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The Year in Propagation

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October 15, 2024

Autumn's Native Flavors

Apples, pumpkins, and mums—the perfect autumn trio that welcomes dancing leaves and cooler, crisper days. While I admit to being enamored by the rows of mums and pumpkins at every local grocery store, I’ve been tuned in to another unmistakable trio in nature that signals fall’s arrival.

Tags:
Educational Farming
Foraging
Plant NATIVE!
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October 7, 2024

Cincinnati Nature Center Receives Transformational Gift from Hugh Hoffman

In 2023, Cincinnati Nature Center was honored to receive an unprecedented legacy gift from Hugh Hoffman. Midway through the year, we were informed of an extraordinary bequest of approximately $28 million, the largest single donation in the Nature Center’s history. This unrestricted gift, generously left by longtime member Hugh Hoffman, marks a transformative moment for our organization.

Tags:
Development
Donor Stories
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October 2, 2024

Coalitions are Key: Tackling Invasives Through Relationships

Being an agent of change takes more than expertise. It takes tenacity, the ability to build coalitions, and a willingness to understand opposing viewpoints, says plant ecologist Theresa Culley. For nearly two decades she has brought all these skills into play as part of a statewide effort to control invasive species.

Tags:
Civic Engagement
Citizen Activism
Community Engagement
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September 5, 2024

For the Love of Home

Often the decision to step into civic engagement is the result of a call to action that can no longer be ignored. For Julie, it was the loss of her home in 2006 that started her thinking that she should pay more attention to the political and economic systems that weren’t working.

Tags:
Citizen Activism
Civic Engagement
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August 7, 2024

Lessons from the Wild Black Raspberry

This spring, soon after the wild black raspberries bloomed, the fruit set that promised a future bounty was obvious. Starting mid-June, volunteers and staff headed out every three days to bring in this year’s crop of wild black raspberries at Long Branch Farm & Trails.

Tags:
Educational Farming
Foraging
Gardening
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August 2, 2024

Living Sustainably: Slow Fashion

Amber Ostaszewski encourages people to help reduce negative effects on the environment by being mindful about their clothing choices. Using natural dyes instead of harmful chemicals and natural fibers instead of synthetics can protect vital resources like soil, water, and human capital. Recently, Amber met with The Ripple writer Barbara Moss to explain how “slow fashion” can improve the health of the planet.

Tags:
Eco-Friendly Habits
Environmentalism
Citizen Activism
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July 5, 2024

Challenging Commercial Food Production with Grassroots Farming

Most Ripple readers feel a special connection to nature. Some, like this month’s featured influencer, have changed their lives to support that connection more fully. Drausin Wulsin says “I was never spiritually fulfilled in regular jobs but in working with the land, I found myself fully engaged and found strength I never knew I had.”

Tags:
Environmentalism
Eco-Friendly Habits
Sustainable Farming
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May 29, 2024

Measuring Influence: Does It End?

Every teacher is an influencer. Every teacher has a legacy. Jon Sounders’ story is an example of how a teacher can advance the cause of nature conservation while inculcating in young people ways of thinking and investigating that serve them into adulthood.

Tags:
Conservation
Wildlife
Research
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May 1, 2024

Meet an Influencer: Community Advocacy and Protecting Local Greenspace

Cynthia Duval, a local parks advocate, has been instrumental in opposing various development projects in Burnet Woods, an old-growth urban forest, through her leadership in the nonprofit Preserve Burnet Woods. Despite challenges such as public speaking fears and a full personal schedule, she has successfully rallied community support to protect the park's environmental integrity and continues to fight against new threats like a proposed dog park that could harm the area's ecosystem.

Tags:
Community Engagement
Citizen Activism
Environmental Conservation
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February 19, 2024

Citizen Activism Key to Land Preservation in Loveland

In Loveland, Ohio, a grassroots group successfully prevented the development of 109 acres of historic farmland and woods into a housing project by organizing and influencing local government decisions. Their efforts led to the conservation of the land, supported by grant funds awarded to Cardinal Land Conservancy, highlighting the power of community activism and strategic engagement in local governance.

Tags:
Conservation
Community Engagement
Volunteering
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January 27, 2024

Paying It Forward

Steve Inglish, a dedicated volunteer at the Cincinnati Nature Center, has become a significant influencer in promoting native plant gardening following his retirement. Mentored by experts and driven by his passion for environmental conservation, Steve uses his skills in public speaking and education to inspire others to adopt environmentally friendly gardening practices, continuing to "pay it forward" through public talks and leadership in community science projects.

Tags:
Volunteering
Native Plants
Pollinator Support
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January 24, 2024

Looking Out My Back Door

Elaine Sugawara discusses observing the early signs of spring through the budding and sap flow of a red maple tree in her neighbor's yard, highlighting the tree's adaptation to cold and its role in signaling the upcoming change of season. She notes that while sugar maples are famous for syrup, red maples can also produce syrup, albeit requiring more sap due to their lower sugar content.

Tags:
Phenology
Bird Watching
Wildlife Habitat
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January 22, 2024

Five Tips for Winter Hiking

Kelly Volz offers practical advice for winter hiking in her article, emphasizing the importance of wearing layered clothing and warm boots, using traction cleats for added stability, planning a manageable route, utilizing trekking poles, and taking time to appreciate the winter landscape. These tips aim to enhance safety and enjoyment while hiking in cold conditions.

Tags:
Trail Etiquette
Outdoor Play
Nature Learning
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January 10, 2024

Season's Readings

The blog post from Cincinnati Nature Center suggests a variety of books recommended by its staff and volunteers, ideal for winter reading. These recommendations include titles on natural history, scientific exploration, and environmental issues, aiming to enhance knowledge and broaden perspectives during the colder months.

Tags:
Nature Learning
Conservation
Environmentalism
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December 30, 2023

Souvenirs from the Boardwalk

Jim Kesner recounts his experiences as a trail runner at the Cincinnati Nature Center, where he found solace and adventure over three decades. He shares memories of running in all weather conditions, the goal of covering every trail in one run, and capturing photographic souvenirs from the same spots on the boardwalk, documenting the ever-changing natural scenery around Powell Crosley Lake.

Tags:
Photography
Trail Etiquette
Nature Learning
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November 2, 2023

Change Agents: Beth and Bob Staggenborg

Beth and Bob Staggenborg are showcased as passionate environmental advocates in an article by Bebe Raupe, featured in both an online blog and the November 3, 2023 issue of "The Ripple." The couple, long-time members of the Cincinnati Nature Center, are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices, particularly in food consumption, and engage the community through activities like hosting meatless meals and volunteering in various environmental education roles. Their efforts extend beyond local outreach, with Bob also sharing ecological insights through his "Nature Guys" podcast.

Tags:
Environmental Education
Community Engagement
Environmentalism
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February 27, 2023

At Long Branch, “Farm” is Still a Verb

Long Branch Farm, initially a vibrant educational farm offering hands-on agricultural experiences, ceased its traditional operations in 2005 due to changes in state education standards and high maintenance costs. Since then, efforts have shifted towards native plant education and foraging, with the establishment of perennial polyculture plots that focus on native edible plants, blending conservation with visitor engagement and education.

Tags:
Conservation
Native Plants
Foraging
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February 26, 2021

A Seriously Awful Weed

Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) is an invasive plant native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, known for its aggressive growth that threatens native vegetation in North America. It is illegal in Ohio to distribute or propagate it due to its detrimental impact on local ecosystems, and removal involves careful digging or the use of herbicides to eliminate its pervasive tubers and prevent regrowth.

Tags:
Invasive Species Management
Environmental Conservation
Non-native Plants
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