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. EVERY Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 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 23 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Stories & Songs with the East Lake Library: Join the East Lake Community Library for stories, songs, and fun! 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!
Saturday, October 24 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Connect to Nature Guided Hike: Enjoy a family friendly nature hike! An escape to rejuvenate and connect with Mother Nature (a cradle for wilderness). Take an extra step with volunteer Anu to learn about habitat restoration and our resident species at BCP. Share some of your stories as a nature lover. This is a family friendly hike. We cover a loop of 0.75 mile trail observing the unique habitats of Brooker Creek.
Saturday, October 24 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Bat Box Building Workshop: Join us for an in-person workshop to "make and take" a bat box for your yard!
Want to help our local bats? Learn how to build your very own bat box!
In this workshop you will learn about proper bat box placement and mounting, additional information specific to our local bat species, and other fun facts about bats! This bat box should be mounted at your home or that of a friend or family member. Registration is required, SPACE IS LIMITED.
Cost: $25
Saturday, October 24 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Night Hike at the Preserve: At night, the world is full of sounds and smells very different from the daytime. 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. A $3 per person donation is requested. Hikes are led by Preserve volunteers who are knowledgeable about nocturnal wildlife. The hike is about one-mile in length and will take about 1.5 hours. Space is limited, registration is required. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend. These hikes are for adults and families only. Children must be accompanied by parents.
Friday, October 30 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Hiking the Hammock for Homeschoolers: Join us for a discovery-oriented youth walk through the woods of "Our Wildest Place"! We'll explore the native plants and animals that call Brooker Creek Preserve home. All ages are welcome. This is not a drop-off program. Meet inside the Education Center.
Saturday, October 31 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.The Nature of Owls: This program focuses on the various species of owls that live in the Bay Area and what people can do to ensure their safety. We'll discuss the vital role that owls play in the environment and their interaction with other birds. Plus, we'll get to meet some LIVE OWLS from the Moccasin Lake Raptor Rescue!! Owl meet & greet photo opportunities will be available after the program. 🦉 This program is graciously sponsored by the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve. Presented by Barb Walker of the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue
Sunday, November 1 8:00 a.m. - 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.
Friday, November 6 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Screech Owl Nest Box Building Workshop: Learn how to build your very own nest box for an Eastern screech owl! In this workshop you will learn about proper nest box placement and mounting, additional information specific to the nesting habits of Eastern screech owls, and other fun facts about this species! We will be building a nest box for an Eastern screech owl. This nest box should be mounted at your home or that of a friend or family member. Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension. The workshop costs $25.
Saturday, November 7 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Feathers: Birds' Most Distinguishing Feature: Join ornithologist Alexa DeJoannis for a talk ALL about feathers! 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.
Friday, November 13 9:30 a.m. - 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.
Friday, November 13 5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.Bat Walk Join us for our first interactive Bat Walk! The walk will be led by Bat Conservation International Bat Ambassador and Brooker Creek volunteer Dr. Merrie Beth Neely. Most Florida bats remain active all year long, but some slow down in December through February for torpor. We hope to identify local bat species using some new portable technology and share educational information about the importance of bats and threats to their survival. We will also have some information about plants to enhance the habitat for bat prey in your yard. Comfortable walking shoes and clothing for the weather at dusk are recommended. This event will be cancelled in the event of sustained rain in the event window.
Saturday, November 14 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Seeds for the Future: Plant Conservation and the Race to Preserve Pinellas' Native Flora: Pinellas County's native plants are under growing pressure from habitat loss, invasive species, development, altered fire patterns, and increasingly severe storms. Many already survive in only a few remaining populations, making conservation urgent. This hands-on introduction explores how seed banking can help protect these species. Participants will learn how conservation seed banks collect, clean, document, store, and eventually reintroduce native plant diversity. Using examples from Pinellas County and Florida's unique flora, we'll discuss why where a seed comes from matters, how to collect responsibly, and how a small number of seeds can safeguard an entire population. Recommended for adults. Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Specialist.
Saturday, November 14 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.Sleep In Saturday Hike: Spend Saturday afternoon with a Naturalist who will lead you on a family-friendly nature hike in the Preserve!
Saturday, November 14 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Night Hike at the Preserve: At night, the world is full of sounds and smells very different from the daytime. 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. A $3 per person donation is requested. Hikes are led by Preserve volunteers who are knowledgeable about nocturnal wildlife. The hike is about one-mile in length and will take about 1.5 hours. Space is limited, registration is required. Please be courteous and do not register unless you plan to attend and cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend. These hikes are for adults and families only. Children must be accompanied by parents.
Sunday, November 15 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Vignettes of Nature: Music in the Woods: The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve Presents A Music in the Woods Series Production. Composers throughout the ages have often embraced nature as inspiration for their lyrical works. Today's program, designed by Theresa Villani, showcases a wide variety of nature inspired works for cello and piano, represented by composers such as Faure, Godard, Hovhaness and Kitelby as well as 20th century composers Sowash, Yokoyama, Albert and Crain. Each work is redolent with compelling imagery and lush melodies and harmonies, creating an atmosphere of elegance, grace and beauty. Suggested donation: $10/general public & $5/Friends members.
Friday, November 20 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Florida Forests 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. Lara tends to throw in some surprises on her hikes, so be ready when she asks for volunteers!
Friday, November 20 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Hiking the Hammock for Homeschoolers: Join us for a discovery-oriented youth walk through the woods of "Our Wildest Place"! We'll explore the native plants and animals that call Brooker Creek Preserve home. All ages are welcome. This is not a drop-off program. Meet inside the Education Center.
Saturday, November 21 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Connect to Nature Guided Hike: Enjoy a family friendly nature hike! An escape to rejuvenate and connect with Mother Nature. Take an extra step with volunteer Anu to learn about habitat restoration and our resident species at BCP. Share some of your stories as a nature lover. This is a family friendly hike. We cover a loop of 0.75 mile trail observing the unique habitats of Brooker Creek.
Sunday, November 22 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.Botanical "Tea Time" with Sara: Join Education and Outreach Specialist Sara Ratza for a laid-back afternoon sipping experience as we dive into the Ethnobotanical background of our native plant of the month. In November, we will get to know Pinus, Pine. Bring your favorite mug. Herbal tea and hot water will be offered or bring your own favorite blend.
Special Programs, Classes and Events:
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