There are more than 50 warblers in North America. More than half can be seen in Florida. Many of them "look alike" and there are a number of other species which also look like warblers. Identifying individual species can be a real challenge! To make things "easier," we will concentrate only on those which do occur and are most common in our area. Fun, easy and relaxed.

Sweetwater Wetlands is a man-made wonder near Gainesville, which offers a natural habitat for an amazing variety of wading/water birds, as well as an abundance of songbirds. See snipe, rails, limpkin, black-bellied whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, and many more up-close and personal.

Great opportunity to add some hard-to-find birds to your list! The first class will be held in a classroom at MTP. For the second date, we will spend about 3 hours walking the paved patch through the area and then enjoy an optional lunch at a nearby cafe. We will carpool from MTP to the area.

NOTE: There is a $5 parking fee per car to enter the parking area.

Chester Weber presents the making of Live Oak International from its humble beginnings to the largest international-level combined driving and show jumping tournament in the country.

Would you like to know how to communicate better with your dog? This program comprises different aspects of basic training in guidelines like "name," "watch me," "sit," "come," and walking on a leash. In this class, we will discuss common situations, such as house breaking, jumping, nipping, and chewing.

The instructor practices positive reinforcement, and never uses forceful or violent methods. She will analyze participants' pet temperaments, ask questions and find the right solutions to improve each pet's life.... and the participants.

Participants are asked to bring:
-their own leash
-their own treats
-suitable shoes, no sandals or flip-flops

Bring a smile.

Would you like to know how to communicate better with your dog? This program comprises different aspects of basic training in guidelines like "name," "watch me," "sit," "come," and walking on a leash. In this class, we will discuss common situations, such as house breaking, jumping, nipping, and chewing.

The instructor practices positive reinforcement, and never uses forceful or violent methods. She will analyze participants' pet temperaments, ask questions and find the right solutions to improve each pet's life.... and the participants.

Participants are asked to bring:
-their own leash
-their own treats
-suitable shoes, no sandals or flip-flops

Bring a smile.

This program comprises different aspects of training in guidelines like "name," "watch me," "sit," "come," and walking on a leash for distance, duration, and distraction. We will discuss common situations, such as house breaking, jumping, nipping, and chewing. The instructor practices positive reinforcement, and never uses forceful or violent methods. She will analyze participants' pet temperaments, ask questions and find the right solutions to improve each pet's life... and the participants. Prerequisite: Students need to have attended the Dog Behavior Basic Principles Beginner first.

This program comprises different aspects of training in guidelines like "name," "watch me," "sit," "come," and walking on a leash for distance, duration, and distraction. We will discuss common situations, such as house breaking, jumping, nipping, and chewing. The instructor practices positive reinforcement, and never uses forceful or violent methods. She will analyze participants' pet temperaments, ask questions and find the right solutions to improve each pet's life... and the participants. Prerequisite: Students need to have attended the Dog Behavior Basic Principles Beginner first.

We throw a ball with our dogs, cuddle with our cats, and flirt with our parrots, but is that enough? Within this course, we will look at different categories of enrichment we may be missing for all animals, large or small. We will look at stimulating enrichment that can be done when you leave the house to keep your best friend occupied. During this course, we will also look at safety considerations, and will be making toys for your animals.

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your pets if you were no longer able to care for them? Do you know what your options are to provide for your pet in case of an emergency, an illness or death? This course helps you with answers to all your questions and provides you with options to ensure that your pets are cared for even if you think a family member will care for them and especially if you don't have someone designated to care for them. Come and learn about the legal issues and options regarding your pets.

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your pets if you were no longer able to care for them? Do you know what your options are to provide for your pet in case of an emergency, an illness or death? This course helps you with answers to all your questions and provides you with options to ensure that your pets are cared for even if you think a family member will care for them and especially if you don't have someone designated to care for them. Come and learn about the legal issues and options regarding your pets.

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.

Insects are an integral part of our ecology, especially here in Florida. Tom Miller is an entomologist with over three decades of teaching experience. Join him as he presents insights into these creatures, their habitat and habits and their place in our ecology - a fascinating subject!

Florida has approximately 50 species of snakes. All of these play a vital role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem in which they live. Only a few are venomous and present any threat to mankind - but how many? And, which ones? Where do they live? Come to Tom Miller's class and find out. Do you suffer from ophidiophobia (fear of snakes)? Relax and come anyhow -- there will be no live specimens in the class!

We have all seen them. Many of us fear them. Few of us understand them. Come join Tom Miller as he attempts to dispel the many myths and "old wives tales" that surround Florida's fabulous spiders.

In this course, participants will learn how honey bees age, perform different jobs, and create the honey and other products in a bee hive. Bees change jobs like some of us do during our lifetimes. And they can even change their age when needed. Don't we all wish we could do that?

Weather permitting, we will visit the Marion County Beekeeper's Club Apiary, located on property. Protective gear will be provided.

This course looks at how and why we keep honeybees. Each class will include basic information for those who may want to start beekeeping. Equipment and start-up costs will be discussed.

Weather permitting, the class will visit the Marion County Beekeepers Club’s apiary where we'll open hives and look at the inside workings. Each class will end with a Q & A session.

What or who is considered a pest in the garden? Learn the difference between a pest and a beneficial insect, and how to build a healthy garden.

The Attwater's Prairie Chicken is one of North Americas 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.

The endless work honey bees do for mankind is amazing to discover. Here, we will learn how queen bees are created, the jobs assigned to each caste of bees, and how we can help them survive.

We will also discuss some of the foods honey bees provide for mankind and why they do it. If possible, we will visit the Marion County Beekeeper's Club Apiary to watch live bees at work. Protective gear will be provided.

Come, explore some of the possibilities honey bees provide for us.

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!

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

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