaping on Reduced Water Use.  An introduction to micro-irrigation.  Learn how to select, install, and operate your own water-saving irrigation system.  Pros and cons, parts and pieces and what things are called.  Bring a sack supper if you would like.  Presented by Jack Tichenor, Extension Agent.  This class is FREE and will take place at the Manatee County Extension office in Palmetto. Call Jack at (941) 722-4524 to register

Aug. 24, 9-11:30am, Bucket Brigade: Container Gardening. Learn about container gardening and how to assemble a bucket to use for your gardening needs.  Bring two round 5-gallon buckets with you and go home with a completed bucket.  Presented by Ervin Shannon, Small Farms Program Assistant.  This workshop is FREE and will take place in the Horticulture Learning Center at the Manatee County Extension office. Call Millie at (941) 722-4524 to register

Aug. 24, 9am-5pm, Fertilizer/Pesticide BMPs, Pinellas County Extension,12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Price: $15. This required class for landscape maintenance contractors applying pesticides to customers’ properties provides training and testing necessary to obtain a limited commercial landscape maintenance (LCLM) pesticide license. BMP certification will be awarded to those passing the exam. Course offered at no cost to Pinellas County employees. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the “Commercial Horticulture CEU” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 for more information.

Aug. 25, 9-11am, Lawn/Landscape Maintenance BMPs,  Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo.  Cost: $15. This program is a required class for those doing work in the lawn and landscape maintenance industry such as mowing, pruning and landscape debris management. To obtain certification, you will need to pass a test. By passing the test, you will be awarded a certificate. This class is offered to Pinellas County employees at no cost. If you apply fertilizers, you will need to take the GI-BMP (fertilizer/pesticide BMP) class instead of this one. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the “Commercial Horticulture CEU” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 for more information.

Aug. 25, 10:30-11:15am, Book Time at Brooker, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.  Designed for preschoolers to connect them to the wonders of the natural world, children ages 3 to 5 will hear a story and participate in a craft, game or other hands-on activity related to the story. Space is limited to this free activity. Advance registration is required by noon on Wednesday, Aug. 24, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or for more registration information, call (727) 582-2100. Please check in at the front desk.

Aug. 25, 10:30-11:15am, Wee Time at Weedon: Harry the Horseshoe Crab, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. This week’s book, Harry the Horseshoe Crab: A Tale of Crawly Creatures by Suzanne Tate, tells many amazing facts about horseshoe crabs. This free program is recommended for ages 3 to 5. Advance registration is required and closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button then, the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500 or call (727) 582-2100 to register.

Aug. 25, 2-4pm, Lawn/Landscape Maintenance BMPs, Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Cost: $15. This program is a required class for those doing work in the lawn and landscape maintenance industry such as mowing, pruning and landscape debris management. To obtain certification, you will need to pass a test. By passing the test, you will be awarded a certificate. This class is offered to Pinellas County employees at no cost. If you apply fertilizers, you will need to take the GI-BMP (fertilizer/pesticide BMP) class instead of this one. Online registration closes 24 hours before the program start time. Register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the “Commercial Horticulture CEU” tab. You may also call (727) 582-2100 for more information.

Aug. 27, 8-10am, Photography Hike, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg.  Hike the preserve in search of that perfect shot. This program provides great opportunities for photographers of all levels to hone their skills. After a brief classroom session, center volunteer guides highlight seasonal features of the preserve, as well as specific wildlife behaviors that help visitors capture the natural beauty of Weedon Island Preserve. Recommended for adults. Please register by 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this free activity, call (727) 453-6500.

Aug. 27, 9-10:30am, Guided Hike, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. A 0.75-mile guided hike along the education center trail offer citizens a first-hand look at how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. All ages welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, Aug. 26, by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Online Registration button, then the Brooker Creek Preserve tab. For more event information, call (727) 453-6800 or call (727) 582-2100 for registration information. Please check in at the front desk.

Aug. 27, 9-11am, Weedon Walkabout, Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Participants will enjoy this free guided walk through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the preserve while learning about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Water, a snack, a hat and closed toe shoes are recommended. All ages are welcome although children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. Please register by 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 for this free event by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org, clicking the Registration button, then the Weedon Island tab. For more information about this activity, call (727) 453-6500.

September

Sept. 3, 8am – 11am, Boyd Hill Monthly Bird Walk with St. Petersburg Audubon, Boyd Hill Nature Park, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg FL. Monthly Bird Walk. Leader: Ron Smith - Meet 8 a.m., Nature Center parking lot. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before posted start time. Contact: Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or e-mail focus997@verizon.net for more information

Sept. 3, 10:30am-noon,  Book Nook by the Bay, Get Curious with Curious George Day! Featured Book: Curious George Goes to the Aquarium at the aquarium.  Contact estehle@pieraquarium.org.  www.pieraquarium.org

Sept. 13, 7:30pm, Adah Weitzel, a Pasco County Master Gardener, will help us learn ways to increase our backyard habitat with a program and demonstration on "Plant Propagation".St. Mark's Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667.  Telephone inquiries are taken by Mary at (727) 849-2335.  http://www.pasconativeplants.org.

Sept. 14, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Board of Directors meeting. Science Center of Pinellas County, 7701 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL.

Sept. 17, 8:30am–12:30pm; at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Building, 5108 Gandy Boulevard (Gandy Boat Ramp) in Tampa.  Cost of the program is $25 per person and includes textbook, dry demonstrations, completion certificate, kayaking maps, light lunch and boatloads of practical how-to information.  Special rates are available for two or more from the same family or group.  Attendees can register by sending an e-mail to: auxpaddlecourse@yahoo.com.  More information is available by visiting the Auxiliary’s website,
dev02.cgaux.org.  Use the ‘PaddleSport Seminar’ link for detailed course information and registration.  More information is also available by calling the Coast Guard Auxiliary at (813) 835-4118. The program is designed for those ages 11 and up and is full of local hot spot, eco-adventure and safety technique and equipment information.  Seminar topics include:  pre-departure checks, knot tying,  managing capsizings, understanding weather and health issues, nautical ‘Rules of the Road,’ accident reporting and related subjects.  Those with any interest in paddlesports are welcome to attend - kayak anglers -- canoeists -- beginner paddlesporters -- ’old salts’ wanting to refresh skills -- those contemplating a canoe/kayak purchase, planning paddlesport trips or parents of young kayakers/canoeists. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary continuously expands its boating safety education programs to meet the changing needs of the boating public and is the nation’s most active boating safety educator -- more than 100,000 boaters participate in Auxiliary programs annually. Auxiliary courses are offered to kayakers, canoeists and personal watercraft operators, along with its traditional courses for sailors and powerboaters.  Founded in 1939, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, all-volunteer arm of the U.S. Coast Guard, providing boating education and Coast Guard mission support.

Sept. 28, 3-5pm, Tampa Bay Estuary Program Community Advisory Committee, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. Contact 727-893-2765 or www.tbep.org.

October

Oct. 1, Book Nook by the Bay, Guest Author/reader Loran Wlodarski from SeaWorld.  Featured Book: If a Dolphin were a Fish. Contact estehle@pieraquarium.org.  www.pieraquarium.org

Oct. 1, 8am – 11am, Boyd Hill Monthly Bird Walk with St. Petersburg Audubon,
Boyd Hill Nature Park, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg FL. Monthly Bird Walk. Leader: Ron Smith - Meet 8 a.m., Nature Center parking lot. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before posted start time. Contact: Judi Hopkins @ 727-526-3725, or e-mail focus997@verizon.net for more information

Oct. 1, 8am, Moccasin Lake Nature Park Birdwatching Walk, Sponsored by Clearwater Audubon Society  http://www.clearwateraudubon.com/   Meet at Moccasin Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, Contact:  John Hood  727-461-4762. Join Clearwater Audubon Society in this wonderful Clearwater park to look for an incredible variety of songbirds, water birds, and raptors in this unique oak hammock.  Autumn in Florida brings migrating birds so anything is possible!  This is an easy ¾ mile trail and ideal for beginning and advanced birders alike.  There are two large ponds, a stream, and a nature center which houses turtles and injured birds.  Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them!  More info online: www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/mlnp.asp  3-12 years: $2; 13 years and up: $3

Oct. 3, 7:30pm, Clearwater Audubon Monthly Meeting at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater. Sponsored by Clearwater Audubon Society  http://www.clearwateraudubon.com/   Contact:  Mike MacDonald  727-409-0459.  Every first Monday of the month, Clearwater Audubon hosts a guest speaker. To open the 2011/2012 birding season, we asked Mary Miller, Audubon Bluebird Hero at Flat Woods Wilderness Park to share the highlights of 2011 Bluebird breeding season. This promises to be an interesting evening so be sure to join us.  Remember that Clearwater Audubon also hosts monthly fieldtrips in and around Pinellas County.  Most trips, as well as the monthly meetings, are free.

Oct. 8, 8am, John Chesnut County Park Birdwatching Walk, 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor.  Sponsored by Clearwater Audubon Society.  http://www.clearwateraudubon.com/ Contact:  Nicky Armstrong  727-286-1981.  Meet in the park at shelter #6.  If you have never been to this jewel of a Pinellas County park, you should not miss this trip to this 255 acre beauty on the shores of Lake Tarpon.  It is home to warblers and waterbirds as well as wandering families of deer and has ponds, streams, boardwalks and trails galore.  Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them!  This walk is great for beginners as well as experienced birders.  For more information:  http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/04_Chesnut.htm   Free.

Oct. 8, 6-10pm,18th Annual Fish Head Ball: FISH-A-Palooza RockStar, The Don CeSar. Tix: $125 advance; $140 at the door. Purchase online: www.pieraquarium.org/RockStar. Info: 2011fhb@pieraquarium.org

Oct. 11, 7:30pm, "Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife" with Dr. Craig Huegel, a wildlife biologist, ecologist, and author of the book by the same name.  As we lose our native habitats to development, it becomes increasingly important to add wildlife value to our urban landscapes.  Learn to easily create an attractive landscape that is also an inviting habitat for our native wildlife - birds, butterflies, and more - using Florida's native plants!  Books will be available for sale and autographing.  St. Mark's Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667. Telephone inquiries are taken by Mary at (727) 849-2335. http://www.pasconativeplants.org.

Oct. 12, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, St. Petersburg Audubon Society Board of Directors meeting.
Science Center of Pinellas County, 7701 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL

Oct, 12, 6pm, Evening Tide Talk, Florida Aquarium, “Restoring Tampa Bay, An Estuary of National Significance: A 20-Year Retrospective” with Holly Greening, Tampa Bay Estuary Program. Call 813-273-4015.

Oct. 15, 9am, Big Birds for Beginners at McGough Nature Park, 11901 146th Street N, Largo.  Sponsored by Clearwater Audubon Society  http://www.clearwateraudubon.com/ Contact:  Lynn Sumerson, 727-596-8822. Join Clearwater Audubon’s beloved birding enthusiast as he shares his love of birds with beginning birders.  You will enjoy a lecture and power point that explain birding techniques.  Afterwards, you will explore the peaceful McGough Park trails and dock over the Intercoastal Waterway.  Bring your binoculars!  For more information:  http://www.largo.com/egov/apps/locations/facilities.egov?path=details&id=34   If time allows, we will visit nearby Bonner Park.  For more information:  http://www.largo.com/egov/apps/locations/facilities.egov?path=detail&id=35    Free.

Oct. 15, 8am-noon, Give A Day for the Bay, invasive plant removal at Perico Park in Manatee County. Contact 727-893-2765 or Colleen@tbep.org