Download the June 2025 EcoEvents Calendar
Wednesday, June 4th, 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. Program sponsored by Soar in 4 in partnership with Manatee County. No reservations required. For more information please visit www.soarin4.org. The Bishop Museum
Friday, June 6th, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Game Night at the NEST – Do you love games?! Are you ready to learn a new game, or are you interested in sharing a much-beloved board game with others? Drop into the building for an evening of tabletop gaming fun! Borrow a nature-themed game from our game library or bring your favorite game from home. Meet new people and try something new. Role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons are welcome too. We only ask that all content and conversations remain family-friendly. Program suitable for all ages. No reservation required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/game-night-at-the-nest-unhcjkbp. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Saturday, June 7th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – World Ocean Day Celebration – Come celebrate the ocean and its incredible inhabitants at the NEST at Robinson Preserve! Get hands-on as you help create oyster habitats, observe plankton under a microscope, and build and pilot your very own underwater robot. Step inside the NEST building to explore a range of ocean-themed activities, from puzzles and puppets to button-making and more. Don’t miss this exciting, family-friendly event packed with fun, learning, and discovery for all ages! Program suitable for all ages. No reservation required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/world-ocean-day-2025. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Monday, June 9th, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Sunset Tai Chi at the NEST – Join us for this monthly class at the NEST! At sunset on the second Monday of the month, Dr. Brian Nell, a certified Tai Chi instructor, will lead the group through the gentle movements of Tai Chi. This is a great way to shake off the stressful work week. Improve your balance, loosen your joints, and improve flexibility as you relax and breathe. This class is perfect for beginners and will include an exploration of several different styles of Tai Chi and Qigong. This class is held rain or shine. Program suitable for adults. Program sponsored by Cypress Pillar Healing Arts in partnership with Manatee County. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/robinson-tai-chi. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST Lawn
Saturday, June 14th, 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. 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. Program suitable for all ages. No reservations are required. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Tuesday, June 17th, 9:00 AM – 10:20 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://events.humanitix.com/seashell-shore-walk-june-2025. For more information please contact [email protected]. Coquina Beach South – Longboat Key Bridge
Tuesday, June 17th, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – VolunTeens - Paddle Clean up – Ready to make a difference and spend some time outdoors while collecting volunteer service hours? Join the VolunTeens for a fun and meaningful shoreline clean up at Emerson Point Preserve Program suitable for ages 14-18. Long-sleeved lightweight clothing, hat, closed-toe shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended. Clean-up supplies, ice water and other materials will be provided. Please bring a water bottle and service hour sheets if applicable. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/volunteens-paddle-clean-up-rl7jjgx7. For more information please contact [email protected]. Emerson Point Preserve – Kayak Launch
Wednesday, June 18th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Tide Trekkers - Paddle Clean-up – Join us for a hands-on environmental adventure as we paddle through beautiful Palma Sola Bay, working together to remove garbage and debris from the water and shoreline. This is a rewarding way to enjoy nature, meet like-minded volunteers, and make a direct impact on our local ecosystem. Program suitable for 15 and up Manatee County Natural Resources will provide the kayaks, life jackets, ice water and all necessary clean-up supplies. Feel free to bring your own kayak if you prefer. Please wear closed toed shoes and appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the heat plus a water bottle so you can stay hydrated. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/tide-trekkers-paddle-clean-up. For more information please contact [email protected]. Perico Bayou Kayak Launch
Friday, June 20th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Library Learning: Frogs! – Calling all frog lovers and enthusiast! This program will dive into the fascinating world of frogs and uncover the amazing adaptations that help them thrive in their environments. Explore the diverse species of frogs, learn about their life cycles, and discover how they contribute to the health of ecosystems. Gain insights into frog conservation efforts and learn how you can help protect these incredible amphibians in the wild. Even see if you can Identify some of our local frogs by just their unique calls! Program suitable for adults. No reservation required. To register please visit https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/
14000466. For more information please contact [email protected]. Island Branch Library – Meeting Room
Saturday, June 21st, 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. 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. Program suitable for all ages. No reservations are required. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Tuesday, June 24th, 8:45 PM – 9:45 PM – FrogWatch Public: Emerson Point Preserve – Come join us for frog monitoring at our local preserves and discover the frogs that can be found in the county! Be a part of our new citizen science program and learn how to identify and record local species as we contribute data to the national FrogWatch USA database. We will talk about frog monitoring then split into groups and monitor different ponds for frog calls! Program suitable for ages 10 and up. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/frogwatch-public-emerson-pointe-preserve-drxum6hl. For more information please contact [email protected]. Emerson Point Preserve – Emerson Front Parking Lot
Thursday, June 26th, 8:45 PM – 9:45 PM – FrogWatch Public: Perico Preserve – Come join us for frog monitoring at our local preserves and discover the frogs that can be found in the county! Be a part of our new citizen science program and learn how to identify and record local species as we contribute data to the national FrogWatch USA database. We will talk about frog monitoring then split into groups and monitor different ponds for frog calls! Program suitable for ages 10 and up. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/frogwatch-public-perico-preserve-qb2mhgs8. For more information please contact [email protected]. Perico Preserve – Perico Pavillion
Friday, June 27th, Saturday, June 28th, & Monday, June 30th, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Jay Watch – For the past sixteen years, Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department has partnered with the Audubon Society’s Jay Watch to host a public scrub jay survey at Duette Preserve. The survey, conducted over a 3-day period, offers a snapshot of the scrub jay families living within the preserve. Volunteers who would like to help track, sight, and record scrub jay sightings are welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity to become a citizen scientist. Program suitable for volunteers 16 years and older. Program sponsored by Audubon Florida in partnership with Manatee County. Reservations are required. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 748-4501 ext. 6035. Duette Preserve – Ranger Station (Rawls Rd. Entrance)
Saturday, June 28th, 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. 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. Program suitable for all ages. No reservations are required. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Saturday, June 28th, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – FrogWatch: Become a FrogWatch Citizen Scientist – Anyone can volunteer and WE NEED YOU! You do not have to be a frog or toad expert to make an important contribution! You need an interest in learning about frogs and toads, the commitment to learn and identify their distinct calls and the ability to make several evening visits to a local wetland. You can be directly involved in gathering information that may help stop the decline of these important and treasured animals. After taking this course it only take 30 minutes one time a month out of your day to play a role in helping out the frogs and toads data collection. This volunteer Training is suitable for ages 12 years and older. Program suitable for ages 12 years and older. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://events.humanitix.com/frogwatch-become-a-frogwatch-volunteer. For more information please contact [email protected]. Emerson Point Preserve – Emerson Classroom