Registration Requirements: Preregistration required.

Intended Audience: This program is designed for adults.

Program Description: Learn by doing as you contribute to a cause. We’ll enjoy each other’s company as we hand harvest ramps for this year’s foraged dinners. Ramps, also called wild leeks, are a culinary forest herb highly sought after, and considered a rare delicacy with a flavor blend similar to garlic and scallions. As an ephemeral spring plant, it’s only out for a short time and it’s sensitive to overharvest. 

During this harvesting hike, you’ll: 

• learn about habitat for ramps and associated woodland ephemeral wildflowers (with a nod to edible and poisonous species). 
• practice ramp identification, as well as learning to identify an important poisonous look alike. 
• learn how to sustainably harvest from our wild population by helping us harvest. This is the only time (this year) you’ll be able to help harvest ramps on CNC properties. 

Note: Always ask for permission from the landowner before foraging. Cincinnati Nature Center sees upwards of 200,000 visitors per year—if even a fraction of those visitors harvested, it would have an impact on the site (and what’s available for programs). Please join us for a foraging program. 

What to Expect: This foraging experience will be a blend of partial hands-on activity with hiking and harvesting. 

• Terrain: Uneven terrain with hills and/or steps. When we reach our harvesting location, we’ll be stepping off trail.
• Pace: Hike (Consistent movement at a brisk pace). We’ll hike out to the ramp patch, with minimal stops, harvest, then hike back. 
• Distance: Between 2 and 3 miles total. 
• Stops: Bathroom and bench stops to start and end program. 
• Food: When we get back from the hike, we’ll be serving samples of a couple items that contain ramps, including ramp butter.

What to Wear: Be prepared for on-trail walking with some off-trail harvesting. Long pants suggested.  

What to Bring: Bring a water bottle. A harvesting basket would be helpful (we have extras if you forget yours). 

Where to Meet: Participants should meet at the map kisok in front of the Rowe Visitor Center at our Rowe Woods location. 

Cost: Ticket fees include daily admission.

Check your email for registration information regarding this transaction. SAVE A TREE, please retain your order number or save an electronic copy of the email acknowledgement as a receipt. You may be asked for your order number from your transaction to gain entry at the gate/to attend your program. Visitor Services associates can also verify your etickets from the order number or by name.

Please note that our program and cancellation policies vary. By completing registration for this program, you agree to the following general program policies.