Hillsborough County residents eager to green up their thumbs have a robust lineup of educational opportunities to dive into this May, courtesy of the Hillsborough County Extension Service and the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The offerings, ranging from workshops on rainwater harvesting to seminars on native plant gardening, are designed to help locals enhance their landscapes, all the while respecting Florida's delicate ecosystem.
Those looking to kick off the month with an educational sprint can sign up for "The Triple Workshops" slated for May 3, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. For a $10 fee per session, participants can learn about composting, micro-irrigation, and rainwater harvesting. According to an announcement on the Hillsborough County's newsroom, attendees will also walk away with freebies like a compost bin or a micro-irrigation kit, although there's a limit of one item per household, and a grown-up has to be the one to claim it.
Nature enthusiasts can look forward to the "Marvelous Mangroves" event on May 6, where UF/IFAS experts will discuss everything from mangrove ecology to shoreline maintenance. This class promises an immersive experience with both in-class instruction and an outdoor component complete with extensive walking. Enlightening and without cost, "Marvelous Mangroves" melds educational enrichment with the joy of the great outdoors, but remember, registration is a must to secure a spot, as per Hillsborough County.
Continuing the green journey, "Gardening With Native Plants" will be held on May 8, aiming to furnish participants with the knowledge to beautify their home landscapes with Florida's native greenery. For a nominal $10 registration fee, gardeners-to-be will gather seeds, a plant, and a critical list of native plants perfect for Central Florida. It's an opportunity not only to spruce up your garden but also to support the local ecosystem and the wildlife that calls it home, as per Hillsborough County's announcement.
Community tree care is taking the spotlight on May 9, inviting locals to join the urban forestry agent for insights into community tree management. This free session promises to nurture the arborist within. For those unable to attend in person, the "Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ HC Webinar Series: Fertilize Appropriately" on May 15 offers a virtual alternative to learn about eco-friendly fertilization techniques. To wrap up the month's tree-oriented education, the "Try out These Trees!" workshop scheduled for May 20 will dish out advice on all things trees - from selection to maintenance - all crucial for creating a balanced landscape, detailed by Hillsborough County.
All sessions require preregistration and some evidence of a fee. For full details on these eco-centric events, including how to register, the Hillsborough County website is the resource to visit. These workshops are more than mere classes; they are a gateway to reimagining the connection to our shared land, to tilting the balance back to a more verdant and sustainable Florida.
