Registration Requirements: Preregistration required.  

Intended Audience: This program is designed for adults. Interested children ages 10 and up may attend but must be accompanied by an adult.

Program Description: Inspired by ancient traditions of global human usage of aromatic plants for incense, you’ll learn to make incense from locally foraged/harvested plants. Whether you want to follow one of our recipes or go creatively freestyle, you’ll learn strategies for blending aromatic plants with binders to craft and hand-mold your own DIY incense cones.

In this class, we’ll:

• Provide an overview of the history of incense.
• Touch on the sustainability of incense plants on the global market.
• Head out to forage for some plant material.
• Share stories of the plant species we’re using.
• Explore how incense making speaks to Cincinnati Nature Center’s conservation work.
• Address incense safety in the home and for our pets.
• Send you home with inspiration and ready-to-use incense cones. (You’ll have the opportunity to trade incense blends with others in the class)

What to Expect: We will likely be sitting or standing for periods of time, as well as walking. We will be heading out to collect plant material (participants may opt out of the plant gathering portion of this program). 

• Trails/areas used during this program are rated as moderate (some elevation changes; trails may be uneven or could be slippery when wet) for a planned distance of 0.25-0.5 mile at a moderate pace.
• Restrooms are available at the start and end of the program. Restrooms are not available on the trails.
• This program is mostly outdoors with indoor options available in the case of severe weather.
• Pets are not permitted at Cincinnati Nature Center programs or events.
• Program runs rain or shine

What to Wear: Dress for the weather. Long pants and closed-toe hiking boots/shoes are strongly advised. 

Where to Meet: Registered participants will meet at the Creekside Barn at our Long Branch Farm & Trails location. (6926 Gaynor Rd, Goshen, OH 45122)

Cost: Ticket fees include daily admission.

Frequently Asked Questions: What plants will be available for incense crafting? Focusing on plant material sustainably harvested from our properties, we’ll utilize native plants, including juniper (red cedar), sassafras leaf, sassafras twigs, spicebush twigs, slippery elm, mountain mint, and probably sweetgum twigs, as well as non-natives such as mullein and mugwort.

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.