Spring Ephemeral Hiking Series

During a short window of time in the early days of spring, tiny woodland flowers burst through the barren forest floor to catch rays of sunlight. These teeny flowers, whose lifespan covers only a few weeks, are called spring ephemerals and can be found right here in Cincinnati!

Join the Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance, along with Western Wildlife Corridor and Cincinnati Parks, for a two-part Meet A Greenspace Hiking series to witness the beauty of the spring ephemeral!

• Spring Ephemeral Series Part One at Buckeye Trace Nature Preserve, Thursday, March 26, from 3-4:30 PM
• Spring Ephemeral Series Part Two at California Woods Nature Preserve, Friday, April 3, from 3-4:30 PM

The Fast Life

In the springtime, sunbeams cascade through barren branches to the forest floor below, slowly warming the soil that still holds traces of winter snow. Before the shadows of the forest’s canopy block out the light, there is a short, yet sweet, time when small wildflowers known as “spring ephemerals” bloom. These flowers quickly emerge in the spring and remain only briefly, taking advantage of the open forest floor before woody plants and debris return. Once their short window passes, they die and return to their underground parts until the next year.

The Ephemerals of Cincinnati

Woodlands full of deciduous hardwoods—like maples, elms, and oaks—cover much of the tri-state area. The word “deciduous” comes from the Latin decidere, meaning “to fall off” and references these trees’ seasonal shedding of leaves. This annual leaf drop creates the perfect conditions for spring ephemerals to thrive.

Although there are many places to spot these fleeting flowers, this hiking series will focus on two special locations. Our first hike will be at the Buckeye Trace Nature Preserve on Cincinnati’s west side, where volunteer restoration has brought back a spectacular display of spring wildflowers. One week later, we’ll explore California Woods on the city’s east side. With the right timing, you may find pockets of this preserve covered in a dazzling array of tiny woodland blooms.

Experience the Ephemerals!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming Meet A Greenspace Hikes at Buckeye Trace and California Woods!

The hike at Buckeye Trace Preserve will take place on Thursday, March 26, from 3:00-4:30 PM, guided by staff from Western Wildlife Corridor. Parking for this hike is located in a gravel parking lot on site at 6438-6466 Hillside Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45233. (Note: the driveway to this preserve is located between two privately owned residences, with it seeming to traverse into their backyard before hooking a left, down a brief and narrow gravel drive to the parking area).

The hike at California Woods will take place on Friday, April 3, from 3-4:30 PM, guided by Cincinnati Park staff. Parking for this hike is available inside the preserve, located at 5400 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230. We will meet near the Nature Center located at the end of the driveway in the center of the park. (Please drive carefully on the one-lane, two-way park road and park at the end of the park road in the parking lot).

These hikes are part of our monthly Meet a Greenspace Hiking series. We hope this opportunity will provide those who join the time and space they need to reconnect with nature. If you have any questions, contact Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance Manager Claire Carlson at claire@greenumbrella.org.