Join us to see Floracliff's spring wildflowers.Join us for a spring wildflower hike to see Floracliff's wildflowers at their peak. This hike will highlight identification, ecology, and pollinator relationships of our spring ephemerals.Hike Leader: Beverly James, Preserve DirectorHike distance and difficulty: 1.5-2.5 miles (route will be determined by wildflower activity); rated moderate due to steep […]
Join us for a Birding for Beginners walk and sit just as spring migration is underway. This program is for those ages 9 and up.If you’ve ever thought birdwatching would be fun or interesting but didn’t know how to start come join us for a Birding for Beginners walk and sit. We’ll discuss the use […]
Join us to see Floracliff during peak wildflower season.Join us for an early spring wildflower hike to see the first blooms of the season. This hike will highlight identification, ecology, and pollinator relationships of our spring ephemerals.Hike Leader: Dan Patrick, Volunteer NaturalistHike distance and difficulty: 1.5-2.5 miles (route will be determined by wildflower activity); rated […]
Hike with a botanist at Floracliff during peak wildflower season.More details coming soon!Hike Leader: Tyson Gregory, Trees LexingtonHike distance and difficulty: 1.5 - 2 miles; rated moderate to difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain; there may also be some slick spots near the creekBring: waterOptional: hiking poles, snack, cameraThe meeting location will be emailed […]
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest known […]
Join botanist Rob Paratley for a wildflower hike at Floracliff.Join botanist Rob Paratley for a close look at Floracliff's spring wildflowers. He'll discuss some basics of flower shape and structure, as well as their relationships to each other and how they fit into Floracliff's mesophytic forest.Hike Leader: Rob ParatleyHike distance and difficulty: 1.5-2 miles; rated […]
Experience the spring beauty of Floracliff on this wildflower hike to Elk Lick FallsExperience the spring beauty of Floracliff on this wildflower hike to Elk Lick Falls. This hike will highlight identification, ecology, and pollinator relationships of our spring ephemerals. We'll take a break at Elk Lick Falls.Hike Leader: Beverly James, Preserve DirectorHike distance and […]
Join fellow artists on a hike to visit Floracliff's old oak trees for a few hours of drawing and painting.Come together with fellow artists for a hike to spend a few hours drawing and painting while sitting with Floracliff's old oak trees. Artists provide their own materials and must pack in and out over varying […]
Join us for a seminar at the Trail's End Lodge with Rachael PeakePresenter: Rachael Peake, Frankfort Audubon SocietyDiscover how protecting our night skies can help migrating birds! This exciting presentation dives into the connection between bird migration, light pollution, and International Dark Sky Week. Learn how Kentuckians—including our first statewide Dark Sky chapter—are taking action […]
Join the 2025 City Nature Challenge – a global community science event to document nature in our cities.Join the 2025 City Nature Challenge in Lexington, KY! From April 25 through April 28, make observations of wild plants, animals, and fungi anywhere in Fayette County. Your observations will contribute to one of the largest community science […]
Join Floracliff's team of volunteers and help us protect, restore, and share nature in the Bluegrass.Now accepting Community Science and Garden Stewardship volunteers!Do you want to participate in community science or steward native plant gardens? Can you commit to working at least two Wednesday morning shifts each month? Join our team of volunteers!Garden stewards are […]
Learn about the birds of the Kentucky River Palisades during peak spring migration.Ben Leffew, Preserve Manager of Shaker Village, and Michael Patton, avian biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, will lead this bird walk at Floracliff. Participants will learn to identify birds by sight, sound, behavior, and habitat. This program takes place […]
Join wildlife biologists Courtney and Michaela to learn more about Kentucky's snakes and meet a few of them in person.Join wildlife biologists Courtney and Michaela to learn more about Kentucky's snakes and meet a few of them in person.Presenters:Courtney Hayes, Wildlife Biologist, KY Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesMichaela Rogers, Wildlife Biologist, KY Department of […]
We'll focus on how to begin a drawing in a way that is easier and less scary than you might think!This is a workshop specifically for potential artists young and old who say: " I can't even draw a stick figure". We'll focus on how to begin a drawing in a way that is easier […]
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This hike will head down to the Kentucky River floodplain, where setting […]
Join us for a seminar at the Trail's End Lodge with Dr. Dan PotterPresenter: Dr. Dan Potter, Professor Emeritus, Department of Entomology, University of KentuckyIn 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature added the monarch butterfly to its Red List of Threatened Species, classifying it as Endangered. This talk will help attendees to better […]
We're excited to be hosting Raptor Rehab of Kentucky for this live raptor program. This program is for participants 8 years old and up.We're excited to host Raptor Rehab of Kentucky for a 60-minute program with live raptors.Raptor Rehab of Kentucky Inc. is the largest raptor only rehab center in the state. They takein 350-400 […]
Join us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Join fellow artists on a hike to visit Floracliff's old oak trees for a few hours of drawing and painting.Come together with fellow artists for a hike to spend a few hours drawing and painting while sitting with Floracliff's old oak trees. Artists provide their own materials and must pack in and out over varying […]
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest […]
Join us for the 2nd Bluegrass Land and Nature Symposium!On Saturday, June 14, we’ll have a full day of programs led by regional experts for the 2nd Bluegrass Land & Nature Symposium. This event explores the intersection of natural and built environments and how we can be better stewards of nature – at home and […]
Join us in the meadow as we search for our bug buddies! For ages 5-10.Join us in the meadow as we search for our bug buddies! We will investigate the various tiny critters that call Floracliff home. This hands-on program will encourage families to explore nature and take a closer look at their arthropod neighbors. […]
Join us in the field to observe butterflies and learn about their life cyclesTo celebrate Pollinator Week, we are highlighting central Kentucky's butterflies and the plants they depend on.Over 70 butterflies have been documented at Floracliff. This diversity is supported by the variety of habitats and plants found throughout the sanctuary. During this outdoor program, […]
Kentucky Nature Preserves biologist Gregg Janos will lead this youth program to highlight the field work of a bat biologistIf you like plants, animals, or simply like being out in nature, did you know that you can make a living out of your passion by becoming a biologist? You can get paid to study plants […]
Join us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)! Please note the change to Thursday for this month only.Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear […]
Join us during National Moth Week to explore the moth diversity of Floracliff.Floracliff has a diversity of moths that come in many different sizes and colors. These insects play an important role in the ecosystem, having intricate relationships with our native plants, birds, and bats. Join us for this program to celebrate National Moth Week, […]
Who's living below the surface? Meet new friends who live in our ponds and streams. For ages 5-10.Who's living below the surface? Meet new friends who live in our ponds and streams during this family-friendly program at Floracliff Nature Sanctuary. We will take an easy hike and get our hands dirty with some educational fun. […]
Join us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Spend time in a section of Elk Lick Creek to enjoy the scenery and learn about its role in supporting biodiversity.Join Floracliff naturalists for a “golden hour” creek walk exploring the lower stretch of Elk Lick Creek. We’ll look for wildlife living in the stream and along the limestone cliffs as we make our way […]
Join artist Laura Mentor for an evening exhibit and reception at the historic Trail’s End Lodge.Join artist Laura Mentor for an evening reception at the historic Trail’s End Lodge at Floracliff. She will discuss her show of paintings and collages, Place Value, assembled to coincide with the recent Bluegrass Land & Nature Symposium.Her meticulous depictions […]
Join us for a seminar at the Trail's End Lodge with Roberta BurnesPresenter: Roberta Burnes, Kentucky Division of Air QualityCome learn what lichens and native plants can tell us about the air we breathe. Roberta Burnes will teach you how to categorize lichens by their sensitivity to sulfur and nitrogen pollution, and how to identify […]
Join us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Join us to search for the season's last butterfliesOver 70 butterflies have been documented at Floracliff. This diversity is supported by the variety of habitats and plants found throughout the sanctuary. During this outdoor program, we will scout for butterflies in the field and forest. Along the way, we'll discuss tips for butterfly identification, the […]
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest known […]
Join botanist Rob Paratley for an introduction to this large and important plant familyThe Asteraceae, or composites, contain more species of flowering plants than all others (but the orchids). There are more composites in our regional flora, and indeed any temperate flora, than any other plant family. They inhabit just about every habitat and are […]
Come together with fellow artists for a hike to spend a few hours drawing and painting while sitting with Floracliff's scenery.Come together with fellow artists for a hike to spend a few hours drawing and painting while sitting with Floracliff's scenery. Artists provide their own materials and must pack in and out over varying terrain […]
Join us for a seminar at the Trail's End Lodge with Laura Burford to learn about Kentucky Wildlife Action Plan, a conservation roadmap.Kentucky's Wildlife Action Plan: A conservation roadmap for Kentucky's most vulnerable speciesPresenter: Laura Burford, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife ResourcesDeveloped with state conservation partners and approved by the US Fish and Wildlife […]
Join us during Fall Break for a hike through the woods as we use our senses to learn about our tree neighbors. For ages 5-10.Join us for a hike through the woods as we use our senses to learn about our tree neighbors and the diverse ecosystems they are a part of. We will explore […]
Join us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This hike will head down to the Kentucky River floodplain, where setting […]