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EcoEvents: Outdoor Education Programs & Events Calendar

All of our public events are open to individuals and their family members. For large groups, we ask that each family register individually. If you have a school, camp, club, or other group that would like to participate in a program, please contact [email protected] to set up a private program.

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April 2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

Download a printable version of the April Calendar of Events  

Wednesday, Apr 17th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Trail Trimming and Cleanup – Come lend a hand and help us clean up the trails at the secluded Moody Branch Preserve! We will be clearing the trails of fallen and overgrown branches and debris. Program suitable for volunteers 10 years and older. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided, including materials, tools, and gloves. Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the outdoors. Car-pooling may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, leaving Robinson Preserve at 7:30 AM. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/trail-cleanup-at-moody-branch-preserve. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 748-4501 ext. 6035. Moody Branch Preserve

Thursday, Apr 18th, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Seashell Shore Walk – Calling all beachcombers and seashell enthusiasts! Join us for a relaxing walk on the beach to search for seashells and learn to identify them. This program will explore what makes mollusks unique and bring you up to speed on the latest research in malacology. Learn about ethical seashell collecting methods while discovering a new appreciation for our beautiful shorelines. Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/seashell-shore-walk. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 748-4501 ext. 6036. Coquina Beach South – Longboat Key Bridge

Thursday, Apr 18th, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – TreeTots: Respecting the Reptile – Lizards, alligators, and turtles are all members of this scaley family. Come discover the amazing and wild reptiles that call Florida Home and come nose to nose with one of our reptilian friends. TreeTots is an interactive program that uses song, action, and play to encourage the youngest family members to explore nature. Program suitable for children ages 2-year-old and younger. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/treetots-respecting-reptiles. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST

Thursday, Apr 18th, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Homeschool Science Club: Tall Tall Trees – Trees provide many services for people such as providing oxygen and even paper! But did you know, trees can also tell time? Take a closer look at the rings of a tree and how they help tell time and past climate changes. Explore the preserve looking for unique tree species. Program recommended for students ages 7-13. Homeschool Science Club explores scientific and natural concepts through games, crafts, and activities encouraging students to be active outdoors. Guardians are responsible for identifying the learning maturity of their child. Please note the location of this session. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/homeschool-science-club-rye. For more information please contact [email protected]. Rye Preserve – Pavilion

Friday, Apr 19th, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Homeschool Science Club: Tall Tall Trees – Trees provide many services for people such as providing oxygen and even paper! But did you know, trees can also tell time? Take a closer look at the rings of a tree and how they help tell time and past climate changes. Explore the preserve looking for unique tree species. Program recommended for students ages 7-13. Homeschool Science Club explores scientific and natural concepts through games, crafts, and activities encouraging students to be active outdoors. Guardians are responsible for identifying the learning maturity of their child. Please note the location of this session. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/homeschool-science-club-emerson. For more information please contact [email protected]. Emerson Point Preserve – Nature Classroom

Saturday, Apr 20th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Saturday Mornings at the NEST – Join us at the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science, and Technology for a morning of discovery. Walk the grounds of the historic Reasoner Tract and observe botanical giants collected from around the world. Explore the canopy boardwalk among the banyans, climb to the top of the crow’s nest, take in breathtaking panoramic views, and make an exciting exit from the building via slide. Learn about upcoming programs and exciting new additions to Robinson Preserve. Program suitable for all ages. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST

Saturday, Apr 20th, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Oscar Scherer 35th Annual Earth Day Festival – The Friends of Oscar Scherer present the 35th Annual Earth Day Festival. This years theme "Planet vs. Plastics". A free event with live music, guided hikes, tram tours (fee associated), kids coloring contest, plenty of kids activities, yoga classes, fun environmental booths and exhibitors. The photo contest will be on display, be sure to vote for your favorite photo for "People's Choice". Event suitable for all ages. Coloring Contest winner will be displayed on next year's Earth Day flyer. Oscar Scherer State Park

Saturday, Apr 20th, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Braden River Library Earth Day Celebration – Join us and fellow community partners for an Earth Day Celebration at the Braden River Library! Come visit our Sensory Garden and meet local groups that help keep our environment happy: crafts, activities, talk to a master gardener, plant a seed. Event suitable for all ages. Braden River Branch Library

Saturday, Apr 20th, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Homeschool STEAM FEST – Nature + Tech = Fun! Unleash your inner inventor at our FREE Homeschool STEAM Fest! Code robots, craft with slime, explore circuits & more! Ra es, prizes & hands-on learning for all ages! Don't miss out! Event suitable for all ages. All are welcome to this FREE event. Bilingual English | Spanish Registration is encouraged. To register please visit https://forms.gle/hTnmY81NL2jqZ29v8. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST

Sunday, Apr 21st, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Homeschool STEAM FEST – Nature + Tech = Fun! Unleash your inner inventor at our FREE Homeschool STEAM Fest! Code robots, craft with slime, explore circuits & more! Ra es, prizes & hands-on learning for all ages! Don't miss out! Event suitable for all ages. All are welcome to this FREE event. Bilingual English | Spanish Registration is encouraged. To register please visit https://forms.gle/hTnmY81NL2jqZ29v8. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST

Monday, Apr 22nd, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Earth Day Shoreline Cleanup – Celebrate Earth Day by helping to reduce our human impact on the oceans and the environment! Prepare to get muddy at this low-tide opportunity to clean the mangrove shoreline of this beautiful Preserve! Program suitable for all ages. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Ice water and all other materials will be provided. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/emerson-earth-day-cleanup. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 748-4501 ext. 6035. Emerson Point Preserve – Pavilion #3

Tuesday, Apr 23rd, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Robinson Preserve Tram Tour – Immerse yourself in Robinson Preserve on our new electric tram tour. Join our knowledgeable guides to discover the history, wildlife, and ecosystems of this unique coastal gem. Gain a deeper understanding of this site's transformation from an empty farmland to a thriving nature preserve. Program suitable for all ages. A wheelchair ramp is available upon request, please make a note if you have a wheelchair user in your party when you reserve your tickets. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/robinson-preserve-tram-tours. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – North Entrance Trailhead

Wednesday, Apr 24th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Wildlife Spotlight: Seahorses and Pipefish – Let's discover a fascinating family of fish - the Sygnathids! Learn about the amazing adaptations and lifecycle of seahorses and pipefish and the conservation efforts put in place to protect them. We will also be dip netting to look for these unique creatures so we can explore them up close! Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/wildlife-spotlight-seahorses-and-pipefish. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 748-4501 ext. 6036. Emerson Point Preserve – The Point

Thursday, Apr 25th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Green Explorers: Chasing Gravity – “Sir Issac Newton once said, "What goes up must come down.” This renowned scientist was talking about gravity! From the ant to the elephant, gravity is a force of nature that affects every creature on Earth. Using hands-on discovery, and the participant's creativity, attendees will have a chance to play in nature. Green Explorers is a structured, highly social, and experience-based activity. Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/green-explorers-chasing-gravity. For more information please contact [email protected]. Neal Preserve

Friday, Apr 26th, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Nature Play Festival – Come play in nature!  Build forts, search for birds, meet our tortoise, learn to read a map, try guiding a remote operating vehicle underwater (ROV), and so much more. At Robinson Preserve NEST-  enjoy a fun evening for the whole family! Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by Soar in 4 and Remake Learning Days in partnership with Manatee County. Reservations not required but suggested. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/nature-play-fest. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – NEST

Saturday, Apr 27th, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM OR 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Robinson Preserve Tram Tour – Immerse yourself in Robinson Preserve on our new electric tram tour. Join our knowledgeable guides to discover the history, wildlife, and ecosystems of this unique coastal gem. Gain a deeper understanding of this site's transformation from an empty farmland to a thriving nature preserve. Program suitable for all ages. A wheelchair ramp is available upon request, please make a note if you have a wheelchair user in your party when you reserve your tickets. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/robinson-preserve-tram-tours. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – North Entrance Trailhead

Saturday, Apr 27th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – World Tai Chi Day – Join the World in practicing Tai Chi for a day of One World, One Breath. Come out and learn different forms of Tai Chi and try each one to enjoy benefits including stress reduction, lowering of blood pressure, and improvements in flexibility and balance. Visitors are invited to join instructors from the Manatee-Sarasota area who will share different forms of Tai Chi. Each instructor will provide a follow-along mini-class for you to try their style of Tai Chi or Qi Gong. These instructors are volunteering their time and talents to share their art with the community. Event is open to all ages and skill levels. Program sponsored by Cypress Pillar Healing Arts in partnership with Manatee County. Reservations are required. To register please contact https://events.humanitix.com/world-tai-chi-day. For more information please contact [email protected]. GT Bray – Amphitheater

Saturday, Apr 27th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Saturday Mornings at the NEST – Join us at the Mosaic Center for Nature, Exploration, Science, and Technology for a morning of discovery. Walk the grounds of the historic Reasoner Tract and observe botanical giants collected from around the world. Explore the canopy boardwalk among the banyans, climb to the top of the crow’s nest, take in breathtaking panoramic views, and make an exciting exit from the building via slide. Learn about upcoming programs and exciting new additions to Robinson Preserve. Program suitable for all ages. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST

Tuesday, Apr 30th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Plants & People: Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk at Neal Preserve – Did you know that the plants growing right outside your door can become a meal or medicine"? Our beautiful and wild home state of Florida provides an incredible array of plants that can help support our health and nourish us, something that the residents of the state have known since the most ancient of times. Join Melissa “Misha” Nell, Registered Herbalist (American Herbalists Guild), botanist, and Certified Interpretive Guide, and discover the lore of our local plants. Misha will take you on a casual trek through Conservatory Park, an oasis of nature in a very urban setting and teach you how to identify and become familiar with a variety of edible and medicinal plants. Program suitable for adults. Program sponsored by Cypress Pillar Healing Arts in partnership with Manatee County. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/plants-and-people-edible-and-medicinal-plant-walk-at-neal-preserve. For more information please contact [email protected]. Neal Preserve

Kayaking with Manatee County

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MANATEE COUNTY KAYAKS

In order to utilize one of Manatee County’s sit on top kayaks for a volunteer, Kayaking for Beginners, Kayaking for First Timers, or Beginner Level Kayak Trip, or to participate in any paddling program, participants:

  • Must be 16 years of age or older
  • Must not exceed the manufacturer’s weight limit for the vessel
  • Must have the ability to follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently while in the kayak
  • Must have the ability to respond to instructions and/or call out in the event of an emergency
  • Must have the ability to wear a properly fitted personal flotation device
  • Must have the ability to enter and exit the kayak independently or with the assistance of a companion
  • Must be able to move the kayak through the water independently in a stable manner and return it to the launching area
  • Must have the ability to breathe independently
  • Must have the ability to tolerate 60-80 degree Fahrenheit water and bright sunlight for 2 hours
  • Must have the ability to remain seated, maneuver, and balance independently while on the water

In order to utilize one of Manatee County’s sit on top kayaks for a summer camp program, participants:

  • Must be 9 years of age or older (note: age limit is lower as this program is specifically designed as a direct instructional for this age group; guide to paddler ratio is much lower)
  • Must not exceed the manufacturer’s weight limit for the vessel
  • Must have the ability to follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently while in the kayak
  • Must have the ability to respond to instructions and/or call out in the event of an emergency
  • Must have the ability to wear a properly fitted personal flotation device
  • Must have the ability to enter and exit the kayak independently or with the assistance of a companion
  • Must have the ability to breathe independently
  • Must be able to move the kayak through the water independently in a stable manner and return it to the launching area
  • Must have the ability to tolerate 60-80 degree Fahrenheit water and bright sunlight for 2 hours
  • Must have the ability to remain seated, maneuver, and balance independently while on the water

In the event of capsize for any program, one:

  • Must have the ability to get out from under the watercraft independently
  • Must have the ability to right oneself and remain face up in the water with the aid of a personal flotation device