Cincinnati Nature Center

05/29/2026

POV you’re a cup of coffee on a morning hike ☕️👀

We’re kicking off National Trails Day at Rowe Woods with a Sunrise Hike & Coffee on Saturday, June 6, 6–7:30 am. Click here to register: https://cincynature.ticketapp.org/portal/product/161/event/5565d2ce-469c-4eed-b071-f1de173cd2ce

But your Saturday is just getting started!

Pick up a FREE Hike for Your Health passport and explore all 17 award-winning trails. We’ll have trail magic throughout the day at Rowe Woods, pop-up trail music, a good ol’ fashioned grill-out from 11 am–2 pm, a scavenger hunt, and (if you need a refill from your morning hike) will be onsite from 7 am–1 pm.

Hope to see you out there! 🥾🙌🏻

05/28/2026

“Can we relinquish half, or even more of the lawn to create a garden that is beautiful for us and benefits nature?” says Jennifer Smith, Wimberg Landscaping Horticulturist & Client Service.

“The impetus for this change of garden heart is due in great part to homeowners being the first on the block to create front yard pollinator gardens. Books, podcasts, lectures, and classes plant the seed - excuse the pun - for doing more with our gardens to support nature. But I believe it’s when we see, in our own neighborhood, a landscape that’s embracing this new way to garden, we find the inspiration to make the change ourselves.”

Click here to learn more: https://www.cincynature.org/post/a-new-way-to-garden

is proud to sponsor Cincinnati Nature Center’s 8th annual Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives on Saturday, June 27, which highlights regional gardens that are working to incorporate native plants into the landscape.

05/22/2026

"A giant field of Skittles." Cincinnati Nature Center recently partnered with Abbys Farm to transform acres of fallow farmland into a colorful native prairie.

Click below to watch the interview with WCPO 9 and learn more!
https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/clermont-county/franklin-township/giant-field-of-skittles-historic-franklin-township-farm-plans-to-add-more-flowers-wildlife

"It’s encouraging when local businesses opt for landscapes that are ecologically sensible and beautiful," says Director of Conservation Cory Christopher. "When Abby’s Farm chose to plant a native prairie, they made an investment in the health of our human and natural communities. Their landscape will support a myriad of pollinators and birds, reduce runoff and soil loss, greatly reduce the long-term maintenance of their property, and will provide an incredible tapestry of color and activity for events held there."

Farm owner Joby Houck secured a national grant to help add wildflowers, natural grasses, pollinators and a future butterfly habitat to his property.

05/21/2026

GIVEAWAY!🌻Tag your favorite fellow flora fanatic in the comment section below to win 2 FREE TICKETS to Cincinnati Nature Center’s Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives on Saturday, June 27, 9 am–5 pm.

This year’s tour features local gardens in Milford, Indian Hill, Kenwood, Hyde Park, and Amberley.

Each individual tag counts as one entry. The contest ends on Saturday, May 23 and the winner will be announced on Monday, May 25.

Goodluck gardeners! 🪏🌸✨

UPDATE 5/26: Thank you to all who entered this year’s contest. Congratulations to this year's winner Amy Wray!

NOTE: Keep an eye out for spam attempts in the comment section. An official notification that you have won will be done via direct message on Monday, May 25 and no sooner.

Visit our website or click the link in our bio to learn more about Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives!

This event is generously sponsored by , Rachel Robinson Design Landscape Architecture, , , and .

05/20/2026

🚧 Heavy equipment operator and excavation specialist on-site in Krippendorf Arboretum 🚧 Well… sort of.

Turtles, of all sizes and species, have been observed throughout the Nature Center this week. This snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) passed through a work-in-progress section of the arboretum just yesterday morning.

Any ideas why turtles seem to be on the move more often during rainy weather? ☔️🐢

Turtles may be traveling to find a mate, food, or new habitat. Females—such as the snapper shown here—may be en route to a nesting site to lay eggs. The rain aids in all these endeavors, from travel, food availability, or in softening the ground for easier nest digging.

If you see a turtle on the move this spring, give them space on the trail. They have a plan—they’re specialist, remember.

If you see a turtle in the road and can safely pull over to help, remember to turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights and watch for oncoming traffic. When moving a turtle, NEVER hold them by their tail—ouch! Instead, pick them up by supporting both the top and bottom shell and place them carefully in nearby vegetation, ALWAYS on the side of the road they were already heading.

05/19/2026

Calling all crocheters! Looking for something crafty to do this week? Join us for our Fiber Arts Series: Crochet Mushrooms program this Friday, May 22 at Rowe Woods! 
 
Moist, temperate weather makes spring the perfect season to do a little mushroom hunting. Led by a Front Desk Naturalist, we’ll trek the trails and identify mushrooms along the way. We’ll then gather in the woods and learn to crochet a mushroom together! 
 
All materials will be provided. Crochet stitches that guests need to be familiar with include chain, single crochet, crochet increase, crochet decrease, and back loop only crochet.
 

05/18/2026

Did you know your Cincinnati Nature Center membership travels with you? Our members can receive FREE admission at over 150 nature centers nationwide by simply showing their member card.

Our staff pick this week is W.K. Kellogg Biological Station!

If you’re headed north near Kalamazoo, Michigan, our staff recommend visiting one of our ANCA partners through the Reciprocal Program, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary!

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is a refuge for migrating birds and wildlife, set on 180 acres of diverse habitats surrounding Wintergreen Lake. Visitors can explore their scenic trails with exceptional birding opportunities, or simply take in the peaceful views. The Sanctuary is loved by birders, photographers, and anyone who enjoys quiet, immersive walks in nature—they also have birds on exhibit, including waterfowl, birds of prey, and upland game birds.

If you visit, tag us and share your discoveries. We encourage members to explore nature near and far using their reciprocal benefits!

Photo 1 by Josh Haas
Photo 2 & 3 by Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

05/08/2026

Cincinnati Nature Center Director of Conservation Cory Christopher and Event Chair JoAnne Allen share a behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives 🌸 This year’s tour features local gardens in Milford, Indian Hill, Kenwood, Hyde Park, and Amberley.

All proceeds of this event support Cincinnati Nature Center’s mission of Inspiring Conservation.

Visit our website to learn more, and don’t forget to purchase tickets by June 1 to receive your collectible Garden Tour booklet by mail!

https://www.cincynature.org/garden-tour-noteworthy-natives

This event is generously sponsored by Wimberg Landscaping

04/29/2026

As we wrap up this past week of volunteer appreciation celebrations here at the Nature Center, we continue to be mindful of one very important fact. Similar to Earth Day, where earth is celebrated every day… so too are our wonderful volunteers. Your commitment, selfless contributions, friendship, and enthusiasm are essential in supporting our mission of Inspiring Conservation.

We are so grateful for all that you do to ensure the Nature Center is a community asset for generations to come.

Volunteer Stats for 2025:

In 2025, our volunteers donated 26,216 hours through various programs, events, land stewardship, and activities.

The “Thursday Gang”—volunteers who contribute their skills to medium and large-scale construction projects—each averaged 130 hours of service to building projects alone this past year!

45 youth volunteers known as Leaders-in-Training (LIT) for CincyNature Camps are responsible for 4,223 service hours over the summer. These young volunteers, alongside camp staff and counselors, enhance the camp experience for our campers. LITs are here to learn and grow while being surrounded by like-minded peers.

Group Volunteering in 2025:

• Youth Service = 459 hrs
• Corporate Service = 552.5 hrs
• 33% total hrs went to hands-on conservation work

Thank you to all our Cincinnati Nature Center volunteers, from the bottom of our hearts 💚

04/28/2026

Hey, new parents or caregivers—we see you. This special time to bond with your baby can feel magical ✨ but it can also be isolating.

Your nature community has your back, and together, we’ll explore how to introduce your babies to nature in a calm, safe, low-stress environment that also allows caregivers time to get back outside and meet others with babies in similar stages.

Join us for our NEW monthly Babywearing Hike Series and experience nature through our babies while taking a slow, steady-paced group hike through Rowe Woods. This hiking series takes place May 7, June 14, July 11, and August 8.

Visit our website to register: https://cincynature.ticketapp.org/portal/product/407/events