The UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) is back with its monthly feature, Cincinnati Science Roundup. Check out events and news related to science happening in October from PEWS, our collaborators, and community partners around Greater Cincinnati!
Fall Foraging Tour
Saturday, October 5th, 10am-12pm. The Civic Garden Center, 2715 Reading Rd Cincinnati, OH 45206.
Fall is here and the garden is bursting with edible treasures! Join the Civic Garden Center to find the roots, nuts and berries that can add local flavor and nourishment to our winter feasts. During this foraging tour, you’ll learn to identify edible plants in the landscape, their uses and benefits, and the history of their relationships to humans. Come prepared to sample! You may also bring a bag or basket to gather a few of your favorite edible plants to take home. You’ll leave with a new perspective on the common plants around you as well as insight on native plants and our relationship with them.
You do not have to have your own yard to benefit from this class, as responsible urban foraging can be done anywhere . Even people with some foraging experience may learn something new in this class. To get the most out of it, you must be interested in native plants and their history. Children who are old enough to walk around for an hour are welcome. Dress for the weather; class is rain or shine. Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and if you’re a note taker, bring a pocket notebook!
Register here!
The Great Fossil Graveyard
Saturday, October 5th, 2pm. Sharon Centre, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, Ohio 45241.
Every day we walk on the ancient corpses of sea life that once called Cincinnati home. Come to the Sharon Centre for a Halloween inspired talk on Cincinnati fossils and go on a fossil search. Free to all! Hosted by Great Parks, Cincinnati.
Fall Astronomy Day at CAS
Saturday, October 12th, 7-11pm. Cincinnati Astronomical Society Headquarters, 5274 Zion Rd. Cleves, OH 45002.
Join CAS astronomers as they celebrate Fall Astronomy Day on October 12th from 7-11PM. Stop by CAS HQ and look at the 10-day old waxing gibbous moon through their many observatories including their 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor made in 1880. Also visible that evening will be Saturn. See Saturn as its rings become more narrow by the day leading to their temporary disappearance in 2025. Also see star clusters, nebulae and maybe even another galaxy or two. Admission is free. All ages welcome. Program runs from 7-11PM.
Lil’ Sprouts at the Civic Garden Center
Mondays, October 14th and October 28th, from 9-10:30am. Civic Garden Center auditorium, 2715 Reading Rd, 45206.
For: Children ages 3 to 8 and their caregivers. Younger children are welcome but need full parental supervision to participate.
Kickstart your week with a trip to the garden and engage in seasonally relevant activities with the Lil’ Sprouts in your life! This free drop-in series offers our youngest gardeners and nature lovers an opportunity to learn more about the natural world. Learners of all levels are welcome to join in and further their knowledge of plants.
Growing Native Plants from Seed
Tuesday, October 15th, 6-8pm. The Civic Garden Center, 2715 Reading Rd Cincinnati, OH 45206.
Growing your own native plants is cost effective and incredibly satisfying! Come learn how to grow native plants from seed to seedling. The Civic Garden Center will discuss seed collection, stratification, germination and transplanting as well as different seed starting methods using common household items. You’ll even get to sow your own seeds to take home! Register here.
Kids Adventure Challenge: Creepy Critters
Wednesday, October 16th, 10:30am-12:30pm. Glenwood Gardens, 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45215.
Gather with other kids to explore, learn and build community. Critters with six legs and no legs may be featured during the exploration. Perfect for homeschoolers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register here!
HOWL-o-Ween at the Red Wolf Sanctuary
Thursday, October 24th, 6-9pm. The Redmoor, 3187 Linwood Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208.
Step into a world where wildlife thrives and join The Red Wolf Sanctuary for a captivating evening dedicated to honoring their unwavering commitment to wildlife rehabilitation and education. Immerse yourself in the spirit of giving back as they present both a silent and live auction, while enjoying a buffet, desserts and drinks as you bid. Every gesture of support will amplify the sanctuary’s mission to nurture wildlife and inspire others through education. Click here to register!
CoLabEx: Big Ideas, Bigger Impact
Friday, October 25th, 10am-12pm. Annie Laws Room, TEACHER 407, University of Cincinnati.
CoLabEx is an exciting series of workshops and brainstorming events designed to equip graduate students with the skills to work in transdisciplinary teams on impactful projects with local partners such as the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability, The Mill Creek Alliance, and Green Umbrella. Participants will propose creative solutions to the Green Cincinnati Plan as well as other local initiatives.
The symposium on October 25 features a creative showcase, a scholarly exchange between faculty and industry insiders, a brainstorming session by graduate students and a pitch competition. Lunch will be provided for attendees. Winners of the pitch competition will receive up to $1,000 in prize money and funds to support their pitched ideas. Come and enjoy a dynamic symposium and vibrant discussion on solving local environmental problems led by graduate students! Learn more here.
Changing How People Think and Act on Climate Change
Friday, October 25th. 5pm – Reception; 5:30-6:30pm – Presentation. Probasco Auditorium, 2839 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45220.
Climate change is an urgent threat to the people and places we love. Solutions to climate change exist, but we are held back by the lack of public and political will to successfully address the issue. Put simply, the primary barriers are social and psychological in nature. In this presentation, Dr. Matthew Goldberg discusses promising climate change communication opportunities, success stories, and tools for thinking about how we generate the understanding and motivation that is needed to address climate change.
Dr. Matthew Goldberg is a Research Scientist and the Director of Experimental Research at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication at Yale University. His research focuses on persuasion, social influence, and strategic communication about climate change, renewable energy, and other urgent environmental, social, and political issues. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and scientific reports, and his research is regularly cited in prominent news outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post. In 2022, he was named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science, and last year he received the Early Career Achievement Award from division 34 of the American Psychological Association for exceptional research contributions. Five years ago, he co-founded XandY—an independent research and strategy firm that helps the world’s most important ideas and innovations build momentum in society. Register here!
Treeforestation Habitat Restoration Volunteer Workday
Saturday, October 26th, 9am-12pm. Walnut Woods of Evanston, 3259 Sulsar St Cincinnati, OH 45207.
Join the Civic Garden Center for a day of hard but fulfilling work as they continue their restoration efforts at Walnut Woods of Evanston. Tasks will focus on habitat restoration with a prairie planting workday, where they will get some natives in the ground. Remember, no experience is required to attend the workdays! Detailed information will be sent to registered participants, so keep an eye out for your confirmation email. Register here, or email with volunteer@civicgardencenter.org questions!
Fall ReLeaf Tree Application
For the last 37 years, Cincinnati Parks’ Fall ReLeaf program has grown, improved, and sustained the canopy coverage of our city. This highly successful effort has given away 25,000 free trees of over 40 species. In fact, this is one of the programs helping raise Cincinnati’s overall tree canopy 5% (from 38% to 43%). Please consider doing your part to help keep the momentum going by signing up for a tree for your property and encouraging others to do the same. Click here to see the guidelines for applying for a FREE Fall ReLeaf Tree!
Getting Things Done: Civic Engagement for Conservation
Preregistration: Starting now. Program: January-March 2025, 9am-12pm. Krippendorf Lodge at Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Rd., Milford, OH 45150, and over Zoom.
You might hope that local decision makers consider the environment when making plans. But is hoping enough? Nature enthusiasts can help influence whether a community has bike trails, green space, native landscaping, effective recycling, green energy, and more. With just a little effort and engagement, you can bring nature to the forefront of civic conversations. To do so, you’ll need to know how local governments work, where to find information, and where to find opportunities for networking and respectful civic engagement. If you’ve forgotten what you learned in civics class, or never had one, this unique and empowering course will bring you up to speed. This program is designed for adults. Register here.
