Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society 

Ohio Native Plant Society, Southwest Ohio Chapter
Updated Wednesday January 8, 2025 at 5pm

Our hikes and lectures are free and open to the public,  and all are welcome. (but we depend on our memberships to cover our expenses.) ."You don’t have to be a plant expert to enjoy these trips and lectures. The locations are amazing and the atmosphere is casual. I’ve enjoyed every event that I’ve attended for many years!"- BB.

Important Update - Due to snowy weather forecast, our meeting originally scheduled for Friday January 10  featuring Jordan West's talk about our birds of prey has been rescheduled to the new date Friday January 24

 ---------------- December 2024 -----------------

Friday, January 24 (new date!) , 2025 at 7:30 pm: Lecture Program, Avon Woods Nature Center (and by Zoom)

"An Inside Look at Cincinnati’s Most Common Birds of Prey" by Jordan West

This talk was originally scheduled for Jan 10.

Who is NOT interested in our Birds of Prey?  Who does NOT stop to look at hawks, eagles or owls?

Come learn how to identify Cincinnati’s common native raptor species and where to find them in the wild. In this talk we will cover how to tell the difference between adults and juveniles of local raptor species as well as their preferred diet, breeding and habitat preferences.

Jordan says “I am from Cincinnati; Ohio and I have been photographing wildlife for the last 10 years. I love to photograph everything from the smallest of birds to the largest of mammals and everything in between. However, my strongest passion lies in the observation, field study and photography of birds of prey. In my free time, I can be found volunteering at RAPTOR Inc.” See some great photos at https://www.jordanwestphotography.com/gallery 

Directions to Avon: Avon Woods Nature Center is a Cincinnati City Park at 4235 Paddock Road, Cincinnati 45229. From the Norwood Lateral (SR #562), drive 9/10 mile South on Paddock to the Avon Woods Park driveway. Turn sharp right and go to the lodge at the end of the long dark drive.

Both Google maps and Apple maps direct you correctly using the street address “4235 Paddock Road Cincinnati”. (Apple Map users should make sure your route enters the park from Paddock Road.

Zoom Directions: If you are on the email reminder list you will receive the zoom link in the email reminder sent on the Tuesday before the Friday event. If you are not on the email reminder list, contact Bob Bergstein at bergstein123@gmail.com to be added to the list, or to receive the link for just this one talk.

(Note: 3 dates available) Sundays Feb. 2nd, Feb 9th, Feb 16th, 2025 at 11:15 am, Indoor Tour “Nature in Art” – Free Tour at the Cincinnati Art Museum

Nature (including flowers and plants) plays a major role in the world’s art, just as it does in people’s lives and the world’s diverse cultures.

Landscapes, both peaceful and dramatic.  Still lives, flowers, animals, sea and sky. Nature is a also common motif in ceramics and decorative arts including Asian & American Rookwood. Even the Museums logo is an abstract 5 petaled red flower.

Art-Fan Bob Bergstein will guide us through the Cincinnati Wing starting with the painting “The Blue Hole” by Robert S. Duncanson (American, b.1821, d.1872). (You may hike to the actual Blue Hole which still exists in nearby Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, a nice hike on a dry winter day). We will continue through the Cincinnati Wing, viewing Rookwood pottery, and a variety of paintings including that of the American West by Cincinnati Artists.

The Museum is free, and is a peaceful refuge on Sunday Morning. Last year this event had a waiting list, so sign up soon. Each date has 11 places available.

RSVP required for Tour and optional Lunch (at the quite nice Terrace Café) – The Museum opens at 11. We will meet at 11:15 in the atrium outside the gift shop. Contact Bob Bergstein at bergstein123@gmail.com or 513-477-4438 and he will confirm your spot on the tour and optional lunch.

---------------- February 2025 -----------------

Friday, February 14, 2025 at 7:30 pm: Lecture Program, Avon Woods Nature Center (and Zoom)

" Chasing the Aurora Beyond the 45th Parallel " by Melissa Kaelin

Join us for a presentation by the author of the book "Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora in the Mid-latitudes" for a talk on the intricacies of the Northern Lights, Aurora Chasing, and predicting Space Weather that creates vivid, dancing skies on Earth. She will introduce you to Aurora Forecasting, share accounts of catching the Aurora in the Great Lakes region, and lead you to the Northern Lights. As Founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers, Melissa has helped thousands of people catch the Aurora for the first time.

Directions to Avon: Avon Woods Nature Center is a Cincinnati City Park at 4235 Paddock Road, Cincinnati 45229. From the Norwood Lateral (SR #562), drive 9/10 mile South on Paddock to the Avon Woods Park driveway. Turn sharp right and go to the lodge at the end of the long dark drive.

Both Google maps and Apple maps direct you correctly using the street address “4235 Paddock Road Cincinnati”. (Apple Map users should make sure your route enters the park from Paddock Road.

Zoom Directions: If you are on the email reminder list you will receive the zoom link in the email reminder sent on the Tuesday before the Friday event. If you are not on the email reminder list, contact Bob Bergstein at bergstein123@gmail.com to be added to the list, or to receive the link for just this one talk.

---------------- March 2025 -----------------

Friday, March 14, 2025: Potluck, Annual Meeting & Lecture, The Gathering at Northern Hills, 460 Fleming Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231

Come to any part or all of the annual meeting that will also be available via Zoom.

5:15 pm Appetizers and fellowship

5:45 pm Covered dish potluck dinner

7:00 pm Annual Meeting and Program (in person and by Zoom)

"New and Emerging Invasive Plants on Our Radar" by Dr. Theresa Culley, Biology Professor at UC

Given our constantly changing environment, introduced non-native species can sometimes gain a foothold and begin to spread. The best way to minimize their negative impacts in our natural areas is to aggressively target any escapees as soon as possible. In this presentation, we will talk about potentially invasive species now being noticed in public gardens across North America, as part of a sentinel invasive species detection program developed by Morton Arboretum and the Midwestern Invasive Plant Network.

Directions: Google maps know the location 460 Fleming Road, 45231

Zoom Directions – We may have an online registration link so check our website or contact Randy Johnson at johnsora@ucmail.uc.edu

---------------- April 2025 -----------------

Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10 am: Quiverheart Gorge Preserve, Adams County, OH

Marjie Becus and Ann Geise will lead us on the 2-mile loop Quiverheart Trail in this new Arc of Appalachia Preserve with a perfusion of wildflowers.  We'll first hike down into the large scenic gorge and along one side of the stream.  Crossing the stream we'll hike up and along the ridge on the other side.  We will be hiking a narrow, rocky and possibly muddy trail amidst numerous wildflowers and various habitats.  Bring your lunch and we’ll stop and eat along the trail. This trail will be moderate to difficult depending on weather conditions and narrow passages.

Please RSVP to Angela Carter at 513-300-2787 or wildflowerfieldtrips@gmail.com

Directions:  From I-275 take exit 63 onto OH-32 E/State Rte 32 E towards Batavia for 51 miles to Steam Furnace Rd. on your right.  Go 2.3 miles on Steam Furnace Rd and find the Quiverheart parking lot on the right just past the Black Diamond Country Store.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 10 am: Bioblitz at Sheila’s Cabin, Rockcastle, KY

This property contains multiple trails and habitats for exploration of spring ephemerals, trees and wildlife; and depending on your interest, there are rock shelters, wetlands and off trail opportunities. While we have documented dozens of species (including at least 1 threatened Spiranthes) on casual walks through a few seasons, we would like to see how many we can find over this weekend. Sheila will provide some light bites and refreshments for lunch.

Contact Angela Carter at 513-300-2787 or wildflowerfieldtrips@gmail.com to RSVP and if you have questions.

Directions:  From I-75 S take exit 59 for US-25 toward US-150/Mt Vernon/Livingston. Turn L on US-25 S for 7.2 miles then turn left onto S Upper River Rd for 0.1 mi; turn left onto KY-1955/Red Hill Rd for 5.4 mi then turn right onto Trace Branch Rd. In 30 ft turn left onto Jepp Hill Rd and after 0.6 mi, Jepp Hill Rd turns left and becomes Hickory Flat Rd. You will see a gate on the right that will be open and the dirt road will take you to the cabin. Expect a 2.5 hour commute from Cincinnati.

Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10 am: Abner Hollow, Adams County, OH

Join Dave Kuehner as he leads us on this spring wildflower hike at Abner Hollow, one of the jewels of the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System. Located in a remote area in the heart of the 20,000-acre preserve, it is highlighted by a mature deciduous forest, rich understory stream, and dolomite cliffs. It will be a real treat to experience early spring exploring a natural treasure that is not open to the public. Early spring wildflowers will be the focus of our adventure.

Contact Angela Carter at 513-300-2787 or wildflowerfieldtrips@gmail.com  to RSVP and if you have questions.

Directions: From Cincinnati, take I-275 to exit 63 for OH 32 East. Travel 41 miles on OH 32. Turn right onto OH 247 South and travel for 9.7 miles to West Union. Turn left (east) onto Main Street (which is also OH 125). Continue on OH 125 (Sunrise Avenue) and travel about 7 miles toward Lynx. Turn right (south) onto Tulip Road and travel 3.2 miles to a stop sign. Turn right on West Fork Road and travel 1.3 miles. Turn right onto unmarked Abner Hollow Road and travel 0.8 miles to a pull-off on the right side of the road.

Next Newsletter will be available in May 2025 which will have details of our spring and summer events

May 3, 2025: Saturday Field Trip
Shawnee State Park, Scioto Co, OH

May 10, 2025: Give Back Day Garlic Mustard Pull, Caesar Creek Gorge SNP, (Corwin Road) Warren Co, OH

May 31, 2025: Saturday Field Trip
Shawnee State Park, Scioto Co, OH

** June 1, 2025: Sunday Potluck Picnic
Picnic at Keystone Flora, Hamilton Co, OH

June 21, 2025: Weekend Field Trip
Cranberry Glades, Pocahontas Co, WV
Spruce Knob, Pendleton Co, WV

July 5, 2025: Saturday Field Trip
Miami Meadows, Clermont Co, OH

July 20, 2025: Sunday Field Trip
Beanblossom Bottoms, Monroe Co, IN

Aug. 2, 2025: Saturday Field Trip
Miami Whitewater, Hamilton Co, OH

Aug. 16, 2025: Saturday Field Trip
Steussy’s Prairie, Henry Co, IN

Friday Sept 12, 2025
Avon Woods Nature Center (& Zoom)
6:30 Optional Picnic
7:30 Photo-Sharing Program

Next newsletter in September 2025