Wahkeena Nature Preserve
"… to be used for nature study and as a preserve for birds and other wildlife."- Carmen Hambleton Warner
2016 Guided Programs
March
Wood Frog eggs
Spring Equinox off-trail Hike
Sunday, March 20th, 2016
1:00pm
This hike is now full as of 2/22/2016
Celebrate the coming of spring and join us on the first hike of the new year! We will be heading off trail to parts of the preserve that few visitors get to see. Program is approximately 3 hours so bring water and a snack. Space is limited so reservation is required, you may contact us through Facebook or by calling 800-297-1883. Ages 10 and up please, participants must be in good physical condition.
Open Season
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016
Salamander Migration
Date will be set mid to late March
7:30pm-11:00pm
Come watch the mass migration of Spotted Salamanders heading into the pools to mate and lay eggs. Be sure to bring a raincoat and a flashlight!
Please note: Due to the unpredictable nature of this program we will not be able to announce the date until a couple days before the event (we will try to give at least 24 hours notice). For updates follow Wahkeena Nature Preserve on Facebook, if you are not on facebook contact us through email (wahkeena@att.net) so we can contact you as the date approaches. You may also sign up for our email newsletter here, and we will send out an alert as the even approaches. All ages welcome.
April
Azalea
Beginning Bird
Sunday, April 10th, 2016
Saturday April 23rd, 2016
10:00am
Don’t forget your binoculars and field guide! On this hike we will learn to identify some of Ohio’s resident birds and some early migrants. Geared toward the novice birder, we will focus on what to look for when trying to get an ID. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 10 and up.
Wildflower Walk
Sunday, April 24th, 2016
1:00pm
The woodlands are filled with a variety of beautiful spring wildflowers including violets, trillium and orchids. Join a naturalist for a leisurely hike as we explore the beauty, folklore and medicinal uses of our native Ohio wildflowers. Other topics of natural history may be discussed along the way. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
Bird Walk
Saturday, April 30th, 2016
8:15am
With over 100 different species of birds documented, Wahkeena is a fantastic birding site! We will be welcoming experienced birder, Rich Pendlebury, to help us lead this hike. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
We have received a great deal of interest in this event. If you plan on attending, please note:
- The hike begins at 8:15 AM, the front gates do not open until 8:00 AM
- ·We have a very small parking lot. Once the parking lot is filled we cannot allow any more cars to enter, so please CARPOOL and arrive on time
- Be sure to bring binoculars
May
Wildflower Walk
Sunday, May 1st, 2016
Sunday, May 8th, 2016
Sunday, May 15th, 2016
1:00pm
The woodlands are filled with a variety of beautiful spring wildflowers including violets, trillium and orchids. Join a naturalist for a leisurely hike as we explore the beauty, folklore and medicinal uses of our native Ohio wildflowers. Other topics of natural history may be discussed along the way. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
International Migratory Bird Day Walk
Saturday, May 14th, 2016
8:15am
By mid-May Wahkeena will be filled with many species of migrating birds. With over 100 different species of birds documented, Wahkeena is a fantastic birding site! We will be welcoming expert birder, Rich Pendlebury, to help us lead this hike. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
Fern Walk
Sunday, May 22nd, 2016
1:00pm
Wahkeena is home to 33 species of ferns. Join a naturalist and lean to identify some of the most common species and discover their unique life history. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
June
Native Rhododendron
Cicada Workshop
Saturday, June 4th
1:00 PM- 4:00 PM
2016 is the year of the 17 year cicada emergence at Wahkeena, join us in welcoming author. Dr. Gene Kritsky. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Cicadas and more! Space is limited so you must reserve your spot by calling (800) 297-1883. Workshop will last approximately 3 hours. Ages 12 and up.
Ages 12 and up.
Fern Walk
Sunday, June 12th, 2016
1:00pm
Wahkeena is home to 33 species of ferns. Join a naturalist and lean to identify some of the most common species and discover their unique life history. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
July
Swamp Rose Mallow
Fern Walk
Sunday, July 3rd, 2016
1:00pm
Wahkeena is home to 33 species of ferns. Join a naturalist and lean to identify some of the most common species and discover their unique life history. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
Smartphone Photography Workshop
July 16th
10:00 AM
Learn how to transform quick photos taken with your smartphone or tablet into works of art with Mark Steele, an accomplished photographer from Columbus. Workshop will last approximately 4 hours, ages 12 and up. We will be taking a break, so be sure to bring a lunch. Space is limited so you must reserve a spot by calling (800) 297-1883 or contacting us through Facebook.
Summer Walk
Sunday, July 24th, 2016
1:00pm
Escape the summer heat by joining us for a leisurely walk through Wahkeena’s cool forests, meadows and wetlands as we explore the rich botanical and animal diversity of the preserve. Approximately 90 minutes, ages 12 and up.
August
Monarch Butterfly
Summer Walk
Sunday, August 14th, 2016
Sunday, August 28th, 2016
1:00pm
Escape the summer heat by joining us for a leisurely walk through Wahkeena’s cool forests, meadows and wetlands as we explore the rich botanical and animal diversity of the preserve. Approximately 90 minutes, ages 12 and up.
September
Fall Walk
Sunday, September 11th, 2016
Sunday, September 25th, 2016
1:00pm
Nature’s annual color will be on display as we walk through the autumn woodlands and explore the changing landscape. We will get a final look at some of the last wildflowers of the season and discuss how some plants and animals prepare for the coming winter. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
October
Fall Walk
Sunday, October 16th, 2016
1:00pm
Nature’s annual color will be on display as we walk through the autumn woodlands and explore the changing landscape. We will get a final look at some of the last wildflowers of the season and discuss how some plants and animals prepare for the coming winter. Approximately 90 minutes with frequent stops, ages 12 and up.
November
Fall Off-Trail Hike
Saturday, November 12th, 2016
10:00am
Celebrate the end of the season and join us on the final hike of the year! We will be heading off trail to parts of the preserve that few visitors get to see. Program is approximately 3 hours so bring water and a snack. Space is limited so reservation is required, you may contact us through Facebook or by calling 800-297-1883.
End Season
Sunday, November 13th, 2016
 |
| Wood Frog eggs |
Spring Equinox off-trail Hike
This hike is now full as of 2/22/2016
Salamander Migration
Date will be set mid to late March
7:30pm-11:00pm
Come watch the mass migration of Spotted Salamanders heading into the pools to mate and lay eggs. Be sure to bring a raincoat and a flashlight!
Please note: Due to the unpredictable nature of this program we will not be able to announce the date until a couple days before the event (we will try to give at least 24 hours notice). For updates follow Wahkeena Nature Preserve on Facebook, if you are not on facebook contact us through email (wahkeena@att.net) so we can contact you as the date approaches. You may also sign up for our email newsletter here, and we will send out an alert as the even approaches. All ages welcome.
 |
| Azalea |
We have received a great deal of interest in this event. If you plan on attending, please note:
- The hike begins at 8:15 AM, the front gates do not open until 8:00 AM
- ·We have a very small parking lot. Once the parking lot is filled we cannot allow any more cars to enter, so please CARPOOL and arrive on time
- Be sure to bring binoculars
 |
| Native Rhododendron |
Cicada Workshop
Saturday, June 4th
1:00 PM- 4:00 PM
2016 is the year of the 17 year cicada emergence at Wahkeena, join us in welcoming author. Dr. Gene Kritsky. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Cicadas and more! Space is limited so you must reserve your spot by calling (800) 297-1883. Workshop will last approximately 3 hours. Ages 12 and up.
Ages 12 and up.
 |
| Swamp Rose Mallow |
Smartphone Photography Workshop
July 16th
10:00 AM
Learn how to transform quick photos taken with your smartphone or tablet into works of art with Mark Steele, an accomplished photographer from Columbus. Workshop will last approximately 4 hours, ages 12 and up. We will be taking a break, so be sure to bring a lunch. Space is limited so you must reserve a spot by calling (800) 297-1883 or contacting us through Facebook.
 |
| Monarch Butterfly |
