The Moments That Inspire Me Most

I’ve never considered myself a collector—that’s more like my dad, with his massive rock collection. Yet, without realizing it, I’ve built a collection of my own through my years of work at Cincinnati Nature Center. It’s not a collection of objects, but of moments. As the manager of school field trips, the moments that inspire me the most are when children and teachers step out of their comfort zones and embrace something new in nature. We provide a safe space. They bring the courage. Let me share a few gems from my collection…

Mountain Mint and Magic: A Native Plant Zealot's Story

I’ll never forget the first time I saw dozens of native bees, wasps, and butterflies buzzing around a clump of native mountain mint in my backyard; it was pure magic! I’m a native-plant zealot, so I wholeheartedly financially support organizations like Cincinnati Nature Center that share my enthusiasm.

The Importance of Place: The Eckstein Family and Cincinnati Nature Center

For Neal Eckstein, a love of nature was passed down like a treasured heirloom. His earliest memories of birdwatching began with his grandfather, “Doc” Eckstein, a lifelong member and devoted volunteer of Cincinnati Nature Center for 47 years. Together, they roamed trails, identified birds, and nurtured a shared passion for the outdoors.

Call and Response

Sometimes we are faced with a call we cannot ignore. Even as a teenager, Jodine heard a call to action. It presented itself in the form of a vivid dream. In it, she was an educator dedicated to connecting rural and urban areas for sustainable food production and consumption. Jodine Grundy’s life of community organizing and activism is captured in a quote from Antonio Machado’s Proverbs and Songs #29: “Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking.” Throughout her life, her dream helped create her path. Follow her path to see the steps she took to heed the call to action.

Thanksgiving Dinner: Keeping Things Positive

There used to be an old adage that one should never talk about sex, religion or politics in polite company. But when it comes to families, company is not always polite. You may find yourself sitting at the dinner table with people on the far left or right, and some who identify as the“exhausted majority.” How will the conversations go? What will be said and in what tone? And what can be done if things go sideways?

When to Smile and When to Shout: Lessons from The Clifton Deer Project

Activism often gets a bad reputation. The word might conjure images of angry mobs shouting and waving banners. Rowdy protests can draw attention to a problem, but they aren’t the only way and often not the most effective. In reality, people who find a way forward tend to be those who have respectful conversations and leverage existing social capital. Read about how animal lovers Chris Lottman, her husband Bob Rack and neighbor Laurie Briggs did what nobody thought could be done, convincing decision makers to permit them to spearhead an experimental approach to compassionate deer management in Clifton.

Learning Online: Becoming an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN)

Autumn's Native Flavors

Apples, pumpkins, and mums—the perfect autumn trio that welcomes dancing leaves and cooler, crisper days. While I admit to being enamored by the rows of mums and pumpkins at every local grocery store, I’ve been tuned in to another unmistakable trio in nature that signals fall’s arrival.

Cincinnati Nature Center Receives Transformational Gift from Hugh Hoffman

In 2023, Cincinnati Nature Center was honored to receive an unprecedented legacy gift from Hugh Hoffman. Midway through the year, we were informed of an extraordinary bequest of approximately $28 million, the largest single donation in the Nature Center’s history. This unrestricted gift, generously left by longtime member Hugh Hoffman, marks a transformative moment for our organization.

Coalitions are Key: Tackling Invasives Through Relationships

Being an agent of change takes more than expertise. It takes tenacity, the ability to build coalitions, and a willingness to understand opposing viewpoints, says plant ecologist Theresa Culley. For nearly two decades she has brought all these skills into play as part of a statewide effort to control invasive species.

For the Love of Home

Often the decision to step into civic engagement is the result of a call to action that can no longer be ignored. For Julie, it was the loss of her home in 2006 that started her thinking that she should pay more attention to the political and economic systems that weren’t working.

Lessons from the Wild Black Raspberry

This spring, soon after the wild black raspberries bloomed, the fruit set that promised a future bounty was obvious. Starting mid-June, volunteers and staff headed out every three days to bring in this year’s crop of wild black raspberries at Long Branch Farm & Trails.

Living Sustainably: Slow Fashion

Amber Ostaszewski encourages people to help reduce negative effects on the environment by being mindful about their clothing choices. Using natural dyes instead of harmful chemicals and natural fibers instead of synthetics can protect vital resources like soil, water, and human capital. Recently, Amber met with The Ripple writer Barbara Moss to explain how “slow fashion” can improve the health of the planet.

Challenging Commercial Food Production with Grassroots Farming

Most Ripple readers feel a special connection to nature. Some, like this month’s featured influencer, have changed their lives to support that connection more fully. Drausin Wulsin says “I was never spiritually fulfilled in regular jobs but in working with the land, I found myself fully engaged and found strength I never knew I had.”

Measuring Influence: Does It End?

Every teacher is an influencer. Every teacher has a legacy. Jon Sounders’ story is an example of how a teacher can advance the cause of nature conservation while inculcating in young people ways of thinking and investigating that serve them into adulthood.

Meet an Influencer: Community Advocacy and Protecting Local Greenspace

Cynthia Duval, a local parks advocate, has been instrumental in opposing various development projects in Burnet Woods, an old-growth urban forest, through her leadership in the nonprofit Preserve Burnet Woods. Despite challenges such as public speaking fears and a full personal schedule, she has successfully rallied community support to protect the park's environmental integrity and continues to fight against new threats like a proposed dog park that could harm the area's ecosystem.

Citizen Activism Key to Land Preservation in Loveland

In Loveland, Ohio, a grassroots group successfully prevented the development of 109 acres of historic farmland and woods into a housing project by organizing and influencing local government decisions. Their efforts led to the conservation of the land, supported by grant funds awarded to Cardinal Land Conservancy, highlighting the power of community activism and strategic engagement in local governance.

Paying It Forward

Steve Inglish, a dedicated volunteer at the Cincinnati Nature Center, has become a significant influencer in promoting native plant gardening following his retirement. Mentored by experts and driven by his passion for environmental conservation, Steve uses his skills in public speaking and education to inspire others to adopt environmentally friendly gardening practices, continuing to "pay it forward" through public talks and leadership in community science projects.

Looking Out My Back Door

Elaine Sugawara discusses observing the early signs of spring through the budding and sap flow of a red maple tree in her neighbor's yard, highlighting the tree's adaptation to cold and its role in signaling the upcoming change of season. She notes that while sugar maples are famous for syrup, red maples can also produce syrup, albeit requiring more sap due to their lower sugar content.

Five Tips for Winter Hiking

Kelly Volz offers practical advice for winter hiking in her article, emphasizing the importance of wearing layered clothing and warm boots, using traction cleats for added stability, planning a manageable route, utilizing trekking poles, and taking time to appreciate the winter landscape. These tips aim to enhance safety and enjoyment while hiking in cold conditions.

Season's Readings

The blog post from Cincinnati Nature Center suggests a variety of books recommended by its staff and volunteers, ideal for winter reading. These recommendations include titles on natural history, scientific exploration, and environmental issues, aiming to enhance knowledge and broaden perspectives during the colder months.

Souvenirs from the Boardwalk

Jim Kesner recounts his experiences as a trail runner at the Cincinnati Nature Center, where he found solace and adventure over three decades. He shares memories of running in all weather conditions, the goal of covering every trail in one run, and capturing photographic souvenirs from the same spots on the boardwalk, documenting the ever-changing natural scenery around Powell Crosley Lake.

Change Agents: Beth and Bob Staggenborg

Beth and Bob Staggenborg are showcased as passionate environmental advocates in an article by Bebe Raupe, featured in both an online blog and the November 3, 2023 issue of "The Ripple." The couple, long-time members of the Cincinnati Nature Center, are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices, particularly in food consumption, and engage the community through activities like hosting meatless meals and volunteering in various environmental education roles. Their efforts extend beyond local outreach, with Bob also sharing ecological insights through his "Nature Guys" podcast.

At Long Branch, “Farm” is Still a Verb

Long Branch Farm, initially a vibrant educational farm offering hands-on agricultural experiences, ceased its traditional operations in 2005 due to changes in state education standards and high maintenance costs. Since then, efforts have shifted towards native plant education and foraging, with the establishment of perennial polyculture plots that focus on native edible plants, blending conservation with visitor engagement and education.

A Seriously Awful Weed

Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) is an invasive plant native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, known for its aggressive growth that threatens native vegetation in North America. It is illegal in Ohio to distribute or propagate it due to its detrimental impact on local ecosystems, and removal involves careful digging or the use of herbicides to eliminate its pervasive tubers and prevent regrowth.