Category: Event

Members of Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists joined the Tampa Bay Watch Sandbar Snorkeling Excursion on June 27, 2026. We boarded our boat from the marina slip near the St. Petersburg Pier. After a short ride over shimmering calm water, we stopped by a sandbar east of south St. Petersburg. We could see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance. The crew anchored in the sand, carefully avoiding the seagrass beds. Snorkeling flags were set out marking the area we were allowed to use. A double-crested cormorant dove by our boat and caught several fish. We were able to use a ladder to enter the waist deep water. With our dip nets we were able to observe spider crabs, shrimp, pipefish, hermit crabs, sponges, whelk egg cases, fish, sand dollars and seagrasses such as shoal grass and turtle grass.  The Marine Science educators collected some of these in handheld tanks to share with us on board. After we boarded the boat for our return trip, a bonnet shark joined us.  On our return trip we passed by shoals of schooling fish and reflections of towering clouds. The beautiful St. Peterburg skyline rose before us as we prepared to dock.  Please support the Tampa Bay Watch mission of fostering a healthy Tampa Bay watershed through community-driven restoration projects, education programs and outreach initiatives.

FMNP Graduates and Instructors, 

 Please join us in south Pinellas County on March 3, 2018 from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM for interesting indoor presentations, updates about the FMNP including the newest module Coastal Shoreline Restoration, outdoor field experiences, and connection opportunities with other FMNP grads and instructors.

 RSVP required – Register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-master-naturalist-program-workshop-central-west-region-tickets-42366425118

• Guests: 1 guest per FMNP graduate or instructor

• • Friends of PMN members – if you are not a FMNP grad and don’t know one going to be their guest, please email Jeanne Murphy and she will connect you with a graduate who is going and you can be their guest.
  • Not a Friends of PMN member either? Join today!
• Wear: closed-toe shoes comfortable for walking on uneven sandy areas; breathable layered ‘field clothes’ (long pants and sleeves for sun protection)
• Bring: sack lunch, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, jacket or sweatshirt because it is usually cold inside auditorium
• Optional Items to Bring: binoculars, notepaper and pen, camera, dry bag in case of rain, wet shoes if you want to wade in the water during beach exploration field experience
• Questions? Email UF FMNP Pinellas Lead Instructor Jeanne Murphy, jmurphy@sensingnature.com

 Morning Workshop:

At Weedon Island Preserve, 1800 Weedon Dr., St. Petersburg, FL

Speaker Presentations, FMNP Updates

“Sea Level Rise in Florida: News from Our Natural Areas” by Dr. Tonya Clayton

The sea is rising, and the signs are all around us. Today’s headlines come from our flooded city streets, but Florida’s native plants were among the first to tell this tale — quietly, many decades ago. In this illustrated armchair stroll across the state, we’ll look at some of those early hints and we’ll explore what’s happening today. How do we know the sea is rising, what’s the big deal, and how can we help? Along the way, we’ll visit some of Florida’s most iconic natural communities.

Tonya Clayton, PhD, is a contributing author of Sea Level Rise in Florida (University Press of Florida) and the author of How to Read a Florida Gulf Coast Beach (University of North Carolina Press). She is also an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, and a graduate of the Florida Master Naturalist Program and the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute.

 Lunch:

Bring a sack lunch and enjoy opportunities to network with regional naturalists and explore the Weedon Island Nature Center and boardwalks (self-guided).

Afternoon Field Trip Experience:

At Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, FL  33715

$5 park entrance fee per vehicle – carpooling suggested

Following our morning presentations, we will be enjoying rotating guided field experiences at Fort De Soto Park, a worldwide birding and historic destination. Field experience topics include sea level rise and its impacts on beach ecology, plus loving our beach wrack line and wildlife viewing. The workshop will conclude at Fort De Soto Park.

Two Groups Coming Together for a Fun Day of Learning!

Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists

and UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension Master Gardeners

Helping Nature Grow in Our Urban Environment

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2018

Time: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Location: Moccasin Lake Nature Park

2750 Park Trail Lane
Clearwater, FL 33759-2602

Invite more local wildlife into your backyard with tips from Urban Horticulture Extension Agent Theresa Badurek. Learn what animals want and need to thrive in your garden, yard, and neighborhood, plus how to provide plants in a beautiful way.

10:30 – 10:40  Welcome and Announcements

10:40 – 11:30  “Backyard Landscaping” Program

Theresa Badurek, UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension Urban Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator

11:30 – 12:00  MLNP’s Live Birds of Prey – Help birds of prey survive our urban communities, Jeanne Murphy, UF FMNP Instructor, Wildlife Biologist

12:00 – 12:30  Optional – Bring your sack lunch to enjoy while visiting with other participants

12:30 – 1:30    Optional – Easy guided stroll on Moccasin Lake Park’s dirt trails and raised bridges. Approx. ¾ mile walk roundtrip to lake and back to building.

• Who Can Attend? Program is for all Florida Master Naturalist graduates, Master Gardeners and their guests.
• RSVPs Requested – Email Jeanne Murphy at jmurphy@sensingnature.com that you are coming and the # in your party.
• Questions? Contact Jeanne Murphy at 727-327-1345.

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FPMN Field Trip Saturday, January 13, 2018

Crystal River Pontoon Boat Trip

 

Join other FPMN members on a Manatee  & Nature Viewing Pontoon boat tour of Kings Bay and the Crystal River. There will be two trips, one in the morning starting at 8:30 AM and an afternoon trip at 1:00 PM. Each trip will last about 3 ½ hours. Manatees will be plentiful as they congregate in the warmer spring fed waters of Kings Bay. We may also be able to view other wildlife such as bald eagles, white pelicans, dolphins and alligators.

 Due to limited space (8 each trip), Friends of PMN members only.

For those who wish to make a full day of it, there are several other attractions in the area such as:

Crystal River Archaeological Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/crystalriverarchaeological/

A land trip to Three Sisters Springs

http://www.threesistersspringsvisitor.org/page/home

or

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park http://www.homosassasprings.org/Homosassa.cfm

 

Bring or get lunch at one of the many local eateries.  

Please RSVP by January 7^th to Charles Franckle at cfranckle@gmail.com

Please indicate whether you prefer morning, afternoon or are flexible as to time.

Bring water and be dressed for the weather. It can be cooler on the water and have rain gear if it looks like wet weather. Unless there is lightening, the trip will proceed.