FLORIDA FIRST DETECTOR

First Friday Webinar Series

The First Friday program is a collaborative webinar series between the Florida First Detector program and UF/IFAS Seminole County Extension. Designed to reach Floridians across the state, this free online workshop series offers valuable information on invasive species, how to submit samples, and offers many CEU opportunities.

On the first Friday of every month, we will have a one-hour webinar on a topic related to invasive species in Florida. An invasive species is a non-native species causing harm like economic losses, environmental damage or human/animal health hazards. The webinars are open to everyone and applicable to professionals and residents alike!

At each session, we will cover a different topic. We will be training you to be a First Detector, to help spot species that have not yet been introduced to Florida. We may also cover some species that are already causing issues in Florida and talk about current management strategies and methods to stop the spread. This series began in September of 2022 and will continue to at least August 2026.

Cost of Admission

All of our First Friday Webinars are FREE! Yes, you heard that right. This is an amazing opportunity to learn and earn CEUs for free of charge.

CEU Information

Continuing education units (CEUs) are also available for attendance for individuals that already have obtained their FDACS pesticide applicator license. Participants are also able to receive 1 CEU for FNGLA certified professionals and FL Water Star accredited professionals per webinar. To receive CEU credit, you must attend the full duration of the class and participate. Attendance will be verified. For CEU credit, each person needs to attend using their own electronic device.

Each webinar has been approved for 1 CEU in the following FDACS Pesticide CEUs categories:

Ag row crop
Ag tree crop
Demonstration and research
Forest pest control
Limited commercial landscape maintenance (LCLM)
Limited lawn and ornamental (LLO)
Natural areas weed management
Ornamental and turf
Pest control operator (PCO) lawn and ornamental
Private ag
Right of way
Aquatic* available ONLY on Sept. 5, 2025, and June 5, 2026
General Household Pest Control* available ONLY on Nov. 11, 2025

For more information, please contact Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, morgan0402@ufl.edu

Flyer PDF Download Here

All events are scheduled for the First Friday of every month from 12:00PM EST - 1:00PM EST*

September 5, 2025, Invasive Species & Pathways in Florida
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ENwrAcf0QXePKQvSjilhZQ
October 3, 2025, Invasive Whiteflies, Aphids, Psyllids and More
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SsaD67E0SBeNXVaahS6_yA
November 7, 2025, Invasive Hornets, Wasps, and Ants
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JzZQIRA-TqiEKtiY2PlLjw
December 5, 2025, Invasive Plant Feeding Mites
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Yn11NyfgQ9i434z7RhlXhw
January 2, 2026, Invasive Plant Pathogens
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rh-Gir8HRXOISjapQY5IiQ
February 6, 2026, Invasive Pests on Fruit
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KTmQq_F9TciePqD-V0FTAQ
March 6, 2026, Invasive Thrips
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_43G7bfvBQgyuJ8WiRjk7kQ
April 3, 2026, Invasive Species on Pines
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mUXpQo4rQcCa-Z3y1VljzQ
May 1, 2026, Invasive Nematodes
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_thUqu59KTiu6mhHKhpt72w
June 5, 2026, Invasive Snails and More
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f3DQiRdPQ9eMmFi9vYA9zw
July 2026, No class due to the 4th of July holiday!
Aug 7, 2026, Invasive Species on Ornamental Plants
- Registration: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wepj4reHTdOsQ5AQG8dnXw

*Schedule subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances.