THOUSAND ISLANDS FESTIVAL/Cocoa Beach
2025-11-08 11:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Don’t miss this event.
Cocoa Beach Pool Pavilion
Island Boat & Kayak Tours, Music, Kid Activities, Lagoon Restoration Hands-On Demos, Lagoon Expert Talks, Scavenger Hunt, Geocaching, Food Trucks, Beer & Wine and more.
Thousand Islands Conservation Area is a 338-acre site located on the Banana River adjacent to Cocoa Beach and consists of a series of islands in the Indian River Lagoon. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including storks, alligators, manatees, as well as rare and endangered tropical plants. The primary access point is from Ramp Road boat ramp in Cocoa Beach.
https://www.brevardfl.gov/EELProgram/Sanctuaries/ThousandIslandsConservationArea

Details coming soon.

Sebastian Mangrove Workshop
2025-11-22 09:00 - 12:00
ABOUT

About the event

Marine Resources Council runs one of the largest licensed mangrove nursery in the state of Florida. Thier Sebastian property is host to a large nursery with ~9000 plants. This nursery provides red, white, and black mangroves that are used for restoration projects across the state.

What will volunteers do?

At mangrove workshops, volunteers help with nursery maintenance while learning about mangrove care and restoration projects. Task generally include potting, re-potting, weeding, and watering plants. Additional activities of trail maintenance and invasive species removal may be possible depending on need.

What will volunteers need to bring or wear?

Volunteers should be prepared to be in the Florida heat and humidity. Hats, water, sunscreen (or UPF clothing), and close-toed are required. Gloves, shovels, and kneepads are available but feel free to bring your own from home! There is NO bathroom or water fountain available on site, so please be prepared!

9140 86th Ave, Vero Beach, FL, USA

What should volunteers know about the location?

Please park in the grass on the right side of the driveway across from the greenhouse. Please do not pull up to the greenhouse or park at the care taker’s residence.

More Info

County Workshop Meeting - Titusville
2026-01-05 18:00 - 21:00
To get public input on 2026 SOIRL Renewal.

Titusville City Council Chambers
Titusville City Hall
555 S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32907

Brevard County Master Gardener Volunteer Program
2026-01-07 09:00 - 15:00
The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program relies on trained and dedicated volunteers interested in gardening and giving back to their communities. Master Gardeners have the opportunity to participate in plant clinics at their local libraries, tend to the Brevard Discovery Garden, perform site visits to help their fellow community members, and much more! If helping others and learning about horticulture practices is something you enjoy, consider signing up for our next Master Gardener class! We now offer a Saturday option for those who are busy during the week!

County Workshop Meeting - Palm Bay
2026-01-12 18:00 - 21:00
To get public input on the 2026 SOIRL Renewal.
Palm Bay City Council Chambers
Palm Bay City Hall
120 Malabar Rd SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907

27th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival
2026-01-21 - 2026-01-25
Florida is rich in native populations of wildlife and birds, but it is also on a busy route for migrating birds stopping over for the winter.

Florida’s Space Coast – home to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Canaveral National Seashore, and Kennedy Space Center, is one of the best birding locations in the United States because it is situated at the convergence of two zones — temperate and subtropical — creating a natural diversity of unique habitats that attract varied bird species.
For a crash course on Florida’s wildlife, this Festival is ideal for all ages, from beginners to veterans.
Radisson Resort at the Port Cape Canaveral, Florida
More Info

Florida's Horseshoe Crab Watch Volunteer Program - Training
2026-01-22 - 2026-01-23
Volunteers Needed! | From February to April (*training required)
The Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch program is looking for volunteers in Brevard to survey for horseshoe crabs from February to April. There is an online training and an in-person skills training required to become a volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Holly Abeels at habeels@ufl.edu.
Learn more
*Training will be held on January 22nd and January 23rd. Register Above!

Hydroponics Make & Take Workshop
2026-01-22 10:30 - 12:00
Interested in growing your own food in a hydroponics system? Join us to learn simple techniques to build your own hydroponic bucket and leave the class with a functional hydroponic system, including three lettuce seedlings actively growing.
Learn more
January 22nd | 10:30 am – 12 pm & 5:30pm 7pm – | Registration Required

Benefit Concert for the Lagoon
2026-02-04 19:00 - 21:00
The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition is proud to be bringing national recording artists Freebo and Alice Howe to the Schenck Shop Schack for a Benefit Concert for the Lagoon on Wednesday February 4th at 7PM. Proceeds will go to help further the educational programs that have helped the healing of the Indian River Lagoon over the past 9 years.
Grab your tickets today
With the efforts of the SOIRL (Save Our Indian River Lagoon) program and many other organizations, we are seeing improvements but know we still have a long way to go.
Please click the link below to purchase tickets. We have limited seating and expect a sellout.
Alice Howe & Freebo have undeniable chemistry. Rock bass legend Freebo weaves his fretless stylings into Alice’s soulful, impeccably-tuned vocals for a harmony-driven performance showcasing two uniquely compelling songwriters.
Best known for his ten years playing bass with Bonnie Raitt, Freebo has toured and recorded with some of the greatest artists of his generation, including John Mayall, Ringo Starr, Crosby Stills & Nash, Maria Muldaur, Joe Walsh, and Dr. John. For the past twenty-five years, he’s been writing, recording, and performing his own original music. To hear Alice Howe sing is to be enraptured by the natural, unaffected beauty of her voice. There’s no artifice, no histrionics — just honest, authentic, emotionally resonant singing in the tradition of the roots music that shaped her. She recently had the honor of being named Best Female Artist at the International Acoustic Music Awards.
Freebo and Alice have been working as a duo since 2017, and he produced her latest record Circumstance, recorded at iconic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Their latest album Alice Howe & Freebo Live is their first release as a duo, and it debuted as the #1 Most Played Album on the Folk Radio Charts.
“When these two get together, prepare yourself for an extraordinary evening of song and smiles, and maybe a tear or two. Powerful songwriting, mesmerizing vocals, outstanding musicianship, and a palpable camaraderie make for an experience unsurpassed on the contemporary acoustic scene.” – Ron Olesko, The Folk Music Notebook
For more information on what you can do to help the Lagoon, go to www.HelpTheLagoon.org
To join us on February 4, for the concert, go here:
GET TICKETS

Ocean Treasures Festival
2026-02-21 10:00 - 16:00
Join the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and the Sea Turtle Conservancy for a day at the beach celebrating its many treasures!
Speak to experts on marine life and conservation, take a guided beach walk, have your cabinet curiosities identified and entered into a beachcombing competition, shop from ocean-inspired artists, observe demos of artists’ beach chic techniques, support the art raffle to benefit Sea Turtle Conservancy, try the beachcombing scavenger hunt, enjoy take-in-make eco-arts, live music, food trucks & more!
Barrier Island Center
More Info

World Seagrass Day
2026-03-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Brevard Zoo, 8225 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL, 32940, United States
Celebrate World Seagrass Day with Restore Our Shores at the Zoo!
Enjoy fun activities in the zoo’s center loop from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. There will also be opportunities to learn about these important plants and how to help our Indian River Lagoon from several lagoon-focused organizations. Free with Zoo admission.

Titusville Marina: Installation of Nanobubble Technology
2026-03-03 10:00 - 23:00
To mark the launch of the small-scale nanobubble technology installation to revitalize water quality in the marina, the City of Titusville will host a ceremonial media event, “Flip the Switch from Green to Clean,” on March 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Titusville Municipal Marina.
The installation is funded through private and business contributions, including donations from local business owner Laurilee Thompson, co-owner of Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant and vice-chair of the Titusville Environmental Commission; Parrish Healthcare; Pinnacle; and Robin L. Fisher and Associates, Inc.; with support provided in partnership with the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida’s Space Coast. The project represents another step in the City’s ongoing efforts to support the long-term health of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
Read more about the project on Titusville.com

What's Up in the Watershed Webinar
2026-03-18 14:00 - 16:00
Join One Lagoon – Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program for the What’s Up in the Watershed Webinar on March 18th at 2pm for an in depth look at Coastal Connections Monofilament Recycling Program.
Revitalized in 2024, this vital initiative, part of Coastal Connections’ broader Vero Goes Zero (VGZ) sustainability efforts, has installed 41 updated Fishing Line Recycling Tubes at beach accesses, jetties, boat ramps, and piers along the ocean and the Indian River Lagoon.
During this webinar, you’ll discover how:
– Volunteers maintain and sort collected monofilament during community workdays
– Recycled fishing line is transformed into new products through the Berkley Conservation Institute
– Proper disposal prevents dangerous marine debris and protects wildlife, including sea turtles and manatees
Improperly discarded fishing line can entangle and seriously harm marine life. By recycling monofilament, we remove persistent debris from our environment and give it new life as tackle boxes, fishing spools, and aquarium habitats—helping conserve coastal ecosystems for generations to come.
Be part of the solution. Join us to learn how you can support this impactful community program and help keep our coastline clean and thriving.
Register today!
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Jcv9RQT5Qqa_aBAhT6AG1A#/registration

Making a Bamboo Trellis
2026-03-20 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Florida, 32926
Learn how to make a bamboo trellis at the Brevard Discovery Garden!
Class participants will be in the Brevard Discovery Garden to learn all about making bamboo trellises.
Come join us at UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM (Eastern Time) for a fun and informative event! This workshop will be held in the Brevard Discovery Garden, an educational garden on our property, so bring whatever you need to be outside for a walking workshop. Please wear closed-toed shoes and feel free to bring a chair, a hat, a jacket (if it’s cold), plenty of water, and a note pad for notes, because there will be a lot of information!
Brevard County Master Gardener, Warren Winters, will demonstrate how to build bamboo trellises to support climbing plants, vines, and vegetables allowing great soil health

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Seminar 2026
2026-03-21 09:00 - 14:00
Come join us for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Seminar

Come join us for the 2026 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Seminar with presentations, raffles, vendors, and some wonderful speakers! If you love nature and plants, you don’t want to miss this amazing free event.

Pruning like a pro
2026-03-27 10:00 - 11:30 | UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Florida, 32926
Learn how to prune your plants like a pro!
Class participants will learn how to prune plants in the Brevard Discovery Garden.
Come join us at UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM (Eastern Time) for a fun and informative event! This workshop will be held in the Brevard Discovery Garden, an educational garden on our property, so bring whatever you need to be outside for a walking workshop. Please wear closed-toed shoes and feel free to bring a chair, a hat, a jacket (if it’s cold), plenty of water, and a note pad for notes, because there will be a lot of information!
Brevard County Urban Horticulture agent Sally Scalera will demonstrate how to remove dead or diseased plant parts to ensure their beautiful blooms and survival.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts and enhance your gardening skills!
NOTE: Classes and events may be canceled at any time due to low registration or other circumstances, with full refunds issued for paid events. Similar classes or events are often offered on future dates.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

BDG Garden Tour & FFL Principles
2026-04-03 10:00 - 11:30 | UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Florida, 32926
Come tour the Brevard Discovery Garden and learn Florida-friendly landscaping principles!

Class participants will be in the Brevard Discovery Garden for a tour and to learn all about Florida-friendly landscaping principles!
Come join us at UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM (Eastern Time) for a fun and informative event! This workshop will be held in the Brevard Discovery Garden, an educational garden on our property, so bring whatever you need to be outside for a walking workshop. Please wear closed-toed shoes and feel free to bring a chair, a hat, a jacket (if it’s cold), plenty of water, and a note pad for notes, because there will be a lot of information!
Brevard County Urban Horticulture agent, Sally Scalera, will share tips on how to care for your garden, plants, lawn, and trees, learning the Florida-friendly landscaping principles and touring the Brevard Discovery Garden!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts and enhance your gardening skills!

NOTE: Classes and events may be canceled at any time due to low registration or other circumstances, with full refunds issued for paid events. Similar classes or events are often offered on future dates.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

2026 Florida-Friendly Landscaping Class 8-week series
2026-04-07 09:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Florida, 32926
Learn how to grow healthy plants & nutritious food and still protect the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Johns River.

Participate in this 8-week class series and learn how to grow healthy and nutritious plants and help protect water quality! Below is the class schedule.
April 7th – All About Botany & Our Dirt Needs LIFE
(two-week break)
April 21st – Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Principles, Brevard Keystone Species & Native Plants
April 28th – Hands-on Gardening (learn how to start seeds, transplant seeds, start plants from cuttings, and how to divide plants) & Intro. to landscape design – FFL Plant nutrition & selection
May 5th – All about Lawns & Palms
May 12th – All About Trees & Native Plant Walk around the office
May 19th – Edible Gardening
May 26th – Disease Diagnosis & Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
June 2nd – Pesticide Safety & Biochar
Attend the class in person or on Zoom!
For those attending by Zoom, you can come to the office and pick up your class notebook before the class begins, Monday-Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm. Call first to make sure the books are available.

Reef Building
2026-04-09 - 2026-04-10
Join the ROS team for an exciting reef-building activity! Volunteers will have the chance to get in the water and use rakes to help level out the oyster shell that has previously been placed in the water. There may also be a need to move coquina rocks (ranging from 5 to 50 pounds each) to help form the reef in the Indian River Lagoon.
Reef Location is dependent on construction timelines. Location will be emailed prior to the event date.
April 9 sign up
April 10 sign up

REEF BUILDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
2026-04-09 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-10 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-16 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-17 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-24 09:00 - 13:00
Join the ROS team for an exciting reef-building activity! Volunteers will have the chance to get in the water and use rakes to help level out the oyster shell that has previously been placed in the water. There may also be a need to move coquina rocks (ranging from 5 to 50 pounds each) to help form the reef in the Indian River Lagoon.
Sign Up

Celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day in Florida
2026-04-10
April 10th was officially adopted by the Gopher Tortoise Council as Gopher Tortoise Day! In Florida, gopher tortoises are found in parts of all 67 counties and are frequently encountered in neighborhoods, along roadways, and in many of Florida’s public parks and forests. The goal of Gopher Tortoise Day is to increase awareness and appreciation for these long lived, gentle reptiles.

Botanical Fest
2026-04-11 08:00 - 16:00
While spring may still be unfolding, something beautiful is already blooming in Downtown Melbourne. Come celebrate the beauty of nature at the 10th Annual Downtown Melbourne Botanical Fest! A day filled with beautiful landscapes, garden essentials, and a variety of flowers, plants, and shrubs awaits you!
Saturday, April 11, 2026
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free Admission
Bring your wagon to pick up new finds for your yard and take some time to explore our local merchants, where you’ll discover a treasure trove of unique items.
Learn More

Earth Day Festival
2026-04-18 10:00 - 15:00
The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary – 444 Columbia Blvd, Titusville

4th Annual Spring Fling in the Brevard Discovery Garden
2026-04-25 09:00 - 15:00 | UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Florida, 32926
Join us for a free, family-friendly garden festival celebrating plants, pollinators, and Florida-Friendly landscapes! The 4th Annual Spring Fling Plant Sale and Bees, Butterflies & Blooms Festival, is a special collaboration between Brevard Discovery Garden and Brevard Backyard Beekeepers. For the first time, these two popular spring events will come together to create one unforgettable community celebration featuring native plants, pollinator education, hands-on activities, and local vendors.
EVENT OVERVIEW
🌸 About The Event
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Brevard Discovery Garden and Brevard Backyard Beekeepers will unite their annual spring events at the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Facility in Cocoa for a full-scale garden and pollinator festival.
In past years, these organizations hosted separate spring events. In 2026, they are combining efforts to create a richer, more engaging experience—connecting gardeners, families, and nature lovers with the plants, practices, and pollinators that support healthy Florida landscapes.
This free event is open to all ages and designed for everyone from seasoned gardeners to curious beginners. To get a glimpse of what’s in store, watch this short video from a previous Brevard Discovery Garden festival: https://youtu.be/t02_lbkWFMA
🌿 What You’ll Experience
· Native & Florida-Friendly plants grown by local Master Gardeners
· Pollinator-focused education and beekeeping programs
· Garden and beekeeping demonstrations, educational talks, and tours
· Local vendors offering plants, gardening supplies, honey, and bee products
· Opportunities to talk with Master Gardeners and local beekeepers
· Family-friendly activities and children’s programming
· Food vendors and community exhibits
🐝 A Special Partnership
This year’s Spring Fling proudly partners with Brevard Backyard Beekeepers, host of the Bees, Butterflies & Blooms Festival. Together, we’re highlighting the vital connection between healthy gardens and healthy pollinators—and offering the community a bigger, better event than ever before.
👉Why Register?
Although this is a free event, we encourage attendees to register to help us plan for parking, activities, and materials—and to receive event updates, schedules, and reminders as the festival approaches.
NOTE: Classes and events may be canceled at any time due to low registration or other circumstances, with full refunds issued for paid events. Similar classes or events are often offered on future dates.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Vermicomposting: A Cool Way to Compost
2026-04-25 10:45 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Florida, 32926
Learn how to vermicompost!
Join Master Gardener Julie Schafer on Saturday, April 25 for a fun, hands-on workshop that shows how Red Wiggler worms turn kitchen scraps into rich compost for your garden.
Julie will demonstrate how easy it is to set up a simple worm bin at home and explain how these hardworking composters create nutrient-rich “black gold” that plants love.
Perfect for gardeners, eco-enthusiasts, and anyone interested in reducing food waste while improving their soil.
Two Sessions:
10:45 AM & 1:45 PM
4th Annual Spring Fling – Brevard Discovery Garden
3695 Lake Dr, Cocoa, FL
Reserve your seat on Eventbrite
Come see these amazing recyclers in action!
NOTE: Classes and events may be canceled at any time due to low registration or other circumstances, with full refunds issued for paid events. Similar classes or events are often offered on future dates.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

The Buzz on Bees
2026-04-25 11:30 - 14:00 | UF/IFAS Extension – Brevard County, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Florida, 32926
The Buzz on Bees is coming to the Brevard Discovery Garden!
Curious about honeybees? Wondering how beekeeping works? Want to better understand why bees are so important to our environment and food supply?
Join us on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:30am in the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Auditorium for a special 30-minute presentation called “The Buzz on Bees” delivered by Matt Thompson with Brevard Backyard Beekeepers.
This engaging presentation will cover:
🍯 The basics of bees & how colonies function
🌸 The role bees play in pollination
🌎 Why bees are essential to a healthy ecosystem
🐝 Insights into backyard beekeeping
Whether you’re a gardener, nature lover, or simply bee-curious, this is a great opportunity to learn from local experts and deepen your appreciation for these incredible pollinators.
The 4th Annual Spring Fling Bees, Butterflies & Blooms Festival opens at 9am on April 25. Come early, shop for plants and gardening products, explore the gardens, enjoy our food trucks and then at 11:30 get “the buzz” firsthand! 💛
ADDRESS: 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, FL 32926
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact the UF/IFAS Brevard County Extension Office at brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or (321) 633-1702 at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
