Events & Programs
CLICK HERE to view the Nature Center's Events & Programs Calendar SHOPPING CART
Adult Programs
Cincinnati Nature Center offers programs for the adult outdoor enthusiast. Programs are limited in space, and preregistration is often required, so to ensure placement please register online well in advance of the class start date.
Click on the program dates for pricing, registration information and full descriptions.
CLICK HERE to view the Events & Programs Calendar.
CLICK HERE to sign up and be notified for various upcoming programs.
Winter Birding Walks
Saturdays, 9–10:30 am
Start your weekend off right by joining our friendly birding group for a winter walk. The cold season is the perfect time to sharpen existing birding skills as the leaves are off the trees and birds are easier to find! Dress to be outdoors for a couple of hours. Beginners welcome. Meet in the main parking lot at 9 am. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.
Learn Trees by Their Winter Buds
Join botanist Marjie Becus and learn how to identify some common trees of the region without their leaves. On this walk, you can practice looking for buds, twigs, and bark by using an identification key. Meet in the lobby of the Rowe Visitor Center. Adults and teens welcome. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Mindful Hiking for Beginners
Monday, December 16, 9:30-11am
Have you ever wondered about contemplative practices in nature? Start your holidays in a peaceful state of mind as we introduce the connection between Buddhism and nature. Following a brief talk, we’ll take time to slow down and use our senses to observe nature on a technology-free hike. Participants may join us for one hike or several! Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Christmas Bird Count
Sunday, December 29, 8 am-12 pm
Shake off the holiday humbug as you head outdoors for the nation’s longest-running citizen science bird project. You will be part of a team that counts every bird seen; the more eyes, the better! No experience necessary, just dress to be outdoors for an extended period of time. Bring your binoculars and meet at the Center for Conservation. Preregistration required. Free.
Winter Quiet Hike
Saturday, January 4, 9-10:30 am
Start the New Year with a gentle mindfulness hike in the quiet of winter. Reflect on 2019 with fellow hikers and set goals for the New Year. Adults and teens welcome. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Winter Travel Series
Sundays in January, 2-3:30 pm
Escape the winter doldrums and kick start your travel planning with ideas, inspiration, and practical tips for exploring the natural world. This year, consider how the Midwest is best! Hear from guest speakers and experts from the field, and find out ways to experience the region in new and different ways. Preregistration encouraged. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.
Volun-touring
Did you know that service travel doesn’t necessitate going abroad? There are many opportunities for “volun-touring” right here in the Midwest. Learn how you can see new places, enjoy nature, and contribute to conservation efforts. Guest speaker is Kenneth Green, Volunteer Leader for the National Outings Program with the Sierra Club.
Tuning In (And Out)
In our always-on world, it can be difficult to find the time and space to check in with yourself and the natural world. Find out what an “eco-solo” is, learn about forest bathing, and think about ways to tune in to nature and tune out the digital. Speakers include Emma Taylor, Public Programs Fellow at the Cincinnati Nature Center, and Ellen Foley, Forest Therapy Guide.
Midwest Archaeology
Ancient history surrounds us in the Midwest. Learn about archaeological sites in Ohio and how you can explore them. Discover the importance and symbolism of these sites as we consider our modern connections to nature in relation to Ohio’s early inhabitants. Guest speaker is William H. Pickard, Curator of Archaeology at Ohio History Connection.
Shoreline Exploring
Thinking about the Midwest doesn’t always conjure images of beaches, shorelines, and islands, but we in Ohio are gifted with all of these things! Get inspiration and advice for paddling adventures on Lake Erie, our state’s Great Lake, while learning about its unique ecosystem and conservation efforts. Guest speaker is Jill Bartolotta, Extension Educator for Ohio Sea Grant.
Embrace Winter: Take a Long Hike!
Sunday, January 12, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Thursday, February 20, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Embrace winter. Get your boots and knock out another item on your Cincinnati Nature Center Bucket List! Take a 6+ mile winter hike on some of our “perimeter trails.” Pack a lunch and water. Meets at the Rowe Visitor Center map kiosk. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Make Your Own Woodpecker Feeder
Saturday, January 25, 9:30 am-11:30 am
Did you know that, in Ohio, you may be able to see seven different species of woodpeckers in the winter? Join us for a morning of hands-on work as we create our own woodpecker feeders out of natural wood. We’ll learn about the best types of food for attracting woodpeckers and make our own suet to fill our new feeders! This class is best suited for adults, however, interested children over 10 years old may attend with their adult caregiver. Preregistration required. Members $12; nonmembers $21 (includes daily admission).
Back to Basics-Backyard Birding for Adults
Friday, February 7, 9-10:30 am
Join like-minded nature novices in this hands-on birding tutorial. We will practice using binoculars while we take a leisurely wildlife spotting stroll through Rowe Woods. Common song bird identification and backyard feeder choices will be included in our exploration. Binoculars provided. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Couples’ Date Night–A Savory Maple Evening
Love is in the maple-scented air at Rowe Woods! Join us for this sweet, behind-the-scenes look at all things maple. Walk hand in hand to the sugarbush under the soft light of a lantern while enjoying a maple historical talk. Marvel at the glowing hot rocks used in ancient rock boiling while sharing a savory maple hors d'oeuvre. Learn how maple toffee is made while sipping on maple cocktails, and discover which cheeses pair well with maple syrup. This tour combines the historical and modern day production of maple syrup with maple-related dishes and beverages. Preregistration required. Member couple $40; nonmember couple $55.
Woodcock Walk
Sometime in late February or early March, as dusk falls, join us in the fields of the Nature Center to discover this secretive game bird and see its extraordinary mating ritual. If interested, CLICK HERE to be on the notification list. We will email you in advance a program registration link when conditions are right. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).
Certified Interpretive Guide Course
Tuesday-Friday, March 17-20, 8:30-5 pm
Join certified interpretive trainers Jason Neumann and Dan Best for a four-day course about techniques and tips for effectively interpreting information to people in a way that is personally relevant and engaging. If you work for, or hope to work for, a nature center, museum or other organization where docents and guides are used, this training is for you. Also relevant for high school and college professors who want to better inspire and engage their students. Curriculum, certification and registration are through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). $380 for non-NAI members (includes instructor fee, one-year membership, certification fee, course materials). Preregistration required.