For Adults
For Adults
Back to Things to DoFor Adults
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.
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.
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Trailblazer Challenge
Saturday, October 21, 8 am-12 pm
Come, take a hike, and learn from the experts including Matt Brennan, who has climbed six of the seven peaks that make up the Seven Summits—the highest point on each of the seven continents. Each hike will be themed and guided by our staff and skilled guest hiker. Preregistration required for each date. Fees are priced per hike. Ticket prices vary based on length and topic of hikes. Click on the links for more details and pricing.
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Get a Muddler and Forage a Cocktail
Pick out a handmade, one-of-a-kind “tornado” muddler made from a 100-year-old black walnut tree that fell at our Long Branch Farm & Trails location during the July 2022 tornado; then learn to muddle a foraged cocktail. Preregistration required. Member adult $30; nonmember adult $40 (includes daily admission).

Foraged Charcuterie Making
It’s charcuterie with a twist! Join us as we elevate this iconic spread of fruits, cheeses, and meats to craft our very own foraged versions. Preregistration required. Member adult $50; nonmember adult $60 (includes daily admission).
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Firefly Monitoring Night
Join us as we search Rowe Woods for lesser-known species of fireflies and collect data to contribute to Firefly Atlas, a community science initiative of Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation aimed at advancing knowledge and conservation of North America’s fireflies. Preregistration required. Member adult $7; nonmember adult $12.
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Summer Bird Walks
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. Beginners welcome. Preregistration required. Member adult free; nonmember adult $10 (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 at Rowe Woods. Preregistration required. Member adult $9; nonmember adult $19 (includes daily admission).

“Hit the Trail”: An Inspirational Talk with Matt Brennan
Cincinnatian Matt Brennan will regale us with fresh tales of adventure from his recent Mt. Everest climb while empowering others to hit the trail since “the best views of the mountain are never from the parking lot.” Preregistration required. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $20 (includes daily admission).
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Firefly Fundamentals (Online & In-person)
Monday, June 12, 7-8 pm—Live Online via Zoom
AND Friday, June 16, 8:30-10 pm—In-person at Rowe Woods
This program has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. If you're interested in programs like this, click here to learn more about Firefly Monitoring Night for adults or Nature's Fireworks! A Firefly Evening Program for the whole family.
Join us to learn more about summer’s most charming creatures—fireflies! We’ll get to know the fundamentals of our local firefly species, their life cycles, and firefly conservation in this hybrid online and in-person program. Preregistration required. Member adult $17; nonmember adult $27 (includes daily admission).
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Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Course, Summer (In-Person)
Tuesdays, June 13-July 25, 9 am-5 pm - SOLD OUT
The mission of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program (OCVN) is to “promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio's natural resources through science-based education and community service”. The program emphasizes hands-on natural resource and environmental education coupled with volunteer service. Application deadline is May 30. $300 for the full course (entire six-day series), including all digital reading materials, certification fee with OSU (for ages 18 and up), and live instruction.
The summer cohort is the only one offered at Cincinnati Nature Center that is entirely in person!
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Nature Mindfulness: Uncovering Your Natural Awareness
Reclaim your attention and begin to uncover your natural awareness. Join us to learn a simple mindfulness technique that will help you enjoy the moment more fully. Preregistration required. Member adult $9; nonmember adult $19 (includes daily admission).

Toast to Summer: Solstice Hike
Join us to welcome summer with a solstice hike and champagne toast. We’ll enjoy a little wildlife spotting on this moderately-paced hike through the old Groesbeck estate. We’ll end our evening on the Groesbeck Tritsch Terrace with drinks and forest views. Preregistration required. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $20 (includes daily admission).

Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives
Join us for Cincinnati’s premier garden tour featuring 11 magnificent gardens which incorporate native plants in unique and creative ways.
Guests receive a Garden Tour program booklet to help plan their self-guided tour. Locations include Anderson, Hyde Park, Milford, Montgomery, and Pleasant Ridge. Order tickets by June 7 to receive the tour booklet in the mail! This program is open to anyone 13 years of age and older. Member adult $40; nonmember adult $45.
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Make Elderflower Syrup from Scratch at Long Branch Farm & Trails
We’ll celebrate our own American elder as we hand harvest honey-scented elderflowers and walk you through the entire process of making elderflower syrup. You’ll head home with a pint of aromatic syrup, instructions, and our list of top ideas for using it.

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, allowing you to quietly take in nature’s gifts. Preregistration required. Member adult $12; nonmember adult $22 (includes daily admission).

Seasonal Foraging Walkabout at Long Branch Farm & Trails
We’ll follow the seasons during this general foraging hike. Every outing will be a unique blend of gathering and learning together with a community of people interested in foraging. Preregistration required. Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission).
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Basic Watercolor Painting
Enhance your artistic skills and spark your creativity as Cynthia Kukla, Emerita Professor of Art, provides a quick overview of how to paint with watercolors outdoors. Then enjoy painting in the garden or at Lotus Pond. Preregistration required. Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission).

Native Plant Tour at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Cincinnati Nature Center’s Long Branch Farm & Trails has been reimagined as the Nature Center’s native plant-focused expression of inspiring conservation. Geared toward the homeowner interested in native gardening and restorative landscaping, we’ll take a behind-the-scenes look into the native plant nursery and native edible plant plots. Preregistration required. Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission).

Hoots & Hops
Friday, July 14, 6-10 pm
Friday, August 11, 6-10 pm
Tickets go on sale May 15 at 9 am!
This popular event features beer tastings from local craft breweries, food bite samples from area restaurants and caterers, self-guided hikes on Nature Center trails, interactive educational stations, food trucks, and live music. Preregistration required for this event for ages 21 and up. Member adult $45; nonmember adult $45. Tickets go on sale Monday, May 15 at 9 am!

Heritage Walk: Architecture & Landscape of the Former Krippendorf and Groesbeck Estates
The Rowe Woods property boasts two estates that are on the National Register 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. Preregistration required. Member adult $20; nonmember adult $30 (includes daily admission).
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Native Shrubs for Wildlife and the Home Landscape
In this on-the-trail field class, we’ll showcase a range of native shrubs that have eye appeal for humans and high value for wildlife, and provide tips on their maintenance. Preregistration required. Member adult $12; nonmember adult $22 (includes daily admission).

Native Plant Showcase: Summer Walk
It’s time to show off the broad palette of native plants, shrubs, and trees that a native gardener might draw upon to add color, texture, and value for wildlife in the home landscape. Preregistration required. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $20 (includes daily admission).
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Besties Night: Foraged Summer Skincare
Grab a friend and a glass of wine for this summer self-care themed besties night. We’ll sip and socialize while we use foraged ingredients to create an exfoliating body scrub and a cooling balm, the perfect combo to refresh summer skin. Preregistration required. Member adult $25; nonmember adult $35 (includes daily admission).
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Perseid Meteor Shower Watch at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Projected Date: Saturday, August 12, 10 pm-1 am
Click here to be notified when tickets are available for this program.
Every year, around this time, the sky comes alive with the Perseid meteor shower. Bring a lawn chair and join astronomy club member adults as we watch for meteors. If interested, click here to be on the notification list. If the skies are clear for meteor viewing, we’ll email everyone 24-48 hours ahead. Preregistration required. Member adult $8; nonmember adult $12.

Certified Interpretive Guide
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 (NAI). Preregistration required. $395 for non-NAI member adults (includes instructor fee, one-year membership, certification fee, course materials).
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Foraged Crafting: Basketry Basics at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Join us in using foraged materials to create a simple, elegant hand-woven basket. This beginner level program will cover a variety of fundamental basketweaving techniques, as well as tips and tricks on foraging your own basketry material. Ideal for beginners who have no weaving knowledge. Preregistration required. Member adult $25; nonmember adult $35 (includes daily admission).

Native Plants 101 (Online, Self-paced)
Click here to learn more and register for the August 28–October 2, 2023 Course.
Bring life into your outdoor space while helping the natural world! In this practical, self-paced, online course, you’ll discover the benefits of planting native, learn about powerhouse plants, and create a personal garden plan. Preregistration required by Wednesday, August 16. Member adult $50; nonmember adult $55.