Brooker Creek PreserveBrooker 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 Preserve's many ecosystems.
Free Admission! - Donations Welcome
Preserve Highlights
Brooker Creek Preserve Videos - Publications - Gift Shop - Visitor Map
Upcoming Programs at Brooker Creek PreserveRegistration is required for all programs, hikes, events, and webinars. Register by using the links provided. For the most up to date information regarding a program, please call our front desk at 727-453-6800, or email us at brookercreek@pinellascounty.org
EVERY Thursday 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.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, meet inside the Exhibit Hall! Registration is not required for Book Time, just show up with your kiddo! This program is led by Brooker Creek Volunteers.
Friday, October 3 11:00 - 12:30 p.m.Teen Homeschool Hike: Join us on an educational guided hike geared toward teens! We’ll explore the native plants and animals that call Brooker Creek home with Volunteer hike guide and naturalist, Sara Ratza. Participants are welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy after the hike together. Please register just your teen, ages 13+. This hike is for our teens to connect with fellow teens, parents are welcome to join, but parents with younger siblings can wait in the Exhibit Hall. This is not a drop-off program. Meet in the Exhibit Hall.
Saturday, October 4 9:00 - 2:00 p.m.Wildflower & Pollinator Festival Celebrate Florida Wildflowers and the Pollinators that support us all. A native plant sale will feature vendors from our area with plants that are beautiful, pollinator-friendly, and best suited for our climate. Kid's crafts will focus on make-and-take projects to support pollinators in our own yards and neighborhoods. There will be a Pollinator Encounter tent to experience these helpful, harmless insect's close-up. Various organizations will be available to answer questions about growing wildflowers, attracting pollinators, and being a good friend to Nature in Pinellas County! Refreshments, temporary pollinator tattoos and more await you at this free event.
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Sunday, October 5 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.Bird Hike: Come out for this "early morning" walk in the woods to seek out the resident and visiting birds of Brooker. All levels of birders welcome. Meet in the main parking lot at 8am.
Saturday, October 11 10:30 - 12:00 p.m.Feathers - Birds' Most Distinguishing Feature: Feathers are synonymous with birds: all birds have feathers, and only birds have feathers! To us hairy mammals, feathers seem exotic and beautiful. How do feathers accomplish multiple functions at one time? Ornithologist Alexa DeJoannis gives a good grounding in the form and function of feathers, birds' most distinguishing feature.
Saturday, October 11 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.Sleep in Saturday Hike: Sleep in on Saturday morning and join us for a family friendly walk in the Preserve with a volunteer hike guide!
Friday, October 17 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.Stories & Songs with the East Lake Library: Children ages 0-5yo and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs and fun with our friends from The East Lake Community Library!
Friday, October 17 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.Botany Walk: We will identify wildflowers, ferns, epiphytes, trees and more. The ecology of various plant communities will also be examined. Best suited for adult participants. Registration is required. Led by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Specialist. This is a free hike, however space is limited. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend. Meet in the Exhibit Hall
Saturday, October 18 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.Hidden Wonders Nature Walk: This family-friendly nature hike will take you on an exploration of the wet and dry habitats of "Our Wildest Place." We will investigate some interesting plants and animals that call Brooker Creek Preserve home. Everyday reveals new natural wonders to enjoy, join us!
Sunday, October 19 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.Talk About Wild Hike: Join us for a family friendly hike with fun facts about "Our Wildest Place"! Learn why the Preserve and its habitats are so important to the animals that call it home.
Saturday, October 24 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.Watershed Walk: Water is an important feature at Brooker Creek Preserve and on this hike you will learn the different ways we interact with water, the importance of wetlands and how you can make a difference in issues surrounding our water quality and quantity.
Saturday, October 25 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.Owl-O-Ween: Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve and the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue for a day of owl-related events including LIVE owl displays, owl story time for children, owl pancake breakfast, nest box building, an owl pellet dissection and more! Some activities cost $0-$25. Live Owls On Display 10:00am - 2:00pm
Questions: email info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org call 727-934-2680
Saturday, October 25 7:15 - 9:00 p.m.Night Hike: Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve for a one-mile hiking experience along the Ed Center Trail... at night! These special hikes are open to the public and limited to 20 people per hike. $3/person donation. For questions: info@friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org
Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve Art Gallery Nature Invitational - Art Exhibition of the Tarpon Springs Art Association
Exhibit on View: September 13th, 2025 through November 30th, 2025. Saturday & Sunday 12-3pm, in the Auditorium.
Special Programs, Classes and Events:
For more information or questions:
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