Jeff Nelson, Author at Kentucky Native Plant Society

Red River Gorge

Date of Trip: 04/22/2018
Start Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time
Location: Powell Co., KY
Register: REGISTRATION CLOSED

Several botanical hotspots for spring ephemerals will be explored as we are led by Dave Kuehner, a well-known regional naturalist. Short portions of Martin’s Fork, Rock Garden, and Pinch ‘Em Tight trails should provide many floral highlights, including showy orchis (Galearis spectabilis), large whorled pogonia (Isotria verticillata), spotted mandarin (Prosartes maculata), and pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule). Two of the trails are flat and the other has a couple of short uphill sections.

Be sure to pack water and a lunch. Restrooms are at each trailhead.

Directions: Take Interstate 64 to Exit 98 for the Bert Combs Mountain Parkway. Drive 32 miles on the Mountain Parkway to Exit 33 (Slade.) Turn right off the exit ramp onto Route 11 and go .1 mile to turn right into the Rest Area. We will meet in the Rest Area parking lot near the train caboose.

Beech Fork Wild River Conservation Area

Date of Trip: 04/21/2018
Start Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time
Location: Pulaski Co., KY
Register: REGISTRATION CLOSED

Join us as we are guided through this special preserve by Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission ecologist Martina Hines. Protected here is the Beech Fork Ravine which flows into the Rockcastle River. Rich spring wildflowers and a mature hemlock mixed forest will be explored and unique species will be highlighted.

Driving directions and meeting information will be provided upon registration.

Thompson Creek Glades State Nature Preserve

Date of Trip: 04/07/2018
Start Time: 12:00 noon Eastern Time
Location: Larue Co., Kentucky
Register: REGISTRATION CLOSED

Deb White of Woods and Waters Land Trust will lead us through the high-quality, limestone hill glades above Thompson Creek. Although soil here is rocky and shallow, a number of showy prairie/glade plants thrive. We expect to find hairy puccoon (Lithospermum canescens), birdfoot violet (Viola pedata), and Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) as well as other spring species. Part of the field trip will be off trail, around 2 miles, moderate to difficult due to off trail conditions. Driving directions and a meeting location will be provided upon registration.

Highland Cemetery

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.

Floracliff Nature Sanctuary

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.

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