JUNE 2022 Calendar of Events
Download a printable version of the June Calendar of Events
Wednesday, Jun 1st, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Be Prepared: Trees and Tropical Weather – As we start off this year's hurricane season, join UF/IFAS Extension to learn about how best to plan, maintain and prepare your trees for tropical weather. Program suitable adults. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/325152920137. For more information please contact [email protected]. $5 Registration Fee Payable Online. UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office – Kendrick Auditorium
Wednesday, Jun 1st, 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 Parks and Natural Resources. No reservations required. For more information please visit https://soarin4.org/. The Bishop Museum
Saturday, Jun 4th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – World Oceans Day Celebration – Today we will be celebrating World Oceans Day. Come out to the NEST to explore some of our amazing creatures that call Florida's saltwater habitats home. Step inside a mangrove, play a matching game of seashells, build an underwater habitat, and more. Make sure to visit all the ocean activities around the NEST on this salty Saturday. Program suitable for all ages. No reservations required. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Friday, Jun 10th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Explore Nature! Outreach Booth – Explore Nature brings Nature to you! Stroll by and learn more about what Manatee County parks and preserves have to offer. Pick up a free coloring book, craft, or activity, while supplies last. Let our naturalists answer your burning questions and take an up-close look at different animal biofacts! Program suitable for all ages. No reservations required. For more information please contact sara.alvarezcollazo @mymanatee.com or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. Pride Park – Adjacent to Splash Pad
Saturday, Jun 11th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Amazing Air Plants: Tillandsia Workshop – Learn about these amazing epiphytes that only require air and water to live. This is a “make and take” workshop where you will create a palm boot planter using Tillandsia air plants. Program suitable for adults. Bring wire cutters and pliers. Materials fee due by June 9th. Program limited to 20 participants. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/338977630217. For more information please contact [email protected]. $35 Materials Fee Payable Online. UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office – Rogers Auditorium
Monday, Jun 13th, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Sunset Tai Chi at the NEST – Join us for this monthly class on the lawn of 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 - in case of weather, we will move into the NEST. Program Suitable for adults. Program sponsored by Cypress Pillar Healing Arts in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?primarycode=100004. For more information please contact [email protected]. $10 Registration Fee Payable Online. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST Lawn
Tuesday, Jun 14th, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Library Learning: "Fin"tastic Sharks and Rays – Can a shark really smell a drop of blood a mile away? Join us to discover the superpowers of cartilaginous fish in this program honoring sharks and rays. Dive into shark swimming skills, explore stealthy hunting styles, and so much more. Using movement, experiments, and games your young learners will discover how fantastic these carnivorous fish are! Program suitable for families. Program sponsored by Manatee County Libraries in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. No reservations required. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Palmetto Library
Wednesday, Jun 15th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – EcoFlora Bioblitz – Join staff from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Manatee County on a quest to document as many plant species as possible for the Sarasota-Manatee EcoFlora Project! We will utilize the user-friendly iNaturalist app to document plant species on this guided walk. The observations and data we record will help to better inform decisions about the management and conservation of our natural resources. Program suitable for ages 5 and up. Program sponsored by the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. We will park and meet at Anna Maria Bayfront Park and then walk to Bean Point. Dress for a day in the sun and be prepared to walk up to two miles in the sand. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://7082.blackbaudhosting.com/7082/Anna-Maria-Bioblitz. For more information please contact [email protected]. Anna Maria Bayfront Park
Thursday, Jun 16th, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Rain Barrels for the Rainy Days of Summer – Learn the safe and proper ways to use rain barrels to collect water from your roof gutters to help mitigate stormwater runoff and reduce water usage in your landscape by watering your plants with rainwater! Program suitable for adults. After the Zoom webinar, you will have an opportunity to make an appointment to purchase your own rain barrel and some of the parts you'll need to install it for $30 plus tax. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/297276480957. For more information please contact [email protected]. Online – Zoom
Thursday, Jun 16th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Library Learning: Life on the Coral Reef – Greet the sea as you explore our crochet coral reef! Make a fun craft and learn about sea turtles and their diet in this interactive children's program. Program suitable for elementary-age children and their families. Program sponsored by Manatee County Libraries in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. No reservations required. For more information please contact [email protected]. Braden River Library
Saturday, Jun 18th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Sarasota Bay Guardians Planting – Join the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources for a workday at Robinson Preserve! We will be planting native grasses and groundcovers in the Robinson Expansion area. Afterward, free lunch will be provided for all volunteers in the pavilion area. Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and Tampa Bay Estuary Program in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Tools, gloves, and plants will be provided. Participants should wear long clothing and closed-toe shoes comfortable for working outdoors, sun protection, and bring a water bottle. There are restrooms and water fountains on-site, and water coolers will also be provided. Reservations are required. To register please visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ej79y1o3e7c3f3c7&llr=bkev5wdbb. Robinson Preserve – Expansion Parking Lot
Saturday, Jun 18th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Science by the Sea Middle School Workshop: Critters of Tampa Bay – Join us for a morning of marine science to experience our local watershed. The Science by the Sea programs are intended to provide accessible science experiences for kids from historically excluded groups in STEM including gender minorities, racial/ethnic minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people from low-income or underserved communities. Program suitable for middle school students. Program sponsored by Minorities in Shark Sciences and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefx_DThpOLrsyX1sN-ZnDvUem4ZDzLba2ObEnsLB-ED84oww/viewform. For more information please contact [email protected]. Emerson Point Preserve – Classroom
Saturday, Jun 18th, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Native Little One Art Club: Birds! – Students of Native Little One Art Club will follow a mindful rhythm and focus on learning through play, place, and project-based learning. In this program, we will study bird anatomy through a watercolor painting, decorate birdhouses, and create a birdbath. Students will also learn about local species and color a variety of birds in their own identification guide. Program suitable for ages 4 to 10 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. Drop off is allowed. Reservations are required. To register please contact [email protected] or call (941) 447-8862. $35 Registration Fee Payable Online. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Saturday, Jun 18th, 1:30 PM – 4:30 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/337253001807. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. Emerson Point Preserve – Large Pavilion
Tuesday, Jun 21st, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – Library Learning: Seashell Storytime – Join us at Island Library for an exploration of Florida's seashells! Through hands-on activities and a storytime, we will learn about the wide variety of seashells that wash up on our local beaches and discover the amazing creatures that make them. Program suitable for ages 5 and under. No reservations required. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Island Library
Thursday, Jun 23rd, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Macroalgae Art Class – Macroalgae, also known as seaweed, is a plant-like organism commonly found on our local shorelines. These colorful clumps can be pressed and dried to make beautiful artwork. Join us at the NEST at Robinson Preserve for this educational and creative program where participants learn about macroalgae in Florida’s marine ecosystem and create pressed algae artwork. Program suitable for ages 13 and up. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?module=AR&fmid=52910232. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. $20 Materials Fee Payable Online. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Friday, Jun 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/341933571517. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Coquina Beach – Café
Friday, Jun 24th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Homeschool Science Club: Dip Net – Get your feet wet and explore the shore as we dip our nets in the water. Take a closer look at sea creatures in their natural environment! Who eats who and why are they here? We’ll answer these questions and more! Program suitable for students ages 8 to 13. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/337250995807. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. Emerson Point Preserve – Large Pavilion
Recurring Programs
Saturday, Jun 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 7:00 AM – 8:00 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. Program sponsored by Fit 2 Run and Bayshore Nutrition in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://raceroster.com/events/2022/57766/robinson-runners. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Saturday, Jun 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. Location and time TBA - chosen based on need.