A team of high school students focus on environmental sciences while participating in a regional competition-style academic event held at the Fernald Preserve.
The staff at the Fernald Preserve is available to address schools, scouts, senior groups, and other organized groups on a variety of topics relating to the site’s history, mission, groundwater remedy, ecological restoration, environmental sciences, wildlife, ecology, and green building features. Nature and history programs can be customized to meet your group’s specific objectives.
To schedule a program or for more information, please email us at Fernald@lm.doe.gov or call us at 513-648-3330.
To view the Meeting Space and Program Request Policy, Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site click here.
The Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site offers a variety of public programs, privately scheduled programs/speakers, and meeting spaces, in addition to regular visitors center hours, trails, and wildlife viewing areas. Meeting spaces and site-related nature, environmental science, and history programs are available year round.
Month-at-a-Glance September 2025
Beaver Sit
Fridays, September 5 and 19, 7:30-9 p.m.
Beavers have shaped and changed many of the ponds around the preserve — come out and watch these giant rodents swim out of their lodges and paddle about in the ponds! Part of this hike is on off trail unpaved paths, so we recommend wearing sturdy footwear! Preregistration is required.Cincinnati Astronomical Society: James Webb Space Telescope
Friday, September 12, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
The James Webb Space Telescope has been in orbit for just over 3 years — come see the discoveries that have been made thanks to this amazing piece of technology!Moth Night, with special guest Jim McCormac
Saturday, September 13, 8-11:30 p.m.
Join Jim McCormac, regional moth expert and co-author of Gardening for Moths, as we explore the world of the caterpillars and moths that call Fernald their home and what you can do to help moths in your own backyard! Preregistration is required.Trestle Bridge Hike
Sundays, September 14 and 21, 11 a.m.-noon
Take a walk to the Trestle Bridge, the last remaining structure that served the former Feed Materials Production Center. We will walk past the west side of the former production area as well as the former waste pits area. This hike is approximately 1 mile and follows along the Hickory Trail with some off-trail walking to reach the bridge so we recommend wearing sturdy footwear.Fall Migration Bird Banding
Saturday, September 20, 7-11 a.m.
Fall migrants should be moving through the area so come out to the Lodge Pond overlook for a bird banding demonstration. Feel free to drop in anytime during program hours — stay for the whole time or just for a little bit!Monthly Bird Walk: Former Production Area
Saturday, September 27, 7:30-9 a.m.
It’s late in the migration season but some wetland migrants might still be moving through the site. Nelson’s Sparrows and Marsh Wrens are the target of this usually off-access area walk, so come out with us and explore the Former Production Area! This walk will cover approximately 2 miles on unpaved and uneven ground, so we recommend wearing sturdy footwear.All programs begin in the visitors center. To preregister, please email fernald@lm.doe.gov or call (513) 648-3330 and leave your name, contact number and the date of your request. In the event of inclement weather, please call our weather line at: (513) 738-2101.
Fernald Preserve Visitors Center
7400 Willey Road, Hamilton, OH 45013The Community Meeting Room, Resource Room, and outdoor Program Shelter were designed to be used by the public when they are not in use by Fernald Preserve staff. These facilities are available free of charge for noncommercial use by organized groups.
Seating capacity for the Community Meeting Room is 120 for theater seating and 80 for conference seating.
Seating capacity at standard tables in the outdoor Program Shelter is 58.
The seating capacity in the Resource Room is 8 (at a conference table).
The application review process to reserve these facilities could take up to two weeks.
To make a room reservation or for more information, please email us at Fernald@lm.doe.gov or call us at 513-648-3330.
To view the Meeting Space and Program Request Policy, Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site click here.