Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society

(Ohio Native Plant Society, Southwest Ohio Chapter)  

Updated March 3, 2014 at 4 pm

Our hikes and lectures are free and open to the public, (but we depend on our memberships to cover our expenses.) Come learn about Cincinnati Native Plants. The Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society welcomes you to our great (and free) events. All are welcome.  

What your missed- On Feb 28, 2014 Andrew Lane Gibson gave a fine talk on "Ohio's Last Great Places" featuring many of Ohio's State Nature Preserves, both near and far.  He has an excellent nature website  http://floraofohio.blogspot.com/ 
. Over 50 in attendence for this event at Avon Nature Center, originally scheduled for Feb 14.
 

----------------- March 2014 ----------------- 

Friday, March 14: Potluck, Annual Meeting & Lecture, Northern Hills Fellowship, 460 Fleming Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231

Come to any part or all of the annual meeting.

5:45 pm Appetizers and fellowship 

6:15 pm Covered dish potluck dinner - contact hospitality chairperson Brian Herriott ( 513-407-8585, wrybill@sbcglobal.net ) if you would like a suggestion on what to bring. 

7:30 pm Annual Meeting and Lecture Program

“Cedar Bog: A Study in Contradictions”

Robert C. Glotzhober, Curator Emeritus, Ohio Historical Society

Bob Glotzhober recently retired from the Ohio Historical Society. He will share the political and natural history of Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve, where he will lead a field trip for us later this year. Bob will tell how it was protected, as well as talk about the many rare plants and animals and its diversity. He will also discuss his amazing experience in Ohio wetlands, along with his foray into biological control of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Directions to Northern Hills Fellowship:  Twice a year in December and March, we have meetings (with a potluck dinner) at Northern Hills Fellowship located at 460 Fleming Road, Cincinnati Ohio 45231.  Fleming Road runs East-West  between Winton Road and Springfield Pike, and is just North of the Suburb of Wyoming, Ohio. Look closely since the Sign is small.

For a google map click here

  ------------------ April 2014 -----------------

Saturday, April 5, 10 am: California Woods Nature Preserve, Hamilton County, Ohio

Marjie Becus will lead us on our first spring hike to one of our favorite local preserves, California Woods. California Woods needs no introduction to most Cincinnati area botanical and nature enthusiasts. This deeply wooded park of 113 acres has a primeval atmosphere, with parallel deep ravines leading down to Lick Run Creek. It represents one of the best examples of old-growth forest remaining in Hamilton County and includes 53 varieties of trees and 200 herbaceous plants. It is a great park to visit and revisit during any season. Of course many birds, mammals (including mink), and amphibians also enjoy this refuge.

Plan to hike several of the somewhat steep trails within the preserve, as we observe the rich displays of spring ephemerals associated with this mixed mesophytic forest type. There are picnic tables available if you would like to bring a lunch.

Directions: California Woods Nature Preserve has a listed address at 5400 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati,45230. From I-275, take exit 72 (Kellogg Avenue). This exit is in Ohio, just north of the Ohio River, on the eastern side of Cincinnati. Drive northwest (toward Cincinnati) on Kellogg Avenue for 1.3 miles to the preserve entrance. Turn right into the preserve and drive 0.4 miles on the narrow park drive to the parking lot at the end.

Driving time from downtown (I-471 to I-275 to Kellogg) is about 15 minutes. 

**Friday, April 11, 6-9 pm: Western Wildlife Corridor Wildflower Festival, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio

A great family event will feature nature games and activities for children, a wildflower plant sale, hand-crafted items for sale, a painting class, and displays by local environmental organizations.  Contact Rebecca at 859-512-1983 or  to learn more about this enjoyable event or to inquire about participating.

**Thurs April 17 thru Sun Apr 20 (NEW DATES): Wildflower Pilgrimage at Highlands Nature Sanctuary, Southern Ohio

A major weekend event, the Wildflower Pilgrimage features naturalist and botanist guided hikes to botanical hotspots in the Highlands Nature Sanctuary and surrounding area (southern Ohio) at the peak of wildflower season. Call 937-365-1935 or go to www.arcofappalachia.org/events/wildflower.html for more information.

**Saturday, April 19, 2 pm: Bender Mountain, Hamilton County, Ohio

This will be a joint hike between the Society and Western Wildlife Corridor. The “Mountain” is glorious in the spring! Hillsides here are covered with many species of beautiful wildflowers. As an added treat, WWC will dedicate the new Bender Mountain trail system before the hike. For more on this event, contact Christine Hadley at 513-850-9585 or .

Directions: Take US Route 50 west from Cincinnati. Stay on Route 50 (River Road)for about 9.5 miles. Turn right onto Bender Road and travel for about half a mile. Meet at the gravel parking lot on the right side.

**Saturday, April 26, Half Day or All Day: Western Wildlife Corridor 9th Annual Flower-a-thon, Delhi, Ohio

Sponsored by Western Wildlife Corridor. Choice of two start times and small groups led by experienced wildflower enthusiasts are two new features. Contact Tim Sisson at 513-922-2104 or  for more information.

------------------ May 2014 -----------------

**Saturday, May 3: Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Greene County, Ohio

Tim Snyder, previous Clifton Gorge SNP Preserve Manager, will lead an excellent and very educational hike sharing the geology, wildflowers and history of this fantastic preserve. This is an ONAPA sponsored event. See www.onapa.org for more information.

 
Saturday, May 10, 10 am: Scioto Brush Creek State Nature Preserve, Scioto County, Ohio

Rick Gardner, Ohio Chief Botanist,will lead this hike at Scioto Brush Creek State Nature Preserve, a 30-acre preserve protecting a significant stretch of this highly diverse stream, home to 69 species of fish and federal and state-listed mussels. The preserve has a nice diversity of spring wildflowers, plus a number of rare and state-listed plants, including the Federal threatened Appalachian spiraea, Spiraea virginiana, and the state endangered Appalachian quillwort, Isoetes engelmannii.

Directions: From Cincinnati, take State Route 32 east to State Route 73. Turn right (east) on State Route 73 through Otway and then after a few miles turn left on Arion Road, which is directly across from the State Route 371 junction (Lombardsville). Travel for about 2 miles until you reach the railroad overpass; there will be a road on your right. Turn right and follow this road until it intersects Wrights Run Road (the next intersection) and turn left. Follow this road and at the next intersection turn left to cross over the creek and the preserve will be on your right, marked by a preserve sign. There is a small parking lot.

**May 12-13: Lakeside Daisy Workshop and Field Trip

Flora-Quest and ONAPA (Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association) are teaming for a workshop and field trip to the Lafarge Alvar Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve with Jennifer Windus, Cheryl Harner, Guy Denny, and Tim Snyder. See www.flora-quest.com or call 419-683-8952 for more information.

Saturday, May 17, 9 am–noon: Give Back Day, Garlic Mustard Pull at Caesar Creek Gorge Nature Preserve, Warren County, Ohio

Join us to pull the invasive garlic mustard plant, which is easy to recognize and yank up. No experience is necessary. We want to help DNAP's (Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves) limited resources and preserve this lovely area where so much work has already been done on the bush honeysuckle. Bring gloves and enthusiasm. We'll furnish bags. Hope for good weather. Of course, you can relax and take a nice walk after pulling garlic mustard!

Caesar Creek Gorge is a wonderful preserve of 461 acres with a variety of spring ephemerals. The gorge walls, rising 180 feet above the river, were formed by glacial meltwater, exposing Ordovician limestone and shale rich in fossils. The preserve contains diverse habitat including floodplain and hillsides heavily wooded with beech, maple, hickory, and oak.

Note that we will be working at the Caesar Creek GORGE STATE NATURE PRESERVE and NOT the nearby Caesar Creek STATE PARK. Contact Christine Hadley at 513-850-9585 or if you have any questions.

Directions: From I-71, take the Wilmington Road exit (exit 36). Head west onto Wilmington Road (left if you were heading north on I-71). Travel for 1.7 miles on Wilmington Road down the steep hill, into the river valley. At this point, stay on Corwin Road, which follows along the east side of the Little Miami River. (DO NOT turn left, which continues as Wilmington Road and crosses the river). Approaching the town of Oregonia, jog right, then a quick left to stay on Corwin Road,passing the post office and Hall’s Market. Drive another 3 miles north of Oregonia and the preserve (and parking lot) will be on your right, the east side of the road. Meet in the parking lot.

Details of the following events will be posted here in May

May 24, 2014: Saturday Field Trip- Garbry Big Woods Sanctuary and Kiser Lake Wetlands, Miami and Champaign counties,OH   

May 31, 2014: Saturday Field Trip Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve, Champaign Co., OH

June 7, 2014: Saturday Field Trip  Meander with John Howard in Adams County, Adams Co., OH**

June 8, 2014: Sunday Field Trip- Picnic at Keystone Flora, Hamilton Co., OH

July 12, 2014: Saturday Field Trip- Beavercreek Wetlands Mitigation, Greene Co., OH

July 26, 2014 : Saturday Field Trip- Lynx Prairie and Chaparral Prairie Adams Co., OH

August 9, 2014 : Saturday Field Trip - Dawes Arboretum, Licking Co., OH

August 16, 2014: Saturday Field Trip - Whipple State Nature Preserve, Adams Co., OH 

September 12, 2014: Friday Program  Avon Woods Nature Center

6:30 pm Picnic Supper
7:30 pm Members' Photo Sharing Program    

If you are not yet a member, you are welcome to attend events.  All of our events are free and open to the public.  Of course if you enjoy our events, as we think you will,  it is nice to join to help support the Society. Our hikes and lectures are excellent, in a wonderful casual atmosphere.  You will have the opportunity to talk with our speakers after the meetings. Our hike leaders are knowledgeable and will be glad to point out the plants that we are seeing