ABOUT US

Organization to support Master Naturalists in Pinellas and Florida

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The Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists: 

  • We celebrate Florida’s breath-taking ecology up close and personal
  • We live by the credo of leave nothing behind but footprints, take nothing but memories
  • We share our passion for Florida and all things living through public outreach programs and field trips
  • We fight for and spread the word about Florida’s environmental issues
  • We network with and support other like-minded groups
  • We evangelize best environmental and sustainable practices
  • We give back through volunteering and offering scholarships for Florida Master Naturalist classes

Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit environmental organization supporting the mission and goals of the UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP). The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida’s natural world among Florida’s citizens and visitors. The University of Florida’s adult education, statewide program offers environmental education through three, 40-hour Florida ecosystem Core Modules and four 24-hour Special Topics Courses created for anyone interested in learning more about Florida.

We offer nature-related quarterly programs for adults and families, field trips for members and guests, and support FMNP by educating potential students about the upcoming classes at environmental booth events and festivals throughout the year.


The Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists have proudly partnered with the city of Clearwater to support the Pollinator Power Initiative. In this partnership, The Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists are sharing Fun Facts about pollinators at community events and we are promoting Florida native flowering plants as host and larval plants through UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program courses and events. 

SAVE THE DATE!

March 1st - Annual Membership meeting at Folly Farms in Safety Harbor from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

Events

Events in February 2026

  • Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch

    Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch

    All day
    February 24, 2026

    Our field trip there on February 24 will be a Florida Master Naturalist’s Dream Day. Archbold Biological Station is a world-class natural laboratory situated on the Lake Wales Ridge at the headwaters of the Everglades. Researchers there have been studying and protecting ecosystems located nowhere else on Earth for 85 years. Archbold’s working cattle ranch, Buck Island Ranch, covers 10,500 acres. It underscores the station’s science and conservation mission of studying working lands in conjunction with the environments they’re located in.

    Our field day offers a unique opportunity to tour the Lake Wales Ridge with educators and scientists who are working to safeguard the life, lands, and water of Florida and beyond.

    What to Expect

    Participants will arrive at Archbold by 8:45AM. Our morning will begin with two special guided tours of Buck Island Ranch and the Archbold Station. We will split into two groups. Buck Island Ranch can take up to 15 people for a buggy tour with a resident scientist. Up to 10 people can join Education Director Dustin Angell for a tour of Archbold Biological Station.

    After the morning tours, we’ll regroup and enjoy a sack lunch outdoors at a beautiful location on the property.

    In the afternoon, we will all be together at Archbold to enjoy a VIP Speaker Series featuring resident scientists who will bring their research projects to life for us. We’ll hear from Plant Ecologist Aaron David and Florida Scrub Jay researcher Tori Bakley. The speaker program will conclude around 3-4PM, leaving an hour or so for participants to explore the Nature Center and trails if they so choose.

    Option to Arrive the Day Before

    There may be accommodations available to us on site at Archbold Station. Further details will be provided to registrants who indicate an interest on the registration form. There are also hotels and restaurants in Lake Placid, about 8 miles away.

    The Nature Center and trails at Archbold are open from 9AM-5PM Monday through Friday.

    Cost

    $40 per person. Half of our proceeds will be donated to the Archbold Biological Station.

    Trip Capacity

    We have space for 25 participants. This event is limited to Friends of Florida Master Naturalists members, who can each bring one additional guest.

    Read more

Events

Latest News Releases

PADDLING THE HILLSBOROUGH RIVER

Seven Friends enjoyed a leisurely autumn paddle on the Hillsborough River a couple weeks ago. They launched from Sargeant Park, paddled upstream for a couple miles into the newly cleared Seventeen Runs area before floating with the current back to the launch. The five-mile journey revealed egrets, herons, ibises, and kingfishers above and alligators, gar, and (unfortunately invasive) sailfin catfish below. Swamp lilies, pickerelweed, and water hyacinth were blooming and attracting hundreds of swallowtail butterflies. A magical morning with delightful paddlers! read more

A Honeymoon Island State Park Adventure to Remember

Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists Members Stroll the Osprey Trail with Dan Larremore By Joan Landis It was as close to a perfect day as anyone could have wished for at Honeymoon Island State Park last Sunday on the Osprey Trail.  Filling the time as our Friends of PMN Member’s Only group was assembling at the trailhead, our leader, Dan Larremore, started sharing stories about his adventures as Park Biologist, Ranger, and all-around steward, conservationist and really cool guy. Dan read more

Tampa History Museum Tour

What an interesting time we had at the recent tour of the Tampa  History Museum! We Met inside at the Visitor Services Desk and we Enjoyed a 90 minute guided tour. After the tour some folks explored the Touchton Map Library cartographic research center in the THC, dined at the Columbia Café, visited the museum store, and took a stroll on Riverwalk. This museum is a wonderful gem. For more upcoming field trips and lectures, please check out the Calendar read more

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