MAY 2022 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Download a printable version of the May Calendar of Events
Wednesday, May 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 Parks and Natural Resources. No reservations required. For more information please visit https://soarin4.org/. The Bishop Museum
Friday, May 6th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Explore Nature! Outreach Booth: Manatees – Stop by our education table at beautiful Portosueno Park and learn all about manatees! These gentle giants are our county's namesake and are frequent visitors of the park. Enjoy interactive activities to learn about the amazing anatomy of manatees, and discover how you can help protect them in the wild. Program suitable for all ages. No reservations required. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Portosueno Park
Saturday, May 7th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Youth Archery (2 Sessions) – Set your sights on the exciting outdoor activity of archery! This program will provide participants with basic archery instruction, familiarization with archery equipment, and instruction in shooting techniques that create successful archers. All equipment will be provided for use. Program is suitable for children ages 6 to 16. Program sponsored by the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Two identical sessions are offered. Please register for only one session each month. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://mayryearchery.eventbrite.com. For more information please contact [email protected]. Rye Preserve
Saturday, May 7th, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM – Seeing Stars with The Bishop – Celebrate Astronomy Day at Robinson Preserve! We will have hands-on astronomy fun followed by an evening of stargazing in the Robinson Preserve Expansion. Learn how to identify heavenly bodies and how you can stargaze at home too. Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by Suncoast Remake Learning Days, presented by the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and The Patterson Foundation, and The Bishop Museum in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://bishopscience.org/events/seeing-stars-with-the-bishop/. Robinson Preserve – Expansion Parking Lot
Monday, May 9th, 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. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST Lawn
Thursday, May 12th, 10:00 AM – 11:00:00 AM – Treetots: Water Wonder – Bring your little fish for a water sensory exploration program. Engage your little guppy's senses through movement, song, and water, inspiring nature exploration. Experience the different states of water and the animals that live below the surface. TreeTots is an interactive activity for babies and young toddlers to become acquainted with the natural world. Program suitable for newborns to 2 years old. Reservations are required. To register please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Thursday, May 12th, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Craft Club – Calling all crafty folks! Do you knit, paint, scrapbook, or create from other media? Maybe you need a space away from prying eyes to complete your masterpiece. Carve out some crafting time and get inspired by joining our monthly Craft Club. You bring the projects, and we will supply the space, helpful crafting hints, and positive energy. Program suitable for adults. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/227789523597. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Friday, May 13th, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Tall Tails Tribe: Nurturing Nature – In honor of the moms and dads in our community, let us celebrate all the wildlife who also care for their wee ones. From seahorses to scrub jays, discover the different ways wildlife nurture, guide, and help babies move to adulthood. Through games, exploration, and activities your tots will discover the amazing natural wonders, big and small, found in your very own backyard. Program suitable for preschool-age children. Reservations are required. To register please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Emerson Point Preserve – Large Pavilion
Saturday, May 14th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Master Gardener Tour: Riverview Pointe – Casually stroll through to enjoy the beautiful Riverview Pointe Preserve and learn about Florida's native plants and inhabitants of a coastal environment. Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by UF IFAS Extension Master Gardener Program in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Tour begins in the parking area of DeSoto National Memorial Park and enters into Riverview Pointe Preserve. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking on uneven terrain. Bring a water bottle and wear sun and insect protection. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/167373712279. For more information please contact [email protected]. Riverview Pointe Preserve – Parking at DeSoto National Memorial
Saturday, May 14th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Foraging Florida: Edible & Medicinal Plants in Your Backyard – Did you know that your backyard is filled with an incredible array of plant allies, many of whom have surprising abilities to heal and nourish? Have you always wanted to forage for Florida’s wild food, but aren’t sure where to start? Join Certified Clinical Herbalist and Master Naturalist Melissa “Misha” Nell, MS for a leisurely stroll around the Reasoner Tract and NEST grounds, tuning in to *all* the plants - yes even the exotics! - to learn to identify medicines, edibles, and poisons too. You will learn sustainable, safe, and practical foraging tips and tricks so that you can confidently harvest to help support the health of your family and friends too. 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=110009. $20 Registration Fee Payable Online. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Sunday, May 15th – Monday, May 16th, 10:30 PM – 1:00 AM – Lunar Eclipse Watch Party – No magnification is needed to observe this eclipse, but telescopes will be available to watch lunar features and observe other deep sky objects. The partial eclipse starts at 10:27 PM and the total eclipse will be from 11:29 PM to 12:53 AM. Program suitable for all ages. Participants should bring their own camp/lawn chairs and dress warmly. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/304855459887. Robinson Preserve – Expansion Parking Lot
Wednesday, May 18th, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Stroller Stroll: Perico – Round up your baby buggies, and your little ones for a strolling naturalist-led walk through the county's wild spaces and read along with our story walk. Open your child’s eyes to the sights, smells, and feel of Florida’s great outdoors while learning about our preserve space. Meet other nature explorer families with similar-aged kids. Program suitable for children and their families. Reservations are required. To register please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Perico Preserve
Thursday, May 19th, 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/316991870217. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Coquina Beach – South- Longboat Key Bridge
Thursday, May 19th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Green Explorers: Expedition Estuary – Dip into our waterways and hike through the estuary to discover a wild habitat that bridges land to the water and saltwater to fresh. Using hands-on discovery, and the participant's own creativity attendees will have a chance to play in nature. Green Explorers is a low structure, highly social, and experienced-based activity. Program suitable for all ages, recommended for 5 to 12-year-olds. Reservations are required. To register please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6034. Emerson Point Preserve – Large Pavilion
Friday, May 20th, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Wildlife Spotlight: Mangroves – Join us on a relaxing walk through the mangroves at Leffis Key! Florida is home to three species of mangrove trees that are specially adapted to live in a salty environment. They provide crucial nursery and feeding habitat for many local fish, crabs, and mollusks, and help to protect our coastlines. Learn how to identify mangroves and discover the important role they play in our ecosystem. Program suitable for adults. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/317011077667. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6036. Leffis Key Preserve
Friday, May 20th, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Homeschool Science Club: Fire – Learn how to start a fire as we discover the importance of fire in Florida ecosystems. Explore the animals that take shelter from fires in burrows, enjoy a fiery demonstration, and end with a fire-roasted smoky-sweet treat. Recommended for students ages 8-13 Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/317033093517. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. Emerson Point Preserve – Large Pavilion
Saturday, May 21st, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Master Gardener Tour: Rye Preserve – Take a hike through upland habitats along the beautiful Rye Branch and learn about Florida's native plants, natural history, and early settlement of the area. Program suitable for all ages. Program sponsored by UF IFAS Extension Master Gardener Program in partnership with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/167452445773. For more information please contact [email protected]. Rye Preserve
Saturday, May 21st, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Hike with a Librarian – One thing we have learned during the Covid-19 pandemic is the importance of connections, not only with our fellow humans and pets but also with nature. Hike with a Manatee County Librarian along the trails of Robinson Preserve and discuss a non-fiction book while enjoying Florida's scenery. After the discussion, a Manatee County Parks & Natural Resources guide will talk about the plants, flowers, trees, and wildlife found at the preserve. If there is still time after the talk, we will walk around the park at a leisurely pace. The entire walk will be about one mile in length. Book title to be decided. Program Suitable for adults. Reservations are not required. For more information please visit https://manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/8959519 or contact [email protected] or call (941) 748-5555 ext. 3466. Robinson Preserve – North Entrance
Saturday, May 28th, 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Native Little One Art Club: Nature is Magical! – 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 discuss how we can identify species in our backyards and notice patterns. We will decorate our own nature journals to keep, create plant superhero cards, and create magic wands out of organic treasures. Students will also create a mini terrarium to take home. 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. Reservations are required. To register please contact [email protected] or call (941) 447-8862. $35 Registration Fee Payable Online. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Tuesday, May 31st, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Homeschool Science Club: Lunch with Flowers, Weeds, and Other Green Goodies – Learn how to eat the weeds, trees, and flowers too! Certified Clinical Herbalist and Master Naturalist Melissa “Misha” Nell, MS will teach how to forage, or collect plants, safely and sustainably. Class will begin with a plant walk, meeting and learning to identify kid-friendly herbal allies. Then we’ll head indoors to make tasty treats from what we find. We’ll create a variety of snacks from plants collected on our walk, and a few special herbs Misha brings too. Participants will also create their own herbal recipe book, and plant seeds to start their own Florida native edible garden too! Program suitable for ages 8 to 16. 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=110009. $20 Registration Fee Payable Online. Robinson Preserve – Mosaic NEST
Recurring Programs
Wednesday, May 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Tortoise Talk – Join us for this informal program on the Valentine House lawn as we take our education tortoise out to graze! In the wild, foraging is an integral part of a gopher tortoise’s lifestyle, so we encourage it as much as possible. Stop by and say hello, get a chance to meet him up close, and ask any questions you may have. Learn all about what tortoises need to survive, how we care for our tortoise, and what efforts we can take to protect these important members of our Florida ecosystems. Program suitable for all ages. No reservations required. For more information please contact [email protected]. Robinson Preserve – Valentine House Lawn
Saturday, May 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 8:00 AM – 9:00 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, May 7th, 14th, 21st, 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. 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
Saturday, May 27th, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM and Saturday, May 28th, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Escape Room: Sinking Ship – Become one of Florida’s first commercial fishermen and solve interactive puzzles to escape an arduous journey at sea. Find hidden clues and collect the items you will need to break free from the ship’s hold. Will you escape or remain trapped under the captain’s hand? Program suitable for all ages. Sessions are limited to 6 participants. Parents or guardians are allowed to accompany their children throughout the experience. Reservations are required. To register please visit https://parks.mymanatee.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?primarycode=110008. For more information please contact [email protected] or call (941) 742-5923 ext. 6044. $10 Registration Fee – Payable Online. Emerson Point Preserve – Large Pavilion
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.