Cincinnati Nature Center

09/02/2026

Exciting news from Long Branch Farm! On Tuesday, September 1, we celebrated the official opening of the NEW Marjorie & Chuck Drackett Conservation Field Station with a ribbon (vine)-cutting ceremony.

The new 4,000-square-foot Center for Conservation’s Field Station will serve as the gathering place for conservation activities like field research, native plant production, and restoration projects. The conservation field station will support ecological research in conjunction with academic partners across the region.

Stay tuned for the official tour but in the meantime, visit our website for more details from this event: https://www.cincynature.org/post/new-conservation-field-station

08/26/2026

Calling all crafters and weavers of all skill levels!

Join us for our upcoming Make and Take: Willow Bird Feeders on Saturday, September 12, where we’ll craft bird feeders from willow harvested at Long Branch Farm & Trails. Using flexible willow rods and traditional weaving techniques, we’ll create feeders with a naturally strong, open structure to hold suet and support local birds through the cold season ahead. While we weave, we’ll learn all about why willow is an excellent material for weaving and basketmaking.

All materials will be provided—no weaving experience required. Click the link below to register—we hope to see you there!

https://cincynature.ticketapp.org/portal/product/429/event/5e30f927-cb37-4fc3-8a6b-cafcd3b266ca

08/25/2026

Try “Talk to Me Spruce” for yourself at our upcoming Forager’s Fest on Friday, September 18, 6–10 pm at Rowe Woods! Enjoy live music, foraged sweets, local makers, activities and demos around Ohio’s abundant wild food sources, and our pop-up Native Plant Sale.

Visit our website to purchase tickets today: https://www.cincynature.org/foragers-fest

08/19/2026

New bed & breakfast attracting wild crowds!

One of the metrics we look for to determine if our land management practices are working is the appearance of new species, especially those that favor higher quality habitats. It is with this in mind that we’d like to share some exciting news with you.

We’ve recently spotted a few new species at Rowe Woods, all seen foraging around a beaver lodge in one of our wetlands. What makes this even more impressive is that the beaver family deserves most of the credit for creating such an attractive destination for other animals.

Visit our blog to read the full 5-star review: https://www.cincynature.org/post/guestbook-of-a-five-star-wetland

A recently renovated stream-side attraction is attracting a new demographic of guests to Rowe Woods. The new facility provides al fresco dining and scenic views, and a recent undercover video reveals it’s become a popular hotspot for swimming and dining au naturel.

08/12/2026

Who is absolutely thriving in these moist conditions? 🍄‍🟫

The jellies, the Amanita, the polypores… the gang’s all here! Even slime molds and cyanobacteria, which are not fungi but can often be observed in similar hot and humid conditions.

Summer rains activate the intricate subterranean network of fungal mycelia—the primary underground vegetative body of a fungus that consists of thread-like roots called hyphae. Once the mycelium has absorbed enough nutrients and conditions are just right (optimal temperatures, humidity, oxygen, and light) it’s time to reproduce! Who said rain isn’t romantic?

Heavy rains trigger the underground mycelium to swell and rapidly fruit—what we see from above the soil surface as the characteristically weird and wonderful mushroom.

As for slime molds and cyanobacteria, both seem to “blob into existence” after a heavy rain. Rain hydrates slime mold spores and activates cells to join together in slow-moving mats which feed on bacteria, yeast, and decaying organic matter. Once the mass dries up, it releases dust spores and starts the cycle all over again. Nostoc commune (cyanobacteria) on the other hand, is photosynthetic and absorbs rain water to reform into its iconic gelatinous state. This hydrated jelly body holds microscopic cells together and shields it from harsh UV light and other environmental stressors. The strength in being a little squishy.

07/27/2026

THANK YOU to all who joined us for another wonderful Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives! 🌼✨

This year’s tour featured a diverse collection of beautiful gardens and landscapes across the Cincinnati region. Local artists also shared their creative talents, stationed at many of the featured gardens.

🌸 To nominate a garden (including your own) for the June 27, 2027 Garden Tour, visit our website to learn more: https://www.cincynature.org/garden-tour-noteworthy-natives

We’d also like to thank all our generous 2026 Garden Tour sponsors: Wimberg Landscaping, Rachel Robinson Design Landscape Architecture, Our Land Organics, LLC, Sustainable Sights Landscaping, and Denny McKeown's Bloomin' Garden Centre & Landscape.

07/23/2026

Share the magic of Cincinnati Nature Center—bring a friend!

Did you know that with a 1-year membership, you receive four guest passes for daily admission, and with a 2-year membership, you receive eight guest passes? These passes are perfect for bringing along a friend, grandchild, neighbor, or anyone who wants to enjoy some fresh air and experience our award-winning trails.

Guest passes are our way of saying thank you to our members for their continued support. After all, membership isn’t just about access, it’s a reminder that your membership opens the trails and the wonder of nature not just for you, but also for the people you care about. ❤️

Click the link below to learn more about member benefits:
https://www.cincynature.org/member-benefits

07/22/2026

Color and creativity bloom with “Metal-morphosis”, planted last summer in our Witt Pollinator Garden!

Fashioned from discarded tools from the historic Krippendorf Lodge and Groesbeck Estate, artist Jordan Graff of Iron Belle Metal Design LLC artfully crafted oversized steel sculptures that rise above native plants, reimagined as giant flowers, insects, and garden creatures.

While playful at first glance, the installation highlights the importance of pollinators by drawing attention to their shapes and roles in an unexpected way. The contrast between living plants and recycled art sparks curiosity—and conversation—about sustainability, habitat, and how human creativity can support conservation.

Thank YOU to everyone who submitted name suggestions for this new collection!

Stop by Witt Pollinator Garden, located on the Mashburn Discovery Trail, on your next visit to Rowe Woods. Look carefully and count the number of metal sculptures you can locate throughout.

Click here to learn more: https://www.cincynature.org/post/metal-morphosis-repurposed-art-in-the-pollinator-garden-

07/20/2026

There are ROBOTs now roaming the forest at Cincinnati Nature Center’s Long Branch Farm & Trails!

In partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Cincinnati Nature Center is now helping to return hundreds of captive eastern box turtles to the wild. The work is part of the state’s Repatriating Ohio’s BOx Turtles initiative, otherwise known as ROBOTs. The program, led by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, aims to return (or“re-patriate”) hundreds of confiscated, surrendered, or rehabilitated box turtles to the wild.

Visit our website to read the full story: https://www.cincynature.org/post/repatriating-ohios-box-turtles-robots

07/16/2026

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

Our staff pick this week is Aullwood Audubon!

If you’re heading north, our staff recommend visiting one of our ANCA partners through the Reciprocal Program, Aullwood Audubon in Dayton Ohio.

Aullwood Audubon Center offers scenic trails through woodlands and fields. It’s the perfect way to experience native wildlife habitats and beautiful natural landscapes. Visitors can also hike to see three large trolls created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. The 72-acre educational farm features a number of species of rare livestock commonly called heritage breeds. Explore nature exhibits, gardens, trails, the farm, and a gift shop. Aullwood is a great way to explore something new and connect with nature.

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 Lorajean Besse
Photos 2, 3, & 4 by Ken Fasimpaur�
Photo 5 by Aullwood Audubon