UF IFAS Extension Pinellas County

09/04/2026

Master Naturalist ✅
Master Gardener ✅
Water Stewards ✅
Tree Stewards ⁉️

Lara recently completed a training to pilot the state's first offering of a new program called "Tree Stewards". She is working closely with Pinellas County Government's Urban Forestry staff to determine needs, set goals and make a plan for 2027. She hopes to open registration in October, so if you are a lover of trees, want to learn more about them, and ultimately become caretakers of community trees in Pinellas, this course is for you!

Here's a blog about the training Lara attended including some quotes from her: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/2026/09/03/uf-launches-pilot-urban-forest-tree-stewards-training-program/

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

09/02/2026

Join us for Trees and Me, an introductory webinar that explores the fascinating world of trees, from how they grow and function to the many benefits they provide in our communities and home landscapes. This virtual class will be presented by special guest speaker Alyssa Winson, UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Extension Agent.

Join us for this beginner's class all about trees! Learn tips for planting, watering, mulching, caring for trees, and more!

09/02/2026

Our Parks & Preserves are popping with activity and opportunities for YOU! Check out everything they have coming up and help us spread the word 😎

09/02/2026

🐝Pinellas County is participating in the national Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz this September! We're on a mission to bring home 1st place and document as many pollinator species in our county as possible.🪰

Participating is easy:
📱 Download the free iNaturalist app.
📸 Snap photos of insect pollinators or flowering plants anywhere in a Pinellas (BONUS POINTS for pics taken in a Pinellas County park or preserve).
🌳 Upload you photos to the iNaturalist app and the online community will help identify it!

Want to join a group Bioblitz? Meet Park staff at these public events:
📍 Sept. 5: Raymond H. Neri Park
📍 Sept. 12: Patti Johnson Farm & Nature Preserve
📍 Sept. 19: Moccasin Lake Nature Park

Register here: https://www.explore.pinellas.gov/pinellas/programs

Let’s show the rest of the country what our community can accomplish! 🌸🦋 Help us by sharing this post too!

Patti Johnson Farm of Pinellas Park City of Clearwater Government Pinellas County Government Tampa Bay Estuary Program Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society UF IFAS Extension Pinellas County Master Gardeners

08/31/2026

Got VOGs?

During the month of September, we will do a big push to get vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) in the water! If you have a dock where you already see oysters or have connections or access to a dock where oysters are growing, we have VOGs for you!

We've spend the last few years making thousands of VOGs and now they are in need of a home. If you have a brown thumb when it comes to gardening plants, I promise you growing a vertical oyster garden is much easier ;-)

Learn more: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pascoco/2026/05/07/how-to-get-a-vertical-oyster-garden/

Contact Lara if interested: [email protected]

08/24/2026

Florida leads the nation in lightning fatalities this year, and a recent tragedy on Fort Myers Beach is a reminder that storms can turn dangerous in an instant.

UF IFAS Extension Pinellas County and UF IFAS Extension Polk County extension experts share what everyone should know before heading outdoors, including the biggest myths about lightning and the simple steps that could save your life.

To learn more, click the link tr.ee/GD8iGKbYAb

08/24/2026

Science and hard work come together every day to benefit our parks and preserves! 🌳🌿

Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources’ Land Management Team strives to protect these areas so they can be a safe and natural environment for wildlife to thrive.

The team, together with research from our partners at UF IFAS Extension Pinellas County, identify and mitigate invasive plant species, plan prescribed burns, ensure safe spaces for nesting birds and that our visitors have safe pathways to see nature at its best in the 20,000+ acres of parks and preserves we manage.

Together, we're protecting native habitats, supporting wildlife, and keeping Pinellas County's natural areas healthy and resilient for future generations.

08/24/2026

Being part of the Pinellas County Government Parks & Conservation Resources team gives us the opportunity to work together to make a meaningful impact in our community. We're not just providing services, we're educating, empowering, and inspiring people to connect with the natural world around them. Pinellas County is home to some truly incredible parks, and we're proud to help visitors experience and appreciate them through the environmental education programs and resources we provide.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Ei35Z5dD1/

08/21/2026

Who is participating in the Great SE Pollinator census? Post a picture here of your favorite pollinator logged. To participate: https://gsepc.org/

08/20/2026

What we're hearing from Pinellas County residents is clear: flood challenges are increasingly tied to both extreme rainfall and tidal influences.

Recent public input collected through the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council's Coastal Master Plan identified common concerns in communities across Pinellas. Residents frequently described flooded roadways, drainage challenges, recurring nuisance flooding, and increasing impacts from both rainfall and coastal water levels.

The findings reinforce the value of combining local knowledge with science-based planning to better understand flood risk and identify opportunities to improve resilience throughout our coastal communities.

Read the full report here - https://www.coastaltampabay.org/resources/publications

Contribute your local knowledge here - https://www.coastaltampabay.org/get-involved/flood-risk-survey

Get more involved here - https://www.coastaltampabay.org/get-involved

Tampa Bay Estuary Program National Wildlife Federation