What to Know:

Out in the Outdoors is a monthly series for outdoor exploration designed for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. All are welcome to join us as we engage with nature in a myriad of ways. The friendly and welcoming Great Parks program leaders are proud LGBTQIA+ community members who will share the beauty of the outdoors with you.

Each month, we’ll venture out to one of our gorgeous Great Parks and explore a different topic. Embrace the beauty of the natural world, meet others with a passion for the outdoors, and join a supportive community through exploration. These are free programs and open to all adults.

When & Where: 

Winter Woodland Hike
Jan. 28 | 10:30 a.m. | Shawnee Lookout | Waterhole Meadow Shelter

Winter is a great time to be outdoors. Join us and enjoy the splendor of the winter woodland. We’ll look for signs of animals and explore how they survive the cold season.

Maple Sugaring
Feb. 10 | 10 a.m. | Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve | Pin Oak Trail

Join us as we learn all about maple sugaring! During our time together, we’ll hike through the sugar bush and learn how to identify maple trees, how to tap trees, why trees make sap, how maple syrup is made, and have the opportunity to taste maple syrup.

Woodcock Walk
March 16 | 7 p.m. | Otto Armleder Memorial Park | Picnic Shelter at Multi-Use Trailhead

Join us as we search for one of nature’s reminders that spring is near… woodcocks! During our time together, we’ll hike through the prairie as we listen for the woodcock’s iconic “peent” calls and watch for their dazzling aerial displays.

Stars and Constellations
April 14 | 2 p.m. | Woodland Mound | Seasongood Nature Center

Marvel at the constellations and stars in the middle of the day. We will have a planetarium set up and will guide you through some star stories.

Atlatl and Historical Hike
May 4 | 10 a.m. | Shawnee Lookout | Cedar Bend

Engage in the art of Atlatl throwing, take a peek into the past, and explore the long history of Shawnee Lookout!

Colors of the Rainbow
June 29 | 3 p.m. | Sharon Woods | Sharon Centre

Celebrate pride with all the colors of the rainbow! From natural dyes to native teas, create rainbow flags and polychromatic drinks. Craft and taste the rainbow. 

Terrariums: A Slice of Life
July 27 | 2 p.m. | Great Parks Nature Center at The Summit

What makes an ecosystem? Explore this question with us as we assemble our own miniature landscapes. Attendees will be able to design and create their own closed terrariums to take home.

Mushroom Mania
Aug. 31 | 3 - 5 p.m. | Sharon Woods | Sharon Centre

Let’s hunt in the forest for fungi! First, we will sample some native mushrooms and make spore prints, and then we will go out and try to identify a couple of different mushrooms.

Flora, Fauna, and Folklore
Sep. 21 | 6 p.m. | Woodland Mound | Seasongood Nature Center

People have been telling stories about the natural world to entertain, share information, and teach how to treat each other. Sit by the fire this equinox and hear tales from a variety of cultures to learn about the wildlife around us, and perhaps learn more about ourselves.

Farm Animal Enrichment
Oct. 5 | 2 p.m. | Winton Woods | Parky’s Farm

Come and see the animals at the farm. From goats to alpacas and chickens to ponies, there are awesome animals to amuse anyone.

Fall Tree Walk
Nov. 3 | 10 a.m. | Winton Woods | Kingfisher Trailhead

Stroll through the forest with a naturalist and enjoy beautiful fall colors while learning identification tips for our native Ohio trees.

Stars and Cider
Dec. 1 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Woodland Mound | Weston Shelter

Find peace in the quiet of winter as we look up to the stars, observing Jupiter and Saturn through telescopes on this New Moon. Then relax and sip mulled cider by the fire.