Events & Programs
CLICK HERE to view the Nature Center's Events & Programs Calendar SHOPPING CART
Fun for All!
Click on the program dates for pricing, registration information and full descriptions.
CLICK HERE to view the Events & Programs Calendar.
CLICK HERE to discover what's happening at our Schott Nature PlayScape!
CLICK HERE to sign up and be notified for various upcoming programs.
Animal Bone Mysteries
Saturday, September 21, 10-11:30 am
Pop out to the Nature PlayScape to learn all about animal bones and skulls! Check out some of our most mysterious bone specimens and then try your hand at excavating bones in our digging area. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.
Spider Night Hike
Friday, September 27, 7:30-9 pm
Look into the eyes of a spider as we bust misconceptions about these important eight-legged hunters. Using a flashlight, you’ll learn to spot spider eye shine as we peer into the secret lives of spiders. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Preregistration required. Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).
Mason Bee Tube Opening Party
Saturday, September 28, 12-2 pm
Have you ever held a live bee cocoon? As you help open Mason bee nesting tubes, you’ll peer into the life cycle of these solitary native pollinators and learn how you can provide them with habitat in your own yard. This is a family friendly, sting-free experience; drop by the front of the Rowe Visitor Center anytime between 12 pm and 2 pm.
Primitive Fire Starting Sampler with Marshmallows
Saturday, September 28, 1-4 pm
Venture out to our Fernwood cabins to try your hand at primitive fire making! We’ll have a variety of techniques to explore, including flint and steel, in this hands-on experience. Finish up your visit with a toasty marshmallow treat at our campfire. All supplies provided. No preregistration required. Free.
Monarch Glider Obstacle Course
Make your own monarch butterfly glider and fly it through an obstacle course that mirrors the challenges monarch face as they fly south to Mexico. Drop by Oak Allée, the large grassy area near Rowe Visitor Center, anytime between 1 and 4 pm. Suitable for all ages. No preregistration required. Free.
Black Walnut Cracking
Try your hand at cracking black walnuts and savor some fresh nutmeats! The experience is imbued with botany, history, and lore of the black walnut. Drop by the front of the Rowe Visitor Center anytime between 1 pm and 3 pm. Suitable for all ages. No preregistration required. Free.
Hike for Your Health with RRT
Sunday, September 29, 2-3:30 pm – Woodpecker Trail (Long Branch Farm & Trails), approx. 2 miles
Sunday, October 20, 2-3:30 pm – Far Ridge Trail (Rowe Woods), approx. 2 miles
Sunday, November 17, 2-3:30 pm – Lookout Trail (Rowe Woods), approx. 2.5 miles
Grab your Hike for Your Health passport and get hiking with Nature Center staff and a representative from Roads Rivers and Trails (RRT), a local adventure outfitter. Join us each month as we traverse our trails (approximately 2-3 miles each hike). Purchase your passport ahead of time, available at the Rowe Visitor Center, for $2. Geared for adults and children ages 8 and up with an adult. Preregistration required. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.
Get to Know Long Branch Farm & Trails Hike
Sunday, September 29, 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, some fun facts, and see the natural treasures Long Branch has to offer. Preregistration required. Members $5.
Family Flashlight Scavenger Hunt at Long Branch Farm & Trails
What could be more fun than a night hike? A scavenger hunt at night! During this night hike we’ll use our senses and our flashlights to experience nature in a new way. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).
Legends and Folklore of Fall Hike -- CANCELED
Saturday, October 5, 10-11:30 am
Ohio's fields and forests are filled with strange tales of magical plants and animals, brave heroes, miraculous cures, and odd explanations. On this easy walk, you'll see autumn through the eyes of Shawnee villagers, early settlers, and other storytelling peoples. Adults will be surprised by the strange history and symbology of "familiar" things, while kids can enjoy the colorful stories. Preregistration required. Members $6; nonmembers $ 11 (includes daily admission).
Make and Take: Craft Your Own Hiking Stick
Saturday, October 12, 10-11:30 am
Saturday, November 16, 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).
Full Moon Walks
Hunter’s Moon at Rowe Woods—Sunday, October 13, 7:30-9 pm
Beaver Moon at Long Branch Farm & Trails—Tuesday, November 12, 7:30-9 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).
Slithery Snakes!
Saturday, October 19, 10-11:30am
Join a nature center naturalist to learn about the snakes of Ohio, create a craft snake to take home, and meet some of the scaly friends that live in our visitor center. Preregistration required. Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).
New Moon Meander at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Have you ever taken a night-time walk under a moonless sky? Leave your flashlights at home and explore life in the darkness in the forest. While walking, look for florescent fungus, millipedes and animal tracks using UV light. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).
Falling Leaves Family Program
Saturday, November 2, 3:30-4:30 pm
Explore the beautiful fall colors of Rowe Woods with your little one! We’ll learn about why leaves change colors and how dead leaves contribute to the forest ecosystem. We’ll take a leisurely hike and finish our time together with a fresh made s’more! Geared for ages 3-6 with an adult. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).
Animal Homes and Where to Find Them
Animal homes are all around, but often overlooked. We'll explore along the trails to spot nests, dens, burrows, and more to reveal a world of busy, hidden life, full of stories. Geared for ages 4 and up with an adult caregiver. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).
Make Your Own Tile: Hands-On Workshop
Saturday, November 23, 11 am –12 pm
Saturday, November 23, 12–1 pm
Sunday, November 24, 11 am–12 pm
Handmade is heARTfelt! Great for families, enjoy creating with your out-of-town, holiday guests. Make a special gift or keepsake!
Meet local Ceramic Artist, Bonnie Mitchell during the Walk-in-the-Woods exhibition and get a chance to work with her while learning how to carve your own tile! During this special hands-on workshop, you’ll have 45 minutes to work with Bonnie Mitchell to sgraffito, a decorative technique, by drawing your own image into a damp clay tile.
After the workshop concludes, Bonnie Mitchell will add the final glaze and kiln-fire your tile. Finished tiles will be returned to the Cincinnati Nature Center Nature Shop at a later date. Participants will be notified by email when tiles are available to pick up, just in time to show off or give to a special person during the holidays.
- All Materials will be provided.
- Workshop starts on the hour. Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time.
- You may bring a few ideas or images you would like to work from to create your black and white, 4”x4” ceramic tile.
- You will be carving into damp clay, so dress in comfortable clothing that can easily be washed. Smocks will be provided.
- Due to the nature of the materials and techniques, this program is recommended for adults and children 7 and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Member $25; nonmember $30 (includes daily admission). Fees are per tile; a parent may purchase one tile to work on with a child. Nonmember pricing per tile includes admission for only one nonmember guest.
Walk in the Woods Art Show: Artists' Reception
A Walk in the Woods Art Show and Artists’ Reception is presented by The Nature Shop in the Rowe Woods Visitor Center’s auditorium. Join us for an art exhibition of local artists who created pieces in a variety of media and were inspired by their time outdoors. Members free; nonmembers pay daily admission at the gate.
Nature Crafts and Merry Snacks
Saturday, December 7, 3-4:30 pm
Leave the hustle and bustle of the season behind for an easy afternoon of holiday crafting and snacking. Join the fun as we use natural and recycled materials to make wintery decorations. Popcorn, cider, and all supplies included. This class will have varying crafts appropriate for ages 3-10. Preregistration required. Members $8; nonmembers $12 (includes daily admission).