Following is a summary of Tampa Bay area events planned in conjunction with Earth Day this year. If you know of an event or festival not listed here, please contact me with the details.

Hernando County

• Chinsegut Birding and Wildlife Festival
  Where:Chinsegut Nature Center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, Brooksville
  When: Friday, April 17, 6:45 p.m.; and Saturday, April 18, 7:30 a.m.
  What: The event will include bat and owl prowls, a talk on hummingbirds, a birds-of-prey demonstration, a beetle and bug walk and off-site field trips to view burrowing owls.

Hillsborough County

• Earth Day Tampa Bay 2009
  Where: Lowry Park, 7525 North Boulevard, Tampa, across the street from Lowry Park Zoo.
  When: Sunday, April 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  What: Billed as Tampa�s biggest Earth Day celebration, the family-friendly festival will feature environmental exhibitors offering products, information and demonstrations on ways to maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Attendees may learn about energy and water conservation, local parks, recreation opportunities and area wildlife. Children�s activities will be offered including craft projects and educational games. Live entertainment will include Bleu Gravy and Pason Brown as well as Safira Tribal Fusion and The Nine Volts. Admission and parking are free.

• MOSI Green Day
  Where:Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa
  When: Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  What: The Museum of Science and Industry will celebrate Earth Day and Arbor simultaneously by planting trees, participating in roadside and forest cleanups and offering exhibitions about green initiatives and Tampa Bay�s natural resources.

Manatee County

• Earth Day Celebration
  Where: Felts Audubon Preserve, 4600 24th Ave. E., Palmetto
  When: Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m.
  What: Presented by the Manatee County Audubon Society, the event will include face-painting, crafts, guided nature walks, wild bird exhibits, animal exhibits and native plants available for purchase. Speakers will discuss topics including how to attract purple martins, native plants for birds and butterflies and landscaping for climate change. Cold water and snacks will be available for purchase.

Pinellas County

• Island EarthDays
  Where:Honeymoon Island State Park, 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin
  When: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. .to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, April 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  What: The event will feature live outdoor music and entertainment, the Hawaiian Outrigger Race on Saturday and a kayak competition on Sunday, fresh seafood and other concessionaires, arts and crafts and a variety of environmental vendors in an environmental area called Osprey Village. There also will be guided walks in the woods and on the beach, nature presentations and children�s activities. A donation of $5 per vehicle (up to eight people per vehicle) at the gate includes free parking. Call 727-738-2903.

• Celebrate Earth Day
  Where:Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo
  When: Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  What: In addition to the produce and products available for purchase at the county�s Market in the Park, the event will feature Earth Day exhibits and experts who will offer tips on ways to protect the environment, save energy and conserve natural resources. Meanwhile, representatives from the Pinellas County Extension will offer presentations on how to green the home and save money by going green. Admission and parking are free. The first 60 people to arrive will receive a free native oak tree as a gift from the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation. Call 727-582-2100.

• Twilight Walk
  Where: Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs
  When: Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m.
  What: The program will begin with a salute to the occasion and a short walk to see how the world changes when the sun starts to set. This event is free, and registration is required. Call 727-453-6800.

• Earth Day 2009: A Call to Action
  Where: Unity Church of Clearwater, 2465 Nursery Road, Clearwater
  When: Wednesday, April 22, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
  What: Presented by the Pinellas County Interfaith Environmental Coalition, the event will include an Eco-Fair, 6 to 7 p.m., with displays and information on environmentally-friendly organizations and businesses, a Veggie-Car and children�s activities; and an Earth Day Program, 7 to 8:30 p.m., with interfaith prayers, music by the Unity Church of Clearwater Music Ministry Band and a keynote speech by Dr. Warren Clark of FUSE. Call Stuart Berger at 727-530-3223.

Sarasota County

• Earth Day Festival
  Where: Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey
  When: Sunday, April 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  What: The festival will include programs, demonstrations and a juried photography exhibit embodying the theme of National Florida: Its plants, wildlife and scenery. Sarasota County will have representatives on hand seeking volunteers who own shallow-draft boats to help locate and document oyster habitat in the county�s bays and estuaries. Current seagrass volunteers will be honored with a presentation. Admission to the park is free during the festivities.

• Community Conversation on Energy and Climate
  Where: Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice
  When: Wednesday, April 22, 1 to 5 p.m.
  What: The event is part of the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives� National Conversation on Climate Action. The Greater Sarasota area is one of just ten communities in the nation selected to participate in the national conversation. Admission is free.

For those note necessarily looking for a scheduled event to celebrate Earth Day, the Tampa Bay area boasts a long list of beautiful state parks, each offering visitors opportunities to enjoy Florida�s environment. In addition to Florida State Parks, there are many county parks to be found throughout the Tampa Bay area. Discover the outdoors by checking out parks in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.