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| Estuary Academy: Greening Your Life Saturday, March 26, 2011 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Weedon Island Preserve St. Petersburg » Click here to register for the 2011 Estuary Academy » Click here for driving directions to Weeden Island Preserve |
Morning Session
8:30 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Overview
Lectures
9:15 - 9:35 a.m. - Tampa Bay: Twenty Years in Twenty Minutes
Nanette O'Hara, Public Outreach Coordinator, Tampa Bay Estuary Program
9:45 - 10:30 a.m. -
Secrets of a Florida Yard
Dale Armstrong, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Coordinator, Pinellas County
Extension Service
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. - Door Prizes
10:45 - 11:00 a.m. - Break
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. WORKSHOP SESSION I
Rain Harvesting
Instructor: Dale Armstrong, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Coordinator
Pinellas County Extension Service
Rain barrels, cisterns and rain gardens - this workshop will explore the various ways we can collect, store and utilize rainwater in our landscapes. Retaining water on-site reduces the amount of stormwater runoff from your landscape that may contain fertilizers and other pollutants that adversely impact our waterways. Each participant in this workshop will receive ONE free rain barrel. You will need a vehicle large enough to tote your 55-gallon barrel home!
Focus on Living Green
Instructors: Ramona Madhosingh-Hector, University of Florida Urban Sustainability Agent
Mary Campbell, University of Florida Extension Director
Part 1: Adjusting the Lens
In this session, we will explore sustainability using 3 different lenses - global, regional and local - and discuss its implications for our communities. We will also examine local actions and green strategies that will enable communities to reduce economic, social and environmental impacts of future growth.
Part 2: Zooming In On the Issues
Achieving sustainability is a challenge but probably not as challenging as communicating the science of climate change! In this session, we will explore some of the most common misconceptions of this controversial issue and discuss its connections to sustainability.
Green Ways to Outwit and Evict Wildlife
Instructor: Jeanne Murphy, Wildlife Biologist, Sensing Nature, LLC / Florida Master Naturalist Program Instructor
Sometimes it seems that urban critters are chuckling behind our backs, slyly outwitting us in our every move. Join us for this interactive, outside session about learning environmentally sound tactical tricks for taking back your attic, screened porch, yard and sanity from their wily ways. You will also learn to identify scat and other "evidence" left by common suburban wildlife species. Participants are encouraged to bring critter scat samples, pictures, chew evidence, or other wildlife signs for discussion and ID.
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Photo Exhibit Viewing
Box lunches provided to all participants, volunteers and instructors. Time for viewing "Tampa Bay: 20/20" Tampa Bay Estuary Program's traveling photo exhibit on display at Weedon Island and to peruse our goody table for free information and resources to take home with you.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m. WORKSHOP SESSION II
Composting Basics from Waste to Worms
Instructor: Ed McKenna, Pinellas County Master Gardener
Composting is a great way to improve your garden soil - whether you're growing veggies and herbs or colorful flowers and shrubs. You won't believe the diverse items you can turn into rich dirt. And, adding worms to the mix can super-charge your soil! Learn the what, why and how of making organic compost from household and yard waste, and take home a free compost bin and thermometer so you can get started at making your own "Black Gold!"
Designing Your Florida Yard
Instructor: Doris Heitzmann, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Community Association Outreach Coordinator, Pinellas County Extension Service
This informative workshop will teach you the basic steps of creating your own Florida-Friendly Yard. Reduce the need for water, fertilizer, pesticides and pruning by choosing the right plant for the right place for your yard. You will learn how to evaluate your yard (soils, light exposure, etc.), how to select the right plants, and why grouping of plants is essential for a Florida-Friendly yard. You will also receive valuable information about landscape design and plant resources to help you make your landscape makeover a reality.
Energy Efficiency and Your Carbon Footprint
Instructor: James Stephenson, Sustainability Specialist, Pinellas County Extension Service
Do you know what the number one energy-hog is in your home and office?
Would you like to lower your power bill without sacrificing comfort or spending a fortune?
This workshop will explore how we use energy, how we are charged for energy and how we can
all do a little to make a big difference. We will also learn to calculate our own carbon
footprint with the help of a nifty online tool. Participants will receive free energy
efficient light bulbs.
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