Programs & Events in July

Presented by 
Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. (727) 582-2108
Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800 
Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727) 453-6500

July 6
Brooker Book Club: Hosted by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve, the Brooker Book Club meets the first Saturday of each month. The book selected for discussion in June is Star Island by Carl Hiaasen. 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Free; advance registration is required as seating is limited, Brooker Creek Preserve. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

June 6, 13, 20, 27
Weedon Island Guided Hike: Learn about the ecosystems and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve while hiking the coastal uplands and the boardwalks through mangrove forests. Best for ages 6 and older. 9 to 11 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve. http://weedonislandpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 6, 20, 27
Brooker Creek Guided Hike: See how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes on this 0.75-mile walk. Closed-toe shoes, water and hat recommended. Best for ages 6 and older. 9 to 10:30 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve.   http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 6
Weedon the Beautiful: Join the family fun at Weedon Island Preserve for a Photo Adventure Scavenger Hunt this holiday weekend. Bring digital cameras and pick up the list of clues at the front desk at the center. Complete the list and share photos with one of the volunteers to collect a prize. Remember to bring water, snacks and sunscreen for this outdoors event. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve. http://weedonislandpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 11, 18, 25
Book Time at Brooker: Children ages 3 to 5 connect to the wonders of the natural world through a story and a craft, game or other hands-on activity. 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 11, 25
Wee-Time at Weedon: Every second and fourth Thursday of each month, children are treated to a variety of stories and hands-on activities that connect them to their environment. This activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5. 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Free; advance registration requested. Weedon Island Preserve. http://weedonislandpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 11
Green Invaders: Over 300 aliens live in Florida, from walking catfish, boa constrictors to Brazilian Pepper, all native species that are being pushed out of their homes. Why worry? Almost every species of animal, from butterflies to bears, evolve alongside the plants that grow here. For the public’s convenience, Pinellas County Extension Master Gardener Sandy Huff and community activist Joe Casse will present what to look for and how to make a difference in helping our natives survive in two programs, the first from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and the second from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Free; advance registration required. Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave, Palm Harbor. (727) 582-2603; www.eventbrite.com/event/6045435059/eorg

July 12
Great Weedon Bird Quest: Learn the identifying marks and behaviors of our feathered year-round residents and seasonal visitors while assisting in compiling an annual checklist of the preserve’s birds. This hike is designed to take advantage of all levels of birding experience. Binoculars and bird guides are available. 8 to 10 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve.  http://weedonislandpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 12
Botany Hike: Join a Brooker Creek naturalist to explore the fascinating plants found on the preserve while identifying wildflowers, ferns, epiphytes, trees and more. The ecology of various plant communities will also be examined. Best suited for adults. Come prepared with your camera and questions. 9 to 11 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 13
Birds of Brooker Hike: Join this hike to identify common birds of Brooker Creek Preserve. Meander along the one-mile trail to gather information on the birds seen and heard. Binoculars will be helpful. Bring water. 8 to 10:30 a.m. Brooker Creek Preserve. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 13, 31
4-H Brooker Creek Explorers Club is a newly formed club seeking new members ages 5 to 18. Meetings are twice a month to learn about and explore a new environmental topic from trees to bees and everything in between. Members receive an age-specific booklet of their choice which enables them to continue their work outside of the meeting times. The club aims to teach them things they may not have learned in school and will get them outdoors as much as possible. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, www.brookercreekexplorers-eorg.eventbrite.com

July 13
Archaeology Works - Pottery: Shells: Archaeologists study ancient shells to not only learn about the diets and tools of prehistoric Floridians, but also the environments in which they lived. Learn to identify different shell types from around the Tampa Bay area and the ways archaeologists use them to learn about the past. 10 a.m. to noon. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve. http://weedonislandpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 18
Vegetable, Herb and Tropical Fruit Garden Tour: Explore the vegetable garden and compost demonstration areas at Pinellas County Extension/Florida Botanical Gardens to learn more about growing your own food. 9 to 11 a.m. Free; tours limited to group of 4 to 16 people; advance registration required. Pinellas County Extension, www.eventbrite.com/event/6241882639/eorg

July 19
Forestry Hike:  Join a local natural resources agent and hike along two miles of boardwalks and natural trails at Brooker Creek Preserve. Come prepared with binoculars, cameras and questions. Questions can also be researched in the resource room upon return to the education center. 9 to 11 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 20
Weedon Photography Hike: Hike the preserve in search of that perfect photo. This program provides great opportunities for photographers of all levels to hone their skills. After a brief classroom session, preserve volunteers highlight seasonal features of the preserve, as well as specific wildlife behaviors that help participants capture the natural beauty of Weedon Island Preserve. 8 to 10 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve. http://weedonislandpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 20
Tree ID: Join your local natural resource agent as she discusses the basics on how to identify trees in your area. The presentation includes a guided tree identification walk. 10:30 to noon. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve.  http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 20
Going Coastal–Discover the World of Plankton:  Discover the hidden world of the estuary with some of the smallest critters that live in Tampa Bay. 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 live creatures. Just stop by for this self guided activity for ages 8 and older. 1 to 3 p.m.. Free; advance registration required. Weedon Island Preserve. http://weedonislandpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 22
Teacher Training Summer Camp:  The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Extension Service are teaming up with St. Petersburg College to offer a fun and informative week-long workshop for pre-service elementary education students and elementary teachers with a focus on environmental education. Each day will feature different environmental subjects and professional speakers will provide background knowledge to participants. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 24
Fertilizer/Pesticide BMPs: Training to obtain limited certification for urban landscape commercial fertilizer (LCULCF). BMP certification awarded upon passing the exam. Four FDACS pesticide CEUs provided. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $15; free to employees of Pinellas County and the Pinellas County School Board and Pinellas County Master Gardener volunteers (must present ID on day of class). Advance registration required. Pinellas County Extension. Register at http://pce-commercialhort.eventbrite.com

July 24
Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project–at Dunedin Public Library: Learn how much energy is wasted in the home every day, around the clock. Participants receive free equipment and materials to help cut energy costs, and save money each month. 6 to 7 p.m. Free; advance registration at http://dunlib2013peep.eventbrite.com

July 24
Creatures of the Night: Pinellas County’s Natural Resource Extension Agent, Lara Miller, will discuss the creatures of the night. All of our nocturnal critters form a vital part of our natural environment but are largely ignored. Come learn more about these fascinating creatures. Recommended for adults. 2 to 3 p.m. Garden Club of St. Petersburg, 500 Sunset Dr., S, St. Petersburg. (727) 582-2109; www.eventbrite.com/event/5260325776/eorg

July 26
Wildlife Hike: Join an experienced naturalist as you hike along boardwalks and natural trails at Brooker Creek Preserve. This will be a learning experience for everyone! Come prepared with your binoculars, cameras, and questions! Any questions your hike guide cannot answer will be researched in the resource room upon return to the Education Center. 9 to 10:30 a.m. Free; advance registration required. Brooker Creek Preserve. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

July 27
Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project–at County Extension: Learn how much energy is wasted in the home every day, around the clock. Participants receive free equipment and materials to help cut energy costs, and save money each month. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free; advance registration. Pinellas County Extension. http://peep2013ext.eventbrite.com/

July 27
Wildflower Garden Club: Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve to get gardening hands dirty in the preserve’s wildflower garden. Bring garden gloves and hat. Morning snacks are usually provided. Free; advance registration required. 8 to 10 a.m. Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center. http://brookercreekpreserve.eventbrite.com/

Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion or national origin.