Spider Night Hike

Friday, September 21, 7:30-9 pm

Look into the eyes of a spider as we bust misconceptions about these important eight-legged hunters. Using flashlights, you’ll learn to spot spider eye shine as we peer into the secret lives of spiders. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Mini-Boat Float Challenge on Avey’s Run

Saturday, September 22, 10-11:30 am
Saturday, October 27, 10-11:30 am

Will your imaginary tiny riders survive the journey down Avey’s Run? Join us for this special STEM program on boat building with natural material to find out! We will explore the principles of float and sink and boat construction while we build. Ages 6-10 with an adult. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Make and Take: Craft Your Own Hiking Stick

Saturday, September 22, 1:30-3 pm
Saturday, October 20, 1:30-3 pm
Saturday, November 17, 1:30-3 pm

Choose your own pre-harvested honeysuckle branch and craft it into a customized hiking stick. Use hand tools to cut, smooth and work the stick. Add embellishments like brass tacks, then cut and add your own leather lanyard. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Hike for Your Health with Roads Rivers and Trails

Sunday, September 23, 2-3:30 pm – Fernwood & Discovery Trails
Sunday, October 28, 2-3:30 pm – Far Ridge & Wildflower Trails
Sunday, November 18, 2-3:30 pm – Salamander & Woodpecker Trails (Long Branch Farm & Trails)

Grab your Hike for Your Health passport and get hiking with Roads Rivers and Trails staff. RRT is a local adventure outfitter. Their knowledgeable and well-traveled staff will inspire you to achieve your outdoor goals. Join us each month as we knock out 1-3 trails in our passport. Purchase your passport ahead of time, available at the Rowe Visitor Center for $2. Preregistration required. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Full Moon Walk

Monday, September 24, 8:30-10 pm - Corn moon at Rowe Woods
Wednesday, October 24, 7:30-9 pm - Harvest/hunters moon at Rowe Woods
Friday, November 23, 7:30-9 pm - Beaver moon at LBF&T

Hit the trails at night and enjoy the full moon and natural history readings. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Black Walnut Cracking

Saturday, September 29, 1-3 pm

Try your hand at cracking lack walnuts and savor some fresh nutmeats! The experience is imbued with botany, history and lore of the black walnut. Drop by the front of the Rowe Visitor Center anytime between 1-3 pm. Suitable for all ages. No preregistration required. Free.

Primitive Fire Starting Sampler and Marshmallow Roasting

Saturday, September 29, 3:30-5 pm

Venture out to the Fernwood Cabins to try your hand at primitive fire making! We’ll have a variety of techniques to explore, including flint and steel, in this hands-on experience. Finish up your visit with a toasty marshmallow treat at our campfire. All supplies provided. No preregistration required. Free.

Herb Wall Garden Open House – A Look Back in Time

Sunday, September 30, 1-5 pm

Drop in anytime between 1 and 5 pm to enjoy the Herb Wall’s fall blooms and many magical theme gardens. Through stories of people and plants as well as historic photos, docents will help you peer back into the early 1900’s when the Herb Wall was in its heyday. Whether you’re interested in horticultural history or are looking for a great family experience, this garden open house is sure to have something for everyone. Free for all participants for the Great Outdoor Weekend.

Open House at the Center for Conservation

Sunday, September 30, 3-5 pm

Drop in between 3-5 pm to see the interior of the beautifully restored 1920 Tudor Revival style building that houses the Center for Conservation at Cincinnati Nature Center. Take part in family-friendly conservation activities: make a native wildflower seed ball to take home, try on the equipment the conservation team uses for our prescribed prairie burn program, and help prepare seeds for future planting. Suitable for all ages. No preregistration required. Free.

Family Flashlight Scavenger Hunt at Long Branch Farm & Trails

Friday, October 5, 7:30-9 pm

What could be more fun than a night hike? A scavenger hunt at night! During this night hike we’ll use our senses and our flashlights to experience nature in a new way. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).

Legends and Folklore of Fall-Outdoor Hike

Saturday, October 6, 1:30-3:30 pm

Ohio's fields and forests are filled with strange tales of magical plants and animals, brave heroes, miraculous cures and odd explanations. On this easy walk, you'll see autumn through the eyes of Shawnee villagers, early settlers and other storytelling peoples. Adults will be surprised by the strange history and symbology of "familiar" things while kids can enjoy the colorful stories. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Sleepy Seeds!

Sunday, October 7, 1-2 pm

Extend the season of digging, planting and growing with us! Most of us learn to plant seeds in the spring, but many native plant seeds need to be planted in fall in order to grow in the springtime. Children will make their own special garden pot full of native plant seeds to take home. Each pot will even have its own calendar to help kids take care of it until springtime arrives. Pots will do best if left outdoors. Suitable for ages 3-6 with an adult. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Preparing For Night!

Saturday, October 13, 5-10 pm

Discover the mysterious sights and sounds of night at this fun-filled family event! Visit interactive stations, along the Discovery Trail featuring animals, games, star-gazing and more! Enjoy a picnic with live music and free ice cream. Food trucks will be available. Presenting sponsor L.L. Bean. Preregistration preferred as it may sell out. Adult members $12, children $6; Adult nonmembers $14, children $8. Discounts for early registration! 

Family Nature-Caching

Sunday, October 27, 2-4 pm

Please note that this program was listed in Newsleaf for October 28 in error.  We look forward to serving you for this great program on October 27 from 2-4 pm.

Explore the natural world by participating in a naturalist-led high-tech family treasure hunt specially designed for geocaching novices. Use your own smartphone or GPS device to find hidden caches which will reveal some of the wonders of our habitats and the roles that living things play within them. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Cordage: Make Your Own Twine from Wild Plants

Sunday, November 4, 2-4 pm
Ages 10 and up with an adult.

Find out which plants you can make into string, thread and rope (AKA cordage), just like people did in old times. You'll fashion your own necklace, bracelet or other cordage creation completely out of wild plants. This valuable survival skill is easy once you learn. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).

Falling Leaves!

Saturday, November 10, 10-11 am

Join us as we explore the beautiful fall colors of Rowe Woods. We will learn about why leaves change colors and how dead leaves contribute to the forest ecosystem. A short hike will be included. Suitable for ages 3-6 with an adult. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Animal Homes and Where to Find Them

Saturday, November 10, 10-11:30 am

Animal homes are all around, but often overlooked. We'll explore along the trails to spot nests, dens, burrows and more, to reveal a world of busy, hidden life, full of stories. Recommended for 4 and up with an adult caregiver. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Intro to Fire Making with Flint and Steel

Sunday, November 18, 2-3:30 pm

Learn to make fire with flint and steel in this hands-on class. We’ll cover safety and how to find and prepare natural tinder and flint. Then we'll make char cloth and tinder, strike sparks and coax them into fires. A hot snack will be cooked and served. Meet at the Outdoor Learning Center. For ages 10 and up with adult. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).

Searching for Voles, the “Wild Hamsters”

Saturday, December 1, 9:30-11 am

Voles are mouse-sized, bear-faced rodents that eat plants and are everywhere but are seldom seen. On our naturalist-led hike, we’ll learn to identify signs of voles while we explore how this small hamster-like mammal has such a huge impact. With luck, we’ll be able to see a live vole up close. We’ll also touch on how to prevent vole damage to your trees and plants. Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).

Nature Crafts and Merry Snacks for Families

Saturday, December 1, 3-4:30 pm

Leave the hustle and bustle of the season behind for an easy afternoon of holiday crafting and snacking. Join the fun as we use natural and recycled materials to make wintery decorations. Popcorn, cider and all supplies included. This class will have varying crafts appropriate for ages 5-10. Preregistration required. Members $7; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).