Floracliff Nature Sanctuary

Webinar: Lichens 101
2020-11-16 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Join Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves botanist Kendall McDonald for this webinar on the wonderful world of lichens! Learn the basics of lichen anatomy, reproduction, and identification.
A link to the webinar will be emailed to registrants about 24 hours before the event.

Elk Lick Valley Exploration Hikes
2020-11-14 11:00 - 14:00, 2020-10-31 11:00 - 14:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
Join us for a hike through the woods to the creek. One hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature Elk Lick Creek, the heart of the sanctuary. We’ll spend about 30 – 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Elk Lick Creek or Falls Branch. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights.
Hike distances: 2 miles (Elk Lick Falls) or 3 miles (Elk Lick Creek)
Bring: water, camera and hiking sticks optional
Hiking Level: Moderate to Difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain, and wet and slick surfaces.
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to wear a mask while hiking. Masks can be removed when the group reaches the Elk Lick Creek area and can spread out appropriately. This hike will host no more than 10 hikers plus 2 hike leaders.
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Webinar: Native Peoples of the Bluegrass: From Hunter-gatherers to Farmers
2020-11-06 17:00 - 18:30
For millennia, diverse native groups have called the rich Bluegrass region “home.” Focusing on those resources – plants, animals, stone, clay, water – we review the dynamic human-environment interaction that began when humans arrived in the region at the end of the last ice age.
Presented by Gwynn Henderson, Kentucky Archaeological Survey
A link to the webinar will be emailed to registrants about 24 hours before the event.

Autumn Magic Hour Hikes
2020-10-29 16:30 - 18:30, 2020-10-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, one hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature the confluence of Elk Lick Creek and the Kentucky River. Each hike will be 1.5 – 2 miles in length.
Hiking Level: Moderate to Difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain, and wet and slick surfaces.
Bring: water, camera and hiking sticks optional
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to wear a mask while hiking. Masks can be removed when the group reaches the Elk Lick Falls area and can spread out appropriately. Each hike will host no more than 10 hikers plus 2 hike leaders.
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Elk Lick Valley Exploration Hikes
2020-10-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
Join us for a hike through the woods to the creek. One hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature Elk Lick Creek, the heart of the sanctuary. We’ll spend about 30 – 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Elk Lick Creek or Falls Branch. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights.
Hike distances: 2 miles (Elk Lick Falls) or 3 miles (Elk Lick Creek)
Bring: water, camera and hiking sticks optional
Hike Leader: Floracliff naturalists
Hiking Level: Moderate to Difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain, and wet and slick surfaces.
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to wear a mask while hiking. Masks can be removed when the group reaches the Elk Lick Creek area and can spread out appropriately. This hike will host no more than 10 hikers plus 2 hike leaders.
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Magic Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
2020-10-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, this 1.5-mile hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky.
Hiking Level: Moderate due to steep terrain and potentially wet and slippery surfaces near waterways
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to wear a mask while hiking. Masks can be removed when the group reaches the Elk Lick Falls area and can spread out appropriately. Each hike will host no more than 10 hikers plus 2 hike leaders.

Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Webinar: Trees for Butterflies
2020-10-13 19:00 - 20:30
Presented by Beverly James
When it comes to the ecological relationships between butterflies and plants, trees may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, trees play an important role for many butterflies – as host plants, nectar and sap sources, shelter, and habitat. Join Floracliff Preserve Director Beverly James for this webinar on how butterflies interact with trees throughout their lifecycle as well as the tree species that are most important to our native butterflies.
This event is part of Tree Week 2020. For more information about Tree Week, visit https://ufi.ca.uky.edu/treeweek2020
A link to the webinar will be emailed to registrants about 24 hours before the event.

Woods to Water Walk
2020-09-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
Join us for a hike through the woods to the creek. We’ll spend about 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Elk Lick Creek. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights. Expect to hike about 3 miles total.
Bring: water, camera and hiking sticks optional
Hike Leader: Floracliff naturalists
Hiking Level: Moderate to Difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain, and wet and slick surfaces.
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to wear a mask while hiking. Masks can be removed when the group reaches the Elk Lick Creek area and can spread out appropriately. This hike will host no more than 10 hikers plus 2 hike leaders.
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Elk Lick Falls Hike
2020-09-26 09:30 - 12:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
Join us for a hike through the woods to Elk Lick Falls. We’ll spend about 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Falls Branch below the waterfall. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights. Expect to hike about 1.5 – 2 miles total.
Bring: water, camera and hiking sticks optional
Hike Leader: Floracliff naturalists
Hiking Level: Moderate to Difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain, and wet and slick surfaces.
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to wear a mask while hiking. Masks can be removed when the group reaches the Elk Lick Falls area and can spread out appropriately. This hike will host no more than 10 hikers plus 2 hike leaders.
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Private Guided Hike
2020-09-24 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-09-17 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-09-10 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-08-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
In lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket. Please limit the group to no more than 4 households.
Guided hike options include:
1) Hike to the base of Elk Lick Falls: This hike is 1.5 miles and is rated moderately difficult due to steep terrain and potentially wet and slippery surfaces at the creeks. This hike includes a 25-minute break at Elk Lick Falls.
2) Hike to Elk Lick Creek: This 3-mile hike visits a section of Elk Lick Creek and is rated moderately difficult due to steep terrain and potentially wet and slippery surfaces at the creeks. This hike includes a 20-minute break at Elk Lick Creek.
3) Upland Hike through the forest and pollinator field: This 1 – 2.5 mile hike features both young and mature forests of Floracliff as well as the pollinator field by the nature center. This hike can be modified to be as short as one mile or as long as 2.5 miles. It is rated easy to moderate depending on the length chosen by the group.
When reserving a ticket, you will be asked for your first hike preference and your second hike preference. Hikes are available on a first-come/first-serve basis. If the other ticket has already been purchased, your hike may not be your first choice.
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to bring a mask or face covering (bandana or buff will suffice) when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Webinar: Fantastic Fungi and Where to Find Them with Megan Buland
2020-09-22 19:00 - 20:30
Presenter: Megan Buland, UK Forest Health Lab
Come join us as we explore the fantastic world of fungi in this webinar. We will discuss mushroom biology and ecology, and highlight the basics of how to identify different kinds of fungi. Commonly found mushrooms of Kentucky will be featured, as well as discussion surrounding the many roles fungi can play in ecology and forest health, from the good, to the bad, to the downright creepy. Just in time for fall rains and the mushrooms that accompany them, join us for an evening of fun fungi facts.
A link to the webinar will be emailed to all registered participants before the day of the event.
**Note: If you receive the paper newsletter and saw this event listed for September 29th, that was a misprint. It is scheduled for September 22nd.
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Magic Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
2020-09-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, this hike will feature Elk Lick Falls and the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky.
Hiking Level: Moderate
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from the hike leader and others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to wear a mask while hiking. Masks can be removed when the group reaches the Elk Lick Falls area and can spread out appropriately. This hike will host no more than 5 hikers plus 1 hike leader.

Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Private Guided Hike
2020-08-20 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-08-18 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-08-13 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-08-11 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-08-06 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-07-16 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-07-14 09:30 - 12:00, 2020-07-09 09:30 - 12:00 and 2 more dates | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
In lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket. Please limit the group to no more than 3 households.
Guided hike options include:
1) Hike to the base of Elk Lick Falls: This hike is 1.5 miles and is rated moderately difficult due to steep terrain and potentially wet and slippery surfaces at the creeks. This hike includes a 25-minute break at Elk Lick Falls.
2) Hike to Elk Lick Creek: This 3-mile hike visits a section of Elk Lick Creek and is rated moderately difficult due to steep terrain and potentially wet and slippery surfaces at the creeks. This hike includes a 20-minute break at Elk Lick Creek.
3) Upland Hike through the forest and pollinator field: This 1 – 2.5 mile hike features both young and mature forests of Floracliff as well as the pollinator field by the nature center. This hike can be modified to be as short as one mile or as long as 2.5 miles. It is rated easy to moderate depending on the length chosen by the group.
When reserving a ticket, you will be asked for your first hike preference and your second hike preference. Hikes are available on a first-come/first-serve basis. If the other ticket has already been purchased, your hike may not be your first choice.
Please note: Bathrooms and facilities are currently closed to visitors. Please come prepared. All hikers will be expected to practice physical distancing from others outside their household. All hikers are also expected to bring a mask or face covering (bandana or buff will suffice) when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Webinar: The Myth of “Pre-settlement” Eastern Deciduous Forest: Changing Ideas About its History and the Importance of Humans on the Landscape
2020-07-28 19:00 - 20:30
The Eastern Deciduous Forest Formation stretches from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic seaboard to the river valleys of the Great Plains. These forests, were, in just a few centuries after Europeans first dropped anchor, largely cut over or converted to open land. What were these forests like before the arrival of Europeans? How far back in time did forests resembling those we see today exist in the eastern part of the continent?
Attempts to reconstruct the so-called “pre-settlement” history of eastern forests have been made by ecologists, forest historians, and Quaternary geologists and climate scientists throughout the 20th Century to the present. How have our ideas about the age, condition, and processes controlling deciduous forests changed since the pioneering plant ecologists first tackled the question? And, critically, how have our views changed concerning the role of the continent’s first peoples in shaping the forest’s structure and composition?
Evidence from pollen cores and archeological studies now tells us that the most important missing piece in early attempts to tell this story was the significant presence and impacts of indigenous Americans. Ignored, sentimentalized, or discounted by early researchers, the native peoples are now considered an important part of an emerging picture of eastern forests as dynamic systems. They hunted, foraged, burned, cleared portions of the landscape, and, in places, managed their forests to maximize yields of the resources that sustained them.
“Pre-settlement” eastern deciduous forest is therefore a myth, one that taps into the stories we’ve told ourselves of an untrammeled American wilderness, glorified by the 19th Century Romantics and American Transcendentalists. In this program we’ll explore some of the ways our ideas about the development of eastern North American forests have dramatically changed, especially by incorporating the keystone ecological presence of humans on that landscape. We can also discuss the implications of these ideas to contemporary efforts in ecological restoration, habitat preservation, and our concept of wilderness.
A link to the webinar will be emailed to all registered participants before the day of the event.
Instructor: Rob Paratley, University of Kentucky, Forestry and Natural Resources
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Magic Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
2020-07-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, 40515, United States
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, this hike will feature Elk Lick Falls and the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky.
Hiking Level: Moderate
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.

Webinar: Moths of Kentucky with Shelby Fulton
2020-07-14 14:00 - 15:30
With an amazing variety of colors, patterns and sizes, moths are among the most diverse organisms on earth. They play an important role in our ecosystem and share intricate relationships with native plants, birds, and bats. Join us for this webinar with zoologist Shelby Fulton to learn about the wonderful world of moths and how you can participate in National Moth Week.
A link to the webinar will be emailed to all registered participants before the day of the event.
Program Leader: Shelby Fulton, Terrestrial Zoologist, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
Refund Policy: Refunds are permitted for cancellations made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. To request a refund, email info@floracliff.org.
