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 August 2025
Temporary Exhibit: Radiation in History
August 1-31
Radioactive materials have fascinated scientists since their discovery in the 19th century. This fascination has trickled into pop culture and has evolved as our knowledge of these materials has expanded. Come to the Fernald Visitors Center and explore culture’s perception of radiation, from its discovery to the modern day.Cincinnati Astronomical Society: The Perseids!
Friday, August 8, 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Join Cincinnati Astronomical Society as we discuss the Perseid meteor shower: what causes it, how is it so predictable and what makes it so interesting? After a short presentation, check out some actual meteors or enjoy some time with CAS volunteers and their telescopes — or even just sit under the sky to look for shooting stars!Perseid Meteor Shower Peak Watch Party!
Tuesday, August 12, 9-11:30 p.m.
It’s supposed to be peak time for the Perseid meteor shower, so we’re staying open late around the Visitors Center so you can come check them out! Bring a blanket, or a chair, or even just sit in your car and watch as the meteors go by!Beaver Sit Friday
August 15 & 22, 8-9 p.m.
Beavers have shaped and changed many of the ponds around the preserve — bring a chair or a towel and come out to watch these amazing rodents leave their lodges and paddle about for the night!Cold War Book Club: The Radium Girls
Saturday, August 16, 4-5 p.m.
The Radium Girls is a captivating cultural history of radium. The book focuses on a series of court cases in which young women, ravaged by the effects of radium, took on powerful radium companies in court.Moth Night!
Saturday, August 23, 9-11:30 p.m.
Did you know there are nearly ten times more species of moths than of butterflies?! Come learn about some of the moths you might find in your own backyard, because Moth Nights are back for the summer! Join us outside as we look for these amazing nocturnal critters! Preregistration is required.Monthly Bird Walk: Former Waste Units
Saturday, August 30, 8-11 a.m.
Come explore the area that was once the waste units in the northern part of the site! Fall migrants should be plentiful in this area, and summer breeders who haven’t left yet may be hanging around!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 45013
Month-at-a-Glance July 2025
What’s in a Name?
July 1-31 during visitors center hours
The area where Fernald Preserve sits today has gone through many different names and roles throughout the history of the United States. From the colonial era through westward expansion to the Cold War, see how Fernald and the surrounding area has fit into the nation’s history.Butterflies of Fernald
Wednesday, July 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
What butterflies might you find around the preserve and what’s a North American Butterfly Association butterfly count? Come and find out with a short presentation about the butterflies of Fernald, their host plants, and what you can do to help them. Afterward, join us on a 1-mile hike around the Shingle Oak Trail.Cincinnati Astronomical Society: To the Moon!
Friday, July 11, 8:30-11 p.m.
Join the Cincinnati Astronomical Society as we talk about current plans for making it back to the moon, including topics such as the Lunar Gateway orbital space station. Stick around after the presentation for some time with CAS volunteers and their telescopes.Moth Night
Saturday, July 19, 9-11:30 p.m.
Did you know there are 10 times the number of moths than there are butterflies? Come learn about some of the moths you might find in your backyard. Moth Nights are back for the summer, so come join us outside as we look for these amazing nocturnal critters. Preregistration is required.Adult Science Night: Insects Up Close
Friday, July 25, 7-8 p.m.
Bugs, bugs, and more bugs — calling all adults curious about the natural world! Join us for an indoor exploration of all things buggy with this hands-on exploration of the world of insects up close from the comfort of our visitors center.Monthly Bird Walk: South Field
Saturday, July 26, 7:30-11 a.m.
Join us on our monthly bird walk as we go through the South Field. This area encompasses much of the southwestern side of the site and has many breeding grassland birds, woodland birds, and a variety of other wildlife. This area is typically inaccessible to the public and will include unpaved gravel trails, 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.