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. All programs require preregistration and follow Cincinnati Nature Center's COVID Program Safety Protocol. Please register online well in advance of the class start date to ensure placement.
Please bring your own mask. Whether indoors or outdoors, masks are required for all adults and children in Kindergarten through 12th grade at all Cincinnati Nature Center programs. Masks are also required to be worn while inside all facilities (for example, Rowe Visitor Center, restroom, etc.).
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.
Conservation Impact! Why Your Efforts Matter and How to Take It to the Next Level (Online)
Tuesday and Thursdays, February 2-March 18, 6 – 8 pm -- SOLD OUT
Many people volunteer or join nature centers and other conservation organizations because they want to help support conservation. This live online course will give you a foundation from which you can plan to go further in a strategic and intentional way to address conservation issues that matter to you! Through lectures, readings, discussions and projects, you’ll gain context for how your contributions fit into larger environmental goals. Members $125; Nonmembers $160. (Cost includes all 14 Sessions, 2 hours each.)
Hummingbirds! (Online)
Wednesday, March 3, 7-8 pm -- SOLD OUT. This class is sold out at 100 participants.
Discover the joy of attracting hummingbirds, nature’s flying jewels! At this live virtual program, we’ll learn about our local hummingbird species, discuss the use of nectar feeders, and determine what native and annual plants work best to support these delightful birds. Member adult $5; nonmember adult $5.
Please note for the Wednesday, March 3 class: This program is SOLD OUT. For those who have already pre-registered for this program, you should have already received your Zoom link for the class in your confirmation email from the Cincinnati Nature Center. If you have not, please email Anne Horne at ahorne@cincynature.org before Wednesday, March 3 at 5pm. If you have Zoom link issues after the close of business Wednesday (from 5-7pm), please call Laura Weinel directly at 513-503-3447.
Woodcock Walk
TBA
Sometime in late February or early March, as dusk falls, join us in the fields to discover this secretive game bird and see its extraordinary mating ritual. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission). CLICK HERE to be added to the notification list. We will email you in advance when conditions are right.
Conversations on Conservation: Igniting Ecological and Social Change (Online)
What does it take to make a difference locally, or to build a social impact idea to scale? At this live, virtual presentation, Dr. Myers, co-founder of Project Dragonfly, will share how inquiry-driven learning and shared action lead to a better, more collaborative, just, and sustainable future. Free for all!
Woodland Wildflowers as Native Medicinal Herbs – Local Plants in a Global Market (Online)
Wednesday, March 10, 7-8:30 pm
Trillium, bloodroot, goldenseal, ginseng, black cohosh, and many other woodland wildflowers are more than attractive signs of spring – these local plants tell the story of the global increase in medicinal herb harvesting and usage. United Plant Savers Executive Director Susan Leopold, PhD, will share information about medicinal plant biodiversity and conservation for this live online presentation. Member adult $8; nonmember adult $8.
Bird Walk
Saturday, March 13, 8-10 am -- SOLD OUT
Saturday, March 27, 8-10 am -- SOLD OUT
Saturday, April 10, 8-10 am -- SOLD OUT
The migrants are returning from warmer climates and resident birds are beginning to nest. Join us for a casual walk to observe the pageantry of birds along our trails. Beginners welcome. Member adult free; nonmember adult $9 (includes daily admission).
Mindful Hiking for Stress Relief
Thursday, March 25, 6:30-7:30 pm
Thursday, April 8, 6:30-7:30 pm
Thursday, May 13, 6:30-7:30 pm
Escape your daily stressors for an hour of mindfulness in the woods. Take a calm hike, breathe with the trees, and practice seated mindfulness meditation. Member adult $5; nonmember adult $14 (includes daily admission).
Wildflower Walk
For a few short weeks, woodland wildflowers spring to life, carpeting the forest floor. Discover where these springtime gems lie and the interactions that make them unique. Member adult $5; nonmember adult $14 (includes daily admission).
Forest Bathing at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Forest Bathing is a practice of immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature to relieve stress. This guided stroll is an invitation to slow down and awaken the senses. Member adult $12; nonmember adult $21 (includes daily admission).
Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Course (Online)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 23 – May 13, 6-8 pm -- SOLD OUT
This very popular program is co-hosted with Ohio State University. Learn more about the statewide program at https://ocvn.osu.edu. The spring cohort will be taught online, with outdoor “homework” and an optional field trip to Rowe Woods. Member adult $265; nonmember adult $265 (includes daily admission and the entire series).
Elderberry Syrup Making (Online)
Wednesday, March 24, 6:30-7:45 pm
Give yourself an end of winter health boost and learn something new as you virtually hang outwith us in your kitchen. While your elderberry syrup simmers, we’ll answer your questions about elder, explore elder’s folklore, natural history, botany, and long history with humans through light-hearted trivia. Member adult $12; nonmember adult $12.
Gray Tree Frogs and Spring Peepers! (Online)
No need travel to the jungle or a zoo to see a delightful tree frog–you can find very cute and loud species right here in Cincinnati! Join us virtually to learn more about the life history, identification, and conservation efforts regarding these special hoppers living right next door. Member adult $5; nonmember adult $5.
Native Garden Care (Online)
Manage your native wildflower garden for aesthetic appeal and wildlife benefit. Dr. Denice Robertson of Pollinator Plant Design will cover everything from garden establishment to weed control, to preparing your garden for winter. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $10.
Herb Gardening for Life (Online)
In this hybrid cooking/gardening class, local author Rita Heikenfeld will highlight tips on using culinary herbs for flavor and health. Pollinator gardening specialist Steve Inglish will delve into pollinator conservation. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $10.
Gardening for Pollinators (Online)
Wednesday, April 21, 6:30-8:30 pm
Wednesday, May 5, 6:30-8:30 pm
Steve Inglish will discuss the importance and benefits of integrating native habitat into our home landscapes and provide an overview of key habitat requirements and features you’ll need to create your own butterfly/pollinator garden. He’ll explore resources to help you transform your yard into a caterpillar nursery, as well as how to certify your yard as wildlife habitat. Members $10; nonmembers $10.
Trail Yoga
Saturday, April 24, 9:30-11 am
Connect to nature in a deeper way through the mindful movement and meditative practices found in yoga during this on-the-trail experience. Member adult $9; nonmember adult $18 (includes daily admission).
Plant Native for Novices
Leisurely tour our native gardens to spark inspiration for planting at home. We’ll stroll through our verdant grounds to engage our senses and understand why planting native benefits us all. Member adult $5; nonmember adult $14 (includes daily admission).
Grow Pawpaw Trees (Online)
Sunday, April 25, 3:30-5:30 pm
We can raise pawpaw trees that benefit both humans and wildlife. Whether you’re growing pawpaw trees in your yard, wondering why there’s no fruit in your woodland pawpaw patch, or trying to raise zebra swallowtail butterflies, this virtual class is for you. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $10.
Attracting Wildlife While Apartment Living (Online)
Even the smallest outdoor spaces can provide vital habitat to birds, bees, and butterflies alike. Learn how to invite wildlife into your space and transform it into a natural paradise. Member adult $8; nonmember adult $8.
Battling Problem Plants (Online)
Wednesday, April 28, 6:30-8:30 pm
Creating a wildlife-friendly yard entails making space for native species, and that means removing introduced plants. If you find yourself asking, “Which plants are introduced?” or “How do I remove non-native ‘problem’ plants?”, this beginner level class is for you. Using examples from the Nature Center’s gardens and grounds, Natural Areas Manager Olivia Espinoza will provide tips and tricks for battling aggressive plants. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $10.
Foraging for Wild Edible Plants at Long Branch Farm & Trails—Spring Greens
Connect to the natural world in a new way. Learn to identify, appropriately harvest, safely process, and utilize spring’s flush of nutritious wild greens. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $19 (includes daily admission).
Natives for Problem Areas (Online)
Does your yard have a lot of shade, soggy wet areas, or dry slopes? Join Denice Robertson of Pollinator Plant Design as we reveal how to design beautiful habitats using native plants that are well adapted to those tough locations. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $10.
Grow Elderberry Bushes (Online)
In this virtual class, we’ll draw upon natural history of this native shrub for tips on how to grow an elder in a suburban yard and benefit pollinators and birds. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $10.
Getting to Know Poison Ivy (Online)
Are you itching to “know” poison ivy? We’ll provide a rash of answers and unveil the many ecological curiosities of poison ivy, discovering that there is more to this three-leaved gem than meets the eye. Member adult $8; nonmember adult $8.
Conversations on Conservation: Fostering Empathy for Wildlife (Online)
What role does empathy play in conservation? Jim Wharton is the Director of Conservation Engagement and Learning at the Seattle Aquarium. He will be discussing what it means to have empathy for wildlife, why we empathize with some animals more easily than others, dive into the swampy domain of anthropomorphism, and discuss how institutions like the Seattle Aquarium are using empathy to save species. Free for all!