March Forward with Extension Classes!

Check out all the classes offered this March!  Just click on the title to register.


March@Extension
12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo FL 33774
www.pinellascountyextension.org

March 3

Rain Harvesting Workshop:  9:00-10:30
By attending this workshop you will learn how to save that water in a recycled plastic barrel for later use. All attendees will receive set-up instructions and a reference booklet. If you would like a rain barrel for your household you may purchase up to two per person when you register for this class.  Location:  Pinellas County Extension

March 6, 20

Florida-Friendly Garden Tours at Florida Botanical Gardens: 9:00-10:30am
Enjoy a stroll through our garden of Florida native and Florida-Friendly plants.  Learn how you can incorporate some of these plants in your home landscape.  Observe how the same plants can survive under different light and water conditions.   Tours are limited to groups of 4-10 people.  Recommended for adults.  Free, advance registration required.


March 8
"Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ around Ponds" presented by Master Gardeners, Palm Harbor Library:  2:00-3:30pm and 6:15-7:45pm
Learn about some simple steps everybody can take to keep ponds and lakes “healthy”.  We will also cover plant selection and design ideas that can once implemented, lead to attractive and beautiful ponds in our communities.  Location:  Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor, FL 34683 


March 13
Kill-a-Watt (TM) Campaign; Dunedin Public Library:  7:00- 8:00pm  Check your local library for Kill-a-Watt monitors that you may borrow to evaluate your home.  Classes are held at libraries throughout the county where these devices are available to be checked-out. Location:  Dunedin Public Library, 223 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, FL 34698  Free.  Registration is required


March 15, 29
Herb and Tropical Fruit Garden Tours at Florida Botanical Gardens:  9:00-10:30am
Explore the Herb, Tropical Fruit Gardens and Florida-Friendly Landscape Plants here at the Florida Botanical Gardens.  Tours are limited to groups of 4-10 people.  Recommended for adults.  Free, advance registration required.


March 31
Kill-a-Watt (TM) Campaign; Clearwater East BranchLibrary:  1:30- 2:30pm.  Check your local library for Kill-a-Watt monitors that you may borrow to evaluate your home.  Classes are held at libraries throughout the county where these devices are available to be checked-out. Clearwater East Branch Library, 2251 Drew Street, Clearwater. Free.  Registration is required


March@Brooker Creek
3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs 
www.brookercreekpreserve.org


March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Book Time @ Brooker: 10:30-11:15am 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. Free; advance registration required. 


March 3, 24
Brooker Creek Guided Hike: 9:00-10:30am See how the land has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Wear closed-toe shoes; bring water and a hat. Best for ages 6 and older. Free; advance registration required. 


March 3
Pre-historic Florida (Wild Florida Series - Program 3):  10:00-noon  Journey back into Florida's past when the saber cat, giant sloth, mammoth, giant tortoise and bison roamed the Sunshine State. Join Sensing Nature for this 3-part Brooker Creek Preserve Wild Florida series. Free; advance registration required 


March 10
Birds of Brooker Creek: 8:00-10:30am   Join us for a Beginning Bird Hike to learn how to identify common birds as we meander along a one-mile trail.  Bring water and binoculars if you have them. Free; advance registration required. 


March 10
Prevent Forest Fires with Smokey the Bear:  10:00-11:00am  Meet Smokey the Bear and his friends from the Division of Forestry as they talk about wildfires in Florida and the effects of these fires to local ecosystems and the wildland urban interface (WUI). Free but advance registration required.  For more information please contact (727) 453-6800


March 10
Discover Wildlife with Children: Stop by the classroom anytime between noon and 3 p.m. to participate in a variety of self-guided nature games and activities. A Brooker Creek Education Center volunteer will be available to answer questions. Free; advance registration required 


March 17
Native Plants of Brooker Creek Hike: 9:00-10:30am. Join us on a special hike led by the Brooker Creek hike guides to learn about the diverse native plant life found in the preserve and the natural communities they inhabit. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and a hat. Best for ages 6 and up. Free; advance registration required. 


March 17
 “Beyond Birding©” (Birds of Brooker Creek - Program 1):  10:00-noon.  Join Sensing Nature for this 3-part Birds of Brooker Creek series. Free, advance registration requested.  


March 31
Owl Cast Cafe (Birds of Brooker Creek Preserve - Program 2):  10:00-noon  From small screech owls to large horned owls, learn from a Sensing Nature biologist how these stealth hunters benefit both nature and us through their chosen diets. Join Sensing Nature for this 3-part Birds of Brooker Creek series. Free; advance registration requested


March@Weedon Island
1800 Weedon Drive, N.E., St. Petersburg
www.weedonislandpreserve.org


March 1- March 31
Discovery Reef Exhibit – Special Traveling Exhibit: For a limited engagement at Weedon Island, the Mote Marine Traveling Interactive Exhibit, Discovery Reef, promotes understanding of Florida’s coastal and marine environments. Visitors will discover amazing life forms, survival strategies and relationships on Coral Reefs, and their crucial role in the ocean food web. Exhibit available, Thursday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No registration required. 


March 1
Salty Topics: Underwater Soundscapes of Coastal Florida: 6:45-8pm  Biological sources of sound production range from invertebrates to mammals, but the most prolific source is associated with courtship and spawning behaviors of fishes. Explore this topic with James Locascio who is currently a post-doctoral scholar at Mote Marine Laboratory. Free; advanced registration required.


March 3
Weedon Island History Hike: 9:00-10:30am Learn about early native peoples of Weedon Island and the colorful past of the 1920s. Hike past remnants of the Grand Central Airport and on the History Trail.  Be sure to bring water and a snack. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended.  All ages welcome - children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging.  Free; advanced registration required. 


March 3
Celebrate Coastal Archaeology Tour:  11:00am and 2:00pm  Weedon Island Preserve is a significant archaeological heritage site on Florida's Gulf Coast. Join a Coastal Archaeology Tour of an archaeological excavation being conducted on-site at the Preserve. Morning and afternoon tours are free, but advance registration required. Each tour will take about 1 hour, wear sturdy walking shoes. 


March 8, 22
Wee-Time @ Weedon: 10:30-11:15am  Children ages 3 to 5 This program is designed to introduce pre-school children to the wonders of the natural and cultural world.   March 8 - "The Grouchy Ladybug" by Eric Carle.  March 22 "Busy Buzzers: Bees in Your Backyard" by Nancy Lowen. Free; advanced registration required. 


March 9
Great Weedon Bird Quest: 8:00-10:00am  Learn to identify marks and behaviors of birds by taking advantage of this guided hike. Binoculars available. Free; advance registration required. 


March 10, 17, 24, 31
Weedon Island Guided Hike: 9:00-11:00am   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. Free; advance registration required. 


March 10
The Feathers of Florida - Past, Present and Future (Birds of Weedon Island Series - Program 3):  2:00-4:00pm From the plume trade to future trends, learn how Florida’s coastal birds have shaped our country’s conservation successes. After the indoor presentation, participants will experience Florida’s natural wonders on a nature walk.   Adults and families welcome. Limited space. No dogs, and please wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing. Meet at Classroom.  Free; advanced registration required. 


March 15
Archaeology Lecture Series - Some Recent Surveys and Archaeology in the Galilee of Israel:  7:00-8:00pm  Recently Israeli archaeologists have been digging two ancient synagogues in the Galilee that have yielded their own surprises. Dr. James Strange presents new information about the Galilee of the Roman period with details of the local and regional trade routes.  Free, advance registration requested. 


March 17
Weedon Island - Restoring Nature's Balance© (3-part Weedon Island Series - "Guiding Nature - Mitigation, Restoration and Enhancement"):   2:00-4:00pm  Learn some of the important aspects about land management and improvement tools such as prescribed fire and how they are vital to our natural areas. This program includes a habitat hike of restoration in action!  Join Sensing Nature for this 3-part Weedon Island Restoring Nature's Balance series. Participants attending all three programs will receive a Florida restoration information packet. Adults and families welcome. Limited space. No dogs, and please wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing. Meet at Classroom.  Free, advance registration requested. 


March 24
Photography Wildflower Hike: 8:00-10:00am   This hike is the perfect opportunity for adult photographers to hone their skills. After a brief classroom session highlighting wildflower photography, guides will assist participants in capturing the natural beauty in photos. Free; advance registration required. 


March 31
Weedon Island: Restoring Nature’s Balance©, 3-part Series ("Wildlife Sentinels" Weedon Island Series - Program 2):  2:00-4:00pm  Learn success stories about protecting our important Florida wildlife including the bald eagle, Florida black bear, gopher tortoise, Florida panther and others. Learn how we are helping these species, ways we still need to improve their protection, notice others that may need our help and discover ways to take action. After the indoor presentation, participants will experience Florida’s natural wonders on a nature walk.  Join Sensing Nature for this 3-part Weedon Island Restoring Nature's Balance series. Attend one, two or all three programs. Participants attending all three programs will receive a Florida restoration information packet. Adults and families welcome. Limited space. No dogs, and please wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing. Meet at Classroom.  Free, advance registration requested.