Calendar / Classes Upcoming In-Person Classes and WebinarsUpcoming programs listed below are hosted by the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center and are funded by the Friends of Weedon Island.
Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m.Archaeology Lecture: Discoveries from the Garrison Due to weather and tidal conditions, this presentation will now take place via Zoom. Please register for the webinar The Garrison Neighborhood, established in 1896, was the first Black-owned neighborhood in Tampa. Until the 1940s the neighborhood flourished with Black-owned businesses, schools, and churches. Despite this, few mentions of the neighborhood exist in archaeological reports of the area. Downtown Tampa’s archaeological requirements prioritizes the National Register eligible Fort Brooke site, leaving this unique Black neighborhood underutilized in the study of Tampa’s diverse early pioneers. Since 2016 Stantec has been excavating portions of the Garrison, including the Caesar Street School, an African Methodist Episcopal Church, storefronts, and numerous residences. Through the artifact assemblages of these sites a greater understanding can be gleaned of life in this important Tampa neighborhood.
Thursday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m.Backyard Habitat for Birds (webinar) What’s better than bird watching in your own backyard? Join James Stevenson of Brooker Creek Preserve to find out how you can attract birds to your yard and provide them with additional habitat. Register today
Friday, April 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Tot Time Families of pre-school aged children are invited to explore the wonders of the Weedon Island Preserve! Each week's class will have a different theme featuring Florida-specific fauna or history. Families will be treated to rhymes, stories, songs, crafts, and seasonal outdoor activities that connect them to our natural world. Register today
Saturday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m.What’s Quacking? Ducks! (webinar) Florida, especially the vibrant Tampa Bay area, is a haven for a variety of duck species that play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of our beloved Sunshine State. From the comical Ruddy Duck to the elegant Wood Duck, our wetlands host a diverse array of these water-loving birds year-round or seasonally. As some ducks’ migratory travels are immense, species like the Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler turn our wetlands into their temporary seasonal homes before reversing their pathway to repeat their arduous journey north. Learn about the incredible feats of endurance these birds display during their cross-continental journeys and witness the spectacular migrations required for survival. Register today
Saturday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m.Sharks Unknown: Beyond Jaws Come explore the wonderful world of sharks with M.I.S.S (Minorities in Shark Sciences) to learn about the wide diversity of sharks and the scientists who study them. You’ll also learn how you can get involved in protecting and studying these amazing creatures. Register today
Friday, April 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Watercolor Art Class | St. Pete Pelican Create your own pelican from scratch with us at Weedon Island Preserve and learn how to paint your own colorful pelican with watercolors. We provide you with all the materials for the class and artist, Kelly Quinn, will share her tips and techniques to guide you step-by-step through drawing and then painting your pelican. We also offer stencils for those who would rather focus on the watercolor aspect only. Tickets are $48/person, with only 30 spots available. Register today
Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m.Getting Outdoors for All Abilities (webinar) Venturing into nature can be a lifelong passion, it can be a newfound aspiration, or it can be a much-needed activity to declutter your mind of life’s deadlines, stressors, and pressures. As we venture into nature, our goal is the experience. We all have limitations in some shape or form; some may be more obvious than others. However, the stories you tell, the photos you share, or the memories etched in your mind are unhindered by those limitations. Join us for a talk with wildlife biologist Jeanne Murphy as she helps you focus on your outdoor experience with suggestions about how to find accessible locations for you and your loved ones and ways to make each outdoor experience positive for everyone. Register today
Friday, May 3 & 17 at 10:30 a.m.Tot Time Families of pre-school aged children are invited to explore the wonders of the Weedon Island Preserve! Each week's class will have a different theme featuring Florida-specific fauna or history. Families will be treated to rhymes, stories, songs, crafts, and seasonal outdoor activities that connect them to our natural world. Register today
Friday, May 3 at 1:00 p.mVolunteer Archaeology Lab Learn how artifacts and other archaeological material get processed for study in this volunteer lab that is led by professional archaeologists with the West Central chapter of the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Participants will help sort through, clean, and identify artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites so they can be used by researchers to learn about the past.
Saturday, May 18 at 10:00 a.m.Ethical Angling (webinar) Join us for a talk with Senior Ecologist Brian Lane for an enlightening session on ethical angling and fishery conservation in the vibrant coastal waters of Florida. He is excited to share his expertise with those eager to embark on this important pursuit or enhance their existing skills while prioritizing the preservation of our marine ecosystems. Register today
Thursday, May 30 at 2:00 p.m.The Great White Shark: Our Salty Neighbor (webinar) Discover the fascinating world of Great White Sharks in Florida! These apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Did you know that Great White Sharks are protected by law and listed as a vulnerable species? Join us for a talk with Senior Ecologist Brian Lane as he helps spread awareness about Great White Shark conservation and shares how we can help protect these magnificent creatures. Register today
Saturday, June 8 at 1:00 p.m.Volunteer Archaeology Lab Learn how artifacts and other archaeological material get processed for study in this volunteer lab that is led by professional archaeologists with the West Central chapter of the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Participants will help sort through, clean, and identify artifacts and other material from real archaeological sites so they can be used by researchers to learn about the past. NOTE: This event is best suited for adults, it is not suited for children under 8; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is limited. Register today
Saturday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m.Rhythms of Nature: Summer and Fall (webinar) Summer and Fall are important times for Florida wildlife’s natural rhythms. With the changing of the seasons, summer marks “baby season” for many animals while fall often means visitors migrate to or through our state. From Black Skimmers to Florida Manatees and from sea turtles to cicadas – there is so much diversity in Florida's natural world that we can enjoy in every season, especially during summer and fall. Join us for a talk with Wildlife Biologist Jeanne Murphy while she shares about the important ebb and flow of our summer and fall seasons, what they mean to Florida wildlife, and why we should appreciate our amazing wildlife species while taking action to protect them! Register today
Thursday, June 20 at 2:00 p.m.Pinellas’ Native Orchids (webinar) Did you know we have 19 native orchids here in Pinellas County? Learn the life history, biology and ecology of some of these special wildflowers from botany specialist, James Stevenson. This webinar is recommended for adults and youth over 12. Register today
Pinellas County Extension is proud to offer a variety of educational and interpretive programs for the public at the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center. The goal of these programs is to empower citizens to make informed decisions about natural and cultural resources.
Pinellas County Extension also coordinates programs and classes for other educational facilities and partners giving programs at Weedon Island Preserve. For more information, please call (727) 453-6500.
Review the Calendar of Programs & Classes for actual dates and times of available programs.
For more things to do, check out the Annual Events page as well as the Upcoming In-Person Classes and Webinars listed above.
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