Winter Solstice Celebration

Friday, December 21, 6:30-8 pm

Join us on the “midnight of the year” for a modern observance of an ancient tradition. Gather around a fire and explore the history of this event and the modern day symbolism that is with us today. Lit by the light of the full moon, our group hikes will deepen our understanding of the significance of the solstice as we look forward to the rebirth of spring. Complete with traditional music and bites! This hike is entirely outside; dress accordingly. Geared for ages 9 and up. Meet at the Abner Hollow Cabin. Preregistration required. Members $8; nonmembers $15.

Holiday Hike

Sunday, December 23, 1-3 pm
Wednesday, December 26, 10 am-12 pm
Thursday, December 27, 10 am-12 pm
Saturday, December 29, 10 am-12 pm
Sunday, December 30, 1-3 pm

What were the days like 450 million years ago at the Nature Center? 24,000 years ago? 200 years ago? Explore Avey’s Run and find yourself transported to the Ordovician Period when Cincinnati’s fossils were living organisms. Hike the Geology Trail through old growth forest up to Fox Rock and discover how this unusual “rock” got here. Feel what this time of the year was like for the settlers who lived in the Abner Hollow Cabin. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Hike for Your Health with Roads, Rivers and Trails

Saturday, January 19, 2-3:30 pm -- Barred Owl, Firefly, Blue Stem (Long Branch Farm & Trails)
Sunday, February 17, 2-3:30 pm -- Whitetail Trace and Geology Trails

Grab your Hike for Your Health passport and get hiking with Roads Rivers and Trails. RRT is a local adventure outfitter. Their knowledgeable and well-traveled staff will inspire you to achieve your outdoor goals. Join us each month as we knock out two trails in our passport (approximately 2-3 miles). Purchase your passport ahead of time, available at the Rowe Visitor Center for $2. Geared for adults and ages 8 and up with an adult. Preregistration required. Free; nonmember adult $9, nonmember child $4.

Maple Syrup Making and Guided Sap Collecting Hikes in the Sugarbush

Saturday, January 19, 10 am-3 pm
Saturday, January 26, 10 am-3 pm
Saturday, February 2, 10 am-3 pm
Saturday, February 9, 10 am-3 pm
Saturday, February 16, 10 am-3 pm
Saturday, February 23, 10 am-3 pm
Saturday, March 2, 10 am-3 pm

Sunday, January 13, 12-4 pm
Sunday, January 20, 12-4 pm
Sunday, January 27, 12-4 pm
Sunday, February 24, 12-4 pm

Experience the process of producing liquid gold from maple sap. Bask in the warmth of the evaporator and its maple-scented steam. Drop by the Outdoor Learning Center and join in an interactive sap collecting maple hike. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Backyard Maple Sugaring: A Hands-On How-To Workshop

Sunday, January 13, 2-4 pm

Have you always wanted to make syrup from the maple trees in your yard? This workshop is for those wishing to make syrup and will be filled with “sweet” advice. Selection of trees, tapping, sap collection, sap storage and boiling, as well as finishing and canning syrup on a small scale, will be addressed. Appropriate for adults or interested youth age 8 and up with a parent. Preregistration required. Members $8; nonmembers $16 (includes daily admission).

Nature in Winter Storytime

Tuesday, January 15, 10:30-11 am
Tuesday, January 29, 10:30-11 am
Tuesday, February 12, 10:30-11 am
Tuesday, February 26, 10:30-11 am

Join us in the Rowe Visitor Center’s Whittaker Library for a relaxed nature storytime. We’ll read chilly weather inspired nature books and try out simple winter crafts. Coffee and snacks are available for purchase at The Nature Shop! This program is appropriate for young toddlers to 4 year olds. No preregistration required. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Ice Age Hike: Monsters, Migrations and the Ultimate Snow Pile

Saturday, January 19, 10:30 am-12 pm

Think it’s cold this winter? Imagine the chill of the Ice Age as you search for clues of a time when mastodons roamed and the land looked astonishingly different. Embrace winter as we discover hints of the ice age in today’s plants, animals and landscape. Some moderate hiking. Geared for ages 9 and up. Space limited. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Wolf Moon Walk

Monday, January 21, 7:30-9 pm

Centuries ago, hungry wolf packs howled in the light of January’s full moon. Learn about our local history with wolves as we hike in the moonlight. Geared for ages 8 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

I-Spy a Winter Bird!

Saturday, January 26, 10-11:30 am

The winter season often allows us to see birds that are difficult to spot during the rest of the year. We’ll bundle up for a short morning bird hike followed by an indoor exploration of our bird observation window. Finish the day by making a take-home suet feeder to attract winter birds to your yard. Geared for ages 3-10 with an adult. Preregistration required. Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).

Legends and Folklore of Winter

Saturday, January 26, 1:30-2:30 pm

Our frozen fields and forests are filled with stories of magical plants and animals, odd explanations and poetic ways of looking at winter. On this easy walk, you'll see winter through the eyes of Shawnee hunters, early settlers and other storytelling peoples. Adults will be surprised by the strange history and symbology of “familiar” things, while kids enjoy the colorful stories and fun discoveries. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Tools of the Sugar House–An Up-close Experience for Families/All Ages

Sunday, January 27, 10:45-11:45 am
Saturday, February 2, 8:45-9:45 am
Saturday, February 23, 8:45-9:45 am

Get an up-close look at the maple syrup evaporator and sugaring tools like skimmers, filters and thermometers. With an adult’s help, child participants will be able to look inside the sap storage tanks, try on the fire gloves, help set up the Native American rock boiling demonstration, and help prepare the materials to fire up the evaporator for the day. Meet at the Outdoor Learning Center. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Preschool Open House

Sunday, January 27, 2-4 pm

Please join us for a look into what Nature Preschool is all about at Cincinnati Nature Center. Teachers will show you what a typical day looks like at the preschool and will answer your questions about enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year. If you are unable to make the Open House and would like to set up a tour, please contact Tisha Luthy at TLuthy@cincynature.org.

Homeschool Maple Sugaring

Monday, February 18, 10 am-12 pm
Monday, February 18, 1:30-3:30 pm

Delve into the science and lore of turning sap into sweet maple syrup. This program includes a guided hike in the sugarbush, a look into the Native American origins of sugaring, and a visit to the Sugar House. Homeschool students will tap a tree with a hand drill, help with sugaring work, and sample warm maple syrup right off the evaporator. Recommended age range: 5 and up. Students ages 10 and up will have the option of joining a group specifically geared towards older students. Preregistration required. Member child $7; nonmember child $10 (includes daily admission).

Length of hike and terrain: Under one mile on fairly level paths. Snow/mud may make stroller usage difficult.

Chinese New Year Full Moon Walk at LBFT

Tuesday, February 19, 7:30-9 pm

The first full moon of the Chinese New Year is a traditional holiday celebrating light. Enjoy a moonlit walk with winter nature verses from Chinese and Japanese prose and poetry. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Salamander and Frog Watch

TBA

In early spring when the weather is just right, salamanders and frogs move to ponds and vernal pools to breed. Discover what to look and listen for and then we'll head outdoors to search for these amphibian creatures. Bring your flashlight and dress for the weather. CLICK HERE to be added to our notification list. When the time looks right, we will email everyone 24-48 hours ahead. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Front Desk Nature Moments

Drop in Rowe Visitor Center for an interactive program. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Native Stream Fish Feeding and Millipede Handling
Monday, December 10, 10 am
Monday, December 31, 10 am
Monday, January 14, 10 am
Monday, January 28, 10 am
Monday, February 11, 10 am
Monday, February 25, 10 am

Join the front desk staff for a 10-20 minute mini-program on our indoor native fish tank and fish feeding.

Wildflower Stroll

Sunday, December 2, 9:30 am
Sunday, January 6, 9:30 am
Sunday, February 3, 9:30 am

Join Cincinnati Nature Center’s Naturalist Noel Prows as he collects wildflowers for the sequence of bloom display.

Snake Handling and Feeding

Thursday, December 6, 11 am
Thursday, December 20, 11 am
Thursday, January 3, 11 am
Thursday, January 17, 11 am
Thursday, January 31, 11 am
Thursday, February 14, 11 am
Thursday, February 28, 11 am

Join the front desk staff for a 10-20 minute mini-program on our resident non-venomous snakes.

Red-eared Slider Turtle Feeding

Tuesday, December 4, 10 am
Tuesday, December 18, 10 am
Tuesday, January 8, 10 am
Tuesday, January 22, 10 am
Tuesday, February 5, 10 am
Tuesday, February 19, 10 am

Join the front desk staff for a 10-20 minute mini-program on our indoor red-eared slider.

SPRING into Camp

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, March 26, 27 & 28, 9 am-4 pm

For 5-12 year olds

Join us for an outdoor adventure at CincyNature Camp’s spring break camp. Over three days of camp we’ll explore the Nature Center’s beautiful forests and stream, make new friends, play fun games, create nature crafts and look for exciting signs of spring. Children will be separated into smaller, age appropriate groups. Dress for the weather and be ready to have a great spring break with lots of cool discoveries in nature! Preregistration required. Members $170; nonmembers $210.

Registration opens on February 5, 2019 at 10 am for this camp and registration will close on 3/21/19 at noon.