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Florida Botanical Gardens | Heritage Village | Brooker Creek Preserve | Weedon Island Preserve

Brooker Creek Preserve

Brooker Creek Preserve is approximately 8,700 acres, and the largest natural area in Pinellas County. It consists primarily of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods. Bordered by dense urban development, the Preserve provides both a unique refuge for native flora and fauna, as well as an opportunity for citizens to explore the natural beauty of wild Florida. The Preserve also serves to protect a significant portion of the Brooker Creek Watershed. A complex of hiking and equestrian trails provide visitors an opportunity to explore the Preservels many ecosystems.

Free Admission! - Donations Welcome

Preserve Highlights

Environmental Education Center Exhibits, displays, programs and classes. more	Guided Tours & Nature Hikes Guided tours are by reservation only. more	Annual Events / Programs Yearly events sponsored by our partners. more	Management Plan Water supply, watershed, natural resources more

Boardwalks & Hiking Trails Scenic boardwalks, hiking and horse trails available. more	Preserve Wilderness Area Largest natural area in Pinellas County more	Exhibits & Trail Signs Help visitors understand natural Florida more	Preserve Ecosystem Four different ecosystems represented more

Brooker Creek Preserve Videos - Publications - Gift Shop - Visitor Map

Upcoming Webinars and Events

Webinars listed below take place via Zoom. Registration is required.

EVERY Thursday 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

In person: Book Time at Brooker

Connect children to the wonders of the natural world through a nature related story & a craft to follow! Geared toward 3 to 5 year olds. Register today

Saturday, January 15, 2022

In person: Practical Guide to Nature Photography: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

While the Internet offers plenty of photography videos and advice, asking questions isn't easy. Join photographers Karl and Kathleen Nichter for a practical guide to nature photography, gleaned from over 15 years of experience in the field. Plus, they are right there to answer your questions! Although we won't be taking any photographs during this session, if you have any camera questions bring your camera along and we will do our best to answer them. Register today

Wednesday January 19 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Webinar: Wood-Wide-Web; how fungi can unite ecosystems

Individual plants in the forest may be joined to one another via a complex fungal network. We will examine this network and some of the recent research being done to help us understand this system and the effects it has on forest ecology. Recommended for adults.Register today

Friday, January 21 Arbor Day Celebration

9:00 a.m. - Florida Forest Hike: Venture out along the Flatwoods Trail loop with Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan to learn all about her most favorite thing...TREES! Get ready to look up and explore the world of trees in honor of Florida Arbor Day. Lara tends to throw in some surprises on her hikes, so be ready when she asks for volunteers! Register today

12:15 p.m. – Webinar: Pines of Pinellas:

Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan will explore the Pines of Pinellas in this lunch-n-learn webinar. There are only three commonly found species in our county, so it's a great place to start learning tree identification. Join Lara to learn in honor of Florida Arbor Day.Register today

2:00 p.m. – In person: Youth Tree Program:

Explore the inside and outside of trees with hands-on activities, a drone demonstration, microscope exploration, tree cookie investigation and more! Register today

Saturday, January 22 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

In person: Wood-Wide-Web; how fungi can unite ecosystems

Sunday, January 23 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Music in the Woods: Featuring The Meriggiare String Quartet!

We are happy to host The Meriggiare String Quartet for this popular event, sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek and held in the Auditorium. $15/person donation requested. Registration required, see Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve website. Register today

Saturday, January 29 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

In person: Insect Galls: Talk & Walk

Let us introduce you to the intriguing world of galls! These alien-looking growths are found on plants around the world and are hiding tiny secrets: bugs!
We will explore the common species of galling insects in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. Special attention will be given to the wasp family Cynipidae, one of the most specialized and fascinating groups of parasitic insects in the world. After an indoor presentation we will move outside for a gall hunt, exploring the native galls of Brooker Creek and how they contribute to local biodiversity! Recommended for adults. Register today

Seven Upcoming Guided Hikes in January

Special Programs, Classes and Events:

Pinellas County Extension

Brooker Creek
Preserve Calendar

Offers a variety of educational and interpretive programs for the public. The goal of these programs is to empower citizens to make informed decisions about natural and cultural resources. Center programs interpret the natural and cultural history of the area in order to demonstrate the balance between our needs and the needs of natural Florida.