For Adults

For Adults

Preregistration is required for most programs. For programs requiring registration, please register online well in advance of the class start date to ensure placement. Cincinnati Nature Center may update the status or format of programs based on conditions at the time of the program. 

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.

Foraging elderberry at LBFT

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).

Girl in coral tank and black yoga pants doing yoga in the forest.

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).  

Mulberries on a mulberry tree branch.

Native Edible Trees and Shrubs at Long Branch Farm & Trails 

Blending aesthetics, value for wildlife, and human food in the home landscape is entirely possible. In this walking and tasting tour, we’ll touch on a range of edible trees and shrubs that are “good for you, good for wildlife,” as well as some “from the forest” planning and management approaches that help us work with nature. Preregistration required. Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission). 

A pair of brown hiking boots on a trail.

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.

Wild black cherries with leaves.

Make and Take: Wild Black Cherry Leaf Liqueur 

Whether you’re a foodie, forager, or native gardener, expanding your knowledge of plant chemistry can create new opportunities. Celebrate our very own native wild black cherry (Prunus serotina) as you make your own Amarenillo, a liqueur of black cherry leaves using a base of heavy red wine. This program is suitable for adults 21+. Preregistration required. Member adult $30; nonmember adult $40 (includes daily admission). 

How to Plant a Pocket Prairie: Design and Implementation 

Learn how to create your own native wildflower-filled, pollinator friendly, pocket-sized prairie in your own yard. Any successful home landscaping requires a little bit of planning. Join us as we dive into the many ways to design and sow your own prairie from seed and plug plants. Preregistration required. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $20 (includes daily admission).  

Broad-winged hawk perched on a branch.

Autumn Bird Walks

Join us for an autumn bird watching hike as we look for resident birds, neotropical migrants headed south, and winter visitors coming in from the north. No experience necessary; beginners welcome! Member adult free; nonmember adult $10 (includes daily admission).  

Bright orange fungi on mossy log.

Mushroom Foraging Basics at Long Branch Farm & Trails 

Bolster your foraging skills through learning as Emalee and Pete Richman of Rich Life Farm and Fungi pair one of their favorite mushroom recipes with foraged ingredients. We’ll touch on identification basics and key cautionary notes, ethical mushroom harvesting, how tree identification can help you find mushrooms, and how mushrooms tie into the broader ecology of the land. Preregistration required. Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission). 

Morning sun shining through the forest.

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). 

Groesbeck Estate

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. Member adult $20; nonmember adult $30 (includes daily admission). 

Group of adults at an outdoor table for dinner.

Forest to Table Dinnerat Long Branch Farm & Trails 

Thursday, October 19 6:30-8:30 pm

Enjoy an intimate tour of the Nature Center’s native farm plots, then feast under the stars on a meal made from these foraged delights. Preregistration required. This program is suitable for adults 21+. Member adult $75; nonmember adult $75. 

Grieving with Intention: Nature Mindfulness  

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. This experience is collaboratively offered by Hospice of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Nature Center and is open to adults who are grieving. This is available on a first come, first served basis at no cost through a generous contribution by the Goldstein Family Grief Center. Preregistration required. Member adult free; nonmember adult free. 

Click here to learn more about Grieving with Intention programs.

Grieving with Intention: Forest Bathing 

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. This experience is collaboratively offered by Hospice of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Nature Center and is open to adults who are grieving. This is available on a first come, first served basis at no cost through a generous contribution by the Goldstein Family Grief Center. Preregistration required. Member adult free; nonmember adult free. 

Click here to learn more about Grieving with Intention programs.

Garden tools stuck in garden mud.

Native Plant Gardeners’ Gathering 

Join us for an informal gathering for anyone interested in native plant gardening. Part learning, part support group, this social get-together is open to any level of native gardener. Grab a beer, glass of wine, or foraged cocktail from the cash bar and share your native gardening successes and woes. Preregistration required. Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission). 

The Practice of Nature Journaling  

Nature journaling is the process of noticing, wondering, and documenting the natural world. Its form may include sketches, poems, and notes. Absolutely no journaling skills are necessary! Join us to experience the joyful and restorative process of connecting with nature by putting pencil to paper. Preregistration required. Member adult $9; nonmember adult $19 (includes daily admission). 

Using Trail Cameras to Reveal Wildlife  

Winter is the perfect time to put out trail cameras to reveal the hidden wildlife that calls your property home. Using trail camera videos and photos, we’ll cover the basics of trail camera selection and usage. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $20 (includes daily admission). 

Stone stairs through a lush green home garden landscape.

Home Landscape Transformations  

Learn how to utilize native plants to find ecologically-based landscape solutions. We’ll help you solve common home landscape problems. Glean ideas for your yard as Cincinnati-based ecological landscaping company, Our Land Organics, shares real world, local examples of how they’ve helped homeowners address common landscape problems with forward-thinking solutions that benefit families while supporting ecological resilience. Preregistration required. Member adult $10; nonmember adult $20 (includes daily admission). 

Birding Field Trip to Fernald Nature Preserve 

Grab your binoculars and join us for a birding trip to the Fernald Nature Preserve, northwest of Cincinnati. In addition to resident birds, our trip will focus on the arrival of waterfowl and other birds preparing for winter. Preregistration required. Member adult $12; nonmember adult $17. 

Rose hips scattered on a table.

Make and Take: Rose Hip Lip Balm at Long Branch Farm & Trails 

Cold weather doesn’t have to mean chapped skin and lips. Join us at Long Branch Farm & Trails to forage for and create your own skin-soothing rosehip lip balm. Customize your balm with pigment for a flush of color or leave it au naturel—the choice is yours. Participants will leave with two 1-ounce lip balm tins. Preregistration required. Member adult $15; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission).  

Addressing the Plastic Problem 

Wednesday, November 8, 3-4 pm - REGISTRATION IS ON HOLD. CHECK BACK FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

Kat Zelak from Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District will review how the plastic industry has historically placed the blame for plastic pollution on customers; where, why, and how plastic threatens our world; and specific actions you can take as an individual, as an influencer, and as a civically engaged activist to make a difference. Preregistration required. Member adult $5; nonmember adult $15 (includes daily admission).  

Poetry Nature Walk: Autumn Rhythms 

Fall is an invitation for us to pause from our busy lives and enter into the rhythms of the season. This guided poetry walk along the lake will draw us to reflect on the wonder and change of our surroundings as we awaken to the beauty of autumn. Preregistration required. Member adult $9; nonmember adult $19 (includes daily admission). 

Vegetarian Potluck: Holiday Dinner 

If you’re curious about trying new vegetarian side dishes or entrees, join us for this member-hosted event! Please bring something meat-free to share. You don’t have to be a “foodie” to attend—a salad or bread loaf is just fine.  Preregistration required. Member adult free; nonmember adult $10 (includes daily admission). 

Besties Night–DIY Natural Fall Centerpieces 

Grab your best bud and spend the evening crafting a lovely centerpiece for your holiday table. We’ll use a variety of natural materials to make our centerpiece and learn a bit about each plant we include. Light snacks and mini holiday cocktails will enhance the fun. By the end of the evening, you’ll have something beautiful (and interesting) to share with family and friends. Preregistration required. Member adult $25; nonmember adult $25 (includes daily admission).