Weather Policy: For the safety and enjoyment of our visitors, all programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, including rain, wind, and severe weather warnings and advisories.
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Join us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Creating Art in Nature at Elk Lick Falls
Join us for a few hours of making art at a scenic location in the sanctuary.If you have an interest or desire to broaden your skills as a naturalist and artist, come join us for these art making sessions sited within the beautiful nature preserve at Floracliff. We’ll be outside creating art!Skill level:Some experience with […]
Golden Hour Hike to the Kentucky River
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This hike will head down to the Kentucky River floodplain, where setting […]
Elk Lick Creek Exploration
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USSpend time in a section of Elk Lick Creek to enjoy the scenery and learn about its role in supporting biodiversity.More details coming soon.Bring: water, closed-toe shoes, hiking stick (optional)Hike Leaders: Floracliff naturalistsHiking level: Moderate to difficult, with a steep descent to the creek and potentially slick creek conditionsThe meeting location will be emailed to […]
Creating Art in Nature at Elk Lick Falls
Join us for a few hours of making art at a scenic location in the sanctuary.If you have an interest or desire to broaden your skills as a naturalist and artist, come join us for these art making sessions sited within the beautiful nature preserve at Floracliff. We’ll be outside creating art!Skill level:Some experience with […]
The Raptors of Kentucky: Natural History and Conservation
Join us for a presentation on the raptors of Kentucky with avian biologist Michael Patton.Learn about Kentucky’s birds of prey, from the most common to those rarely seen, and the ongoing efforts to help the state’s raptor species of greatest conservation need.Presenter: Michael Patton, Avian Biologist, Kentucky Department of Fish and WildlifeThis program is part […]
Creating Art in Nature in the Forest
Join us for a few hours of making art at a scenic location in the sanctuary.If you have an interest or desire to broaden your skills as a naturalist and artist, come join us for these art making sessions sited within the beautiful nature preserve at Floracliff. We’ll be outside creating art!Skill level:Some experience with […]
Creating Art in Nature in Elk Lick Valley
Join us for a few hours of making art at a scenic location in the sanctuary.If you have an interest or desire to broaden your skills as a naturalist and artist, come join us for these art making sessions sited within the beautiful nature preserve at Floracliff. We’ll be outside creating art!Skill level:Some experience with […]
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Golden Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest known […]
Creating Art in Nature in Elk Lick Valley
Join us for a few hours of making art at a scenic location in the sanctuary.If you have an interest or desire to broaden your skills as a naturalist and artist, come join us for these art making sessions sited within the beautiful nature preserve at Floracliff. We’ll be outside creating art!Skill level:Some experience with […]
Butterfly ID for Beginners
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USLearn how to ID the most common butterflies of the BluegrassTo celebrate Pollinator Week, we are highlighting central Kentucky's butterflies.Nearly 150 butterflies have been documented throughout the state. This indoor presentation will feature some of the most common summer butterflies in the Inner Bluegrass region. Participants will learn tricks for identification, basic biology of butterflies, […]
The Bumble Bees of Kentucky
Join us for a presentation on the bumble bees of Kentucky with invertebrate biologist Katie Cody.Join us for a presentation on the bumble bees of Kentucky.Presenter: Katie Cody, Invertebrate Biologist, Office of Kentucky Nature PreservesThis program is part of the Bluegrass Biodiversity Seminar Series, which offers free evening presentations on Kentucky's natural history and biodiversity […]
Creating Art in Nature in the Forest
Join us for a few hours of making art at a scenic location in the sanctuary.If you have an interest or desire to broaden your skills as a naturalist and artist, come join us for these art making sessions sited within the beautiful nature preserve at Floracliff. We’ll be outside creating art!Skill level:Some experience with […]
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
The Natural Word: Nature Journaling at Floracliff
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USHone your observational skills through journal writing, as we use our words to explore Floracliff in different seasons.Hone your observational skills through journal writing, as we use our words to explore Floracliff in different seasons. These hikes will give you permission to sit and soak in the life around you and open your senses to […]
Golden Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest known […]
Meadow Snorkeling w/ Blake Newton
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USA program for all ages. Join as as we dive down into the meadow with an entomologist!Join as as we dive down into the meadow! We'll get CLOSE to investigate bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that are visiting Floracliff's flowers. The colors, shapes, and behaviors are as diverse as anything on a coral reef! Bring […]
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Golden Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This hike will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest […]
Kentucky’s Land Snails: Citizen Science in Action
Join us for a presentation on the land snails of Kentucky with Dan and Judy DoursonPresenters: Dan and Judy DoursonJoin Dan and Judy Dourson as they share their passion for one of the lesser known organisms, land snails. The program will focus on the importance of land snails in a healthy ecosystem and provide an […]
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
The Meso-mammals of Kentucky
Join us for a presentation on the meso-mammals of Kentucky with wildlife biologist Courtney HayesPresenter: Courtney Hayes, Kentucky Department of Fish and WildlifeLearn about the mammalian meso-predators that live among us in Kentucky. For these mammals, it’s eat or be eaten. Join Floracliff and Wildlife Biologist Courtney Hayes with the At-Risk Species division of the […]
Golden Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This hike will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest […]
New Neighbors and a Ticking Clock: the ecology of ephemeral ponds w/Cy Mott
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USThe ecology of ephemeral ponds with Dr. Cy MottLearn about the ecology and evolution of organisms inhabiting the fishless ephemeral ponds and streams of Kentucky. Join EKU aquatic ecologist Dr. Cy Mott to discover these seasonal ecosystems that, despite their small size, harbor immense vertebrate and invertebrate diversity despite being small enough to often be […]
Plein Air Painting & Drawing
Join fellow artists on a hike to a scenic spot within Floracliff to draw and paint over 4 hours.Join fellow artists on a hike to a scenic spot within Floracliff to draw and paint over 4 hours. Artists provide their own materials and must pack in and out over varying terrain as a group. This […]
Bluegrass Land & Nature Symposium
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for the 2nd Bluegrass Land and Nature Symposium!Registration opens August 1st.On Saturday, September 28, we’ll have a full day of programs led by regional experts for the 2nd Bluegrass Land & Nature Symposium. This event explores the intersection of natural and built environments and how we can be better stewards of nature – […]
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Birding for Beginners
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for a Birding for Beginners walk and sit during fall migration. This program is for those ages 9 and up.If you’ve ever thought birdwatching would be fun or interesting but didn’t know how to start come join us for a Birding for Beginners walk and sit. We’ll discuss the use of binoculars (we […]
Beginning Drawing in Nature
We'll focus on how to begin a drawing in a way that is easier and less scary than you might think!This is a workshop specifically for potential artists young and old who say: " I can't even draw a stick figure". We'll focus on how to begin a drawing in a way that is easier […]
Golden Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This hike will feature Elk Lick Falls and one of Kentucky’s oldest […]
New Volunteer Orientation: habitat restoration
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin Floracliff's team of volunteers and help us protect, restore, and share nature in the Bluegrass.Now accepting Habitat Restoration volunteers!Do you want to restore habitat for wildlife while working in nature with good people? Can you commit to working at least one Wednesday morning shift each month? Join our team of habitat restoration volunteers!We depend […]
Tree Week Golden Hour Hike to the Kentucky River
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees. This hike will head down to the Kentucky River floodplain, where setting […]
Floracliff’s Sentinels: A tour of the sanctuary’s old oak trees
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USMeet some of Kentucky's oldest trees on this hike at Floracliff.Floracliff’s forested ravines are home to some of the oldest known trees in Kentucky. This hike will feature some of these 17th- and 18th-century chinquapin oaks. We will discuss the characteristics of old trees, how trees are aged, as well as the significance and ecology […]
Plein Air Painting & Drawing
Join fellow artists on a hike to a scenic spot within Floracliff to draw and paint over 4 hours.Join fellow artists on a hike to a scenic spot within Floracliff to draw and paint over 4 hours. Artists provide their own materials and must pack in and out over varying terrain as a group. This […]
The Natural Word: Nature Journaling at Floracliff
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USHone your observational skills through journal writing, as we use our words to explore Floracliff in different seasons.Hone your observational skills through journal writing, as we use our words to explore Floracliff in different seasons. These hikes will give you permission to sit and soak in the life around you and open your senses to […]
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]
Fall Long Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USPonder the scenic forest views of mid-autumn as we explore trails throughout the Sanctuary.On this long hike, we'll trek along our upland trails and down ravines to visit Elk Lick Creek, Elk Lick Falls, and the oldest documented tree in Fayette County.Program Leader: Floracliff NaturalistsHiking Level: Moderate to strenuous in difficulty due to the steep […]
Intro to Winter Tree ID – Looking at all the clues
Join botanist Rob Paratley to learn how to identify trees without their leaves.Many people think that identifying trees after they've dropped their leaves is a difficult challenge. Most guides focus on leaf form and arrangement. In this workshop we will learn that there are other clues to tree identification that, if you know what to […]
FLOC: First Friday Birding
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY 40515, Lexington, KY, USJoin us for birding with the Floracliff Ornithology Community (FLOC)!Start your day with an easy-paced bird walk. Experienced birders will guide you on a 1-2 mile loop through grassland and forested habitat. We'll take our time to document all the birds we see and hear during this community science based program. Bring binoculars or borrow […]