June 2010
Saturday Guided Hike
Saturday, June 5, 2010 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Saturday, June 12, 2010 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Saturday, June 19, 2010 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Saturday, June 26, 2010 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Education Services Volunteers, Environmental Lands Division
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held each Saturday of the month. Join us to learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Be sure to bring water and a snack. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. Please register by 2:00 pm on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice. Free. All ages welcome - children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging.
Native Plant and Coastal Habitat Walk
Saturday, June 5, 2010 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Anne Schmidt, Botanist, GPI Southeast, Inc., Tampa, FL
Join botanist Anne Schmidt while we explore Weedon Island Preserve and discover the native plants in the different ecosystems of this coastal terrain. From the mangrove forests to the pine/scrubby flatwoods, this is a great walk for naturalists and those interested in Florida ecosystems. A hat, water and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Pre-registration is required for this free event. Recommended ages: best for adults.
Wee-time at Weedon: The Grouchy Ladybug
Thursday, June 10, 2010 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Education Services Volunteers, Environmental Lands Division
This program is designed to introduce pre-school children to the wonders of the natural and cultural world. 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 book presents The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. This book presents the flight of one very grouchy ladybug and her many encounters during a day’s journey. Pre-registration is required for this free event. Recommended ages: 3 - 5.
The Great Weedon Bird Quest
Friday, June 11, 2010 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Education Services Volunteers, Environmental Lands Division
Join us on a quest to find Weedon Island Preserve birds! Learn the identifying marks and behaviors of our feathered year-round residents and seasonal visitors while helping us compile an annual checklist of the Preserve’s birds. These hikes are designed to take advantage of all levels of birding experience. Binoculars and bird guides are available. Hikes are scheduled for the second Friday of each month. Please join us for a relaxing morning outing led by experienced birders. Pre-registration is required for this free event. Recommended for adults.
Discover Our Classroom - Nature and Culture with Your Child
Saturday, June 12, 2010 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Education Services Volunteers, Environmental Lands Division
Discover nature and culture with your child during an open classroom session with archaeological activities. Explore materials from a real archaeology dig in a “sifting through the past” activity. Hands-on aboriginal tools teach techniques of the ancient people of this region. Stop by our classroom anytime between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to participate in a variety of self-guided activities that will intrigue your child about past cultures. No registration required. Free. Recommended for families.
Archaeology Scout Day at Weedon
Saturday, June 19, 2010 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society
Join us for a hands-on opportunity to earn the Scout Archaeology Merit Badge through this archaeology workshop at Weedon Island Preserve. This morning workshop, presented by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society, is packed full of activities to satisfy most of the merit badge requirements. Activities include “sifting through the past,” exploring a modern trash heap, creating pottery, and learning about area archaeological sites. Call us for more information and to register. Cost per participant for the workshop is $15. Intended for Scouts.
Wee-time at Weedon: Busy Buzzers: Bees in Your Backyard
Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Education Services Volunteers, Environmental Lands Division
This program is designed to introduce pre-school children to the wonders of the natural and cultural world. 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 week presents Busy Buzzers: Bees in Your Backyard by Nancy Loewen. This story tells of the many types of busy bees, their importance to our ecosystems, and the different types of honey they make. Space is limited, so pre-register early for this free program. Recommended ages: 3 - 5.
Photography Hike
Saturday, June 26, 2010 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Education Services Volunteers, Environmental Lands Division
This program provides great opportunities for photographers of all levels to hone their skills. After a brief classroom session, participants hike the Preserve in search of that perfect shot. Center volunteers highlight seasonal features of the Preserve, as well as specific wildlife behaviors that help participants capture the natural beauty of Weedon Island Preserve. Pre-registration is required. Free. Recommended for adults.
Animal Adaptive Advantage
Saturday, June 26, 2010 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Florida Aquarium, St. Petersburg, FL
What’s the advantage to having special adaptations? Find out as youngsters compete with animals to learn why they are the way they are. Get to know some of the most interesting LIVE animals during this educational, interactive and fun experience about adaptations presented by the Florida Aquarium’s Water Wheels Program. Pre-registration is required. Free. Recommended ages: 4 – 11.
Artist Exhibition - "Unexpected Visions"
Mic Knight, Artist, Largo, FL
Enjoy Largo artist Mic Knight’s “pastel studies” demonstrating unexpected realities contained in landscapes at the micro and macro visual levels. Knight utilizes techniques from his academic, intuitive, and “common intellectual sense” visual arts background to capture fleeting pastel images of landscapes. Visitors may view this free exhibit during normal Center hours through July 31, 2010.
Summer Camps at Weedon Island Preserve
Check out our summer camp line-up at Weedon Island Preserve. Spaces are still available for July and August camps.
Monday - Friday Half-Day, Self-guided Tours
Launch Times: 11:30 am or 1:00 pm
Sweetwater Kayaks offers half-day (4-hour long) self-guided
tours Monday through Friday. Reservations for the 11:30 am
or 1:00 pm launch times are recommended. Please arrive at Sweetwater
Kayaks 30 minutes before your reservation. Once payment and
paperwork is complete, follow our staff to the Preserve and
park your car in the main parking lot. Call Sweetwater Kayaks
at (727) 570-4844 to reserve your kayak.
Single Half-day Fee: $40
Double Half-day Fee: $56
Saturday and Sunday Half-Day, Self-guided Tours
Launch Times: 9:00 am or 12:30 pm
On weekends, Sweetwater Kayaks' self-guided, half-day tours
are 3.5-hours long and launch at 11:30 am or 1:00 pm. Reservations
are recommended. Meet us at Weedon Island Preserve at least
15 minutes before your reservation. Please park in the main
parking lot. Call Sweetwater Kayaks at (727) 570-4844 to reserve
your kayak.
Single Half-day Fee: $40
Double Half-day Fee: $56
Daily Rentals
Launch Anytime: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Are you dealing with a busy schedule and only have time for
a short paddle around Riviera Bay? Perhaps our hourly rentals
are the best fit. Every weekend, kayaks and canoes are onsite
at the Preserve for rental by the hour. To arrange a drop off
during the week, call Sweetwater Kayaks at (727) 570-4844.
Single Hourly Fee: $17
Double Hourly Fee: $25 |
