What’s Happening

Check out these upcoming events but for the full list of available opportunities, visit our programs page.

‘DISCOVERING DINOSAURS’ CONSERVATORY DISPLAY
February 1-28
Daily, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m
Miller Nature Preserve
2739 Center Rd., Avon, OH 44011
$4/person

Explore the world of dinosaurs as we transform the Conservatory at Miller Nature Preserve into a prehistoric paradise for the entire month of February!  Set among the permanent plant collection within the 5,000 square-foot greenhouse, the 'DISCOVERING DINOSAURS' winter display will feature a variety of artifacts, life-sized replicas, interpretive information and opportunities for hands-on investigation suited for dinosaur enthusiasts and amateur paleontologists of ALL AGES! The Conservatory is open daily 10 am-5 pm with a $4 admission for those aged 3 years and up (FREE for Miller Members and those 2 and under).

Dinosaur-themed programs are scheduled throughout the month of February 2026 to supplement the display!  Registration deadlines, participation fees, and other specifics are detailed below!

Additional Dinosaur Programs:

• Discovering Dinosaurs LIVE Party
  Fri., February 20, 2026 | 6:00-7:30 pm
  $5/person | Registration required

  Drop in for dinosaur-themed activities both indoors and out, and enjoy lighted scenes amongst our garden beds, dinosaur movie shorts and songs, and dinosaur snacks in the Orchid Room!  The $5 registration fee (children 2 years old and younger are free) includes access to the Conservatory's 'Discovering Dinosaurs' display.  Bring along a camera or phone for a photo opportunity with a life-sized Dinosaur/costumed performer! Register by clicking the button below!

• Construct-A-Saurus
  Sat., February 7, 2026 | 3:00-4:00 pm
  Tue., February 10, 2026 | 10:00-11:00 am
  Sun., February 22, 2026 | 3:00-4:00 pm
  Free | Registration required

  Experience first-hand how paleontologists use the fossilized clues left behind to discover how dinosaurs lived. Guided by a Naturalist, participants of all ages will work together to construct a life-size dinosaur puzzle.  This FREE public program is geared for families, limited space available; parents must register alongside participating children. 

• Dinostory Time
  Wed., February 25, 2026 | 11:00-11:30 am & 3:00-3:30 pm
  Free | Registration required

  Enjoy a dinosaur-themed story as we travel back in time!  This free program is geared for families, and registration is required of BOTH adult and child by Feb. 23.

• ‘Discovering Dinosaurs’ Field Trip Opportunities
  Mondays & Tuesday in February | 9:00-10:00 am
  Group Admission: $60 | Registration required

  The Discovering Dinosaurs Field Trip Opportunity provides groups with early access to the exhibit before it opens to the public, creating a relaxed and engaging setting for exploration. Designed for school groups and organized youth programs, this one-hour, self-guided experience includes interactive bio-facts and take-home activity sheets that encourage curiosity, observation, and scientific discovery for learners of all ages.

  DETAILS:

  • Registration is for a quantity of one (1), which represents 1 group

  • Maximum group size is 20 individuals (students and chaperones included)

  • Cost is $60 non-refundable flat fee per group, due at registration

  • Time is 9:00–10:00 am (early access prior to public hours at 10 am)

  • Includes resource kits with hands-on bio-facts and student activity sheets

  IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Registration does not include exclusive use of the facility; up to three groups may be present during the scheduled time

  • Groups must remain together with chaperones at all times

  • Resource kits include a mix of materials; some items must be returned at the end of your visit

• Family Cooking Classes: Kids Dinosaur Fossil Cookies
  Wed., February 18, 2026 | 6:00-7:00 pm
  Sat., February 21, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 pm
  $15/child | Registration required

  Join Chef Alex at Miller Nature Preserve for a fun, hands-on cooking experience! Designed for kids ages 6–12, this class will guide participants step-by-step in making their very own dinosaur fossil cookies—from mixing the dough to shaping and baking. Each child will work individually to create their own batch of cookies.

  Seating is limited. Registration and payment of $15 per participating child are required two days prior to each class.

  This program is not a drop-off event—adult chaperones must remain on-site for the duration of the class. While adult participation is not required, there may be opportunities to assist.

• Modern Dinosaurs Hike
  Wed., February 18, 2026 | 10:30-11:30 am
  Free | No registration required

  We will look and listen for “modern dinosaurs" (birds) that are active in winter.  This is a free 1.5 mile-long hike that is of moderate difficulty. The trail may be muddy and slippery in spots, so please dress accordingly. We plan to meet in the Miller Nature Preserve building lobby and the hike is weather dependent.

HEARTS A GLOW
Fri., Feb. 13, 2026
5:30-8:00 p.m
Schoepfle Garden
11106 Market St., Birmingham, OH 44816
$5/person | Registration required

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart on this gorgeous luminary walk around Schoepfle Garden! Enjoy warm beverages, hot fires, and cool tunes along with some fun surprises! This is a paid, ticketed event that typically sells out, so grab your tickets while they last!

Registrants will select from one of our scheduled entry times. Registrants should arrive at the event during their scheduled 15-minute entry time. This staggered start allows for shorter lines for beverages and a more peaceful, uncrowded trail. Registrants are welcome to enjoy the candlelit garden trail throughout the duration of the event.

MAPLE SUGARING
Feb. 28-Mar. 1 & Mar. 7-8, 2026
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Sugar Shack open house)
12:00-2:30 p.m. (Guided hikes/programs)
Carlisle Visitor Center
12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
Free | No registration required

February is when the ideal conditions for the running of maple sap typically begins. This year, we will be tapping the Carlisle maple trees on February 12 and converting that sap to syrup in our beautiful Sugar Shack--which opened 25 years ago!

Drop by between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm to watch the process, learn about the equipment, and sample some of our home-made maple syrup. There will also be naturalist-led hikes leaving from the Sugar Shack every 30 minutes between 12:30 and 2:30 pm. These hikes will follow the paved Children’s Nature Discovery Trail and includes a stop at one of our sap-collecting sites (known as a “Sugar bush”).

HOMESCHOOL EXPLORERS:
Various park locations
$3 per child

Homeschool Explorers is geared for children learning at home. This program series (September through May) will travel to different park locations to engage your children in nature, science, history, the arts, and recreation!

Depending on the program’s topic and location, children will learn through educational biofacts, nature hikes, activities, games, crafts, or meeting a live animal!  Program fee is $3.00/child. To be able to accommodate as many students as possible only students within the age range listed in the program description (usually ages 7-12) will be permitted to attend and participation waivers are required.  Please dress for the weather.

Registration opens one month prior to the program date.

• SEPTEMBER: Science of Water
  Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | Time: 10:00-11:30 am
  Splash Zone (Oberlin)

  Join us at Splash Zone as we conduct some hands-on experiments that will focus on water. Then, stick around after the program for some discounted pool time!

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 9/8/25. Registration opens 8/15/2025.

• OCTOBER: Birding Hike
  Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | Time: 10:00-11:30 am
  Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

  Learn about the importance of wetlands and why so many species of birds are seen at Sandy Ridge Reservation.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 10/13/25. Registration opens 9/14/2025.

• NOVEMBER: Wildlife Forensics
  Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Columbia Reservation, Briarwood Lodge (Columbia Station)

  Learn how to apply forensic techniques to solve wildlife crimes through hands-on activities and crafts.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 11/12/25. Registration opens 10/13/2025.

• DECEMBER: Animal Tracks and Signs
  Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm
  French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield Village)

  Learn how to identify the animals who live in the forest by looking for tracks, trails, homes, scat, and other signs of wildlife. Please dress for the weather.

  For children ages 7-12.

• JANUARY: Raptors Eat What?!
  Wednesday, January 15, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange)

  What do raptors eat, and why? Find out during owl pellet dissection, bio-facts and an outdoor eating demonstration using our Raptor Center resident birds.  Please dress for the weather.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 1/14/26. Registration opens 11/21/2025.

• FEBRUARY: Snow & Ice
  Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow Carriage Barn

  Learn about snow and ice with a lesson, activity/craft and hike at Vermilion River Reservation! We will learn about the properties of snow and ice, snowflakes, glaciers and icebergs, and the Ice Age in Ohio.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 2/10/26. Registration opens 1/10/2026.

• MARCH: Pollinator Diversity
  Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)

  Discover and learn about some of the lesser-known but still really important pollinators and the plants that depend on them during a hands-on lesson, fun activities, and an engaging Conservatory Tour!

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 3/18/26. Registration opens 1/18/2026.

• APRIL: Seed Starting
  Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

  Learn about how plants grow and how to start seeds at home for a flower or vegetable garden.  Students will start a few seeds to take home and grow for the summer.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 4/14/26. Registration opens 1/15/2026.

• MAY: Migration Madness
  Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | Time: TBD
  Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange)

  Join us as we learn how our feathered friends migrate.

  For children ages 7-12.