ABOUT US

Organization to support Master Naturalists in Pinellas and Florida

Who We Are

OUR EVENTS

Check out our upcoming field events and lectures

Upcoming Events

OUR MEMBERS

Why not become a member today?

Why not join us?

WELCOME!

The Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists: 

  • We celebrate Florida’s breath-taking ecology up close and personal
  • We live by the credo of leave nothing behind but footprints, take nothing but memories
  • We share our passion for Florida and all things living through public outreach programs and field trips
  • We fight for and spread the word about Florida’s environmental issues
  • We network with and support other like-minded groups
  • We evangelize best environmental and sustainable practices
  • We give back through volunteering and offering scholarships for Florida Master Naturalist classes

Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit environmental organization supporting the mission and goals of the UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP). The mission of the Florida Master Naturalist Program is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida’s natural world among Florida’s citizens and visitors. The University of Florida’s adult education, statewide program offers environmental education through three, 40-hour Florida ecosystem Core Modules and four 24-hour Special Topics Courses created for anyone interested in learning more about Florida.

We offer nature-related quarterly programs for adults and families, field trips for members and guests, and support FMNP by educating potential students about the upcoming classes at environmental booth events and festivals throughout the year.

Events

Events in May 2024

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
April 28, 2024
April 29, 2024(1 event)

All day: Alafia River Bird Sanctuary Boat Trip

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April 29, 2024

Members Only
April 30, 2024
May 1, 2024
May 2, 2024
May 3, 2024
May 4, 2024(1 event)

9:29 am: Weedon Island Hike

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May 4, 2024

Join five Friends of PMN members for this free and private botany walk with James Stevenson at Weedon Island Preserve. We will be participating in this event along with seven educators, guides, and rangers from the preserve. We will meet inside the Education Center at 9:20AM Saturday, May 4 and start the hike at 9:30.

You must be an current member of the Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists to attend the program. Please email Joan Landis at jclandisoutdoors@gmail.com to register or ask any questions. Act quickly--just 2 spots remain!

Weedon Island
1800 Weedon Drive NE
Beechtree
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
United States
May 5, 2024
May 6, 2024
May 7, 2024
May 8, 2024(1 event)

11:00 am: KAYAK THE WEEDON ISLAND PADDLING TRAIL

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May 8, 2024

Gliding through mangrove tunnels on a kayak is like floating through the salty halls of a watery museum. Explore the beautiful islands, mangrove trails, flora and fauna of Weedon Island Preserve with certified kayak guides Joan Landis and Jill Lingard. They have a fun game planned that will help us get to know the flora and fauna around us as we paddle.

Bring your own kayak or rent a sit-inside boat with paddle and life jacket from Weedon's paddling outfitter ECOmersion. Rentals cost $25 for four hours.

You can reserve a kayak rental by calling 727-509-7629 and paying ECOmersion by phone. If no one answers (they are a busy little shop), send an email to bookings@ecomersion.com and ECOmersion will call you back to finalize the rental. Whether you call or email, be sure to identify yourself as part of Joan's group on May 8th so that you get the special rate.

Weedon Island
1800 Weedon Drive NE
Beechtree
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
United States
May 9, 2024
May 10, 2024
May 11, 2024
May 12, 2024
May 13, 2024
May 14, 2024
May 15, 2024(1 event)
May 16, 2024
May 17, 2024
May 18, 2024
May 19, 2024
May 20, 2024
May 21, 2024
May 22, 2024(1 event)

7:00 pm: THE GREAT ATLANTIC SARGASSUM BELT

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May 22, 2024

Join Dr. Dennis McGillicuddy via this online lecture to learn what some of the most current research shows us about what fuels the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, how climate change is impacting it, and other characteristics of this fascinating living system.

Dennis J. McGillicuddy, Jr. is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. His primary research interest is the interface between fluid dynamics and the biology of the sea. He has pursued physical-biological-chemical interactions in four contexts: the role of eddies in biogeochemical cycling of the open ocean, impacts of coastal circulation on zooplankton dynamics, the dynamics of harmful algal blooms, and larval dispersal in deep-sea vent communities.
May 23, 2024
May 24, 2024
May 25, 2024
May 26, 2024
May 27, 2024
May 28, 2024
May 29, 2024
May 30, 2024
May 31, 2024
June 1, 2024

Latest News Releases

A Honeymoon Island State Park Adventure to Remember

Friends of Pinellas Master Naturalists Members Stroll the Osprey Trail with Dan Larremore By Joan Landis It was as close to a perfect day as anyone could have wished for at Honeymoon Island State Park last Sunday on the Osprey Trail.  Filling the time as our Friends of PMN Member’s Only group was assembling at the trailhead, our leader, Dan Larremore, started sharing stories about his adventures as Park Biologist, Ranger, and all-around steward, conservationist and really cool guy. Dan read more

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