It's April. And, anybody who is anybody knows Earth Day is coming. This is a time to embrace your inner environmentalist by learning how to go green — or greener. Throughout the month, there are plenty of lectures, workshops, events, nature walks and family activities to engage in. Take your kids or check them out with a friend.
FAMILY NATURALISTS – 12 WEEKS OF DISCOVERING NATURE, APRIL 5-JUNE 28: Camp Bayou is hosting a family-oriented series of free workshops that explore ecological concepts. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the hands-on activities and group discussions. April 5-June 28, 2008, Saturday mornings from 9- 10 a.m., Camp Bayou, 315 S. Tamiami Trail, Ruskin, Fl 33570, Contact info at my.calendars.net/campbayou or [email protected] or call 813-363-5438.
EARTH DAY 2008 SERIES – WATER FOR WILDLIFE, APRIL 12: Head out to Weedon Island Preserve Cultural & Natural History Center to celebrate Earth Day and learn about fresh water habitats for animals. April 12, 2 p.m., Weedon Island Preserve Cultural & Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33702, For more information, contact Laura Averill at 727-453-6500 or [email protected]
AIA TAMPA BAY, APRIL 11, 12 AND 13: Renew Tampa, a three-day expo exploring the intersection of green building and historic preservation, will take place April 11, 12, and 13 at the newly-restored Berriman-Morgan Cigar factory in historic West
Tampa. April 11, 12, 13, Berriman-Morgan Cigar factor, 1403 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-229-3411, $10 per family, www.RenewTampa.org.
FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING 101: “THE RIGHT PLANT FOR THE RIGHT PLACEâ€, APRIL 19: Florida-Friendly Landscaping 101:The Right Plant for the Right Place is an educational conference based on the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program’s nine environmental principles. Sat., April 19, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Rd 579, Seffner, FL 33584, $30 per person (non-refundable), Registration fee covers cost of educational materials, meals and refreshments. FloridaYards.org or hillsborough_fyn.ifas.ufl.edu
2008 GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP: CAMPAIGN FOR A CLEANER, GREENER AMERICA, APRIL 19: Volunteers will rally to fight dirty streets by removing litter and illegal dump sites, greening up parks, schoolyards and other public spaces, holding recycling drives, hosting educational events and more as part of the nation’s largest annual community improvement program through Keep America Beautiful. Across 32 locations throughout Hillsborough County. For more information, contact Christine Commerce, 813-960-5121, www.khcbonline.org
ISLAND EARTHDAYS 2008, APRIL 19-20: Come to Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin for eco-friendly family activities including an art show, guided nature walks, kayak races and the 5th annual Sharkbite Challenge. April 19-20, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Honeymoon Island State Park, 1 Causeway Blvd.Dunedin, Florida 34698
Phone: 727-469-5942, Entry to the event is FREE, however Park entry is $5.00 per car (up to eight people). 727-738-2903, www.celebratewithfriends.com
SUNCOAST SIERRA CLUB, THIRD THURS. OF EVERY MONTH:
Conservation speakers and environmental experts talk at Pinellas County’s Moccasin Lake Park. Third Thurs. of every month at 7 p.m., Moccasin Lake Park off Drew St. and Hwy. 19, For more information, call Joyce at 727-526-5065.
TRASHY FASHION: RECYCLED FASHION SHOW, APRIL 22: Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day and Trashy Fashion is asking Tampa Bay students and adults to participate by making their own recycled fashion (made out of 75% recyclable materials) to model at the show. They will be competing for the title of Trashiest Designer and prizes will be awarded. Reception: 6:00 pm Show: 7:00 pm, For additional information and to enter, please call 727-586-7424. Visit www.largorecycles.com.
SPRING WEEKEND TURTLE WORKSHOPS, APRIL 26, 27: Field biologist and environmental educator, George Heinrich is teaching a series of "Turtle Workshops" at Weedon Island Preserve. April 26, 27,Weedon Island Preserve Cultural & Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33702, For more information, contact Laura Averill at 727-453-6500 or [email protected].
PINELLAS LIVING GREEN EXPO, MAY 3-4: The PLGE is a collaboration of govt. agencies, non-profit groups and businesses seeking to promote sustainability-oriented products and behaviors for Pinellas County in a time of particularly scarce natural resources. Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33755, 727-462-6778,rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., & Sunday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the Pinellas Living Green Expo visit www.pinellaslivinggreenexpo.
