PEOPLE AT THE INTERSECTION OF COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION

When it opened in 1971, the Rowe Visitor Center set the bar as one of the country’s leading nature center visitor facilities. It expanded our ability to connect people with nature while providing comfortable amenities and ample space for events and educational programs. With only a few thousand visitors a year, this modest-sized building was sufficient for the time. Today, nearly 60 years since the Nature Center opened, our beloved 17,500 square-foot Rowe Visitor Center has reached the limits of what it can safely and comfortably offer to the 300,000+ visitors we currently serve per year. The time has finally come to once again demonstrate Cincinnati Nature Center’s national leadership by providing a new, state-of-the-art Visitor & Education Center to meet and exceed the expectations of our members, visitors, educators and learners.

Our Vision for the New Visitor & Education Center Includes:

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES:

From energy-efficient systems to modern restroom facilities, the innovative infrastructure will be designed to minimize our environmental footprint and maximize comfort and safety for our guests.

EXPANDED SPACE:

We’ll expand from 17,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet, providing ample room for exhibits, educational programs, and community gatherings. With this expanded space, we can accommodate our new level of visitorship and offer enhanced amenities for all.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Great care will be taken to ensure that facilities are inclusive, accessible, and comfortable for everyone, so that all members of our community can access and enjoy our extraordinary nature center.

STAFF OFFICE SPACE:

Our exceptional team deserves efficient, accessible, and highly functional office space that will foster better teamwork and communication.

EXPANDED PARKING:

The parking lot will be expanded to meet the needs of our visitors, even on our busiest days.

INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS:

Dive deeper into the wonders of nature with interactive exhibits from wildlife viewing areas to hands-on learning experiences, exhibits will engage visitors of all ages, highlighting biodiversity and the beauty and complexity of our natural world.

COMMUNITY GATHERING HALL:

A versatile space for hosting events, workshops, and community meetings, the gathering hall will serve as a hub for connection and collaboration. Whether attending a lecture, participating in a workshop, or simply gathering with friends, this space will foster meaningful interactions and inspire a sense of belonging.

NATURE EDUCATION WING:

Every year thousands of school children and adults engage in and are inspired by our best-in-class education programs. Specially designed classroom space will open up directly to sheltered outdoor deck space, then straight to the trails. This interface with the outdoors will provide abundant exploration and a safe learning environment during any weather condition.

The new Visitor & Education Center at Rowe Woods will connect people with programs and nature in transformational ways. With greater energy efficiency and inspiring design and functionality, it will set a new standard for what it means to be an extraordinary nature center.

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