Cincinnati Nature Center Blog
Blog Entries - tag: 'Conservation'
A Sunny Garden Flower Gone Awry
Posted on: February 24, 2021
by Danie Frevola, Conservation Apprentice
Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) is a stunning wetland plant with tall and showy yellow flowers (Fig 1.). While it is an attractive landscaping plant, it also peaks gardener’s interest because it can grow in a
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Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The Invasive Vine No One Seems to Notice
Posted on: February 23, 2021
by Danie Frevola, Conservation Apprentice
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) is found in all sorts of spots throughout Cincinnati- from the side of houses, to the side of highways; across the forest floor all the way up to the tree canopy. However, the vine
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Happy National Invasive Species Week!
Posted on: February 22, 2021
by Danie Frevola, Conservation Apprentice
Happy National Invasive Species Awareness week! Anyone that has had a conversation with me has heard ‘invasive species’ countless times, and it's likely that you have come across the term quite a few
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Shaun’s Yard
Posted on: May 7, 2020
A Practical Application of National Wildlife Federation’s Habitat Checklist
by Jason Neumann, Public Programs Manager
Suburban Blue Ash, early April. I had pulled out my lawnmower for the first grass cutting of 2020. Dressed to work in my old
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Turn Your Property into Better Habitat
Posted on: May 5, 2020
By Jeff Sperry, Director of Development and Marketing
I hate mowing the lawn. It’s noisy, messy, and smelly. Lawnmower motors are very loud; grass clippings get all over the place; and the fumes from the motor are noxious. My goal has been to
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Want Biodiversity? Feed the Soil
Posted on: April 27, 2020
by Jason Neumann, Public Programs Manager
It’s time to vent. After nearly 25 years on staff at Cincinnati Nature Center, there are a couple of things I want to clear up. For the record, I’m fully on board with the Nature Center’s
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The Bird that Carries the Sky on Its Back and the Earth on Its Breast (John Burroughs)
Posted on: April 22, 2020
by Tim Nabors, Naturalist
Of all the birds that can be found at the Cincinnati Nature Center, my favorite is the Eastern Bluebird and I believe many would agree with me. Something about seeing a bright flash of blue flittering about the fields and forest
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Let's Talk Zero Waste for Earth Day!
Posted on: April 22, 2020
by Danielle Frevola, Center for Conservation Apprentice
Happy Earth day! Earth day is one of my favorite days of the year because not only is it an excuse for me to give Mother Earth some extra lovin’, I love seeing everyone else share the love too!
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Go Spots!
Posted on: April 21, 2020
By Olivia Espinoza, Natural Areas Manager
I’m certain that one of the staples of a childhood is the discovery of a tadpole in a ditch, puddle, or pond. I grew up with a lake in my backyard and would spend the summers with my head peering over the water
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The Myth of Groundcover
Posted on: April 16, 2020
by Jason Neumann
I didn’t plant it, but there it is at the bottom of my wood privacy fence: wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei). As a naturalist, I know that this unwanted botanical surprise is courtesy of neighborhood birds that relieved themselves
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What’s (Probably) Growing in Your Yard: Our Bioblitz Round-Up
Posted on: April 15, 2020
By Connie O’Connor and Jason Neumann
We had a great time with our first-ever bioblitz—our Lawn Plant Identification Challenge! We totaled 349 observations of 175 different species in and around lawns in our region!
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Rethinking Your Lawn: A Guide to Living with Imperfection
Posted on: April 13, 2020
By Jeff Sperry, Director of Development and Marketing
There’s a reason the lawn treatment companies put little signs up saying “Stay Off the Grass for 24 Hours” when they finish a treatment. The chemicals they just sprayed all over
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The Story of My Land—Keeping a Phenology Journal
Posted on: April 9, 2020
By Connie O’Connor
“Every place, like every person, is elevated by the love and respect shown toward it, and by the way its bounty is received.” -- Richard Nelson
I bought my first home, hidden away on 3.6 acres of woodland,
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Brush Pile? It’s Habitat, Not Waste!
Posted on: April 8, 2020
By Jason Neumann, Public Programs Manager
My mother is fond of saying “you could sell a dirty oil rag.” Turning garbage into something of value has always been one of my favorite things to do. I’ve been pondering this as I pick up all the
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Knowledge & Confidence in the Palm of Your Hand
Posted on: April 3, 2020
By Connie O’Connor
Here’s a confession: I sometimes dread “what’s this” questions when leading a hike. When I teach Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist students, they express similar concerns. We can’t know everything, but
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Spring Cut Back
Posted on: March 27, 2020
By Jason Neumann
My yard in suburban Blue Ash is providing solace from the constant news updates.
Like most people, I’ve been holed up at home. My calendar cleared, I can no longer make excuses for not tending to the yard. It’s time for the
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Milkweed to Monarchs in Schools
Posted on: August 1, 2015
By Melissa Sabo
Teachers all over the tri-state area have been jumping at the opportunity to get their students involved with monarch conservation this year through the Nature Center’s Milkweed to Monarchs initiative, which raises awareness
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