Equine, Pets & Wildlife   

This presentation will explore the biology and behavior of Florida’s two fox species and how they vitally contribute to the functioning of local ecosystems. We will also discuss potential conflicts, how to prevent them, and how we can coexist with these small members of the canine family. Instructor email will be provided for follow up questions.

Lauren Barth is the Northeast Regional Wildlife Assistance Biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and Master's degree from Florida International University. She has taught university classes on environmental science and Florida ecology, and has assisted in research of small mammals and birds in Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Utah.

Course description:  

While wildlife viewing is often an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, when wildlife become too comfortable in neighborhoods they can come into conflict with people. This presentation provides an overview of ways to keep wildlife wild while enjoying your wild neighbors from a distance. Instructor email will be provided for follow up questions.   

Catherine Hannan is a Senior Wildlife Assistance Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission celebrating her ninth year with the agency. Her work seeks to minimize adverse impacts of wildlife on human populations by promoting wildlife awareness and education to make coexistence with native species possible. Hailing originally from North Carolina, Catherine is a graduate of Western Carolina University and holds Bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and biology and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Florida in Interdisciplinary Ecology.

This course provides an overview of snake biology and ecological impacts and benefits of snakes. Students will learn to identify venomous snakes in Florida and how to reduce snake activity around your home. Instructor email will be provided for follow up questions.

Sarah Helm has been a Wildlife Assistance Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission since 2016. She moved to Florida over a decade ago and hasn’t stopped teaching about the amazing wildlife here since she arrived. She grew up hiking, hunting, and fishing, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Saint Lawrence University.

Rain forests are extremely unique ecosystems that hold an abundance of animals. We will look at interesting animals found in these otherworldly locations and these adaptions that help them survive. This class will also have a special rain forest animal guest.

Vultures save us billions of dollars globally every year. In this course, we will look at vultures throughout the world, and the impact they have on us and the environment. We will also look at the threats today's vultures face and what that means for humans.

Join us for a special class on crocodilians! We’ll take a close look at all four groups that make up the crocodilian's family tree; alligators, caiman, gharials, and of course crocodiles! Through this lecture style PowerPoint, we will look at every species and where they call home. From the smallest to the largest we will meet them all. We will even look at personal photos of our instructor working with many of these species and hear her stories!

Deserts are extremely unique ecosystems that hold an abundance of animals. We will look at interesting animals found in these otherworldly locations and these adaptions that help them survive. This class will also have a special desert animal guest.