Back to Nature is a vital annual fundraising event which drives awareness of Cincinnati Nature Center’s mission of Inspiring Conservation and celebrates the unwavering generosity of our devoted supporters.

Because of the amazing 220 guests and sponsors in attendance, in 2024 we successfully raised $135,000 to benefit the Nature Center!

Save the Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
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Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, and the many other sponsors who made Back to Nature possible. Your support and presence at the event brings people together and contributes to the conservation work we do.‍

Maple Fest is a family-friendly event that shines a spotlight on nature’s liquid gold. Through guided maple hikes in the sugarbush, guests learn about maple tapping and how to turn the collected sap into real maple syrup.

Maple Fest is beloved by members and non-members alike and sells out each year. Maple Fest is a favorite among young families and provides the Nature Center an opportunity to engage with our newer members.

In 2024, close to 1,000 people attended Maple Fest and nearly $20,000 was raised to help support our mission.

Save the Date: Saturday, February 15 and 22, 2025

Forager’s Fest celebrates the bountiful wild delights found in Ohio’s forests. This event showcases foraged food, drink, and wild-harvested goods, all aimed at helping people forge a connection with what’s growing around them.

In 2024, 500 people attended Forager’s Fest and more than $18,000was raised to help support our mission.

Save the Date: Friday, September 19, 2025

Click below to watch a short preview of this event:

Music Under the Moon signals summertime at Cincinnati Nature Center. Set against the idyllic backdrop of Krippendorf Lodge, this summer concert series features a different local band each month.

From blues to bluegrass, we welcomed The Ben Levin BluesBand, Gina and Johnny Band, Moonshine Drive, and Jam Band Jovi on the Krippendorf terrace in 2024.

Nearly 800 people over four dates attended Music Under the Moon last year and more than $25,000 was raised to help support our mission.

Save the Date: Friday, June 27, July 25, August 15, and September 12, 2025
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Thank you to our 2024 Music Under the Moon sponsor, 84.51, for your generous contribution and support of our mission.

To participate in the Hike for Your Health Challenge, guests can purchase a passport at Rowe Visitor Center. A stamp is adding to each passport after every completed trail and fun prizes are earned along the way!

Each booklet contains trail elevation profiles and difficulty ratings to help our guests choose their next route, a space to document the date each trail hiked and elapsed time, as well as a notes section to add details to remember (perhaps hiking partners, observations, or a small sketch).
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Thank you to our 2024 Hike for Your Health sponsor, Cintas, for your support of our mission.

Cincinnati Nature Center is committed to providing authentic outdoor experiences to as many children and adults as possible because spending time outside is good for everyone’s mental and physical health. Our Nature for All program is designed to provide Nature Center access to everyone in our community, regardless of income.
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The Nature PlayScape is like a playground, but with natural materials that have been in a landscape specially created for children. It is an escape from structured or adult-directed activities—a place to play, naturally!
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Where natural features are designed for open-ended creative play. Plants, soil, and water can be touched and manipulated, not just observed, to stimulate the senses and promote a sense of wonder. Picnic on the grass or relax on a bench while your children play.

We thank our 2024 Nature PlayScape sponsor, Jungle Jims International Market, for your generous contribution in support of our mission.
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Light in the Forest brings the tranquility of nature together with the joy of light and art.

Throughout the month of December, nearly 16,000 members and non-members walked the mile-long lighted trail, viewed the artistic light installations, and enjoyed the festive holiday décor at the Krippendorf Lodge.

In 2024, we raised $350,000 in support of Cincinnati Nature Center. Since its inception in 2020, Light in the Forest has brought in more than $1 million dollars for the Nature Center and our mission.

We are grateful to our presenting sponsor, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, and the many other sponsors and in-kind supporters who helped us deliver the biggest and best Light in the Forest yet!

Click below to watch a short preview of this event:

At Cincinnati Nature Center, we continue to expand our native plant programming so our community can grow in support of healthy biodiversity. 2024 marked our 6^th year offering private garden tours across our region, in an effort to shine a light on how native plants create glorious residential landscapes via the Garden Tour: Noteworthy Natives event.

2024’s tour featured nine distinctly different gardens in the North Avondale, Indian Hill, Blue Ash, and Loveland neighborhoods. Garden creations ranged from naturally restored woodland to mature natural spaces that have been lovingly tended for over 35 years. Each garden featured on the tour had an inspiring story to share with guests and showcased a variety of ways to incorporate various native plants into the landscape.

In 2024, nearly 450 people attended the Garden Tour and $25,000 was raised to help support our mission.

Save the Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025

Without our gardeners, this event would not be possible. We also thank Wimberg Landscaping, our sponsors, and local businesses for supporting the Garden Tour so we can continue to highlight the importance of planting native!

During Hoots and Hops, we celebrate the ways nature comes alive in the nighttime! This beloved summer event at Rowe Woods features local beer tastings, food bite samples from area restaurants and caterers, interactive activities, food trucks, live music, and so much more.

In 2024, 450 people attended Hoots & Hops and nearly $30,000 was raised to help support our mission.

Save the Date: Friday, July 18, 2025

Thank you to our 2024 Hoots and Hops sponsor, Park National Bank, for your generous support.

Nature Insider is an exclusive benefit provided for our Steward, Cornerstone, Advocate, and Krippendorf Society members as a way to say thank you for their support of Cincinnati Nature Center. Insider events happen four times a year and include special talks with guest speakers and private educational hikes throughout the year.

In 2024, Insider events incorporated a tour of Cincinnati Nature Center’s arboretum, an educational session about our resident flying squirrels and owls, and a Nature Center State of the Union discussion with our Executive Director.

We thank our 2024 Nature Insider sponsor, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, for your generous contribution in support of our mission.

Newsleaf is a quarterly magazine delivered to over 18,000 Cincinnati Nature Center member households. Each issue Newsleaf features a collection of seasonal articles written by Nature Center staff and volunteers, upcoming events, and a seasonal program calendar.

Members can check out the latest edition of Newsleaf digitally via a tablet, e-reader, smartphone or personal computer.

CincyNature Camps are a fun way for children to actively challenge their mind and bodies, and use their creativity and imaginations in a natural setting. Each camp offers unique, age-appropriate activities that expose children to new and exciting outdoor adventures in a safe and friendly environment.

CincyNature Camp includes seasonal camps such as Spring Into Camp: Spring Break Camp, Wild About Nature: Summer Camp. Seasonal drop-off day camps are also offered including Maple Day Camp, Winter Wonderlands Day Camp, and Creek Day Camp.

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