Floracliff Nature Sanctuary

Butterflies and Hostplants Walk
2025-06-20 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Join us in the field to observe butterflies and learn about their life cycles

To 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, we will scout for butterflies in the field and forest. Along the way, we’ll discuss tips for butterfly identification, the relationships between butterflies and plants, and how to support butterflies in home garden and landscapes.
Program Leader: Beverly James, Floracliff Preserve Director
Bring: water, your favorite butterfly guide if you already have one, sunhat, close-toed shoes
Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate (full sun)
**All minors participating this program must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Hike distance and difficulty: 1-1.5 miles; rated easy to moderate, due to summer temperatures and sun exposure

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Biology Careers: What it’s like to be a bat biologist
2025-06-28 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Kentucky Nature Preserves biologist Gregg Janos will lead this youth program to highlight the field work of a bat biologist

If 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 and animals, travel, and hike outside! We will discuss how to become a biologist and the different jobs there are. Specifically, you will learn what it is like to be a bat biologist. You will learn about the bat species of Kentucky, how biologists study them, and even get to practice being a bat biologist yourself!
This program is for ages 8 and up.
Program Leader: Gregg Janos, KHLCF/Wild Rivers Coordinator, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
Hike difficulty: easy
Bring: water
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera
The meeting location will be emailed to all registered participants a few day before the program.

FLOC: First THURSDAY Birding
2025-07-03 08:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from our collection.

Support Floracliff with a Donation
Floracliff depends on community support to offer these free events. Your donations support programs to promote knowledge and appreciation of nature and projects to protect, steward, and monitor the sanctuary and its wildlife. You can easily donate online at Floracliff.org.

What is FLOC?
FLOC (Floracliff Ornithology Community) was established in 2018 as a monthly community science project to document Floracliff’s bird diversity and seasonal changes. These free bird walks are led by advanced birders who are also trained Floracliff volunteers. It offers a fun opportunity for beginner and intermediate birders to to learn from others and for advanced birders to pass along their knowledge and experience. Over the years, FLOC has developed established route(s) to maintain a systematic approach to collecting data. All FLOC observations are shared to eBird.

Birdwatching Guidelines & Ethics
The American Birding Association (ABA) states “Birding should be fun and help build a better future for birds, for birders, and for all people”. As FLOC outreach continues to grow, we want these outings to remain enjoyable and educational for birders of all levels, while also minimizing impact to the birds being observed. The ABA provides a comprehensive Code of Birding Ethics found here. In short, we expect those attending FLOC outings to minimize disturbance to birds and fellow birders by practicing the following:

Minimize habitat disturbances by staying on the trail.
The use of audio recordings should be limited and at the discretion of the FLOC leader(s).
Be mindful and cautious around active nests; give them space.
Document birds honestly.
Be respectful of the interests, rights, and skill levels of fellow birders by keeping conversations quiet and helping others spot and learn about birds in the field.

Moth Night
2025-07-24 21:00 - 22:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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, when we will have a few light stations set up with sheets to get a close-up look at our moths and other nocturnal insects. Bring a flashlight!
Program Leader(s): Floracliff Naturalists
Hiking Level: Easy
Bring: water, flashlight
**All minors participating this program must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Kids Hike: Pond and Stream Discovery
2025-07-29 10:00 - 12:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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. For ages 5-10.
Hike Leader: Isabel Cochran, Land Stewardship Technician
**All minors participating in this program must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Hike distance and difficulty: up to 1.5 miles; rated easy to moderate
Bring: water
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera
The meeting location will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

FLOC: First Friday Birding
2025-08-01 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-05 08:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-05 09:00 - 12:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 a pair from our collection.

Support Floracliff with a Donation
Floracliff depends on community support to offer these free events. Your donations support programs to promote knowledge and appreciation of nature and projects to protect, steward, and monitor the sanctuary and its wildlife. You can easily donate online at Floracliff.org.

What is FLOC?
FLOC (Floracliff Ornithology Community) was established in 2018 as a monthly community science project to document Floracliff’s bird diversity and seasonal changes. These free bird walks are led by advanced birders who are also trained Floracliff volunteers. It offers a fun opportunity for beginner and intermediate birders to to learn from others and for advanced birders to pass along their knowledge and experience. Over the years, FLOC has developed established route(s) to maintain a systematic approach to collecting data. All FLOC observations are shared to eBird.

Birdwatching Guidelines & Ethics
The American Birding Association (ABA) states “Birding should be fun and help build a better future for birds, for birders, and for all people”. As FLOC outreach continues to grow, we want these outings to remain enjoyable and educational for birders of all levels, while also minimizing impact to the birds being observed. The ABA provides a comprehensive Code of Birding Ethics found here. In short, we expect those attending FLOC outings to minimize disturbance to birds and fellow birders by practicing the following:

Minimize habitat disturbances by staying on the trail.
The use of audio recordings should be limited and at the discretion of the FLOC leader(s).
Be mindful and cautious around active nests; give them space.
Document birds honestly.
Be respectful of the interests, rights, and skill levels of fellow birders by keeping conversations quiet and helping others spot and learn about birds in the field.

Golden Hour Elk Lick Creek Exploration
2025-08-05 17:30 - 20:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 through the creek bed. Hopefully there will still be enough water in August for our feet to get wet! This program is suitable for youth and adults.
Hike distance and difficulty: 1-2 miles; rated difficult, due to the steep and uneven trail used to access and return from the creek; there may also be rocky ground and slick spots to navigate in the creek
Program Leaders: Isabel Cochran, Land Stewardship Technician & Dan Patrick, Volunteer Naturalist
Bring: water and a lightweight backpack to carry your personal items
Wear: sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes; long pants are recommended to avoid poison ivy and nettles along the trail
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera, extra socks/shoes to change into after the hike
In the event of hot weather and low water, the destination of this program may be changed.
The meeting location will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the hike.
Please be sure to provide correct email addresses and cell phone numbers for all registered participants in order for us to share important hike details and changes.

Place Value: An art exhibit and talk w/ Laura Mentor
2025-08-08 18:30 - 20:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 of local biodiversity reflect an artist’s reverence for the tapestry of Nature. Compositions are interwoven with common information graphics which, in effect, illustrate our lives apart from Nature. The intention is to bring to light our assumptions about place value.
Existential pressures at work against Nature, the arts, science, education, etc., call us to reimagine the agency art can exercise in a time of crisis.
Exploring the potential of the arts to educate, engage disparate viewpoints and motivate change has driven Laura’s work in mixed media. This experimental work has been created over many years, alongside her work in stained glass for public libraries and hospitals.
Laura Mentor has been a public artist in KY since 2004. Folk dancing, historic costuming, shape note singing, vegetable gardening, hiking and embroidery are some of her pastimes. She and her husband Steve Bennett lead plein air drawing and painting events at Floracliff several times a year.

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Seminar: Lichens, Plants, and Air Quality
2025-08-12 18:30 - 20:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | KY
Join us for a seminar at the Trail’s End Lodge with Roberta Burnes

Presenter: Roberta Burnes, Kentucky Division of Air Quality
Come 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 ozone damage on milkweed and other native plants.
Roberta Burnes is an environmental scientist advisor and educator with the Kentucky Division for Air Quality. She is a certified Master Environmental Educator and an avid champion of lichens and clean air.
This program is part of the Bluegrass Biodiversity Seminar Series, which offers free evening presentations on Kentucky’s natural history and biodiversity in the historic Trail’s End Lodge.
This event is generously sponsored by Vulcan Materials so that all attendees can join for free.

Summer's Last Butterflies: From field to forest
2025-09-12 13:00 - 16:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Join us to search for the season’s last butterflies

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, we will scout for butterflies in the field and forest. Along the way, we’ll discuss tips for butterfly identification, the relationships between butterflies and plants, and how to support butterflies in home garden and landscapes.
Program Leader: Beverly James, Floracliff Preserve Director
Bring: water, your favorite butterfly guide if you already have one, sunhat, close-toed shoes
Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate (full sun)
**All minors participating this program must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Hike distance and difficulty: 1-1.5 miles; rated easy to moderate, due to summer temperatures and sun exposure

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Golden Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
2025-09-18 17:30 - 19:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 trees.
Hike distance and difficulty: 1.5 miles; rated moderate, due to steep and uneven terrain; there may also be some slick spots near the creek
Bring: water
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera

Please note the program will begin promptly at 5:30 pm.

The Aster Family - Asteraceae: A workshop with Rob Paratley
2025-09-20 10:00 - 15:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Join botanist Rob Paratley for an introduction to this large and important plant family

The 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 conspicuous throughout the growing season, especially in late summer and fall. Easy to recognize as a family when flowering, the large number of species and its sometimes inconspicuous but important identifying field characters, can overwhelm us. Knowing what to look for and how the family is organized will help! We will review the features and specialized terms that allow us to recognize a composite to the family. Then we will dive into Asteraceae organization (systematics)- learning to recognize groups of genera called tribes- that can help us work our way through and identify most composites, at least to genus. We will look at herbarium specimens and collected live plants, as well as explore late-blooming composites within Floracliff.
Hike distance and difficulty: 3 miles; rated moderate to difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain; there may also be some slick spots near the creek
Program Leader: Rob Paratley
Bring: water, close-toed shoes
**All minors participating this program must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Plein Air Painting & Drawing
2025-09-21 13:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-26 13:00 - 17:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | KY
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 as a group. This is not an instructional workshop, but an opportunity to work independently on artwork for 3 ½ hours. All sessions end with an opportunity for artists to share their work with others. Open to ages 16 and up.
*Bring your preferred painting and drawing supplies
*Ground cloth or seat, water and snacks, insect repellent, sun hat
*Everyone will pack their materials in and out, sometimes a distance of 1/2 to 3/4 mile with moderate difficulty.
Session hosts: Steve Bennett and Laura Mentor
Steve has been drawing all his life. He has over 20 years’ experience teaching/guiding students of many ages in drawing and 3-D design. His love of Nature has recently led to new branches of learning and appreciation for the rich complexities of the natural world.
Laura has developed her eye for Nature’s treasures through a lifetime of hiking, observation and research. She has been creating large scale installations of her ornate, narrative stained glass windows for public buildings and private clients for over 25 years. Her ongoing research into native species and their relationships have informed her recent work. Examples may be viewed at www.lauramentor.com.
Steve and Laura are regular program volunteers at Floracliff.

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Seminar: Kentucky's Wildlife Action Plan
2025-09-23 18:00 - 20:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | KY
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 species
Presenter: Laura Burford, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Developed with state conservation partners and approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky’s Wildlife Action Plan is an assessment of the state’s most at-risk species: including those currently threatened or endangered, those rare or in decline, and endemics for which Kentucky has high conservation responsibility. Kentucky’s plan was revised in 2023 and describes the important habitats, key threats, needed conservation actions, and research and monitoring plans for 527 species of greatest conservation need including: freshwater mussels, fishes, crayfish, songbirds, reptiles, turtles, amphibians, mammals, insects, and plants.
Laura Burford is the Nongame Program Coordiantor with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
This program is part of the Bluegrass Biodiversity Seminar Series, which offers free evening presentations on Kentucky’s natural history and biodiversity in the historic Trail’s End Lodge.
This event is generously sponsored by Vulcan Materials so that all attendees can join for free.

Kids Hike: Meet the Trees
2025-09-30 14:00 - 16:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 the towering trees of Floracliff and get to know them by their leaves, seeds, bark and more! Intended for ages 5-10.
Hike Leader: Isabel Cochran, Land Stewardship Technician
**All minors participating in this program must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Hike distance and difficulty: up to 1.5 miles; rated easy to moderate
Bring: water
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera
The meeting location will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Tree Week Golden Hour Hike to the Kentucky River
2025-10-16 17:00 - 19:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 sun lights up the palisades.
Hike distance and difficulty: 1.5 miles; rated moderate to difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain, loose gravel, and considrable elevation change; there may also be some slick spots near the creek
Bring: water and lightweight pack for your personal items
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera

Rush hour is likely to impact your travel time. Please account for this, as the program will begin promptly at 5:00 PM.

A Tour of Floracliff's Old Oak Trees
2025-10-17 14:00 - 17:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Meet some of Kentucky’s oldest trees on this hike at Floracliff.

Floracliff’s forested ravines are home to some of the oldest known trees in Kentucky. This hike will feature some of these 17th- and 18th-century chinquapin oaks. We will discuss the characteristics of old trees, how trees are aged, as well as the significance and ecology of Floracliff’s old oaks. This hike will also include a break at Elk Lick Falls.
Hike Leader: Beverly James, Preserve Director
Hiking Level: Moderate to Difficult, due to steep, uneven terrain and potential creek crossings
Bring: water
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera
The meeting location will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Beginning Drawing in Nature
2025-10-19 13:00 - 15:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | KY
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 and less scary than you might think!
Session is two hours. 9″ x 12″ drawing paper, clip boards and pencils with be provided (bring any other materials you want).
Open to ages 16 and up (and younger if accompanied by a parent/guardian). Limited to 15 participants.
Session hosts: Steve Bennett and Laura Mentor
Steve has been drawing all his life. He has over 20 years’ experience teaching/guiding students of many ages in drawing and 3-D design. His love of Nature has recently led to new branches of learning and appreciation for the rich complexities of the natural world.
Laura has developed her eye for Nature’s treasures through a lifetime of hiking, observation and research. She has been creating large scale installations of her ornate, narrative stained glass windows for public buildings and private clients for over 25 years. Her ongoing research into native species and their relationships have informed her recent work. Examples may be viewed at www.lauramentor.com.
Steve and Laura are regular program volunteers at Floracliff.

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

New Volunteer Orientation: Habitat Restoration
2025-10-22 10:00 - 13:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Join Floracliff’s team of volunteers and help us protect, restore, and share nature in the Bluegrass.

Now accepting Habitat Restoration volunteers!
Do you want to restore habitat for wildlife while working in nature with good people? Can you commit to working at least two Wednesday morning shifts each month? Join our team of habitat restoration volunteers!
Focus Area: Habitat Restoration
At this time of year, we are specifically in need of volunteers to help with invasive bush honeysuckle removal. The cut-stump technique we use involves handsaws, loppers, herbicide, and perseverance.
We depend on volunteers.
Floracliff volunteers are important stewards and ambassadors for the sanctuary. They help us accomplish restoration goals; share the biodiversity, natural history, and cultural history of the sanctuary; participate in local and global community science projects; maintain our trails, facilities, and infrastructure; and so much more.
Volunteer Commitment and Training:
Floracliff depends on volunteers who participate at least twice each month, typically on Wednesday mornings. New Volunteer Orientations are offered annually. Ongoing training is offered for committed volunteers.

Before registering for this orientation, please read through all of the Frequently Asked Questions to be sure volunteering at Floracliff is a good fit for you and your current lifestyle.
If this commitment doesn’t work for your current schedule, we completely understand.
We hope you’ll instead support Floracliff by registering for our educational and inspirational programs.

Birding for Beginners with Dan Patrick
2025-10-25 10:00 - 12:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 of binoculars (we have nice ones you can use for the day); what to look for when you see a bird; discuss some free apps that help you figure out what you are seeing and we’ll go see some birds! The bird walk through the field and forest will be slow and relaxing, and we’ll end with watching some feeders for our most common feeder birds.
This program is for beginner birders ages 9 and up. Young birders are especially encouraged to join. If you are an intermediate birder who is interested in birding programs at Floracliff, look for our first Friday FLOC walks on our event calendar.
Program Leader: Dan Patrick, Floracliff Volunteer
Hike distance and difficulty: 1.5 miles; easy – moderate
Bring: water
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera
The meeting location will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

The Natural Word: Nature Journaling at Floracliff
2025-10-25 13:00 - 15:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Hone your observational skills through journal writing, as we use our words and drawings to explore Floracliff in different seasons.

Hone your observational skills through journal writing, as we use our words and drawings to explore Floracliff in different seasons. This hike will give you permission to sit and soak in the life around you, open your senses to appreciate and imagine a bit of each creature’s sensory environment, or study the intricate beauty in a stone or a leaf. Whether you’ve nature journaled for years, or this is your first foray, all are welcome. We will have specific tasks during each hike that will give you a structure on which to build your journal entries.
During times of cold or rainy weather, the writing portion of the program may move indoors.
Program Leader: Carol Spence, Floracliff Volunteer
Hiking Level: moderate
Bring: a journal, pen or pencil, water, a mat to sit on
Optional: colored pencils, water colors, hiking poles, snack, camera, binoculars
This program is recommended for adults and youth ages 12 and older.

Floracliff has multiple entry gates. The meeting location for this program will be emailed to all registered participants a few days before the program.

Fall Molds and Mushrooms with Megan Buland
2025-11-01 13:00 - 16:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Come join us as we explore the fantastic world of fungi found at Floracliff.

Come join us as we explore the fantastic world of fungi found at Floracliff. We will discuss mushroom biology and ecology, and highlight the basics of how to identify different kinds of fungi. We will also highlight the many roles fungi can play in ecology and forest health, from the good, to the bad, to the downright creepy.
Hike Leader: Megan Buland, PhD Candidate, University of Kentucky
Hike distances: ~ 2 miles; rated moderate, due to steep and uneven terrain
Bring: water
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera

**All minors participating this program must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Fall Long Hike
2025-11-08 10:00 - 14:30 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
Ponder the scenic forest views of mid-autumn as we explore trails throughout the Sanctuary.

On this long hike, we’ll trek along our upland trails and down ravines to visit Elk Lick Creek, Elk Lick Falls, and the oldest documented tree in Fayette County.
Program Leader: Floracliff Naturalists
Hiking Level: Moderate to strenuous in difficulty due to the steep terrain; uneven and sometimes slick surfaces; hike duration (4.5 hours) and distance (about 4 miles)
Bring: water and snacks/trail-lunch; a lightweight pack to carry your items
Optional: hiking poles, camera, binoculars

We’ll take a break at the creek, so be sure to bring your lunch and appropriate clothing layers for whatever the day may bring.

Winter Solstice Golden Hour Hike to the Kentucky River
2025-12-19 15:00 - 17:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
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 sun lights up the palisades.
Hike distance and difficulty: 1.5 miles; rated moderate to difficult, due to steep and uneven terrain, loose gravel, and considrable elevation change; there may also be some slick spots near the creek
Bring: water and lightweight pack for your personal items
Optional: hiking poles, snack, camera

FLOC: First Friday Birding January
2026-01-02 09:00 - 12:00 (Africa/Abidjan) | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, 40515, US
