Date of Trip: 05/05/2018
Start Time: 10:00 am Eastern Time
Location: Clark Co., KY
Register: REGISTRATION CLOSED

Preserve manager Clare Sipple will lead us through this outstanding riparian site, situated along bothsides of Lower Howard’s Creek where it flows into the Kentucky River. It is home to some unusual, protected plant populations and irreplaceable historical and archaeological features. Many species of wildflowers could be sighted on this field trip, but it is timed to catch the rare water stitchwort (Stellaria fontinalis) in bloom. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate! The terrain is steep and rocky, requiring sturdy footwear. Bring water and snacks. Restrooms are at the trailhead. Please note that Google directions may be erroneous.

Directions from Interstate 64: Take Exit 94, then KY 1958 to Boonesboro Road/KY 627; follow 627 south to Ford Road/KY 1924; turn left onto Ford Road, then the first right onto Athens-Boonesboro Road/KY 418. Follow 418 to Hall’s Restaurant. Continue 0.7 mile up the hill where you will see a stone wall between two metal gates with a sign that says Lower Howard’s Creek. Enter there and proceed up the driveway to a concrete building and a parking lot where we’ll meet.

Directions from Interstate 75: Take Exit 95, then east on KY 627 (Boonesborough Rd) to the Kentucky River and immediately turn right onto Ford Road/KY1924. Then take the first right onto Athens-Boonesboro Road/KY 418; follow 418 to Hall’s Restaurant. Continue 0.7 mile up the hill where you will see a stone wall between two metal gates with a sign that says Lower Howard’s Creek. Enter through the gates and proceed up the driveway to a concrete building and a parking lot where we’ll meet.

Directions from Lexington: Take Richmond Rd. to Jacobson Park and then after crossing over Interstate 75 continue straight on to the small community of Athens. There is a stop sign in Athens. There are no turns from Lexington until the second stop sign 7 miles past Athens. At the second stop sign, turn right then in exactly 0.2 mile you will see a stone wall on your left. The entrance to Lower Howard’s Creek is the gate between the two stone walls. Proceed up the driveway to a concrete building and a parking lot where we’ll meet. If you get to Hall’s Restaurant on the river, you have gone too far. Turn around and proceed 0.7 mile back up the hill and the entrance is then on the right.

Date of Trip: 03/31/2018
Start Time: 10:00 am Eastern Time
Location: 2167 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, Kenton Co., KY
Register: REGISTRATION CLOSED

Ft. Mitchell Highland Cemetery is one of the best locations in Northern Kentucky for viewing a multitude of early spring wildflowers. Three lakes, hundreds of large trees, waterfalls, and streams make it both geologically and botanically interesting. Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society member Rob Repasky will direct this moderately easy walk.

Directions: From Interstate 75 going north, take Exit 188 (Ft. Mitchell, Dixie Highway South) and turn south off the exit onto Dixie Highway; go about 0.4 mile and turn left into the cemetery. Its white gates are directly across from Kroger and Expressway Plaza Shopping Center. Take all right turns after you enter the cemetery. You will pass a lake on the right and see a parking lot at the trailhead where we’ll meet. The cemetery address is 2167 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell.

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

Date of Trip: 03/12/2018
Start Time: 1:00PM Eastern Time
Location: 8000 Elk Lick Falls Rd, Lexington, Fayette Co., KY
Register: REGISTRATION CLOSED

Join Beverly James, Floracliff Preserve Director, as she leads us through uplands and gorges in the palisades region of the Kentucky River on our first field trip of the year. We will search for brave, early bloomers such as the lovely snow trillium (Trillium nivale), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), cut-leaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), sharp-lobed hepatica (Anemone acutiloba) and others. Wear sturdy shoes on this two mile walk which is rated moderate to difficult due to steep, uneven terrain. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early so forms and donations can be collected.