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.
Canceled: Forest Fridays: June
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesWith a commitment to conservation and a curiosity about the natural world, our volunteers offer a unique perspective of Floracliff. In 2020, these dedicated volunteers are leading a series of afternoon hikes, highlighting the trails and terrain that they care for at Floracliff.
Webinar: Butterflies of Central Kentucky: Identification, Diversity, & Ecology
Kentucky is home to over 150 butterfly species. This webinar presentation will feature over 45 of our most common summer butterflies in Central Kentucky. Participants will learn tricks for identification, basic biology of butterflies, and their relationships with native plants. We will also cover citizen science projects and resources so that participants can document and share their butterfly observations.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Webinar: Moths of Kentucky with Shelby Fulton
With an amazing variety of colors and sizes, moths are among the most diverse organisms on earth. They play an important role in our ecosystem and share intricate relationships with native plants, birds, and bats. Join us for this program to kick off National Moth Week.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Magic Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, this hike will feature Elk Lick Falls and the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky.
Webinar: The Myth of “Pre-settlement” Eastern Deciduous Forest: Changing Ideas About its History and the Importance of Humans on the Landscape
In this program we’ll explore some of the ways our ideas about the development of eastern North American forests have dramatically changed, especially by incorporating the keystone ecological presence of humans on that landscape.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for groups of up to 4 or 8 people. One ticket covers everyone in your group.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for groups of up to 4 or 8 people. One ticket covers everyone in your group.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for groups of up to 4 or 8 people. One ticket covers everyone in your group.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket. Please limit the group to no more than 4 households.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket. Please limit the group to no more than 3 households.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket. Please limit the group to no more than 3 households.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket. Please limit the group to no more than 4 households.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket. Please limit the group to no more than 4 households.
Magic Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, this hike will feature Elk Lick Falls and the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky.
Webinar: Fantastic Fungi and Where to Find Them with Megan Buland
Come join us as we explore the fantastic world of fungi in this webinar. We will discuss mushroom biology and ecology, and highlight the basics of how to identify different kinds of fungi. Commonly found mushrooms of Kentucky will be featured, as well as discussion surrounding the many roles fungi can play in ecology and forest health, from the good, to the bad, to the downright creepy. Just in time for fall rains and the mushrooms that accompany them, join us for an evening of fun fungi facts.
Private Guided Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesIn lieu of our regularly scheduled hikes and programs, we are currently offering limited private guided hikes at Floracliff on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Guided hikes are available for a group of 1-4 people for $40/ticket OR a group of 5-8 people for $80/ticket.
Elk Lick Falls Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesJoin us for a hike through the woods to Elk Lick Falls. We’ll spend about 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Falls Branch below Elk Lick Creek. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights. Expect to hike about 1.5 - 2 miles total.
Woods to Water Walk
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesJoin us for a hike through the woods to the creek. We'll spend about 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Elk Lick Creek. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights. Expect to hike about 3 miles total.
Webinar: Trees for Butterflies
When it comes to the ecological relationships between butterflies and plants, trees may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, trees play an important role for many butterflies - as host plants, nectar and sap sources, shelter, and habitat. Join Floracliff Preserve Director Beverly James for this webinar on how butterflies interact with trees throughout their lifecycle as well as the tree species that are most important to our native butterflies.
Magic Hour Hike to Elk Lick Falls
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, this 1.5-mile hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky.
Elk Lick Valley Exploration Hikes
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesJoin us for a hike through the woods to the creek. One hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature Elk Lick Creek, the heart of the sanctuary. We’ll spend about 30 - 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Elk Lick Creek or Falls Branch. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights.
Autumn Magic Hour Hikes
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, one hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature the confluence of Elk Lick Creek and the Kentucky River. Each hike will be 1.5 - 2 miles in length.
Autumn Magic Hour Hikes
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesEnd your day with a quiet and relaxing “magic hour” hike at Floracliff. Starting two hours before sunset, one hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature the confluence of Elk Lick Creek and the Kentucky River. Each hike will be 1.5 - 2 miles in length.
Elk Lick Valley Exploration Hikes
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesJoin us for a hike through the woods to the creek. One hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature Elk Lick Creek, the heart of the sanctuary. We’ll spend about 30 - 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Elk Lick Creek or Falls Branch. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights.
Webinar: Native Peoples of the Bluegrass: From Hunter-gatherers to Farmers
For millennia, diverse native groups have called the rich Bluegrass region "home." Focusing on those resources - plants, animals, stone, clay, water - we review the dynamic human-environment interaction that began when humans arrived in the region at the end of the last ice age.
Elk Lick Valley Exploration Hikes
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesJoin us for a hike through the woods to the creek. One hike will head to Elk Lick Falls and feature the oldest documented chinkapin oak in Kentucky. The other hike will feature Elk Lick Creek, the heart of the sanctuary. We’ll spend about 30 - 45 minutes exploring and observing the surprises of Elk Lick Creek or Falls Branch. Use your smartphone or digital camera to share your observations on iNaturalist, or forget the technology and just enjoy the sights.
Webinar: Lichens 101
Join Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves botanist Kendall McDonald for this webinar on the wonderful world of lichens! Learn the basics of lichen anatomy, reproduction, and identification. A link to the webinar will be emailed to registrants about 24 hours before the event.
Webinar: The Memories of Past Climate and the Gifts of Ecological Knowledge Engrained in the Rings of Trees
Presenter: Dr. Neil Pederson, Harvard Forest
Trees are witnesses of how our shared environment changes over time. The oldest trees, in fact, and perhaps not surprisingly, often have the best stories. In this webinar, Dr. Neil Pederson will share how people have learned to recognize and “interview” the eldest trees in the forest. Their stories can gives us insight on the dynamics of our world.
Kentucky Nature Trivia: Bluegrass Biodiversity
Join Floracliff Nature Sanctuary and fellow nature lovers for a virtual trivia night. We will test your knowledge on our local trees, frogs, butterflies, and more!
Webinar: Classifying Nature after Linnaeus: Charles Darwin’s Insight Changes the Conversation
Presented by: Rob Paratley, University of Kentucky
This webinar presented by Rob Paratley begins in 18th Century Sweden with botanist Carl Linnaeus, the so-called “Father of Taxonomy” (the science of classifying Nature). Linnaeus’ conversation with Nature, the How and What of Nature’s diversity, are with us yet today, but he and those that followed left unanswered the questions of Why. Why is Nature patterned the way that Linnaeus first saw? What causes natural groups? What does natural affinity actually mean? Religious men and creationists, the best they could do was to invoke the plan of the Deity. This changed forever with Darwin’s Great Taxonomic Insight. Rob will discuss how Darwin’s evolutionary thinking changed forever the way we converse with Nature.
Hike: Signs of Spring Wildflower Hikes
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesJoin us for a hike to find the earliest spring wildflowers. One hike will head to the Kentucky River floodplain, while the other hike will look for the snow trilliums and feature Elk Lick Creek.
Webinar: The Ecology of Spring Ephemerals
Presented by Beverly James, Preserve Director
As the days become longer and the temperatures begin to warm, the forest floor comes alive with spring wildflowers and the wildlife they attract. This webinar will guide you through the wildflower season at Floracliff, taking a closer look at the phenology, pollinator relationships, and natural history of our most treasured spring wildflowers.
Hike: Early Spring Wildflower Hike
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesJoin us for a wildflower hike to Elk Lick Falls. Hopefully, we will see some of our earliest spring wildflowers, such as bloodroot, trout lilies, and spring beauties.
Hike: Wildflower Hikes
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesBy late March, our spring wildflower season should be in full swing. We will be offering two separate hikes to view wildflowers throughout the sanctuary.
Hike: Wildflower Hike to Elk Lick Creek
Floracliff Nature Sanctuary 8000 Elk Lick Falls Road, Lexington, KY, United StatesThis should be a good time to view a variety of early spring ephemerals at Floracliff. We hope to see sessile trillium, Virginia bluebells, yellow trout lilies, and many more.
