Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society

Ohio Native Plant Society, Southwest Ohio Chapter
Updated Monday January 19, 2026 at 11pm

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.

What you missed- On Friday January 9, 2026 Bob Klips gave a fine presentation on Lichens, a sybiotic partnership between fungus and algae. He explained there various growth forms being crustose, foliose, and fruticose. And much much more. Over 40 in attendance at Avon Woods (plus many Zoomers). The video of this talk will be posted here soon. .

---------------- January 2026 -----------------

Friday, February 13, 7:30 pm: Lecture Program, Avon Woods Nature Center (Zoom available also)

“Wildflowers Through the Year” by Tom Hissong

Migratory birds and colorful wildflowers are the essence of the Spring season in Ohio! Protected under the soil as roots, bulbs, tubers and seeds, wildflowers survive the cold harshness of winter to await the warmth of the coming Spring. If you are a nature enthusiast and are particularly anticipating the Spring wildflowers you will want to come to this program. Join Tom Hissong, retired National Audubon Society naturalist, as he leads you on a PowerPoint walk along the trail looking for our favorite wildflowers. Tom will share his personal photos of his favorite Spring wildflowers such as Skunk Cabbage, Snow Trillium, Bloodroot, Trout Lily, Virginia Bluebells, Jack-in-the Pulpit, Large-flowered Trillium and many more. Tom will talk about the natural history of each wildflower and maybe some Spring migratory birds along the way.

Directions to Avon Woods- 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. Google maps correctly directs you up the driveway to the Nature Center building, using either the location “Avon Woods Nature Center” or “4235 Paddock Road”. Apple Maps sends you to the wrong location.

Zoom instructions- To receive the zoom link, please email Bob Bergstein at bergstein123@gmail.com. (The Zoom link is automatically sent to all those on the email reminder list. If you would like to be added to the reminder list, contact Bob at Bergstein123@gmail.com)

Late February 2026, Tour of UC's Herbarium, Greenhouse and Laboratories.
This event is still being planned and will be posted here when finalized

Friday, March 13, 2026 at 5:15 pm: Potluck Dinner, The Gathering at Northern Hills

Join us for our potluck dinner & annual meeting to be held at The Gathering at Northern Hills, 460 Fleming Road, Cincinnati Ohio. We will have wine and fellowship at 5:15, followed by dinner at 5:45. Bring a dish of your choice (appetizer, main, side or desert) along with any needed serving utensils. Plates, cups, utensils, etc will be provided.

Directions to the Gathering at Northern Hills The Gathering at Northern Hills (a Unitarian Church) is located at 460 Fleming Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231. Google Maps knows this address.

Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:00 pm: Annual Meeting & Lecture Program, The Gathering at Northern Hills (Zoom available also)

"Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Ohio” by Greg Lipps

Our Annual Meeting will begin at 7:00 pm and last about 30 minutes, to be followed immediately by the lecture.

Ohio is home to an impressive diversity of amphibians and reptiles, including 24 salamanders, 14 frogs, 11 turtles, 4 lizards, and 25 snake species. Yet many are in decline, driven by habitat loss and the increasingly fragmented patchwork of natural areas across the state. Conserving them requires a holistic, collaborative approach that tackles complex and overlapping threats. This presentation will highlight two recovery efforts: one for the prairie-dwelling Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and another for the stream-dwelling Eastern Hellbender salamander. While their habitats, ecologies, and challenges differ greatly, the strategies used to secure their future offer lessons that can guide conservation programs for wildlife and wild places throughout Ohio.

Greg Lipps is the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Coordinator at Ohio State University's Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership and the Conservation Biologist at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He was an editor and contributing author to both the Amphibians of Ohio (2013) and the Reptiles of Ohio (2021). Born and raised in Cincinnati, Greg is a lifelong resident of Ohio who has conducted herpetological research throughout the state. He currently resides in northwest Ohio, where his front yard of Oak Openings Region native plants was established 20 years ago.

Zoom instructions- To receive the zoom link, please email Bob Bergstein at bergstein123@gmail.com. (The Zoom link is automatically sent (on the Tuesday before the Friday Meeting) to all those on the email reminder list. If you would like to be added to the reminder list, contact Bob Bergstein123@gmail.com)

Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:00 am: Saturday Field Trip

California Woods Nature Preserve, Cincinnati, Hamilton County OH

California Woods, one of Cincinnati Park's Nature Preserves, is a mixed mesophytic forest community, with a dissected landscape of steep hills and valleys nestled near the confluence of the Little Miami and Ohio Rivers. California Woods is the only forest in Hamilton County registered with the Old Growth Forest Network. As such it contains unique forest features indicative of old, undisturbed botanical growth. Under the canopy of some of the largest specimens of trees in both Ohio and the nation, California Woods is known locally as a hotspot for spring ephemeral wildflowers. Greg Torres will lead a guided hike along these wooded slopes and ravines to see the brilliance of flowers that represent what old growth Ohio used to be like.

Directions- California Woods Nature Preserve is part of the Cincinnati City Parks, located at 5400 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati OH. The preserve is about 20 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Google Maps knows this address.

Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 10:00 am: Saturday Field Trip

Devil’s Backbone Preserve, Cincinnati, Hamilton County OH

Join Tom Hissong, retired National Audubon Society naturalist, for a nature walk on the wild side. Spring wildflowers will be the topic of the walk with a search for Spring wildflower favorites such as Bloodroot, Harbinger of Spring, Large-flowered Trillium, Sessile Trillium, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and many more. Devil’s Backbone Reserve is a beautiful old growth forest with many special features to experience. Be sure to put this walk on your calendar.

Directions- The Herbert & Patricia Wagers' Devil's Backbone Park is part of the Preble County Park District, located at 1301 OH-725W, near Camden, Ohio. The park is about 65 minutes from downtown Cincinnati.

Details of our future 2026 events will be posted here soon, and will be sent in our winter newsletter


	Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society, Ohio Native Plant Society , SW Ohio Chapter, Come Learn about Cincinnati and Ohio Native Plants. pdf sizes are small ( < 300k ) new! Newletter Jan 2026 pdf Schedule Inside 2025 2026 pdf Schedule Cover 2025 2026 pdf Newsletter Sept 2025 pdf January 2025 Newsletter pdf September 2024 Newsletter pdf Schedule inside 2024 2025 rev oct 23 Schedule cover 2024 2025 pdf Link to our Facebook Page Note- Even if you are not on Facebook, you can view the content and nice photos posted there. office use only- Membership Renewals It's membership renewal time again. All memberships need to be renewed on September 1 of each year (unless you have paid for multiple years). Please go to our membership page and renew wth PayPal. Alternatively, from the membership, you can print out the renewal form and send it to our Membership Chair. Donations The Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society exists because of the generosity of our members and donors. To become a member, go to our membership page by clicking on the "Membership" tab in the upper bar. To give a direct donation to the society, please go to our donation web page by clicking the button below: The society is a 501(c)(3) organization and your membership or donation may be tax deductible. --Quick look ahead 2024-- means Non-Society event Friday Feb. 13, 2026 at 7:30 pm Avon Woods Nature Center In Person and Zoom Presentation “Wildflowers Through the Year” by Tom Hissong Feb. date TBD - Indoor Field Trip Tour of UC’s Greenhouse, Laboratories, and New Herbarium Friday March 13, 2026: Potluck & Lecture The Gathering at Northern Hills 5:15 pm Appetizers and fellowship 5:45 pm Covered dish potluck dinner 7:00 pm Annual Meeting and Program “Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Ohio” by Greg Lipps Saturday March 28, 2026: California Woods, Hamilton Co, OH Saturday Apr. 11, 2026: Devil’s Backbone, Preble Co, OH Saturday May 2, 2026: Joan Jones Portman Trail, Adams Co, OH Saturday May 9, 2026 at 9am: Give Back Day Garlic Mustard Pull, Caesar Creek Gorge SNP, (Corwin Road) Warren Co, OH Saturday May 16, 2026: Hueston Woods, Butler & Preble Co, OH Sunday June 7, 2026: Potluck Picnic Picnic at Keystone Flora, Hamilton Co, OH June 13-14, 2026: Weekend Field Trip Hosah Prairie, Lake Co, IL Chiwaukee Prairie, Kenosha Co, WI Saturday June 27, 2026: The Deep, Hocking Co, OH Sunday June 28, 2026: The Arboretum, Fayette Co, KY Saturday July 25, 2026: Bergamo Center, Greene Co, OH Saturday Aug. 1, 2026: Base Line Barrens Nature Preserve, Washington Co, IN Saturday Aug. 15, 2026: Sky Haven Prairie, Hamilton Co, OH End of list ** indicates events co-sponsored by the Society Questions about events, lost going to an event, need e-mail reminders of events? Contact President Mike Jagoditz at President@CincyWildflower.org or 513-583-9760, or Bob Bergstein, Communications Chairman at 513-477-4438 text/phone or email bergstein123@gmail.com 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