Floracliff Nature Sanctuary

Floracliff's forested ravines are home to some of the oldest known trees in Kentucky. This hike will feature many of these 17th- and 18th-century chinquapin oaks. We will discuss the characteristics of old trees, the uniqueness of Floracliff’s old trees, and their significance to the region. We will also stop to appreciate spring wildflowers blooming on the forest floor. We are thrilled to offer this special hike for free thanks to the generosity of sponsors David and Kathy Rees Johnson!

End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This will head down to the Kentucky River floodplain, where setting sun lights up the palisades.

Calling all community scientists! This program will focus on exploring Floracliff’s field, forest, and aquatic habitats in search of reptiles and amphibians for the City Nature Challenge. We recommend that each registered party have at least one member who has, or can create, an iNaturalist account in advance of the program.

Calling all community scientists! This program will focus on exploring Floracliff’s ponds and forest edges after dark for the City Nature Challenge. We’ll focus on discovering and documenting frogs, moths, and more. We recommend that each registered party have at least one member who has, or can create, an iNaturalist account in advance of the program.

Celebrate Earth Day at Floracliff with a easy stroll through the forest to see spring wildflowers, migrating birds, and more. This hike will be mostly on a paved 1/3-mile driveway to the Trail End Lodge. Seating will be available outside the Lodge to relax and view the bird feeding stations for an hour.

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.

Join us for a wildflower hike to Elk Lick Falls. Hopefully, we will see some of our earliest spring wildflowers, such as bloodroot, trout lilies, and spring beauties. This hike will highlight identification, ecology, and pollinator relationships of our spring ephemerals.

End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This will head down to the Kentucky River floodplain, where setting sun lights up the palisades.

Meet with botanist Rob Paratley for a two-part program at Floracliff Nature Sanctuary. We will have a look at a number of fruit types of native trees. Then we will hike a portion of the Preserve to see some of the fruit of the trees and shrubs in the field.