members of the 2020 master gardener volunteer class receive education and training at sarasota county extension. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]

How Do I... Request a Speaker/Presentation?

Start by choosing a category below, and then reviewing the available topics and descriptions (sort tables by clicking on field titles). Then, once you have identified or narrowed your choice of topic(s), request a speaker/presentation by completing our online form.

Topic	Description	Age
Bay-Friendly Fertilizing	Learn about a tool that will incorporate the nutrients already applied to your landscape through reclaimed water... English	Adult
Community Gardening	Schedule a group tour of one of our seven community gardens... English	Adult, Youth
Community Orchards	Learn about fruit trees and growing fruit, with a guided tour... English	Adult, Youth
Creating Your Edible Garden	Considerations for creating your edible garden space... English	Adult, Youth
Demonstration Garden Tour — Twin Lakes Park	This free, guided walk will showcase plant community functions... English	Adult
Demonstration Garden Tour — Shamrock Park and Nature Center	This free, guided walk will showcase coastal-adapted plants... English	Adult
Demonstration Garden Tour — Osprey Junction Trailhead	This free, guided walk will highlight how native plants support wildlife... English	Adult
DIY Drip Irrigation	Focus on how to transition from high-flow spray heads to low-flow drip irrigation... English	Adult
Fertilizing Effectively for Suncoast Soils	Proper fertilization means only applying as needed to help prevent runoff... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Basics: FFL 101	Learn the basics of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, including the nine principles... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ for Newcomers	Learn why Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ is key to protecting Florida... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Foodscaping for the Suncoast	Learn about unique tropical edibles that work great in our landscapes... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Planting for Suncoast Bees	Learn how to identify common bees and plants to help them thrive... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Planting for Suncoast Butterflies	Learn how to identify common butterflies and plants to help them thrive... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Planting for Suncoast Hummingbirds	Learn how to attract and identify local hummingbirds... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Planting for Suncoast Songbirds	Learn how to identify local songbirds and native plants that help them thrive... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Planting Trees for the Suncoast	Learn how to plant and establish trees recommended for our area... English	Adult
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™: Reducing Stormwater Runoff	Learn how to reduce storm water runoff via rain barrels and gardens... English	Adult
Lawn Ornaments: Alternative Lawns for Florida	Discover swap outs for turfgrass like sunshine mimosa and perennial peanut... English	Adult
Palms: Facts and Fiction	Get information on Florida palms, from planting to pruning... English	Adult
School Gardening	Learn the benefits of school gardens and how to evaluate space... English	Adult
The Tale of Atala and Coontie: A Florida-Friendly Success Story	Learn about the Atala butterfly back from the brink of extinction... English	Adult
Veggie Face Art	Create hands-on "Veggie Faces" art projects for ages 8 and up... English	Youth

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Topic	Description	Age
4-H Outdoor InvestiGATOR	Youth ages 8-14 learn the importance of insects, animals, and the variety of living things around them through hands-on activities, scientific observation, experiment and more. Ages 8-14 English	Youth
Backyard Wildlife Investigations	Family or youth programming covering hands-on activities for youth to explore wildlife in their own back yard. Offered as single-topic or serial sessions. English	Youth
Bird Beak Adaptations	UNDER DEVELOPMENT	Youth
Flower Anatomy and Dissection	UNDER DEVELOPMENT	Youth
Full Moon Outing	We'll discuss an array of lunar and night-sky aspects, as we experience the full moon at a nearby park location in a family-oriented outing. Scheduled dependent on full moon. English	Youth
Guided Tour: Mangroves and Estuarine Ecosystems	Request a guided tour at Ken Thompson Park (or similar area) to explore mangrove ecosystems, including the array of estuarine creatures found there. English	Adult, Youth
Guided Tour: Nature Walks	Request a guided tour at an area park to explore aspects of our amazing Florida environment. Tailored to topic request, as available. English	Adult, Youth
Health Benefits of Nature (Biodiversity)	Join us for an exploration of finding peace within nature, and learn how the loss of natural biodiversity impacts human health. English	Adult
Health Benefits of Nature (Meditation)	Join us for an exploration of finding peace within nature, and learn about the associated health benefits. Includes shinrin yoku experience. English	Adult
Invasive Species (plants, animals or combination)	UNDER DEVELOPMENT	Adult
Owl Pellet Dissection	Florida is home to an array of astounding owls. Get a better understanding of how they survive, with a closer look at what they eat but later regurgitate. Fee possible, dependent on subject matter. English	Youth
Project Learning Tree	UNDER DEVELOPMENT (Help students better understand our environment, their role in it, and how to protect it, with this hands-on educational program.)	Adult
Save the Drops: Water Conservation Inside Your Home and In Your Landscape	Learn about Sarasota County's water supply and treatment, and conserving water in your home's bathroom, kitchen, pool, landscape, and more. English	Adult
The Hydrologic Cycle	Learn how water moves through our environment and get information about local conservation issues. Provides a hands-on bead bracelet activity. English	Youth
Waste Reduction	Learn how to maximize recycling in the workplace, reduce waste, cut your plastic use, get started with composting and more. English	Adult, Youth
Wild Sarasota	Take a walk on the wild side... of Sarasota, and learn about our amazing wildlife. Topics include owls, eagles, bats, alligators, coyotes, bobcats/panthers, gopher tortoises, and scrub-jays. English	Adult
Worms	Get the lowdown on the anatomy of worms and their benefits to our soil. Provides a hands-on learning experience. English	Youth

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Topic	Description	Age
Nutrition Habits for Health	Boost workplace wellness and leadership performance! Discover practical, science-backed nutrition habits, evaluate your current routines, and learn strategies to level up your energy and overall health. English Adult	Adult
Making Savvy Decisions at the Grocery Store	Get information and advice on how to save money at the store, keep food safe, reduce food waste, and more English Adult	Adult
The Med Way (Mediterranean Diet)	Discover the principles of healthy living, lifespan and chronic disease risk reduction with this introduction to the longest standing, scientifically studied dietary pattern: the Mediterranean Diet. Adult	Adult

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Topic	Description	Age
Age-Friendly Housing: Universal Design and Visitability	Shares basic principles of Universal Design and Visitability to assist residents and their family members plan for age-friendly housing. English	Adult
Climate Change Science and Solutions	Outlines the basic concepts of climate change science and uses an interactive method to engage attendees in understanding the most effective global solutions to reduce greenhouse gases and sequester carbon. Middle or high school youth English	Adult, Youth
Energy and Water Conservation	Learn energy- and water-saving techniques at home, and get an introduction to sustainability. English	Youth
Energy Upgrade	Learn cost-saving strategies for residents, what to look for in contractors, do-it-yourself opportunities and more. Attendees receive a free "DIY Energy Saving Kit" with LED light bulbs, faucet aerators, and more. Available in Spanish English, Spanish	Adult
Energy Vampire	Children learn about energy savings at home and "energy vampires" through a hands-on art project making vampires out of art supplies, along with a take-home energy vampire worksheet. English	Youth
Green Buildings in Our Community	A look at Sarasota County’s approach to green building, certified "green buildings" locally, different certification programs, and how to earn points towards certification through credit categories. English	Adult
Green Living	Get started on the road to sustainable living, with an introduction in the categories of energy, water, waste, transportation and food, along with with local resources to help you. English	Adult
Green Living Backpack Kit	Get started with sustainability and living more "green," with an activity from our Family Green Living Kit (available at Sarasota County public libraries). Topics include food, waste, transportation, and more. English	Youth
Introduction to Sarasota County Sustainability	Learn what Sarasota County Sustainability can do for you, and how you can get involved. English	Adult
Solar Energy Basics for Kids	Get the basics and benefits of solar energy by exploring a solar photovoltaic panel, and get a DIY solar oven s'mores cooker demonstration (virtual) or hands-on activity (in person). English	Youth
Solar in the Sunshine State: The Basics of Solar Energy for Florida Homeownersl	Boost your understanding of solar energy, with a workshop that delves on basic technology, calculating return on investment, policies affecting solar adoption, and incentives to help pay for it. English	Adult
Supporting Clean Energy: Solar Energy and Electric Vehicle Basics	Get the basics of residential solar and electric vehicles. The discussion will cover solar technology, site considerations, and incentives to help pay for it. English	Adult

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Topic	Description	Age
4-H and Sustainability More than 100 years making the best better!	A family-oriented overview of the 4-H program and its efforts, along with how to get engaged and support the program! English	Adult, Youth
4-H Outdoor InvestiGATOR	Youth ages 8-14 learn the importance of insects, animals, and the variety of living things around them through hands-on activities, scientific observation, experiment and more. Ages 8-14 English	Youth
4-H SPIN Club	Introduce youth to environmental education, marine science, STEM, civic engagement, leadership and an array of other special topics, with six hours of activity. Option for during- or after-school hours. Special-interest club English	Youth
Full Moon Outing	We'll discuss an array of lunar and night-sky aspects, as we experience the full moon at a nearby park location in a family-oriented outing. Scheduled dependent on full moon. English	Youth

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Topic	Description	Age
Introduction to Extension and What it Offers	Presents the basic concept behind the national Cooperative Extension System, as well as programs and expertise offered by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. English	Adult

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QUESTIONS?
Email: sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu
Phone: 941-861-5000 or 941-861-9900