Equine, Pets & Wildlife   

Did you know there are 17 different species of penguin? Did you know they can only be found in the Southern Hemisphere? Discover the penguins of the world and what makes these birds so unique!

The Upper Withlacoochee and lower Rainbow Rivers near Dunellen offer a different look at “old Florida” as well as the more “modern” appearance. This course features a three-hour boat ride with an experienced river boat Captain. Great opportunity to learn about all the wading/water birds you are likely to encounter in Florida. Lots of songbirds too!

We start on February 1^st at 10:00 AM with a classroom discussion and video presentation on any of the birds we are likely to see. You should be able to identify most of them accurately by the end of this first class.

The boat ride on February 8^th will begin with about one mile of the Rainbow River and as much of the Withlacoochee as we can cover in the allotted time. Enjoy up close and personal views of magnificent birds with great photo opportunities. An optional luncheon will follow at a nearby riverside cafe where we will make up a list of all the birds we have seen and/or heard on the boat-ride.

July in Florida is hot, our reptiles and amphibians may be looking for a it of relief. Learn to identify common reptiles and amphibians and which ones may be harmful to you or your pets.  

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County.   

You see them flitting about in your yard, and you hear them singing a musical song - but What Bird is THAT?

This two-part class for beginning birders will help you to sort them out quickly – how to identify birds.

You don’t need to be a “Bird Brain” to take this course. You just need to have an interest in identifying birds by sight and/or sound. We will also cover field guides, binoculars, bird feeders, and other useful tools to get a good start on a great hobby.

Join us to learn about the status of our Florida bear populations, how they move around our urban neighborhoods and how to prevent nuisance issues. We will discuss appropriate concerns as well as resources to support our local black bears.  

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County.   

Wild hogs can be very problematic and can cause thousands of dollars in damage overnight. This course will discuss the biology of wild hogs in Florida, resources that may attract them and methods of control.  

  Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County.

To complement the visiting lecture on March 14 by Dr. Bill Hilton Jr. about hummingbird migration, this one-session class will describe the three species of hummingbirds found in Central Florida- the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the Rufous Hummingbird, and the Black-chinned Hummingbird. Information about identifying the three species, how to attract them, and how they live their lives will be provided through class discussion and a video presentation. 

Coyotes are very common in residential areas. You may encounter them while walking your pet or looking for local food sources. Coyotes are very resourceful, we will talk about how to stay safe and prevent close encounters with coyotes. 

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County. 

Coyotes are very common in residential areas. You may encounter them while walking your pet or looking for local food sources. Coyotes are very resourceful, we will talk about how to stay safe and prevent close encounters with coyotes. 

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County. 

Some of the largest and most powerful birds fall into the collective category of Raptors. Some soar high overhead and dive at speeds up to 200 MPH on unsuspecting prey. Some are smaller than robins and weigh in at less than 2.5 ounces. Many of these birds look alike. This two-part class is designed to help you sort them out.

Bats provide many ecological benefits in Florida including assisting with mosquito and insect pest control. Join in to learn more about bat species that may be inconspicuously flying around your neighborhood. 

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County. 

Bats provide many ecological benefits in Florida including assisting with mosquito and insect pest control. Join in to learn more about bat species that may be inconspicuously flying around your neighborhood. 

Join the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Ag & Natural Resource Agent to learn about wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture in Marion County. 

There are 56 species in 15 genera in this family throughout North America. We will look at 32 which can be seen in north central Florida – 17 in Session I and 15 in session ll. They will be arranged in groups by the season during which they are expected to be seen. Warblers are very active little birds. Colors vary from very bright and cheery to very drab olive and dull brown, similar to sparrows. No matter the color, they will brighten any day!

Honey bees are very important to agriculture and our food system. This field trip will provide students the opportunity to learn about the importance of honey bees to our agriculture, food and more about honey bee biology.  The class will be at the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory and (weather permitting) an open hive demonstration. Address: 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, Fl. 32611

     Enjoy a morning at Silver Springs State Park learning about the natural and cultural/historical resources of the area. Group will meet at the archway (main entrance off Rt 40). Participants will spend the morning with a Park Ranger to learn about the importance of the Silver River, starting near the head spring.
     After a Glass Bottom Boat tour, they will walk along the Ross Allen Boardwalk and Blue Trail to take a tram ride through the Sandhill Natural Community, with the last stop at the Silver River Museum. After the museum, they will tram back to the main entrance. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and must be able to walk at least one mile, some on uneven ground, and will meet at the Entry Arch to Silver Springs State Park, Route 40 entrance.

     Enjoy a morning at Silver Springs State Park learning about the natural and cultural/historical resources of the area. Group will meet at the archway (main entrance off Rt 40). Participants will spend the morning with a Park Ranger to learn about the importance of the Silver River, starting near the head spring.
     After a Glass Bottom Boat tour, they will walk along the Ross Allen Boardwalk and Blue Trail to take a tram ride through the Sandhill Natural Community, with the last stop at the Silver River Museum. After the museum, they will tram back to the main entrance. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and must be able to walk at least one mile, some on uneven ground, and will meet at the Entry Arch to Silver Springs State Park, Route 40 entrance.

     Enjoy a morning at Silver Springs State Park learning about the natural and cultural/historical resources of the area. Group will meet at the archway (main entrance off Rt 40). Participants will spend the morning with a Park Ranger to learn about the importance of the Silver River, starting near the head spring.
     After a Glass Bottom Boat tour, they will walk along the Ross Allen Boardwalk and Blue Trail to take a tram ride through the Sandhill Natural Community, with the last stop at the Silver River Museum. After the museum, they will tram back to the main entrance. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and must be able to walk at least one mile, some on uneven ground, and will meet at the Entry Arch to Silver Springs State Park, Route 40 entrance.

Take a trip around the world and become familiar with endangered species you may not have even known existed. Learn why these animals are in trouble and what's being done to save them.

Do opossums really hang from their tails to sleep? Do ostriches bury their head in the sand? This course will bust some common myths about animals.

Did you know bird watching is a billion-dollar industry? In this course you will learn how birds benefit humans economically and ecologically.

Recently, zoos around the world have come under fire from animal rights organizations spewing half truths and lies about the industry. This course will be taught by a retired zookeeper as we lift the curtain and go behind the scenes to see what life at a zoo is truly like for these animals.

The Attwater's Prairie Chicken is one of North America's most endangered bird species. In this course, participants will get an inside look at what the state of Texas and local zoos are doing to save this animal from extinction.

If you are new to birding or new to Florida, this course is for you! Birding in Florida is different from any other birding experience. The birds are different, there are lots of them – especially wading and water birds – and they are harder to attract. This course will cover all the basics such as: How to attract birds to your back yard; recommended use and type of feeders, water, houses and habitat, squirrel proofing your feeders (Yes, It can be done); and how to identify all your new-found feathered friends. Information on field guides and optics also included. Lots of information on birding opportunities and local birding organizations with time for questions at the end of each session. Fun and enlightening.

We live in "The horse capital of the world." Join Thomas Sweeney owner of Port Royal Racing, who is also working press for Tampa Bay Downs and a multi-state licensed professional horseman.

Part 1 of this 2 part course will cover the basics from breeding to the starting gate! In Part 2 we will attend a Thoroughbred auction at the world famous Ocala Breeders Sales where many of these equine athletes will fetch upwards of $1,000,000! Tom will "escort" you "backstage" at the sales! This is a great primer on "The Sport of Kings...and Queens!

We live in "The horse capital of the world." Join Thomas Sweeney owner of Port Royal Racing, who is also working press for Tampa Bay Downs and a multi-state licensed professional horseman.

Part 1 of this 2 part course will cover the basics from breeding to the starting gate! In Part 2 we will attend a Thoroughbred auction at the world famous Ocala Breeders Sales where many of these equine athletes will fetch upwards of $1,000,000! Tom will "escort" you "backstage" at the sales! This is a great primer on "The Sport of Kings...and Queens!

We live in "The horse capital of the world." Join Thomas Sweeney owner of Port Royal Racing, who is also working press for Tampa Bay Downs and a multi-state licensed professional horseman.

Part 1 of this 2 part course will cover the basics from breeding to the starting gate! In Part 2 we will attend a Thoroughbred auction at the world famous Ocala Breeders Sales where many of these equine athletes will fetch upwards of $1,000,000! Tom will "escort" you "backstage" at the sales! This is a great primer on "The Sport of Kings...and Queens!