Make and Take: Craft Your Own Hiking Stick

Saturday, August 10, 10-11:30 am

Choose your own pre-harvested honeysuckle branch, and craft it into a customized hiking stick. Use hand tools to cut, smooth and work the stick. Add embellishments like brass tacks, then cut and add your own leather lanyard. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Explore the Pond Family Programs

Put on some play clothes and rain boots to explore the interesting wildlife that calls our ponds home! In each class, we’ll use nets to catch pond creatures. Each program will focus on a different animal. Sign up for one or all three. Preregistration required. Single class: Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Turtles on a Log

Friday, July 19, 10—11:30 am
Summer is a fabulous time to turtle spot! Whether lined up on a floating log or bobbing in the water, aquatic turtles are fun to observe. We’ll hike to several ponds to look for turtles and we’ll learn about their habits and needs.

Bat Night: The Truth about Bats -- for Families at Long Branch Farm & Trails

Saturday, July 20, 8-9:30 pm

Meet a live bat up close and personal as Kathy Edelen of EchoBats, Inc., dispels myths about these mysterious nocturnal flying mammals and why they’re protected. We’ll then head out and use high-tech equipment to listen to bats as they search for food. For adults or children ages 6 and up with adult. Preregistration required. Member $7; nonmember $12 (includes daily admission).

Get to Know Long Branch Farm & Trails Hike

Sunday, July 21, 4-5:30 pm

This hike is for members who have never visited Long Branch Farm & Trails before. Come check it out! You’ll hear some history, learn some fun facts, and see the natural treasures Long Branch has to offer. Preregistration required. Members $5.

Searching for Beavers at Long Branch Farm & Trails

Friday, July 26, 7:30-9:30 pm

On this beaver watch adventure, we’ll dig into the rich history of the beaver in Ohio that spans from the fur trade to today. Be prepared to hike on and off trail as we search for beaver-gnawed trees, den entrances, beaver slides and other signs of these 60-pound rodent engineers. Geared for families with children ages 5 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Fossil Hunt for Families

Saturday, August 3, 10-11:30 am

Take a peek at the past as we hunt for evidence of Rowe Wood’s ancient ocean. We’ll investigate the stream crossings for fossils and interesting rock formations. Plan to get wet! After we’re done searching, we’ll practice positive conservation action by leaving what we find. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Families Out at Night: Bats vs. Moths

Saturday, August 3, 9-11 pm

Explore the Nature Center during the “night shift” to witness the bat vs. moth struggle for yourself. With the help of our bat detector, you’ll “hear” bats hunting for moths. On this family-friendly, station-based night hike, you’ll search for weird moth caterpillars, visit special moth-attracting lights and trees painted with “moth bait,” discovering that moths are not just brown. Meet a bat up close and find out how some moths outwit bats. Round out the evening by creating your own bat vs. moth snack. Preregistration required. Members $8; nonmembers $13 (includes daily admission).

Explore the Pond Family Programs

Put on some play clothes and rain boots to explore the interesting wildlife that calls our ponds home! In each class, we’ll use nets to catch pond creatures. Each program will focus on a different animal. Sign up for one or all three. Preregistration required. Single class: Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Zippy Dragonflies

Friday, August 9, 10-11:30 am
Explore the lives of dragonflies at the Nature Center. We’ll seek out these hunting insects by dipping in the ponds for nymphs and eye-spying the showy adults.

Dog Day Full Moon at Rowe Woods

Thursday, August 15, 8:30-10 pm

The name “dog day” comes from an ancient belief that Sirius (the dog star) was responsible for adding extra heat to the Earth. On this full moon hike, we’ll explore Native American and Old World stories about the astronomical dog star and the earthly dog family creatures that inhabit our area. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).