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Every acre tells a story. Sometimes it’s not about one person—it’s about the friendships that grow out of time spent in the woods.
When you visit Rowe Woods, you might see a lively group of friends—Jeff, E.S., Cathy, and Theresa—on the trail. They meet every week at the Rowe Visitor Center and set out for adventure and discovery.
But these aren’t casual walks. This group approaches the forest with curiosity and intensity. They identify plants, debate species, and share observations with the dedication of seasoned botanists. “We have a mutual interest: learning,” Jeff says. “But the key to our group—we make it fun.”
In winter, they challenge themselves with tree identification, relying on bark rather than leaves. In spring, they chase emerging ephemerals. Sometimes they are sidetracked by wildlife, but in truth—for this group—it’s the plants that fuel their passion.
Each friend brings something special to the trail:
Jeff is drawn to mosses, liverworts, and the overlooked wonders of the forest floor. His close-up plant photography has become a stunning catalog of the Nature Center’s flora, documenting species in exquisite detail. Explore his work at cincynaturalist.us.
Theresa, a former plant nursery employee, brings a deep love of gardening and an extraordinary knowledge for Latin names—her personal superpower. Jeff, E.S. and Cathy are working hard to learn (and pronounce!) the words correctly under her cheerful tutelage.
E.S. is the group’s wildflower tracker, keeping a personal catalog of more than 300 species and documenting bloom times across our property for over a decade. His meticulous notes have become a treasure trove of phenology data.
Cathy, a dedicated volunteer, joined the group to deepen her plant knowledge. She learned more than she ever imagined—and now shares that knowledge with countless visitors through the many public programs she leads for the Nature Center.
What they value most is being together. What began as individual visits evolved into a tight-knit community. The trails, trees, and flowers became their gathering place. Together, they seek new flowers, new species, and the joy of shared discovery.
Their dedication has made a tangible impact. By sharing plant lists and bloom dates, monitoring endangered and sensitive species, and even collecting seeds with staff permission, they’ve strengthened our stewardship in meaningful ways. They’ve even identified species previously unknown on our sites! What started as a shared love of plants has become a lasting contribution to the health and knowledge of our forests.
