Here you will find Programs, Hikes and Habitat Restoration Projects. Please join us!
Our Events Committee Needs You!
Part of the mission of Western Wildlife Corridor is to “provide education to foster connections with nature.” Our Events Committee selects and plans many of the non-work programs and hikes we offer each year, especially at our Kirby Nature Center. This is your chance to help pick some of the fun topics and interesting speakers, and bring them to our community.
The Events Committee mostly corresponds by email but does hold three meetings each year. These meetings are held in March, August and December. Our next meeting is March 22, 2023 via Zoom.
Meetings follow an agenda and calendar, which are emailed to the committee in advance. We discuss recently-held events, upcoming scheduled events, and ideas for the future. The meetings start at 7:00 pm and generally last an hour or so, three times per year.
If you are looking for volunteer hours, we are approved by many organizations, such as Master Gardeners and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists, that will allow volunteer work at WWC to count towards your hours.
If you are interested, please email staff@westernwildlifecorridor.org. Thank you!
2023 Spring Wildflower Walks!
Five dates to choose a hike led by expert leaders to see some of the most spectacular wildflower displays in SW Ohio.
As Spring approaches and nature brings new life to our area, most of us will be ready to head outdoors for a hike or two! Western Wildlife Corridor is offering a series of wildflower hikes on various preserves all owned and managed by WWC.
Because of WWC restoration efforts and the removal/ control of invasive species, WWC preserves offer some of the best places in Hamilton County to find spectacular displays of native Spring wildflowers. We could see Cut-leaved Toothwort, Sessile and Drooping Trillium, Wild Ginger, Wood Poppy, Blue-eyed Mary, Greek Valerian, Dutchman’s Breeches, Wild Hyacinth, Miami Mist, Fernleaf Phacelia, various species of ferns and grasses, and a variety of native trees and shrubs in spring attire. We suggest you bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Some hikes, such as Bender Mountain and Kirby, can be strenuous with steep hills and some trails are rocky in places. The pace allows for frequent stops to admire wildflowers, birds and wildlife.
Locations: Information about each of the preserves can be found below and includes parking directions
Date and Time: A variety of dates and times are offered to join us for a wildflower hike. All hikes are free but we do require registration. Please RSVP by clicking on the Date or copy and paste the URL.
March 29 11 am, Wednesday-Bender Mountain (https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/spring-wildflower-walk-bender-mountain-march-29th) Joyce Richter and Carol Trosset.
April 1 10 am, Saturday-Delshire Nature Preserve (https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/spring-wildflower-walk-delshire-preserve-april-1st) Tom Borgman, Ned Keller, Kathy McDonald
April 1 10 am, Saturday-Bender Mountain (https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/spring-wildflower-walk-bender-mountain-april-1st) Carol Trosset and Teri Gilligan
April 8 10 am, Saturday-Bender Mountain (https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/spring-wildflower-walk-bender-mountain-april-8th) Denis Conover, Bob Bergstein, Jack Berninger, Tim Sisson
April 8 10 am, Saturday-Delshire Nature Preserve (https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/spring-wildflower-walk-delshire-preserve-april-8th) Jessee Smith and Debi Wolterman
April 16 10 am, Sunday- Bender Mountain (https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/spring-wildflower-walk-bender-mountain-april-16th) Jeff Ginter and Debbie Lutkenhoff
April 29 10 am, Saturday-Kirby Nature Preserve (https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/spring-wildflower-walk-kirby-nature-preserve-april-29th) Tim Sisson, Kathi Hutton, Molly Hunter
Here, There be Tigers: Ohio Tiger Beetles, Jessee Smith
May 20, 2023 at Kirby Nature Center, Time TBD
If you go for a hike in WWC’s preserves, you’re likely to encounter tigers on the trail—tiger beetles, that is! Learn more about these fierce, fascinating little predators during a presentation that will introduce you to Ohio’s tiger beetle species and describe their role in our local ecosystem. Then we will take to the trails for a short hike (weather permitting) to see if we can spot some of these beauties in the wild. Bring your butterfly binoculars for a closer look! Event is free.
Jessee J. Smith, a Cincinnati native and Mount St. Joseph University graduate, is a copyeditor, layout designer, and metalsmith with a passion for insects. She has worked as the copyeditor of American Entomologist for over 20 years and has designed several field guides for the Ohio Biological Survey. She has co-authored peer-reviewed papers on tiger beetles, periodical cicadas, and cultural entomology. Her Etsy shops, SilverspotStudio and SilverspotMetalworks, showcase designs that reflect Jessee’s interest in insects through the medium of handmade jewelry and wearable art. In her spare time, Jessee enjoys hiking and whacking honeysuckle.
Jessee will present two programs this summer. The second will be on Summer Singers: Annual Cicadas of Ohio on July 15, 2023. See information on that program below and join us for both of these informative programs.
Summer Singers: Annual Cicadas of Ohio, Jessee Smith
July 15, 2023 at Kirby Nature Center, Time TB
By now, we’re all pretty familiar with the periodical cicadas that emerged en masse in 2021. But what about the ones we hear all summer long? This presentation will introduce you to our local annual (or “dog-day”) cicadas—often heard, but not so often seen. Just like birds, many of these cicada species can be recognized by their distinctive calls, adding a new dimension of nature observation to your summer hikes. We will cover the local species of annual cicadas and compare their calls before heading out into the preserve (weather permitting) to see who’s singing! Event is free.
Jessee J. Smith, a Cincinnati native and Mount St. Joseph University graduate, is a copyeditor, layout designer, and metalsmith with a passion for insects. She has worked as the copyeditor of American Entomologist for over 20 years and has designed several field guides for the Ohio Biological Survey. She has co-authored peer-reviewed papers on tiger beetles, periodical cicadas, and cultural entomology. Her Etsy shops, SilverspotStudio and SilverspotMetalworks, showcase designs that reflect Jessee’s interest in insects through the medium of handmade jewelry and wearable art. In her spare time, Jessee enjoys hiking and whacking honeysuckle.
On the Wing: Butterfly Walk at Kirby Nature Center, Glenn Crisler II
August 5, 2023 at Kirby Nature Preserve, 10:30 am
Admired the world over, butterflies are treasured for their beauty and grace. This walk will focus on finding and identifying butterflies on the various plants found at Kirby Nature Center. You will learn how to best attract them to your yard too. Event is free.
Dr. Glenn Crisler II is an amateur lepidopterist that hails from Brookhaven, Mississippi. He moved to Cincinnati, OH after completing his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 2019.In addition to being an Analytical Chemist, Glenn is also passionate about nature and lends his expertise with others by leading outdoor naturalist hikes and delivering lectures for various state parks and societies. Some of Glenn’s work is published in the Journal, “News of the Lepidopterist’s Society,” a journal dedicated to the study of Lepidoptera.
Habitat Restoration Projects &
Mid-week Hikes at our Preserves
What’s our Habitat Restoration all about? It’s one of the most important things we do! If you’ve never done one of these before, we encourage you to join us, as it doesn’t require any special skills. No registration is necessary, but please contact a project leader to make sure it hasn’t been cancelled. For more information, please visit this page and read the document Habitat Restoration Frequently Asked Questions.
- Saturday, March 11, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Habitat Restoration at Kirby Nature Preserve. Leaders: John 513.304.2310 and Matt 513.604.6728. Luncheon immediately following to be provided by Events Committee.
- Saturday, March 25, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Habitat Restoration at Bender Mountain. Leaders: Jeff 513.451.1737 and Ed 513.919.5186
- Saturday, April 15, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Habitat restoration at Whitetail Woods. Leaders: Tim 513.607.2599 and Gary 513.304.4303
Mid-week hikes
Did you know that Western Wildlife Corridor volunteers gather for a mid-week hike almost every week? This is where we might do some light habitat restoration or trail building.
Email Tim Sisson at hikertim419@gmail.com to be added to the distribution list.
Our Events Committee Needs You!
Part of the mission of Western Wildlife Corridor is to “provide education to foster connections with nature.” Our Events Committee selects and plans many of the non-work programs and hikes we offer each year, especially at our Kirby Nature Center. This is your chance to help pick some of the fun topics and interesting speakers, and bring them to our community.
The Events Committee mostly corresponds by email but does hold three meetings each year. These meetings are held in March, August and December. Our next meeting is March 22, 2023 via Zoom.
Meetings follow an agenda and calendar, which are emailed to the committee in advance. We discuss recently-held events, upcoming scheduled events, and ideas for the future. The meetings start at 7:00 pm and generally last an hour or so, three times per year.
If you are looking for volunteer hours, we are approved by many organizations, such as Master Gardeners and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists, that will allow volunteer work at WWC to count towards your hours.
If you are interested, please email staff@westernwildlifecorridor.org. Thank you!
Important update
Program and Event changes
Western Wildlife Corridor is following CDC, Ohio and Hamilton County guidelines regarding Covid 19. Please practice proper social distancing procedures and wear a mask to ensure the health and safety of all guests. We will be keeping a close eye on any developments regarding the COVID-19 virus and will carefully consider how we proceed in the weeks ahead. Please check this page frequently to see if changes are needed for any events.