Camp Bayou – Save the Frogs: Saturday, April 28; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Help save frogs at Save the Frogs Day 2012, which is celebrated worldwide. Learn how to help the froggies and the environment, and have fun at the same time. If you don’t have a frog in your throat, join the Frog Chorus and croak a few tunes. A USA Science and Engineering Festival satellite event. Camp Bayou is located three miles south of SR674 at end of 24th St. SE, Ruskin, 813-641-8545, conservitforward.org
Odessa Organic Market – Green after Dark: Saturday, April 28; 5 – 9 p.m.
Markets aren’t just for daytime anymore. Odessa Organic Market proves that with their Green after Dark event. All kinds of green vendors will be there, including Tampa Bay Organics and Pizza Fusion. Groovy music will be provided by Justin and Travis of The Groves. Free; 8701 Gunn Hwy., Odessa, goinggreentampa.com
USF Botanical Gardens – Earth Day Rescheduled: Saturday, April 28; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Head to the USF campus Botanical Gardens and celebrate Earth Day at its “greenest.” The theme will be Go Native, which means lots of native plants, sustainable products and services, organic home and garden products, green building and renewable energy demonstrations, eco-friendly arts and crafts, displays of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, a “recycled art” display and more. The Green Can, a free recycling program who donates all proceeds to charity, will also be there. Enjoy organic foods and live music as well. Free admission and parking; 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-974-2329, gardens.usf.edu
Walter Fuller Park – Green Thumb Festival: Saturday, April 28 – Sunday, April 29; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Honor trees and your green thumb at the 26th Annual Green Thumb Festival. Your tykes will enjoy the children’s plant fair (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Over 100 garden, plant and flower vendors will be there. Exhibits include garden railroad display and “ask an arborist.” 7891 26th Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-893-7441, stpeteparksrec.org
Tampa Free Skool – Dirt on Compost Class: Sunday, April 29; 11 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m.
Get the dirt on basic composting methods for small areas like home gardens, or large, urban homesteads. You’ll learn what equipment and tools are required, how to compost and what happens within a compost pile. RSVP by texting 813-732-8907 or emailing chetelatc@gmail.com. 5102 N. Tampa St., Tampa, tampafreeskool.com
Corey Avenue Sunday Market: Sundays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Shop for fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, kettle corn, arts and crafts, and listen to live music. Corey Avenue will be blocked off for a safe shopping experience at the market. Corey merchants and restaurants will be open for business as well, lending a fabulous addition to your normal market venues. From antiques to boutiques, dog stores and more, this open-air market is the one to visit every Sunday during the fall and winter seasons. Always free parking, within walking distance. Located just off Gulf Boulevard, between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St. Pete Beach, 727-498-8778, coreyave.com
Dunedin Green Market: Fridays; 8 a.m.-1p.m.; Saturdays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Enjoy a craft show, in addition to the usual market highlights of fresh, local produced goods such as baked good, ready-to-eat-foods, organic plants and herbs, coffee, honey, seafood and clothing. Dunedin Green Market is located in Pioneer Park at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Dunedin.
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Saturdays; 9 a.m-11 a.m.
Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Observe how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes during this 0.75 mile hike. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Pre-registration is required by noon on the Friday before the hike of your choice. This event is free. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, 727-453-6800, brookercreekpreserve.org
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Saturdays; 9a.m.-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Be sure to bring water and a snack for this 2-hour hike. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. Pre-registration is required by 2 p.m. on the Friday prior to the tour of choice (pre-registration is required). This event is free and open to the public. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve is located 1800 Weedon Drive NE St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500, weedonislandpreserve.org
Land O Lakes Saturday Market: Saturdays (through May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Land O Lakes Saturday Market is a weekly community event with live music. The market donates profits to the Heritage Park Foundation and the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. They are located at Land O Lakes Community Center, on the west side of US 41 (Land O Lakes Boulevard), three miles north of SR 54 (across from the Land O Lakes Post Office), Land O Lakes, lolsaturdaymkt.com
Safety Harbor Farmers Market- Thursdays (November-May); 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Enjoy organic produce, plants and fresh flowers, gourmet foods, baked goods, snacks, plants and fresh flowers and handmade jewelry at Safety Harbor Farmers Market. Located at the Gazebo at John Wilson Park. 401 Main Street, Downtown Safety Harbor, 727-724-1572, cityofsafetyharbor.com
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday, (October-May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Featuring locally-grown fresh produce, prepared foods, tempting baked goods, handcrafted gifts, plants, flowers, herbs, live music, and more. Downtown St. Petersburg in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot (1st Avenue S. and 1st Street, St. Petersburg, saturdaymorningmarket.com
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm's Sunday Market: Sundays (November -May); 12p.m.-4 p.m.
This on-site market features organic produce harvested fresh from their own farm, as well as organic fruits and veggies from other farms. Every week you can enjoy native plants, organic vegetable transplants, and unique products from green vendors and artisans including; fresh baked goods, local honey, organic coffees, veggie burgers and fruit smoothies, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and organic cotton T-shirts and bags. Sweetwater Live Music Series features local and internationally-known musicians, and their popular open mic. Veg and learn with Sweetwater Workshop Series, with workshops by guest presenters on sustainable living skills, organic gardening, holistic healing and more. Shop, have a picnic lunch, meet like-minded individuals, and enjoy the orchard and gardens all while listening to some great live music. Bring your friends, family, and leashed dogs, and support local programs, agriculture and business. 6942 W. Comanche Avenue, Tampa, sweetwater-organic.org
Tampa Downtown Market: Fridays (October- May); 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This market is a community of local farmers and producers, who take pride in providing local residents and businesses with quality, nutritious, reasonably-priced food and gourmet products. Tampa Downtown Market is located on the 200 and 300 blocks of Twiggs Street, spanning Franklin Street, in the heart of downtown Tampa. Metered parking is available on nearby streets, and several parking lots and garages are available throughout downtown, including MAAS Lot (across the street from the market), Jackson Street City Lot, Poe Garage and Fort Brooke Garage. Twiggs Street and Franklin Street, Tampa, tampadowntownmarket.com
Ybor Saturday Market: Saturdays (year-round); 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
You will be sure to find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, honey, herbs and plants, orchids, pet treats, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and much more. Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
This article appears in Apr 19-25, 2012.