Front Desk Nature Moments

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

 

Red-eared Slider Turtle Feeding

Tuesday, February 19, 10 am

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

 

Native Stream Fish Feeding and Millipede Handling

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.

 

Snake Handling and Feeding

Thursday, February 28, 11 am

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

 

Maple Syrup Making and Guided Sap Collecting Hikes in the Sugarbush

Saturday, February 16, 10 am-3 pm
Saturday, February 23, 10 am-3 pm
Sunday, February 24, 12-4 pm
Saturday, March 2, 10 am-3 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.

 

Hike for Your Health with Roads, Rivers and Trails

Sunday, February 17, 2-3:30 pm -- Whitetail Trace and Geology Trails
Sunday, March 10, 2-4 pm – Lookout Trail
Sunday, April 14, 2-4 pm – Redwing Trail
Sunday, May 5, 2-4 pm – Firefly, Barred Owl, and Blue Stem  (LBFT)

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.

 

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 Long Branch Farm & Trails

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).

 

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

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).

 

Nature in Winter Storytime

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.

 

Owl Prowl

Tuesday, March 5, 7-8:30 pm
Wednesday, March 13, 7-8:30 pm
Friday, March 22, 7:30-9 pm (LBFT)

Join us as we search for owls whooo nest on our grounds. We’ll begin our prowl by digging our talons into fun and interesting facts about these amazing raptors. Then we’ll take flight to call and seek these silent hunters on the trails. Our evening will conclude with some wise words from our neighbors, RAPTOR Inc. For adults and children ages 10 and up with an adult. Preregistration required. Members $9; nonmembers $13 (includes daily admission). 

 

Getting Started with Mason Bees

Saturday, March 16, 2-4 pm

In this family-friendly hands-on class, we’ll cover best practices for attracting and raising mason bees including nest placement, seasonal care needs, natural history, fall cocoon harvest and bee-friendly landscaping practices. We’ll tour the Bee Hotel and help with some bee projects. Each registrant will be provided with 10 nesting tubes so you can start your own bee mini-hotel just in time for the upcoming mason bee season. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).

 

Full Moon Walks

Crow Moon at Rowe Woods – Wednesday, March 20, 8-9:30 pm
Egg Moon at LBFT – Friday, April 19, 8-9:30 pm
Flower Moon at Rowe Woods – Saturday, May 18, 8:45-10:15 pm

Hit the trails at night and enjoy the full moon and natural history readings. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

 

Intro to Fire Making with Flint and Steel

Saturday, March 23, 2-3:30 pm

Learn to make fire with flint and steel in this hands-on class. We’ll cover safety and how to find and prepare natural tinder and flint. Then we'll make char cloth and tinder, strike sparks and coax them into fires. A hot snack will be cooked and served. Meet at the Outdoor Learning Center. For ages 10 and up with adult. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).

 

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.

 

Homeschool Day -- Geology – What’s Under Our Feet

Wednesday, March 27, 10 am-1 pm

Students explore soil components and properties, learn how soil supports life, observe how erosion and deposition affect land forms, and discover clues about the geologic past in fossils and rock layers.  Most suited to grade equivalent 3-8. Please bring your lunch. Preregistration required. Members $7 per child; nonmembers $11 per child (includes daily admission).

 

Froggy Spotting Adventure

Friday, April 5, 6:30-8 pm

Join us for a stroll to Reservoir Pond where we’ll listen in on the Spring Peepers chorus. We’ll also try our hand at spotting these tiny native frogs and their fellow pond residents. Geared for ages 4-8 with an adult. Preregistration required. $5 members; $11 nonmembers (includes daily admission). 

 

Family Nature Adventure

Sunday, April 14, 3-4:30 pm
Sunday, May 19, 3-4:30 pm

Looking for a fun camp-like experience in nature for the whole family? This new program will let you enjoy the outdoors in a lively, summer camp atmosphere. Join-in fun family activities while hiking the trails together. Participants will each take home a nature journal for their explorations. Meet other families with similar interests and learn activities to use in your backyard or nearby park. Enthusiasm for outdoor play and muddy boots a must! All children must be accompanied by an adult. Come to one or both days! Preregistration required. Member adult $5; Member child $3. Nonmember adult $14; nonmember child $7 (includes daily admission).

All children must pay program fee except infants in backpacks. Families meet in Oak Allee (next to the Visitor Center) for each nature adventure session. In the event of thunderstorms or poor weather, check your email for updates to our meeting location. 

 

Mini-Wormery Workshop

Saturday, April 20, 10-11:30 am

It’s hard to imagine that a worm can eat its weight in soil each day! Bring the hard work of these creatures to light by making a temporary wormery to take home. We will also hike to see worms in the forest habitat. Includes supplies and live worms. Geared for ages 4-8 with an adult. Preregistration required. Members $6; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission). 

 

Earth Day Weekend Fun -- DIY Grow Your Own Native Wildflowers from Seed

Saturday, April 27, 10 am-3 pm
Sunday, April 28, 12-4 pm

Experience the joy of growing your own native wildflowers to enhance your yard for pollinators and other wildlife. Choose from 12+ species of wildflowers, fill a pot with soil, add seeds, label it and head home with inspiration and instruction sheets. Nature Center volunteers will be on hand to help you select the right plant species for your home. $1 per pot (one species per pot). Nonmembers pay daily admission plus $1 per pot.

 

Mommy Matters: Forest Mothers and Their Babies

Sunday, May 12, 1-2:30 pm  
Sunday, May 12, 3-4:30 pm

Stroll through the awakening forest to discover the diligent work of forest mothers. Play family games to test your own animal parenting skills. Peer into birds’ nests to check on the babies and hop over to the pond to sneak a peek at underwater families. Suitable for families with children of all ages. Preregistration required. Members $5; non-members $10 (includes daily admission).

 

Searching for Beavers at Long Branch Farm & Trails

Friday, May 17, 7-9 pm      
Friday, May 24, 7-9 pm

On this beaver watch adventure, we’ll have fun with interactive activities (including time travel) and games to help us 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. As the sun sets, we’ll silently watch for beaver activity from the bank of the stream. Geared for families with children ages 5 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

 

Get to Know Long Branch Farm & Trails Hike

Sunday, May 19, 3-4:30pm

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

 

DIY Build Your Own Bug Catcher + Bug Hunt

Saturday, May 25, 10-11:30 am
Saturday, May 25, 1-2:30 pm 
Saturday, May 25, 3:30-5 pm

Build your own screened bug box for housing tiny friends. Then, venture outside to discover all sorts of bugs as we try to figure out why everything wants to eat insects. We’ll learn from the best bug hunters while we carefully catch and release our findings. Preregistration required. Members: $10 per bug catcher kit; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission) per bug catcher kit.

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).