February 2022 Calendar at a Glance - Manatee County
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Eco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
February 2022 Calendar at a Glance
Volunteer Opportunities
2/4, Robinson Invasive Plant Roundup, Robinson Preserve Expansion
2/10, Palma Sola Causeway Cleanup, Palma Sola Causeway Park
2/12, Creek Cleanup, G.T. Bray Park
2/12, Robinson Shell Shoveling Workday, Robinson Preserve Expansion
2/18, Air Potato Roundup, Conservatory Park
Ongoing/As Needed, RIP Squad Volunteer Days, Location Chosen Based on Need
Kid’s Programs
2/2, Soar in 4, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
2/10, TreeTots: Light and Dark, Robinson Preserve NEST
2/11, Home School Science Club: Mighty Magnets, Emerson Point Preserve
2/18, Tall Tails Tribe: Loops, Arches, and Swirls, Emerson Point Preserve
2/19, Native Little One Art Club, Robinson Preserve NEST
2/24, Green Explorers: Ephemeral Art, Conservatory Park
2/25, Home School Bio Lab: Magnetic Force, Emerson Point Preserve
Adult and Teen Programs
2/2, Manatee Audubon Society Birding Tour, Emerson Point Preserve
2/5, Master Gardener Tour, Emerson Point Preserve
2/10, Wildlife Spotlight: Spoonbills, Perico Preserve
2/11, Sunset Tower Walk, Robinson Preserve
2/12, Manatee Audubon Society Birding Tour, Tom Bennett Park
2/12, Master Gardener Tour, Riverview Pointe Preserve
2/17, Craft Club, Robinson Preserve NEST
2/18, Sunset Bird Walk, Coquina Beach
2/18, The Lighter Side of Bird Photography, Robinson Preserve NEST
2/19, Manatee Audubon Birding Tour, Perico Preserve
2/19, Master Gardener Tour, Rye Preserve
2/26, Master Gardener Tour, Perico Preserve
Programs for All Ages
2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve
2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, Saturday Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve NEST
2/5, Valentine House Reopening, Robinson Preserve
2/5, Seeing Stars, Robinson Preserve Expansion
2/12, Florida Prarie Wagon Tour, Duette Preserve
2/12, Families Flock Together: Odd Couples! Parejas Inusuales!, Blackstone Park
2/24, Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach
2/25, Photo Challenge Gallery Opening, Robinson Preserve
2/26, Families Flock Together: Saltwater Fishing, Emerson Point Preserve
Adventure and Recreational Programs
2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve NEST
2/6, Rise and Shine Yoga, Robinson Preserve NEST
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Wednesday, Feb 2nd, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – MANATEE AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRDING TOUR:
EMERSON POINT – Search the skies for Florida’s fabulous fliers! Our Audubon guide will lead
participants on a tour through Emerson Point’s coastal hammock and mangrove habitats. Check out
the “locals” as well as the migratory birds that are wintering here. Program suitable for adults. Program
sponsored by Manatee County Audubon Society in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural
Resources. Reservations are required. To register please contact billielknight@yahoo.com or call (941)
592-7622. Emerson Point Preserve – Ranger's Station
Wednesday, Feb 2nd, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM – SOAR IN 4 FAMILY NIGHT – Soar in 4 occurs the first
Wednesday of each month in downtown Bradenton. Families visit demonstration tables (facilitated by
Manatee County teachers, non-profit organizations, and volunteers) to learn how to use various
materials to support the ‘spotlight book,’ as well as incorporate take-home items to continue to play,
create, learn, and explore at home together. These monthly events provide families with the resources
and information to become their child’s best ‘first teacher’ at home. All activities are aligned to classroom
learning. Program suitable for children and their families. No reservations required. For more
information please visit https://soarin4.org/. The Bishop Museum
Friday, Feb 4th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – ROBINSON PRESERVE INVASIVE PLANT ROUNDUP – Grab
your gloves and trowels and join us at the picturesque Robinson Preserve for a morning giving back!
In this program, we will be working together to remove non-native vegetation from newly restored
habitats. This important work will give native plants the upper hand as they become established.
Program suitable for volunteers 14 and up. Reservations are required. To register please contact
michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6035. Robinson Preserve – Expansion
Parking Lot
Saturday, Feb 5th, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM – REOPENING OF THE VALENTINE HOUSE – Visit this 19th-
century house-turned visitor’s center. Learn about the history of the Palma Sola area and see
photographs of the historic Palmetto home on its river journey to the current location in Robinson
Preserve. Explore natural history exhibits regarding the local flora and fauna. Program suitable for all
ages. Reservations are not required. For more information please contact
michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org. Robinson Preserve – Valentine House
Saturday, Feb 5th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – MASTER GARDENER TOUR: EMERSON POINT – Casually
stroll through the beautiful Emerson Point Preserve and learn about Florida's native plants and
inhabitants of a coastal environment. Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by UF IFAS
Extension Master Gardener Program in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural
Resources. Please meet at the first parking area on the RIGHT at the Observation Tower (not at the
Ranger Station) at 9 AM. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
Bring a water bottle, sun and insect protection. Reservations are required. To register please visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/167369327163. Emerson Point Preserve – Observation Tower
Parking Area
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Saturday, Feb 5th, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – SEEING STARS – Enjoy a beautiful night sky overlooking the
water at this after-hours astronomy viewing. We provide the telescopes and the expertise; you enjoy
the wonders of our universe! The program is free, but advance tickets are required. We are limiting
audience size to allow for social distancing. Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by The
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural
Resources. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://bishopscience.org/events/seeing-
stars-with-the-bishop-at-robinson-preserve-2/. Robinson Preserve – South Entrance Parking Lot
9th Ave NW
Sunday, Feb 6th, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – RISE & SHINE YOGA – Revitalize and Rejuvenate your Mind,
Body, and Spirit! This yoga class is designed to blend awareness of breath, physical movement, and
mindfulness to promote clarity of mind while developing physical strength and stamina, increasing
flexibility, burning calories, and detoxifying the body! Increase your overall well-being by ending and
beginning your week with this empowering and uplifting flow! Program suitable for adults. Program
sponsored by Brandy Gray of MomWifeSOUL Yoga in partnership with Manatee County Parks and
Natural Resources. Participants must provide their own yoga mats. Online registration is highly
encouraged as spaces are limited. To register please visit
https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?primarycode=110006. For more
information please contact aedan.stockdale@mymanatee.org. $10 Registration Fee Payable Online.
Robinson Preserve – NEST
Thursday, Feb 10th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – WILDLIFE SPOTLIGHT: SPOONBILLS – Join us for a stroll
around Perico Preserve to search for one of Florida's most colorful wading birds, the roseate spoonbill!
Discover the unique behaviors and adaptations of these charismatic, pink birds while taking in the
beautiful sights of the preserve. Learn about the important role they play in our ecosystem and ways
you can help wild spoonbills and their fellow feathered friends. Program suitable for adults. Binoculars
recommended. Reservations are required. To register please visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/239176402057. For more information please contact
elena.burke@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Perico Preserve – Pavilion
Thursday, Feb 10th, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – TREETOTS: LIGHT AND DARK – Babies and young
toddlers are brimming with curiosity! Spark that wonder by bringing your littlest family members for an
en"light"ening light exploration program. Engage your littles senses through movement, lights, and
reflections, inspiring nature discoveries in the safety of The Nest. TreeTots is an interactive activity for
babies and young toddlers to become acquainted with the natural world. Program suitable for newborns
to 2-year-olds. Reservations are required. To register please contact coral.bass@mymanatee.org or
call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Robinson Preserve – NEST
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Thursday, Feb 10th, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – PALMA SOLA CAUSEWAY CLEANUP AND SEASIDE
SAFARI – We are going to work hard then play hard! First, we will help make a positive impact on our
coastal habitats by removing trash around the beach and the coastal trail. After the trash bash, we'll
grab our dip nets to get a peek at the world beneath the waves and see firsthand the critters our cleaning
will help! Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are required. To register please contact
michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6035. Palma Sola Causeway
Friday, Feb 11th, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE CLUB: MIGHTY MAGNETS – Come
explore the power and properties of magnets as we defy gravity. See the attraction and repulsion of
magnetic fields through fun crafts and games. Recommended for students ages 8-13 Reservations are
required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/243817704317. For more information
please contact sara.alvarezcollazo@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. Emerson Point
Preserve – Classroom Pavilion
Friday, Feb 11th, 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM – SUNSET TOWER WALK – Join us for a relaxing evening stroll
with your loved ones at Robinson Preserve! Enjoy a sunset walk to the tower and take in beautiful
views of Tampa Bay. After the sun goes down, we will return by moonlight, discovering the variety of
wildlife that visits the preserve after dark. Program suitable for adults. Reservations are required. To
register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/243969167347. For more information please contact
ecoevents@mymanatee.org. Robinson Preserve
Saturday, Feb 12th, 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM – MANATEE AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRDING TOUR: TOM
BENNETT PARK – Search the skies for Florida’s fabulous fliers! Our Audubon guide will lead
participants on a tour through Tom Bennett Park's upland and wetland habitats. Check out the “locals”
as well as the migratory birds that are wintering here. Program suitable for adults. Program sponsored
by Manatee County Audubon Society in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural
Resources. Reservations are required. To register please contact ford.tony23@yahoo.com. Tom
Bennett Park – Playground Parking Lot
Saturday, Feb 12th, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM – FLORIDA PRARIE WAGON TOUR – Discover over 20,000
acres of Duette Preserve from a covered wagon. With a Master Naturalist guide and a Park Ranger,
discover the story of restoration and wildlife. Pine Flatwoods, River Floodplain, and Scrub ecosystems,
and maybe spot a Florida Scrub-jay! Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by Manatee
Fish and Game Association, Inc. in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources.
Please meet at the Ranger Station 15 minutes before departure. This wagon tour leaves on time! This
is an open-air event. Masks are optional. Seating is limited to 15 people to allow for group spacing.
Reservations are required. To register please visit manatee-fish-game.ticketleap.com/duette-wagon-
tour-feb12/. For more information please call (941) 704-4325. Duette Preserve – Rawls Road
Entrance
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Saturday, Feb 12th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – MASTER GARDENER TOUR: RIVERVIEW POINTE –
Casually stroll through to enjoy the beautiful Riverview Pointe Preserve and learn about Florida's native
plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment. Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by
UF IFAS Extension Master Gardener Program in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural
Resources. Tour begins in the parking area of DeSoto National Memorial Park and enters into
Riverview Pointe Preserve. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
Bring a water bottle, sun and insect protection. Reservations are required. To register please visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/167373712279. Riverview Pointe Preserve – Parking at DeSoto
National Memorial
Saturday, Feb 12th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM – CREEK CLEANUP – Bring your wellies or wading boots for
an adventurous afternoon cleaning the creek! This freshwater stream empties into Puertosueno Park
and Palma Sola Bay and is home to many creatures, including turtles, ducks, and fish. After the service
project, we will look closely and examine the invertebrates that call this creek home! Program suitable
for all ages. Reservations are required. To register please contact michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org or
call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6035. GT Bray Park
Saturday, Feb 12th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – OYSTER SHELL VOLUNTEER WORKDAY – Working with
Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department staff, volunteers will be loading crates with
recycled oyster shells for later transport and placement in coastal areas in the preserves. Once in place,
these shells will serve as a home for larval oysters to settle and grow. Oysters play a pivotal role in
local estuaries providing habitat for a multitude of marine organisms while filtering water. Program
suitable for volunteers 14 and up. Reservations are required. To register please contact
michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6035. Robinson Preserve – Expansion
Parking Lot
Saturday, Feb 12th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – FAMILIES FLOCK TOGETHER: ODD COUPLES! PAREJAS
INUSUALES! – Could it be love? Learn and explore the different ecological relationships between
animals from symbiosis to parasitism through games and crafts with the whole family! ¿Será amor?
¡Aprende y explora las diferentes relaciones entre animales, desde la simbiosis hasta el parasitismo,
a través de juegos y manualidades con toda la familia! Children and their families. This is a Spanish
and English-led program. Programa en español e inglés. Reservations are required. To register please
visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/243906620267. For more information please contact
sara.alvarezcollazo@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. Blackstone Park –
Playground Pavilion
Thursday, Feb 17th, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM – CRAFT CLUB – Calling all crafty folks! Do you knit, paint,
scrapbook, or create from other media? Maybe you need a space away from prying eyes to complete
your masterpiece. Carve out some crafting time and get inspired by joining our monthly Craft Club. You
bring the projects, and we will supply the space, helpful crafting hints, and positive energy. Program
suitable for adults. Reservations are required. To register please visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/227789523597. For more information please contact
coral.bass@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Robinson Preserve – NEST
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Friday, Feb 18th, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – TALL TAILS TRIBE: LOOPS, ARCHES, AND SWIRLS –
Have you ever noticed that nature seldom creates a straight line? Rivers wind, plants bush, and
seashells curve. Become a nature detective by seeking out spiraling and arching shapes. We will be
looping, arching, and swirling our way through nature and end with a spiral-focused craft. Program
suitable for preschool-age children. Reservations are required. To register please contact
coral.bass@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Emerson Point Preserve – Classroom
Pavilion
Friday, Feb 18th, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – AIR-POTATO ROUNDUP AT CONSERVATORY PARK – Join
us for a day in the pines, taking out invasive air potato and Ceasar weed along the trails of Conservatory
Park! Who will find the biggest spud? Who will find the most? Give back to this neighborhood park
and help us improve native habitat for the creatures who live there, all while getting a light workout at
this family-friendly volunteer event! Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are required. To register
please contact michelle.leahy@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6035. Conservatory Park
Friday, Feb 18th, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – SUNSET BIRD WALK – Grab your binoculars and enjoy a
relaxing sunset stroll on Coquina Beach! Explore the beautiful coastline and look for shorebirds, wading
birds and, other feathered friends. Learn how to identify these beach birds and discover their important
role in the coastal environment. The program will conclude with a view of Coquina Beach's iconic
sunset. Program suitable for adults. Binoculars recommended. Reservations are required. To register
please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/239216381637. For more information please contact
elena.burke@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Coquina Beach – Café
Friday, Feb 18th, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – THE LIGHTER SIDE OF PHOTOGRAPHING MANATEE
COUNTY'S BIRDS – Join us for an evening of photography with a dose of humor. Courtland White, a
"Snow-Bird" and amateur nature photographer from the mountains of North Carolina has been striving
to get that "Perfect Shot" for many years. Photographing Florida birds is both easy and surprisingly
difficult. Easy, because many Florida birds are large, colorful, and often approachable. Difficult,
because the competition among the many skilled, well-equipped - and more patient - photographers
here is at such a high level. Although that unique, prize-worthy image remains elusive, Courtland has
captured along the way a collection of bird photographs that gave him a "smile." Enjoy a presentation
of Courtland's photography and the stories that made the photos. Program suitable for adults.
Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/244011443797. For
more information please contact aedan.stockdale@mymanatee.org. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic
NEST
Saturday, Feb 19th, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM – MANATEE AUDUBON SOCIETY BIRDING TOUR: PERICO
PRESERVE – Search the skies for Florida’s fabulous fliers! Our Audubon guide will lead participants
on a tour through Perico Preserve’s coastal hammock and mangrove habitats. Check out the “locals”
as well as the migratory birds that are wintering here. Program suitable for adults. Program sponsored
by Manatee County Audubon Society in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural
Resources. Reservations are required. To register please contact zholmes003@gmail.com or call (386)
279-3789. Perico Preserve
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Saturday, Feb 19th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – MASTER GARDENER TOUR: RYE PRESERVE – Take a
hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Branch and learn about Florida's native plants,
natural history, and early settlement of the area. Program suitable for all ages. Reservations are
required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/167452445773. Rye Preserve
Saturday, Feb 19th, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – NATIVE LITTLE ONE ART CLUB – Students of Native Little
One Art Club will follow a mindful rhythm and focus on learning through play, place, and project-based
learning. Emphasis is placed on learning through art and the natural world. Activities may include
learning about edible plants through painting and gardening, observing symbiotic relationships, and
creating materials from nature. Academic subjects are learned through the arts, experiments, and
observations of the local environment. Program suitable for ages 5 to 8 years old. Program sponsored
by Native Little One in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Registration
and payment are required prior to attendance. Reservations are required. To register please contact
nativelittleones@gmail.com or call (941) 447-8862. $50 Registration Fee. Robinson Preserve –
Mosaic NEST
Thursday, Feb 24th, 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 the amazing adaptations that
help them to survive in the wild. 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://www.eventbrite.com/e/239166783287. For more information please
contact elena.burke@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Coquina Beach South –
Under Longboat Key Bridge
Thursday, Feb 24th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – GREEN EXPLORERS: EPHEMERAL ART – Building
sandcastles on the beach, leaving them for the tide and wind to erode back to the sea, is a classic,
beloved childhood activity. Instead of a beach let your kids come out to Rye Preserve’s woods to
experience ephemeral or temporary art. Using objects found on our nature walk, each child will be free
to create with nature and given time to explore. Program suitable for all ages recommended for 6-12-
year-olds. Reservations are required. To register please contact coral.bass@mymanatee.org or call
(941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Conservatory Park – Playground Pavilion
Friday, Feb 25th, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – HOMESCHOOL BIO LAB: MAGNETIC FORCE – Race your lab
partners to construct the best magnetic cars and reach the finish line using the science of magnets!
Learn and experiment with magnetic fields. Program suitable for students ages 8 to 15. Reservations
are required. To register please visit https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?
primarycode=110007. For more information please contact sara.alvarezcollazo@mymanatee.org or
call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. $10 Materials Fee, Payable Online. Emerson Point Preserve –
Classroom Pavilion
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Friday, Feb 25th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE GALLERY PRESENTATION –
Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources invites you to join us for the presentation of the featured
photos from the 2022 Photography Challenge! Take a walk through the Valentine House and view
photos that tell an extraordinary story about each of our beautiful preserves. If it’s true that a picture is
worth a thousand words…we will have quite a few stories to tell! Program suitable for all ages.
Reservations are recommended. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/243988244407.
For more information please contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org. Robinson Preserve – Valentine
House
Saturday, Feb 26th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – MASTER GARDENER TOUR: PERICO PRESERVE –
Explore one of Manatee County's coastal preserves and learn about Florida's native plants, how they
benefit wildlife, and how they can be used in the home landscape. Learn about the wide variety of
ecosystems on display and how the preserve was transformed into what it is today. Program suitable
for all ages. Reservations are required. To register please visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/167372791525. Perico Preserve
Saturday, Feb 26th, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM – FAMILIES FLOCK TOGETHER: FAMILY FISHING CLINIC
– Join us for a special saltwater fishing clinic! Tie an improved clinch knot, practice your fish
identification skills, and learn the basics of catch and release fishing in Florida. Get a chance to use our
fishing equipment and cast your line into the waters of Emerson Point Preserve to see what we can
catch! Spots are limited, so please sign up early if you are interested. Program suitable for all ages.
Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/243884052767. For
more information please contact sara.alvarezcollazo@mymanatee.org or call (941) 742-5923 ext.
6044. Emerson Point Preserve – Nature Classroom
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsEco-Events February 2022
The Parks and Natural Resources Department’s Calendar of Events
Recurring Programs
Wednesday, Feb 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – TORTOISE TALK – Join us for this informal
program on the Valentine House lawn as we take our education tortoise out to graze! In the wild,
foraging is an integral part of a gopher tortoise’s lifestyle, so we encourage it as much as possible. Stop
by and say hello, get a chance to meet him up close, and ask any questions you may have. Learn all
about what tortoises need to survive, how we care for our tortoise, and what efforts we can take to
protect these important members of our Florida ecosystems. Program suitable for all ages. No
reservations required. For more information please contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org. Robinson
Preserve – Valentine House Lawn
Saturday, Feb 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – ROBINSON RUNNERS – Join us weekly to
breathe in the fresh air, challenge yourself, and create a community. Savor the trip along the 1.6 and
3.2-mile routes through Robinson Preserve and notice as life becomes a little more vibrant. The group
leader will offer a warm-up, then participants may run, walk, or stroll at their own pace followed by a
cool-down stretch offered at the finish. Participants will be rewarded for their efforts by our partners Fit
2 Run and Bayshore Nutrition. Program suitable for adults. No reservations required. For more
information please call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6047. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Saturday, Feb 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 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. No reservations required. For more information please contact ecoevents@mymanatee.org.
Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
ONGOING/AS NEEDED: RIP SQUAD VOLUNTEER WORKDAY - Join this group that works directly with
County natural areas land managers on various wildlife habitat improvement projects. Email
announcements are sent out a few days in advance of each event that detail the purpose, goals, and
meeting information for each upcoming event. Program suitable for volunteers ages 16 and older. To
receive email announcements about the RIP squad volunteer events, please email
shaun.swartz@mymanatee.org. Location and time TBA - chosen based on need.
Find the calendar online at www.mymanatee.org/ecoeventsYou can also read
