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.
April 2026
Landscaping for Birds
April 1-30
Over thousands of years, birds and plants have evolved to rely on one another for survival needs, from food to protection to dispersal of seeds and pollen. Walk the trails around the visitors center to learn about native plants you can plant in your garden to attract birds.Flying Squirrel Sit
Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
The southern flying squirrel is a secretive species you might not see if you aren’t intentionally looking. Join us for a short presentation followed by a 1-mile hike to sit and wait for these amazing critters. This hike covers unpaved and sometimes uneven trails, so sturdy footwear is a must. (Preregistration required.)Cincinnati Astronomical Society: Roving Mars
Friday, April 10, 8:30-11p.m.
The Cincinnati Astronomical Society will present on the history of exploration. Afterwards, if the skies are clear, join CAS members outside for some time with their telescopes.Birding 101
Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-noon
Are you just getting into birding and don’t know where to start? Come join a Birding 101 talk and learn some tips and tricks to help get you started this spring. Afterwards, join us on a short hike to put your new skills to the test. A limited number of binoculars will be available for use during the program.Bird Banding
Sundays, April 12 and 26, 7-11 a.m.
Migration is kicking in, and bird banding season is just getting started. Come out to see some birds up close and learn about their behaviors. This program’s location will be posted at the visitors center parking lot on the day of the program.Adult Science Night: Macroinvertebrates
Friday, April 24, 6-7:30 p.m.
For this science night we will bring the pond indoors to our Community Meeting Room — no muddy boots required! Use tools such as microscopes to get a close look at some of the smaller creatures living below the surface of our ponds.Cold War Book Club: Plutopia
Saturday, April 25, 4-5 p.m.
Plutopia is a comparative history examining the environmental and social impacts of plutonium production in the United States and Soviet Union during the Cold War. Come out and discuss this book with fellow readers.Monthly Bird Walk: Spring Movers
Saturday, April 25, 8-11 a.m.
Join us on our monthly bird walk as we look for spring migrants — from warblers to waterfowl and even some shorebirds, there are a lot of birds we could find on this 2-3 mile walk. This hike will cover unpaved and sometimes uneven trails, so sturdy footwear is a must.The 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.