This past season, Glenwood Gardens underwent a few changes. One of the changes I am most proud of is an upgrade to the Scent Garden in Highfield Discovery Garden. It was a project that was only possible because of the support of our amazing volunteers. The project began with a community grant from United Plant Savers. The grant funded […]

Some bugs are gross, some are cute, some are pretty and some are downright scary! My favorite bug is all of the above. Plus, next to the honeybee, it’s the hardest working insect I know. The insect I’m talking about are actually beetles. Dermestes Maculatus or as they are commonly known, dermestid beetles. These beetles […]

With Halloween just around the corner, many people are adding spooky accessories to their front porches and homes. Some of your neighbors may include a skeleton or two in their displays. However, when it comes to the natural world, skulls and bones aren’t just part of the décor. A skull can be used to identify an animal […]

She was known for years at Great Parks’ annual Weekend in 1800s event as “the butter lady.” Sitting in the big chair made of walnut wood, she would butter crackers for guests with her fresh-churned butter. With each tasty cracker she passed out, she would share a smile along with a story. Many guests would […]

Few insects lift our spirits more than the charismatic monarch butterfly. But why? Maybe it’s their stunning color contrast against the backdrop of a blue sky. Or maybe it’s our appreciation for the massive struggle they face to carry on their species. Adult butterflies emerging at this point in the season are biologically different than […]

Just the other week, we received a desperate call at the naturalist desk informing us that numerous Canada geese were caught in fishing line at the Winton Woods campground. Not only were the geese caught, but children were getting pretty upset about it. So I gathered gloves, a big net, a blanket, food and googles […]

Whether you call them crawfish, crawdads, mudbugs or by their slightly more formal name of crayfish, “freshwater lobsters” illicit some sort of visceral response. Fear is one I often see when I show visitors how to catch crayfish. This reaction makes sense. For one, crayfish look formidable – they’re a virtual underwater tank. Their hard […]

Everyone loves summer! School’s out and warm weather is here. It’s the season of lazy days around the swimming pool, cookouts and family getaways. Summer may be vacation time for us, but it’s one of the busiest times of the year for wildlife, especially Cincinnati’s largest mammal, the white-tailed deer. In our area, does (female […]