During the holidays why not take advantage of the great weather to explore Pinellas County's beautiful parks and preserves? Below is just a sample of what awaits you in our many county parks. Get outdoors and get moving through Pinellas Parks! 

Windows to Our Wildest Place: These permanent, hands-on educational exhibits help visitors understand how natural Florida has changed over time and the ecological footprints left by those changes. Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; closed Sunday through Wednesday and holidays. (727) 453-6800; www.brookercreekpreserve.org.

Connecting People and Place: This is an art-inspired, permanent hands-on educational exhibit of the area’s history, ecology and people at the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center, 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; closed Sunday through Wednesday and holidays. (727) 453-6500; www.weedonislandpreserve.org.

Nature Walks Along the Trails at Fort De Soto Park: Free one-hour guided nature walks are offered along six different trails each Saturday and Sunday, except holidays. Visitors at the park will be absorbed in the abundance of history, natural beauty and the complexity of the ecology not immediately apparent to the occasional beachgoer. Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wild life and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto Park. The largest park within the Pinellas County park system, Fort De Soto park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands (keys). These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and scores of native plants. Each of these species plays a vital role in the preservation and protection of the natural environment. The park is also home to beaches that provide refuge to the loggerhead sea turtle and more than 290 species of birds. 10 to 11 a.m. Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde. For more information, call (727) 552-1862; www.pinellascounty.org/park.