Check out our programs, hikes and habitat restoration projects!
Can’t join us? WWC Preserves are open to the public and are to be enjoyed by all. A few rules: please stay on trails, removing plants is prohibited, and preserves close at dusk. Locations: Information about each of the WWC preserves can be found here. Because of WWC restoration efforts and the removal/ control of invasive species, these preserves offer some of the best places in Hamilton County to find spectacular displays of native wildflowers, mature forests and bottomland habitat. In the Spring, you 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 all year long.
THE SECRET LIFE OF BIRDS, Adam McCosham
September 16, 2023 8:00 am, Kirby Nature Center
Free, Registration Required
Register Here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/western-wildlife-corridor-inc/the-secret-life-of-birds-478e3058-2a81-413b-8344-d4d5b39b1926
Join Adam McCosham, licensed bird bander, for this engaging outdoor program. No matter if you are learning to ID birds, or want to learn how they nest or how they migrate, one way to learn more is to observe a bird banding session. Bird banding is the practice of safely applying a band or tag to part of the bird, usually the leg, for data collection and individual identification. Banding birds allows researchers to learn the migration patterns, life span, breeding territory, and feeding areas of different bird species. Identifying these patterns and behaviors within bird populations plays a critical role in designing and implementing conservation programs for different species of birds. But not just anyone can place bands on birds, you must have the required permits and approvals.
Join us for this interactive outdoor program for a chance to watch bander Adam McCosham in action, while getting a chance to see various bird species up close and personal. You will learn how to identify birds in the hand as well as see how bird banders age, weigh and sex the birds as well as how they affix the band. Banding offers an intimate glimpse into the behavior of birds.
Adam is currently a Conservation and Parks Senior Program Manager with the Great Parks of Hamilton County. He has a degree in Natural Resource Management. Adams has spent the last four years training to band birds and loves passing on his knowledge of natural history to others.
Fall Foliage Fest and Art Show at Kirby Nature Center
Kirby Nature Preserve Morning Hike with Tim Sisson
Saturday October 21, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Join Tim for a hike to enjoy the Kirby Nature Preserve trails, and learn to identify the trees and wildflowers found there and learn how we are managing our forests. Meet at Kirby Nature Preserve, 2 East Main Street in Addyston, Ohio. Cost: Free, no registration is required. After the hike, you can shop the Art Show at the Kirby Nature Preserve Center. More information below.
Art Show at Kirby Nature Center
Saturday, October 21, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
Bring your friends to enjoy some early holiday shopping and see some great art reflecting our natural environment. Kirby Nature Center is located at 2 Main Street, Addyston, Ohio.
Cost: Free, no registration is required.
Fossil Hunt at Kirby Nature Preserve, Jack Berringer
November 12, 2:00-3:00pm
Get ready for some family fun with where your family will go on an adventure discovering all the interesting fossils in our dry creek bed at our Kirby Nature Center located at 2 Main Street, Addyston, Ohio. This outdoor program will start with a short explanation by Jack Berninger, and each child will be given a special fossil at the start of the program! Admission is free.
Holiday Celebration
Western Wildlife Corridor Member’s Holiday Party
December 5, 6:00-8:00pm
Holiday Party at Kirby Nature Preserve
2 Main Street, Addyston, OH 45001, just off River Road
RSVP Here!
2023 has been an exciting year of accomplishments for Western Wildlife Corridor and what better way to celebrate those achievements than by having a party! Just like last year, instead of a sit-down dinner, we will have a more relaxed setting – so that you may sit or move around the room to enjoy one another’s company! This event is for members only. Registration is required as capacity is limited. If you wish to bring something to share we plan on having drinks, snacks, appetizers, and desserts. Register here and for more information, email events@westernwildlifecorridor.org.
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.
The following are upcoming Habitat Restoration Projects and the leaders to contact for more information. All projects start at 9:30 am unless specified.
- September 2-Delshire Nature Preserve. Molly 973-342-7921 or Jeff, 513-600-7420.
- September 16-Kirby Nature Preserve. Tim Sisson 513-922-2104 and Matt 513-604-6728.
- October 7-Bender Mountain Trail Work. John 513-304-2310.
- October 14-Shady Lane Preserve. Ed 513-919-5186 or John 513-304-2310.
- November 4. Whitetail Woods. Gary 513-304-4303 or Tim 513-922-2104.
- November 11-Bender Mountain Trail Work. John 513-304-2310.
- November 18-Buckeye Trace. Gary 513-304-4303 or Tim 513-922-2104.
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!
