The Programming, Education & Volunteer Division is responsible for maintaining a diverse offering of programs within Manatee County’s conservation properties and parks all of which serve to connect participants to nature and inspire a spark of respect and wonder for the natural world.
The primary focus of this Division is to provide a variety of educational offerings to participants ranging in age from pre-school children to senior citizens. These hands-on, interpretive offerings are conducted all over the County, and beyond. Staff host over 500 free programs each year connecting with over 5,000 participants, primarily in Manatee County’s “natural classrooms;” the preserves and parks that provide unique settings for educational opportunities Division staff provide passive recreational opportunities by offering guided paddles, hikes, archery and fishing programs. As the program expands, Division staff have accepted the new responsibility of managing, staffing, and creating programming for the Department’s Nature Centers at Robinson and Rye Preserves and the environmental classrooms at Emerson Point and Robinson Preserves.
Volunteers form the backbone of the Parks and Natural Resources Department, and this Division is responsible for the recruitment, training, monitoring, and tracking of parks and preserves volunteers. In addition to maintaining the standing volunteer core of 100 individuals who regularly give time at each site, Division staff draw in over 2,000 annual participants to regularly scheduled cleanups and workdays. Each year, over 15,000 hours are donated by volunteers, serving to augment and support the work done by paid employees in these natural areas. This represents over $345,000 in donated time providing services ranging from manning the nature centers and providing additional educational programming to acting as auxiliary Rangers and conducting grant-required monitoring.
This program also maintains a variety of special projects and initiatives including managing the Department’s social media and press presence as well as taking the lead to develop, update, and consult for the Department’s website. The Division also maintains a graphic, layout, and design team that creates the art and layouts for preserve and park signage. Signature events, such as the annual Goblin Gathering, Fit-2-Run 5 and 10 K race, and Night Before Christmas events, are all coordinated, organized and executed by this Division, reaching over 5,000 participants each year. In addition to these internal events, staff permits over 200 special events throughout the County’s parks and preserves annually, ensuring that visitors will experience a smooth and obstacle free day during their special event.
Monthly Calendar of Events
Parks and Natural Resources Monthly Calendar of Preserve Events - check out the great FREE events happening in YOUR preserves. The Department offers programs in environmental education, passive outdoor recreation, and volunteer stewardship. Most of the programs are free to participants and are available for a variety of age levels.
Taking Flight GeoTour
Fifteen geocaches are hidden across Manatee County, exploring the region's birds. See if your Bird Sleuth skills are up to snuff and find as many caches as you can.