Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society

(Ohio Native Plant Society, SW Ohio Chapter)  

Updated Monday May 7, 2012, 10 pm

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

              ----What you missed---                    

You missed our Weekend Fieldtrip to Carter Caves on May 5 and 6, led by Judy and Ray Komorowski. Orchids and more. 

-----------------------May 2012-----------------

Saturday, May 12, 10 am: Field Trip, Shoemaker State Nature Preserve, Adams County, Ohio

Rick Gardner, ODNR botanist, will lead us on the Society’s first hike at this new nature preserve, dedicated in 2009. With luck, highlights might include the most impressive American columbo display you will ever see. Rick says, “I have never seen a more dense population of the plant anywhere else.” The number of flowering plants is unpredictable, so we can’t say how many we’ll see in bloom. There’s a nice population of the Plantago cordata (heart-leaved plantain, a state endangered plant), a natural arch, and a good variety of spring wildflowers and some prairie species. Please let Christine Hadley know if you will be attending at 513-850-9585 or  

Directions: Take St. Rt. 32 eastwards from I-275 on the east side of Cincinnati area for about 50 miles.

From the St. Rt. 32 & St. Rt. 41 junction (Peebles) continue on Rt. 32 for another 3.8 mi. and turn right on Portsmouth Rd. 

Travel 1.1 mi. and just after going under a conveyor belt turn right on Pine Gap Rd. 

Drive another 0.2 mi. and the Preserve’s gravel parking lot will be on the right. 

The address is 165 Pine Gap Rd, Peebles, OH  45660.  For a map, click here .  Driving time from Downtown Cincy is about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

---------------- June 2012 ----------------

Sunday, June 3, 1:00 pm: Field Trip, Fernald Preserve, Hamilton County, Ohio

The Fernald Preserve is a former uranium-processing facility that was shut down in 1991. Site remediation and subsequent ecological restoration have converted the site from an industrial production facility to an undeveloped park, encompassing wetlands, prairies, and forest. The site was renamed the Fernald Preserve in 2007 and a seven-mile trail system is now open to the public.

John Homer, with S.M. Stoller Corp., contractor to DOE, will lead us on this hike to explore several of the restored wetland, prairie, and restored forest projects that are not accessible by trail. A variety of prairie grasses and forbs should be in bloom, along with wetland sedges and rushes. The hike will be off-trail at times and may be muddy, so dress accordingly. Please let Christine Hadley know if you will be attending at 513-850-9585 or  

Directions: Take I-275 to exit 33A/33, US 27 (Colerain Avenue). Head north on US 27 for 5 miles to the Hamilton-Ross exit. Turn left on St. Rt. 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Highway) through Ross for about 3 miles to Willey Road. Turn right on Willey Road, 1/4 mile to the Fernald Preserve. The address for Fernald Preserve is 7400 Willey Road, Harrison, OH 45030. Follow the drive through the preserve to meet at the Visitor Center.  For map click here. Driving time from I-275 is about 15  minutes.

** Sunday, June 10, 12 noon: Potluck Picnic with Northside Greenspace Inc. and CWFPS at Keystone Flora in Wooden Shoe Hollow, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Join us at native plant nursery Keystone Flora, located in historic Wooden Shoe Hollow, whose greenhouses and truck farms once provided fresh produce to urban Cincinnati. Diana Boyd will demonstrate how to propagate woodland seed. There will also be informal tours of the nursery, prairie, bioswale, and some of the properties that have been purchased by the native plant conservationists who are slowly colonizing the neighborhood.

Bring a dish to share. Carpooling is encouraged, but plenty of field parking is available. Contact Diana Boyd at 513-921-2250 if you have questions and Keystone Flora at 513-961-2727 if you get lost.

Directions: From I-75, take the Mitchell Avenue exit (exit #6). If traveling north on I-75, turn left at end of ramp, heading north on Mitchell Avenue. If coming south on I-75, turn right at end of ramp, heading north on Mitchell Avenue. Turn left onto Spring Grove Avenue (the first major intersection). Turn right onto Winton Road (at second traffic light). Turn right onto Kings Run (at third traffic light). Turn left onto Winton Ridge (at first intersection). Veer left onto Wooden Shoe Hollow Lane (about 1000 feet from turn onto Winton Ridge). Follow Wooden Shoe Hollow Lane for 0.3 miles. It goes straight, then curves to the right, goes straight until entering a wooded canopy area curving left. As soon as you come out of the trees you’ll see a red mailbox numbered 5081. The address for Keystone Flora is 5081 Wooden Shoe Hollow Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45232.  For a map from I-75 click  here (driving time from I-75 is 7 minutes).  

** Saturday, June 16, 9 am-3 pm: What’s Up Under Your Trees? Native Shrub Workshop, Earth Connection, Delhi, Ohio

Please join us to learn more about native plants that grow under the canopy of large trees in Eastern Forests. Plants in the understory layer consist of a mixture of seedlings and saplings of canopy trees together with understory shrubs and herbs. This is a vital layer when recreating natural habitats in landscapes. You will learn what shrubs work well in your yard or restoration project, and what to plant to provide food for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Learn the best way to eradicate invasive species and what plants best replace them. We’ll also talk about conservation, local efforts to monitor our state nature preserves, and how you can help! Speakers: Chris McCullough, Christine Hadley, Debi Wolterman and more. Some shrubs will be for sale. Hikes to see native shrubs and understory trees in native wooded habitats will be led by Tim Sisson. Presented by Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society, CCCV (Connecting Community Conservation Volunteers), Greater Cincinnati Wild Ones, Midwest Native Plant Society and Western Wildlife Corridor. Native shrubs will be available for purchase from Keystone Flora. $8.00 (includes lunch). RSVP with Kathy McDonald at  or call 513-941-6497.

Directions: Earth Connection, 370 Neeb Road, Cincinnati, OH 45233 (across from Mt. St. Joseph College in Delhi). About 15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Go west on Route 50, River Road (the Sixth Street viaduct). Stay on River Road until you reach the traffic light at Fairbanks. Turn right (Fairbanks becomes Delhi Ave.) and go just over 4 miles to Neeb Road. Turn left on Neeb, and then turn left into the very first driveway. Go up the hill and turn right. Earth Connection is the leftmost building across the parking lot. If you get lost, call Kathy at 513-748-0281.  For a map from Downtown Cincy to the driveway, click here.  Driving time from Downtown is about 20 minutes.

Please see our newsletter for details of our other events through Sept 2012

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 I 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.