Carefree Learner - March 24, 2026

Boat tours to Roberts Bay Rookery inVenice on the Carefree Learner. See hundreds of nesting herons, egrets, spoonbills and more.The boat is docked near downtown Sarasota, south of Marina Jack’s restaurant. Take Ringling Blvd., off 41/Tamiami Trail, toward the water and ......More

Boat tours to Roberts Bay Rookery inVenice on the Carefree Learner. See hundreds of nesting herons, egrets, spoonbills and more.The boat is docked near downtown Sarasota, south of Marina Jack’s restaurant. Take Ringling Blvd., off 41/Tamiami Trail, toward the water and into the parking lot. Our boat, the Carefree Learner, is docked next to La Barge, the big boat with mermaids and palm trees. This is near O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill. There is a public restroom next to O’Leary’s.  There are no facilities on the boat! Reservations are required for this event. Please click here to register.

Marina Jack Boat Docks, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States

Birds & Brews

Join us at Big Top Brewery for a fun evening talking birds over local brews.

Big Top Brewing, 3045 Fruitville Commons Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34240, United States

Oscar Scherer State Park Fourth Thursday Birdwalk

Strive to find the endangered Florida Scrub Jay and other resident birds. 1.5 mile walk on sandy trails – mainly in the sun.

Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL, 34229, United States

Jean Blackburn's Gardens and Feeders - *MEMBERS ONLY

A renowned local artist, Jean has developed a bird and butterfly friendly yard with many fruit trees over the past 35 years. In addition, she has hundreds of native plants on her 14 acre property. Walk the property and see the busy feeders. Mainly shade. Restroom availa......More

A renowned local artist, Jean has developed a bird and butterfly friendly yard with many fruit trees over the past 35 years. In addition, she has hundreds of native plants on her 14 acre property. Walk the property and see the busy feeders. Mainly shade. Restroom available. This is a Member’s Only Event – Limited to 20 participants. Register HERE 

Jean Blackburn’s Garden, 700 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240, United States

Wingspan, Oceana Edition - Experienced only - *MEMBERS ONLY

Wingspan is a card-driven, resource-building board game in which players compete to attract birds to their wildlife reserves. RSVP so we know how many tables to set up. Click here to RSVP to Stacy

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

Fourth Saturday Celery Field Walk

Explore birds in our native gardens and Palmer Road boardwalk

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

Duette Preserve with Forrest Rowland - Early Birds *MEMBERS ONLY

For those early risers interesting in trying for a few nocturnal species like Barred Owl, Chuck-will’s-widow & Eastern Whip-poor-will, now’s your chance! We will meet early, plan to arrive at 6 a.m. for 6:15 a.m. start time, at the Bear Bay Road Entrance to Duette Prese......More

For those early risers interesting in trying for a few nocturnal species like Barred Owl, Chuck-will’s-widow & Eastern Whip-poor-will, now’s your chance! We will meet early, plan to arrive at 6 a.m. for 6:15 a.m. start time, at the Bear Bay Road Entrance to Duette Preserve.We will reconvene back at the entrance at 7:30 a.m. with participants interested in only the diurnal species and go for a few short walks from the parking area in search of the Florida subspecies of Grasshopper Sparrow, habitat specialist Bachman’s Sparrow, and hope for perhaps running into other rarities like Vesper, White-throated, or White-crowned Sparrows. Pine specialists such as Brown-headed Nuthatch reside here, as do scarcer Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, and many other fun birds. The open habitats today offer good photo ops, as well.There is no fee to visit the park, nor is there infrastructure beyond dirt roads (translated: No Restrooms).This is a Members Only Event – Registration HERE is required.

Duette Bear Bay, Bear Bay Road, Myakka City, FL, 34251, United States

Duette Preserve with Forrest Rowland - *MEMBERS ONLY

This guided walk begins at 7:30 a.m. The “Early Bird” walk will return to the gate by 7:30 a.m. to join this walk. Participants interested in starting later than that early 6am walk will go for a few short walks from the parking area in search of the Florida subspecies ......More

This guided walk begins at 7:30 a.m. The “Early Bird” walk will return to the gate by 7:30 a.m. to join this walk. Participants interested in starting later than that early 6am walk will go for a few short walks from the parking area in search of the Florida subspecies of Grasshopper Sparrow, habitat specialist Bachman’s Sparrow, and hope for perhaps running into other rarities like Vesper, White-throated, or White-crowned Sparrows. Pine specialists such as Brown-headed Nuthatch reside here, as do scarcer Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, and many other fun birds. The open habitats today offer good photo ops, as well.Note there is an “Early Bird” optional tour that begins at 6:15am.There is no fee to visit the park, nor is there infrastructure beyond dirt roads (translated: No Restrooms).This is a Members Only Event – Registration HERE is required for the 7:30 am walk.

Duette Bear Bay, Bear Bay Road, Myakka City, FL, 34251, United States

Wingspan, The Game - Beginners Welcome - *MEMBERS ONLY

Learn about birds and their habitats, food, nests, etc. while playing a competitive game. Wingspan is a card-driven, resource-building board game in which players compete to attract birds to their wildlife reserves. Players spend food resources to add birds, which are r......More

Learn about birds and their habitats, food, nests, etc. while playing a competitive game. Wingspan is a card-driven, resource-building board game in which players compete to attract birds to their wildlife reserves. Players spend food resources to add birds, which are represented by 170 individually illustrated cards, to the forest, prairie, and wetland habitats on their player boards. RSVP so we know how many tables to set up. Click here to RSVP to Lynn

FL

First Thursday Celery Field Walk

Explore birds in our native gardens and Palmer Road boardwalk

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

Wingspan, Oceana Edition - Experienced only - *MEMBERS ONLY

Wingspan is a card-driven, resource-building board game in which players compete to attract birds to their wildlife reserves. RSVP so we know how many tables to set up. Click here to RSVP to Stacy

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

First Saturday Celery Field Walk

Explore birds throughout the Celery Fields with Sarasota County Naturalist Kylie Wilson email or cell phone 941-724-9629.

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

Birding 305: Warblers & Similar Species

Birding 305 Warblers and Similar Species ID with John GroskopfSaturday, April 45:30 – 6:30 p.m.Advanced Bird ID focused on Warblers and similar species with John Groskopf. In this comprehensive classroom course you will discover the key identification markers for variou......More

Birding 305 Warblers and Similar Species ID with John GroskopfSaturday, April 45:30 – 6:30 p.m.Advanced Bird ID focused on Warblers and similar species with John Groskopf. In this comprehensive classroom course you will discover the key identification markers for various warblers and similar species.Meet inside the Nature Center at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday April 4 for this classrom presentation.Registration Required

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

Carefree Learner - April 6, 2026

Boat tours to Roberts Bay Rookery inVenice on the Carefree Learner. See hundreds of nesting herons, egrets, spoonbills and more.The boat is docked near downtown Sarasota, south of Marina Jack’s restaurant. Take Ringling Blvd., off 41/Tamiami Trail, toward the water and ......More

Boat tours to Roberts Bay Rookery inVenice on the Carefree Learner. See hundreds of nesting herons, egrets, spoonbills and more.The boat is docked near downtown Sarasota, south of Marina Jack’s restaurant. Take Ringling Blvd., off 41/Tamiami Trail, toward the water and into the parking lot. Our boat, the Carefree Learner, is docked next to La Barge, the big boat with mermaids and palm trees. This is near O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill. There is a public restroom next to O’Leary’s.  There are no facilities on the boat! Reservations are required for this event. Please click here to register.

Marina Jack Boat Docks, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States

Old Miakka Preserve with Stu Wilson

“Look for flyovers, migrants, and woodpeckers. 2 mile loop walk, mainly in the sun and sandy trail. 2 mile loop walk, mainly in the sun and sandy trail. No restrooms.”

Old Miakka Preserve, Fruitville Rd & Myakka Rd, Sarasota, FL, 34240, United States

Wingspan, Oceana Edition - Experienced only - *MEMBERS ONLY

Wingspan is a card-driven, resource-building board game in which players compete to attract birds to their wildlife reserves. RSVP so we know how many tables to set up. Click here to RSVP to Stacy

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

Advanced Nature Journaling with Jenny Cherry

For this Advanced art class, Jenny will show how to draw a Purple Martin, especially since we have a large nesting box (like a hotel for Martins!) at the SAS Nature Center. Jenny will discuss Purple Martins and why we have the nesting boxes on site in the first place. W......More

For this Advanced art class, Jenny will show how to draw a Purple Martin, especially since we have a large nesting box (like a hotel for Martins!) at the SAS Nature Center. Jenny will discuss Purple Martins and why we have the nesting boxes on site in the first place. We may even have the opportunity to see the birds for inspiration during class! Jenny will teach how to draw 2-3 additional birds as well as a variety of Florida animals as time allows. A nature journal is a lens that focuses your attention, enriches your experiences, and develops your skills as a naturalist. This practice also enhances your observations, curiosity, and joy. Nature Journaling can consist of field notes, field sketches, observations, thoughts, feelings, or anything that captures your curiosity. Jenny Cherry was a featured artist at the Nature Center in May 2023. She is a graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design and an avid illustrator of portraits and landscapes. Registration Required CLICK HERE  

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240

Birding 201

Intermediate Birding, 1.5 hours – SAS Nature Center and garden.  This more advanced course is designed for birders seeking to enhance their skills. It builds upon the knowledge gained in Birding 101.

Sarasota Audubon Nature Center, 999 Center Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240