Shamrock Park

3900 Shamrock Drive, Venice

Also features: 2.3-mile paved multi-use trail for wildlife viewing, hiking and biking located on the Intracoastal Waterway. This park offers indoor and outdoor reservable space. Visit scgov.net (keyword reservations) or contact 941-861-PARK (7275).

ACTIVITIES

DEMONSTRATION GARDEN TOUR

June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2 / Ages: 18 and up / Fee: Free / Demonstration Garden / First Thursday, 9 a.m. Master Gardeners will be in the Demonstration Garden at Shamrock Park to answer questions, provide free tours and give expert advice on Florida-friendly landscaping. No registration necessary. For information, call 941-861-5000.

SEASONS AND SERENDIPITY STROLL

Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10 / Ages: 12 and up / Fee: Free / Nature Walk / Second Friday, 9-11 a.m. Join master naturalists and Shamrock Park staff as they stroll trails that rely on changing seasons to bring us new flowers, birds’ nests, insects and animal activity. For more information and to register, visit scgov.net/parks or call 941-861-5000.

SPECIAL EVENTS

LET’S MAKE SOME BLACK GOLD!

Sept. 8 / All ages / Fee: Free / Classroom / Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. Join us to learn what UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is doing around the region with composting, waste reduction and recycling. This 60-minute workshop blends indoor lessons with outdoor, handson activities. Register early through ufsarasotaext.eventbrite.com to reserve your seat and receive notice of any changes. Designed for residents interested in learning about composting, attendees will learn the basics of home composting, how to build your own compost system, and the benefits of composting. Attendees also will gain an understanding of food waste issues and how our community is helping with the solution. Make 2021 your year to start composting and reducing your impact on the environment!

REDUCING PLASTICS

Oct. 13 / All ages / Fee: Free / Classroom / Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Reducing Plastics is a new, open-discussion class focused on the issue of plastic pollution. The class focuses on the major issues surrounding our plastic usage and discusses solutions. Additionally, the course will discuss recycling with waste reduction, composting, and other topics. We aim to involve individuals passionate about protecting the environment and willing to work to make our community healthier, but welcome everyone interested in learning. The goal is to facilitate a discussion about the state of recycling.

FLORIDA SCRUB-JAY IN PERIL

Nov. 13 / All ages / Fee: Free / Classroom / Saturday, 9-10 a.m. The state and federally threatened Florida scrub-jay is the only species of bird unique to Florida. Why have the numbers been on the decline and is there anything we can do to help? Join master naturalist Kate Borduas as she teaches us about Florida scrub-jays and their disappearing habitat. For more information and to register, please visit scgov.net/parks or call 941-861-5000.

INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS OF FLORIDA

Dec. 4 / All ages / Fee: Free / Classroom / Saturday, 9-10 a.m. Are you eager to become a better birder? Come join master naturalist, Kate Borduas, to learn all about the common and not-so-common birds you might encounter in the Sarasota area. Tools to make identification more accurate can be very helpful when encountering the vast majority of birds Florida has to offer. This is a program you won’t want to miss! For more information and to register, visit scgov. net/parks or call 941-861-5000.