Even in crowded Pinellas County, stepping away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoying Florida’s natural beauty is possible.

Lands set aside for preservation allow area residents and visitors to experience the Tampa Bay area before civilization left its mark. Following are some educational and entertaining programs scheduled for July in Pinellas preserves:

Brooker Creek Preserve

• Saturday, July 12 - Aquaculture: Is Fish Farming the Answer?, 2 p.m. Robert Smyth of the Ocean Conservancy will discuss aquaculture as a way to meet the rising demand for seafood. The program is free.
• Saturday, July 19 - Scale, Feathers and Spines, 1 p.m. Presented by Lowry Park Zoo experts, this program will highlight special traits that keep animals thriving from season to season in their environment. Live animals will participate in this program. To register for this free program, call 727-453-6800.

Brooker Creek Preserve is at 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs.

Weedon Island Preserve

• Saturday, July 12 – Florida Coyotes: Safely Co-existing with a Preditor, 2 p.m. Led by Jeanne Murphy, a wildlife biologist at Pinellas County Extension, this free and informative program will discuss the coyote population in Pinellas and suggest ways to co-exist with these intelligent and adaptive animals. To register, call 727-453-6500.
• Saturday, July 19 – Animal Detectives Workshop, 1 p.m. Participants will learn valuable outdoor skills in orienteering and animal tracking while exploring some of the common tracks found on the preserve. To register, call 727-453-6500.

Weedon Island Preserve is at 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg.

Shell Key Preserve

• Friday, July 18 – Barrier Island Ecology Field Session, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Using Shell Key Preserve as a study site, participants will learn about the area’s barrier islands as they take part in a beach hike, bird count and observe seagrass ecosystems. Guests will travel to Shell Key by boat from Merry Pier on Pass-A-Grille. Cost for the boat trip is $22 adults, $11 children, tax not included. There also is an additional fee for the educational component per participant. Space is limited and reservations and payment is required in advance. Call 727-453-6500.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks and the Florida Recreation and Park Association have designated July as Recreation and Parks Month, encouraging Floridians to take advantage of some close-to-home fun in one of Florida's many state parks. To make the idea even more appealing, state park admission fees will be waived on Sunday, July 13.

With 161 state parks scattered throughout the Sunshine State, park enthusiasts should have no difficulty locating a suitable destination without having to go into debt buying enough gas to make the trip. State, national and local recreation areas across the country have celebrated July as Recreation and Parks month since 1985. This year, Florida State Parks will promote its Family. Friends. Fun. campaign, urging children and families to reconnect with nature by particpating in outdoor activities.

There are several state parks in the Tampa Bay area, including Caladesi Island State Park in Pinellas County, recently named America’s top beach destination by Dr. Beach; Alafia River State Park in Hillsborough County, celebrated for its challenging off-road bicycling trails; and Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County, where lake tours are offered daily on the world's two largest airboats.

American Stage Theatre Company will conclude its 29th season with the Florida premiere of Stephen Temperley's musical comedy Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, running from July 16 through Aug. 10 on the mainstage, 211 Third St. S., in downtown St. Petersburg.

In something of a cultural coup, American Stage has cast Broadway veterans Neva Rae Powers and James Valcq in the theater’s production of the off-Broadway hit.

Powers will portray Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy socialite who suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano when she was in fact incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. Despite her shortcomings, her recitals brought her as much fame and celebrity as explosions of derisive laughter and critical condemnation.

Valcq, meanwhile, will fill the shoes of Cosme McMoon, a musician who initially sees Jenkins as little more than a meal ticket. With time, his contempt gives way to admiration and affection.

Performances will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees will be Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. Tickets range from $22 to $35 depending on the date and time of the performance. Pay What You Can Nights will be Tuesday, July 22 and 29, 7:30 p.m.

Neva Rae Powers and James Valcq will star in American Stage Theatre's production of Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins. Photo courtesy American Stage Theatre.

The Tampa Bay area doesn’t hold back when celebrating the nation’s birthday. From Siesta Key to Tarpon Springs, there are plenty of events planned to commemorate July Fourth, including fireworks, parades and picnics.

Maybe that’s not what you had in mind this year, though.

If you’re tired of spending Independence Day stuck in an uncomfortable lawn chair in a crowded park or fighting beach traffic following the fireworks display, the Museum of Science and Industry is offering something a little different this year.

A limited number of guests will gather at the museum to enjoy an evening featuring dinner “under the stars” inside Saunders Planetarium, dancing in the Kids In Charge children’s science center and a musical performance by Spirit of Freedom.

What about the fireworks, you may ask.

Guests will gather on top of the IMAX Dome Theatre for a 360-degree view of Tampa Bay – what better way to view fireworks.

Cocktails will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner seating at 7:30 p.m. Individual seats are $225. Couples are $400. To make reservations, call 813-987-6077 by June 30.