Firefly Walk

During the week of June 18-22, at dusk, when conditions are appropriate

Did you know there are many species of fireflies in Ohio and some of them are cannibals while others don’t even light up?  Join us for a brief presentation about these charismatic beetles before heading out to appreciate their beauty. If interested, go to our website to register to be on this notification list. We will email you in advance when conditions are right. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

CLICK HERE to be placed on a mailing list for more information.

Geology of Running Water

Saturday, June 23, 10 am -12 pm
Saturday, July 28, 10 am -12 pm

Did you know that the Nature Center had to re-route the popular Geology Trail due to erosion? Try out the new trail route and stop at the stream crossing to visit with a profession geologist. Chat about the history of Avey’s Run and check out local fossils found in the streambed. No preregistration required. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Box Turtle Tracking Experience

Saturday, June 23, 10 am-12 pm Canceled 
Saturday, July 14, 10 am-12 pm
Saturday, August 18, 10 am-12 pm

Take this rare opportunity to learn more about this seldom seen species as you join students from West Clermont High School on a search for box turtles that have been “tagged” with radio transmitters. These invested students will share insights from this project including how to identify individual turtles and where box turtles go in winter. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Bat Night: The Truth about Bats—For Families

Saturday, June 23, 8-9:30 pm
Saturday, July 21, 8-9:30 pm
Friday, August 17, 7:30-9 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. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $12 (includes daily admission).

Family Bluebird Box Checking at LBF&T

Sunday, June 24, 2-3:30 pm
Saturday, July 21, 9-10:30 am

Head out on a hike with the bluebird box monitoring team and carefully peer inside bird houses. Find out what the Nature Center is doing to encourage bluebirds on our properties and what you can do to provide housing for birds on your property. Meet at the Creekside Barn at Long Branch Farm & Trails. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Full Moon Walks

Thursday, June 28, 9-10:30 pm
Sunday, August 26, 8:30-10 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).

In Search of Dragons and Damsels, the Wolves of the Pond

Saturday, June 30, 2-3:30 pm
Sunday, August 5, 1:30-3 pm

Explore the lives of dragonflies and damselflies at the Nature Center. We’ll seek out these hunting insects by dipping in the ponds for nymphs and eye spying the showy adults. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

American History Nature Hike

Saturday, July 7, 10:30 am-12 pm
Saturday, July 7, 1-2:30 pm

Meet celebrities of American history along the trail. Hear about the colonial Pine Riot, see the odd plant growths used in writing the Declaration of Independence and sniff out America's first commercial export. Enjoy this colorful tour of natural phenomena that figured big in our nation's past. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Nature Up Close: Micro-Safari Hike

Sunday, July 8, 2-3:30 pm
Saturday, August 4, 1-2:30 pm

See the world from a new perspective as we get up close and personal with nature. Join us as we use lenses and scopes to examine the tiny wonders we'll discover on our "micro-safari" hike through forests, fields, ponds and stream. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Make and Take: Craft Your Own Hiking Stick

Saturday, July 14, 4-5:30 pm
Saturday, August 4, 4-5:30 pm

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 $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).  

Family Fireside Fun: Campfire Cooking and Stories

Saturday, July 14, 8-9:30 pm
Saturday, August 4, 8-9:30 pm

We'll provide the fire, stories and skewers, you bring the food. See a fire born the ancient way, from sticks and stones. Then join in stories of the adventures of nature's heroes and tricksters, brought to life in campfire stories from pioneers, native peoples and the imagination. Your own music and stories are welcome, too! Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Staying Cool: A Matter of Life and Death

Sunday, July 15, 1:30-3 pm
Saturday, August 18, 10-11:30 am

Have you ever seen a bird pant? Or a tree sweat? Just like us, as the summer temperatures soar, birds, animals and plants need to keep cool—it’s a matter of life and death. Our interactive hike will take us to the field, forest, pond and stream to delve into the ingenious ways nature acclimates in the heat. Preregistration required. Members, $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Full Moon Canoe at LBF&T

Friday, July 27, 8:30-10 pm 
Friday, July 27, 9-10:30 pm
Friday, July 27, 9:30-11 pm

Enjoy the full moon in a whole new light. Hit the trail and the water on this hybrid full moon canoe hike. Discover why July is called the full buck moon while enjoying your time on McCarthy Pond and the trail. Meet at the Creekside Barn. Preregistration required. Members $10; nonmembers $15 (includes daily admission).

Take-a-Hike!

Saturday, July 28, 10-11 am
Saturday, August 18, 10-11 am

Start your weekend off with a pleasurable stroll at Rowe Woods! We will enjoy the sights and sounds of summer—the forest, fields or ponds. Each hike session will follow a different trail. Please bring water and plan to walk about a mile at a leisurely pace. Preregistration required. Members $3; nonmembers $12 (includes daily admission).

Turtles on a Log

Saturday, July 28, 3-4pm

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. Preregistration required. Members $3; nonmembers $12 (includes daily admission).

Scrapers and Shredders and Collectors, Oh My!—A Family Stream Adventure

Sunday, July 29, 1-2:30 pm, Long Branch Farm & Trails

Hike to the stream and explore the spineless creatures who reside under the rocks. Macroinvertebrates are animals that don’t have backbones, but are visible to the naked eye. Seek them out as you flip rocks in the streambed and learn about the important roles they play in the stream food web. Preregistration required. Members, $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Perseid Meteor Shower Watch at LBF&T

Saturday, August 11, 9-11:30 pm

Every year around this time the sky comes alive with the Perseid meteor shower. Bring a lawn chair and join astronomy club members as we watch for meteors, look through telescopes at Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and star clusters. Try your luck at “Saturn Toss” and make Milky Way S'mores. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $16 (includes daily admission).

Nature Ramble for Families at LBF&T

Sunday, August 19, 3-4:30 pm

Join us at Long Branch Farm & Trails for a late afternoon hike and stream exploration. We will investigate the Salamander Trail and explore the shallow part of the stream crossings to look for crayfish, minnows, frogs and more! For those who have never visited LBF&T, this program is a perfect introduction to the site! Meet at the Creekside Barn. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14  (includes daily admission).

Fossil Hunt for Families at LBF&T

Sunday, August 26, 3-4:30 pm

Take a peek at the past as we hunt for evidence of Long Branch Farm & Trail’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. Meet at the Creekside Barn. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).