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.
Bird Walks
Saturdays, 8–10 am
Summer visitors are back nesting while resident birds have young off and flying already. Join our seasoned bird leaders as we hit the trails to observe birds and their nests. Dress to be outdoors and bring your binoculars. Beginners welcome. Meet in the Rowe Woods parking lot. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission. Preregistration is required. Bird walks can accommodate up to 11 participants.
Basic Watercolor Painting
Enhance your artistic skills and spark your creativity as Cynthia Kukla, Emerita Professor of Art, provides a quick tutorial on sketching followed by a quick overview of watercolor painting basics. We will then paint in the Garden. Members $10; nonmembers $19 (includes daily 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. This is an online, virtual program. Members $8; nonmembers $8.
Heritage Walk
Sunday, July 19, 2-4:30 pm — CANCELED
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, and how their efforts set the stage for the property that would become Cincinnati Nature Center. Members $20; nonmembers $29 (includes daily admission).
Trail Yoga
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 (includes daily admission).
Forest Bathing at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Forest Bathing, called Shinrin-yoku in Japan, is a practice of immersing yourself in nature to relieve stress. This guided walk offers an opportunity to slow down and awaken the senses, allowing you to quietly take in nature’s gifts. Members $12; nonmembers $21 (includes daily admission).
Gardening for Pollinators
Steve Inglish, Cincinnati Nature Center's butterfly monitoring team leader, will start out by discussing the importance and benefits of integrating native habitat into our home landscapes. We'll then head out to the Pollinator Garden to highlight key habitat requirements, practical tips, and features you'll need to transform your yard into a caterpillar nursery. Resources will be provided, as well as information on how to certify your yard as wildlife habitat.This is an online, virtual program. Members $10 per person; nonmembers $10.
Hoots & Hops
Unfortunately, due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in our region, we are canceling Hoots & Hops for 2020. \ For more information, email Pamela Tierney at ptierney@cincynature.org.
Compost Talk!
Wednesday, August 5, 6:30-8 pm
If composting is one of the hallmarks of natural recycling, why is it so hard for us to do? Perhaps you’ve been deterred by composting because you don’t have space or aren’t quite so sure about how it looks and smells. Maybe you’ve tried it and it never quite worked out right. If so, this is the perfect class for you! Join Public Engagement Manger, Anne Horne and Public Programs Manger, Jason Neumann for discussion and learning all about common compost quandaries. We’ll discuss the latest techniques for backyard composting as well as answer your questions to help you get stared or move forward with your own projects. Members and nonmembers: $10/participant.
Please note: this will be a live, virtual program. This program will take place with Zoom meeting platform. Your link to attend the meeting will be sent in a follow up email. You do not need the Zoom application to participate.
Nature in Focus Photo Exhibit
Saturday, August 15—Sunday, September 13, 10 am-5 pm
Nature in Focus is our annual juried exhibit featuring selected photographs by local professional and emerging artists. Photographers, current and past photo contest winners, and all Cincinnati Nature Center members are encouraged to apply to this photo-based exhibit.
Submissions for Nature in Focus are due by July 20 at 5 pm. Please click here for the submission form.
Nature in Focus Reception
Join us in celebrating this year’s Photography Contest winners and Nature in Focus exhibiting artists. Meet the artists, chat with them about their artwork, and add a few to your home and office art collection. Photographers will be signing the Cincinnati Nature Center 2021 calendar from 12-2 pm. Members are free; nonmembers pay daily admission at the gate.
Certified Interpretive Guide Course
Tuesday, August 18—Friday, August 21, 8:30 am-5 pm
Learn techniques and tips for effectively interpreting information to people in a way that is personally relevant and engaging. Certification through National Association for Interpretation. Curriculum, certification, and registration are through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Preregistration required. $380 for non-NAI members (includes instructor fee, one-year membership, certification fee, course materials).
Nature in Focus: Meet the Feature Artist, David FitzSimmons
Wednesday, August 19, 6:30-8 pm
Award-winning author and photographer David FitzSimmons is this year’s Nature in Focus feature artist. Enjoy meeting, seeing, and listening to this award-winning artist as he guides you through his photographic artwork. After the visual presentation, make sure to have him sign one of his national award-winning books filled with Curious Critters or striking photographs depicting a variety of animals throughout North America. Member adult free; nonmember adult $9. Please note that masks are required to be worn while inside of our facilities, including Rowe Visitor Center and Auditorium.
Intro to Scratchboard Workshop
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 August 14 at noon. Members $90; nonmembers $99 (includes daily admission).
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)
Fall Foliage & Waterfalls Photography Workshop
Saturday, October 31, 10 am—4 pm
Join Sigma Pro photographer David FitzSimmons for CNC's 2nd annual photography workshop. Scheduled to coincide with the changing of the leaves, this workshop will help photographers to improve landscape photography techniques. Included are classroom and field sessions. We will discuss techniques, equipment, and software and then shoot fall leaves and waterfalls around CNC. Try out Sigma loaner lenses in a variety of popular mounts. Plus, over $300 in door prizes! 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 Sept 1, Members $129.99; Nonmembers $139.99 (nonmember pricing includes admission). Pricing after Sept 1: Members $139.99; Nonmembers $149.99 (nonmember pricing includes admission)