The Brown Family Environmental Center

The Brown Family Environmental Center The BFEC at Kenyon College is a 700-acre nature preserve offering programs, events, trails, and more

The BFEC is located at 9781 Laymon Road in Gambier, Ohio as part of the Kenyon College campus. On the BFEC's nine miles of trail, visitors can experience the serene waters of the Kokosing River, towering grasses in our prairie, a spring chorus of frogs in our wetlands or the cool canopy of our beech-maple forests. Visitors looking for relaxation can enjoy picnic tables next to the center or our wi

ldlife garden, which features over sixty species of native plants and the many butterflies and birds they attract. The BFEC offers regular programs that are usually free and open to the public, on topics such as wildflowers, star gazing, nature art or medicinal plants. While programs offer opportunities for informal education, the BFEC also offers a novel resource to Kenyon College classes ranging from art to zoology, an opportunity to view nature through a new lens. English classes seek inspiration for haiku poems, while photography classes hone new techniques. Science students conduct research on topics such as bird foraging, bluebird nesting habits or the impacts of invasive species on forests. Both Kenyon College students and community members volunteer to bring 1,000 elementary school children to the BFEC on field trips every year. Vocabulary words like "adaption" and "food web" take on new meaning as children see these concepts in action while exploring our preserve and catching tadpoles.

There’s still room for you at tomorrow’s fairy party!It’s a Fairy Party!Saturday, June 6, 10:30 amCome to the BFEC for o...
06/05/2026

There’s still room for you at tomorrow’s fairy party!

It’s a Fairy Party!
Saturday, June 6, 10:30 am
Come to the BFEC for opening day of our new fairy house trail! Inviting grades K to 2 fairies-in-waiting: Earn your wings and fairy garland. Take a hike looking for fairy gifts.

Create your own fairy dish garden (guests are asked to provide their own dish). Please meet at the picnic shelter

You must preregister for this event:

Please use a separate form for each child you are registering.

Join us on Monday for a special reiki session-empathic kids and mamas walk June 8,  8:30 a. m.Are you a spiritually sens...
06/05/2026

Join us on Monday for a special reiki session-empathic kids and mamas walk

June 8, 8:30 a. m.

Are you a spiritually sensitive mama, or a mama with a child who has spiritual gifts that you're unsure how to navigate? Empathic Kids and Mamas is a safe space for spiritual conversation, connection, and exploration.

In this group Sarah will share tools and methods for spiritual hygiene so that kids and mamas can sleep better at night and navigate the spiritual side of life gracefully.

$10 per family (a percentage of proceeds will be gifted to the BFEC).

Contact [email protected] to book your spot!

We will meet at the wooden bridge by the BFEC gardens.

We hope you'll come and enjoy our reiki guided meditations and aromatherapy this evening!
06/04/2026

We hope you'll come and enjoy our reiki guided meditations and aromatherapy this evening!

Hope you will join us for yoga in the garden tomorrow evening!Ease into your evening with a slower, more grounded yoga p...
06/02/2026

Hope you will join us for yoga in the garden tomorrow evening!
Ease into your evening with a slower, more grounded yoga practice. This class focuses on simple poses, longer holds, and time to settle into your body.
Bring your kids, grandkids, friends, etc. Open to all ages. Bring your own mat or use ours.

Free! Meet in the BFEC garden (behind the white house).

05/27/2026

Yoga in the garden has been canceled for this evening

Please put these upcoming events on your radar:Yoga in the Garden - Hatha with MandyThis Wednesday, May 27th, 6:30 - 7:1...
05/26/2026

Please put these upcoming events on your radar:

Yoga in the Garden - Hatha with Mandy
This Wednesday, May 27th, 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Ease into your evening with a slower, more grounded yoga practice. This class focuses on simple poses, longer holds, and time to settle into your body. Bring your kids, grandkids, friends, etc. Open to all ages. Bring your own mat or use ours. Free! Meet in the BFEC garden (behind the white house).

Reiki, Mindfulness, and a Peaceful Walk
May 28, 4:45 p.m.
In this 45 min- 1 hour experience, we will connect with ourselves in nature. Utilizing nervous system regulation techniques,
grounding exercises, and a mindful walk at the BFEC while receiving distance reiki. This experience is meant to bring a pause into our busy daily lives, so we can be present in the moment and reconnect with our being. Free for students and $10 for community members (a portion of the proceeds will support the BFEC). Meet at the picnic shelter, keep your phones in the car or turn them off. Shoes are optional, and everyone is welcome!

Yoga in the Garden - Hatha with Mandy
Wednesday, June 3rd, 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Ease into your evening with a slower, more grounded yoga practice. This class focuses on simple poses, longer holds, and time to settle into your body. Bring your kids, grandkids, friends, etc. Open to all ages. Bring your own mat or use ours. Free! Meet in the BFEC garden (behind the white house).

Reiki Guided Meditations and Aromatherapy
June 4, 4:45 p.m.
Treat yourself to a tranquil and relaxing experience with Reiki, guided meditation, and aromatherapy at the Brown Family Environmental Center with Sarah Spangler (Usui/Holy Fire III, Animal & Karuna Reiki Master, & Clinically Certified Aromatherapist). This one-hour experience offers a safe space that welcomes all. Feel free to bring a blanket or yoga mat...or use one of the BFEC mats. Free for students and $10 for community members (a portion of the proceeds will support the BFEC). Meet Sarah at the resource center.

It’s a Fairy Party!
June 6, 10:30 am
Come to the BFEC for opening day of our new fairy house trail! Inviting grades K to 2 fairies-in-waiting: Earn your wings and fairy garland. Take a hike looking for fairy gifts.
Create your own fairy dish garden (guests are asked to provide their own dish)
You must preregister for this event: https://forms.gle/Rfn6h65CJFiwE3qTA

Fairy House Trail
June 7 through September 30 during daylight hours
Come to the BFEC and search along one of our trails for the fairy houses! These are visible from the hiking trail so please be sure to stay on the path (the fairies are very shy and don’t like to be disturbed…also, it’s not good for native vegetation to be stepped on). Take an easy walk along the outer edge of our labyrinth trail and see how many fairy houses you can spy.

Please use a separate form for each child you are registering.

05/20/2026

Due to the weather, yoga is canceled for tonight. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Please join us for yoga tomorrow!
05/19/2026

Please join us for yoga tomorrow!

Calling all fairies-in-waiting:What are YOU doing on June 6th?  Come to a fairy party and then take a stroll on our new ...
05/18/2026

Calling all fairies-in-waiting:
What are YOU doing on June 6th?
Come to a fairy party and then take a stroll on our new Fairy House Trail!

Come see us tomorrow-so much fun!
05/15/2026

Come see us tomorrow-so much fun!

Address

9781 Laymon Road
Gambier, OH
43022

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17404275053

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