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.
Certified Interpretive Guide Course
Tuesday-Friday, March 17-20, 8:30-5 pm -- CANCELED
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.
Mason Bee Basics
Saturday, March 21, 10 am - 12 pm -- CANCELED
In this hands-on class, we’ll cover best practices for attracting and raising native 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 ten nesting tubes so you can start your own bee mini-hotel just in time for the upcoming mason bee season. Members $7; nonmembers $16 (includes daily admission).
Wildflower Walk
Sunday, March 22, 2:30-4 pm -- CANCELED
Sunday, March 29, 2:30-4 pm -- CANCELED
Saturday, April 4, 10-11:30 am -- CANCELED
Saturday, April 11, 10-11:30 am -- CANCELED
For a few short weeks in early spring, woodland wildflowers spring to life, carpeting the forest floor until a canopy of tree leaves blocks out the light. While hiking and learning to identify flowers, we’ll unveil a relationship between ants, one hundred-year-old wildflowers and the trees above them. Member $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Hike to Help the Earth
Saturday, April 4, 10-11:30 am -- CANCELED
Wednesday, April 22, 6-7:30 pm
Join us for a walk in nature while we share how the Nature Center practices conservation. We'll highlight onsite conservation projects that can easily transfer to your home, big or small. Learn about the benefits of composting, removal of introduced species, and planting for local wildlife in your outdoor space. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes admission).
Intro to Scratchboard Workshop
Saturday, April 4, 10 am-4:30 pm -- CANCELED
Rescheduled date: Saturday, August 22, 10 am-4:30 pm
Come enjoy an introduction to the world of Scratchboard. Learn basic techniques using a variety of different tools and how to bring your image to life. Preregistration required by March 27 at noon. Members $90; nonmembers $99 (includes daily admission).
The Dish on Dandelions
Sunday, April 5, 2-4 pm -- CANCELED
Celebrate National Dandelion Day with us! Both loved and hated, the humble dandelion has a long history alongside humans. It's considered a gourmet green in Europe, a highly regarded plant in Chinese medicine, and a reviled lawn usurper in the United States. Using insights from ecology, history, folklore, and the culinary world, we'll explore, observe, harvest, and eat our way towards a new understanding of the most recognized, and most hated, "weed." Members $10; nonmembers $19 (includes admission).
Astrophotography for All
If you love astrophotography and would like to give it a try, move to the next level, want to understand how these images are captured or just want to look at astronomy photos taken by local amateurs, this event is for you! Cincinnati Nature Center’s Astronomy Club is hosting this program. Learn more about this member club and enjoy a talk by Timothy O’Connor that will include:
- Doing astrophotography without a telescope
- Capturing starscapes, the solar system, and deep space
- Equipment recommendations for each kind of astrophotography
- Smart phone apps and citizen science
- Livestreaming astrophotography
- Local events to learn more about telescopes and astrophotography
- Photographs taken by Nature Center members
FREE DOOR PRIZES include 3D printed telescope phone holders, astrophotography calendars and more.
Free for all!
How to Photograph Birds Presentation
Join Sigma Pro photographer David FitzSimmons as he shares the secrets of producing prize-winning, eye-catching images of birds. Learn principles of composition, best bird photography equipment, and software to make your images shine. Get ideas for partnering with zoos, nature centers, and local rehabilitation clinics. David FitzSimmons is an award-winning photographer and author. He writes for various magazines and has published over 20 books, including his popular children's book series, Curious Critters. Learn more about David at http://www.davidfitzsimmons.com and at http://www.curious-critters.com. Over $200 in door prizes will be given away. All registrants will receive a $20 gift card to ProCam Photo and Video Gear located in Amelia, Ohio. Members: $15; nonmembers $20 (nonmember pricing includes admission).
Wildflowers & Waterfalls Photography Workshop
Saturday, April 11, 10 am-4 pm
Join Sigma Pro photographer David Fitzsimmons for Cincinnati Nature Center's 2nd annual photography workshop. Scheduled to coincide with the opening of all sorts of flowers, from the center's famous daffodils to a variety of wildflowers, this workshop will help photographers to improve macro and landscape photography techniques. The workshop includes classroom and field sessions. We will discuss techniques, equipment, and software and then shoot wildflowers and waterfalls along the paths and streams of Cincinnati Nature Center. Try out Sigma loaner lenses in a variety of popular mounts. David FitzSimmons is an award-winning photographer and author. He writes for various magazines and has published over 20 books, including his popular children's book series, Curious Critters. Learn more about David at http://www.davidfitzsimmons.com and http://www.curious-critters.com. Over $200 in door prizes will be given away. All registrants will receive a $20 gift card to ProCam Photo and Video Gear located in Amelia, Ohio.
Early Bird Pricing: Register before March 18, Members $129.99; Nonmembers $139.99 (nonmember pricing includes admission). Pricing after March 18: Members $139.99; Nonmembers $149.99 (nonmember pricing includes admission).
Spring Bird Walks
Saturdays, 8-10 am
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. Bring your binoculars. Meet in the main parking lot. Members free; nonmembers $9. Online tickets purchased for nonmembers include admission.
Trail Yoga
Saturday, April 11, 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, participants will be guided through a flowing sequence near water, strengthening postures using a tree, and walking meditation incorporating nature awareness. All levels are welcome. Members $9; nonmembers $18. Online tickets purchased for nonmembers include admission.
Minimum age for children attending with a parent: Children of any age are more than welcome with the understanding that it is an ADULT yoga class, so children under 13 years of age may not be able to do everything or stay interested in the class. Adults will have to decide how much management of their children they are interested in doing.
Clermont SWCD Pond Clinic
Join us as we team with Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District for a Pond Clinic at our Rowe Woods location. Featured speakers, Gus Kieble and Randy Morgan with ODNR Division of Wildlife, will discuss muskrat prevention and control in regards to maintaining a healthy and structurally safe pond.
Guests are invited to enjoy up to two breakout sessions:
- Ponds 101 by Jake Hahn with Clermont SWCD
- Pond Health and Aeration with Jones Fish Hatchery
- Pond Weed Control with Jones Fish Hatchery
- So you want to Build a Pond? with Jake Hahn
We will have a pond walk with our experts from 4-5 pm before the workshop begins. On our walk, we will discuss what we find, including plant life and pond problems. Time and circumstances permitting, we may also look at some macro invertebrates. Preregistration required by Monday, April 13, at 12 noon. Free to all registered participants.
Besties Night: Plant Powered Products
Does Earth Day have you inspired to clean up your act? Grab a friend and join us for an evening of fun and creativity as we swap out current household products for more earth-friendly solutions. We'll make a plant-based household cleaner, a fossil fuel-free body product, and plastic-free wrap. Light snacks and treats provided. Beer and wine available for purchase. Members $20; nonmembers $29 (includes daily admission).
Gardening for Pollinators
Steve Inglish, team leader of Cincinnati Nature Center’s butterfly monitoring program, will give a brief indoor introduction, and then head out to the Pollinator Garden to see butterfly host and nectaring plants, and highlight key habitat requirements and feathers you'll need to create your butterfly garden. We'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 per person; nonmembers $19 (includes daily admission).
Forest Bathing at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Forest Bathing, also called Shinrin-yoku, is a practice of immersing yourself in nature that was developed by the Japanese to relieve stress. This guided Forest Bathing walk offers an opportunity to slow down and awaken the senses which allows you to quietly take in nature’s gifts. Members $12; nonmembers $21. Online tickets purchased for nonmembers include admission.
Native Garden Care
Break through the mystery that surrounds managing your native wildflower garden for maximum aesthetic appeal and wildlife benefit. Dr. Denice Robertson of Pollinator Plant Design will cover everything from establishing your new garden to summer maintenance and weed control, to preparing your garden for winter. Members $8; nonmembers $17 (includes admission).
Herb Gardening for Life
In this hybrid cooking/gardening class, local author, herbalist and cooking instructor, Rita Heikenfeld, will highlight tips on using culinary herbs for flavor and health as she prepares tasty samples that highlight the range of culinary uses for herbs. Pollinator gardening specialist Steve Inglish will round out the day as he focuses on the importance of pollinator conservation and how gardening with herbs can benefit pollinators. Herbs will be available for purchase. Members $12; nonmembers $21. Online tickets purchased for nonmembers include admission.
Citizen Science Pond Catch Study
We need your help in assessing the health of our water-bound wildlife. Experts will be on hand to help us catch and identify creatures, and we'll record our findings to our long-running database. We'll celebrate our hard work with coffee and treats at the end of the program. This class is a great introduction to our pond monitoring citizen science project! Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Reflective Nature Walk
Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" helped launch the modern environmental movement. Explore the wonders of local ecology and the ethics of our dealings with nature, guided by the words of this perceptive scientist, writer, and social revolutionary. On this short walk, you'll be invited to stop, observe, write, and share. Bring a small notebook and writing tool. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Natives for Problem Areas
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. Members $8; nonmembers $17. Online tickets purchased for nonmembers include admission.
Grow Pawpaw Trees at Long Branch Farm & Trails
A pawpaw tree can be a welcome ecological enhancement to your yard. Learn by doing as you help improve a native two-acre woodland pawpaw grove at Long Branch Farm & Trails. Food samples, five pawpaw seeds, and growing instructions included. We will be hiking and traversing a creek. Wear work gloves, long pants, and boots. Members $8; nonmembers $17 (includes daily admission).
Battling Green Invaders
Creating a wildlife-friendly yard entails restoring it to native species and that means removing introduced plants. If you find yourself asking, “Which plants are introduced?” or “How do I remove invasive 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 practical homeowner level tips and tricks for battling those invaders. Members $10; nonmembers $19. Online tickets purchased for nonmembers include admission.
Heritage Walk: Architecture and Landscape Design of the Former Krippendorf and Groesbeck Estates
The Rowe Woods property boasts two estates that are on the National Registry of Historic places. Join us for a 2.5-hour docent-led walking tour of both the interior and exterior of the homes built in the early 20th century by Carl Krippendorf and Grace Groesbeck. By exploring architectural style, horticulture and landscape design, we’ll see the ties between the two families, how they both sought to blend the natural world with the designed human world with influence from the British designer Gertrude Jekyll, and how their efforts set the stage for the property that would become Cincinnati Nature Center.
Knowledgeable docents will be available in and around both Krippendorf Lodge and Groesbeck Lodge to share stories of the history of this unique place and answer your questions. This experience includes a revealing 20 minute guided walk between the two historic homes. Participants may opt to drive between the two homes. A full Heritage Walk will take about two and a half hours. Registrants will be notified of starting location (Krippendorf Lodge or Groesbeck Lodge) in advance of the program. Members $20; nonmembers $29 (includes daily admission).
2020 Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives
Join us for Cincinnati’s premier Garden Tour featuring eleven private gardens incorporating native plants and created by some of the region’s horticultural legends and gardening gurus! Order your tickets by May 31 to receive your tour booklet in the mail. The booklet will grant you entrance into the gardens between 9 am and 5 pm. Garden locations include Anderson, Mariemont, Montgomery, Wyoming, Mason and Lebanon.Tickets are $40 per person. Event is suitable for adults and children 16 years old or older with an adult.
Presenting Sponsor: Wimberg Landscaping