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 March from PEWS, our collaborators, and community partners around Greater Cincinnati!

GrowFest 2026: Managing Rainwater
Saturday, March 14th, 10:00-11:30am. The Civic Garden Center: 2715 Reading Rd Cincinnati, OH 45206.
Join the Civic Garden Center for an insightful exploration of sustainable gardening during unpredictable weather. Discover the importance of capturing and storing rainwater and gain a deeper understanding of how to build your own rain gardens to support thriving plants. This week, learn the basics of rainwater management, receive a curated list of climate-friendly plants, and take a guided walk to see real-world collection systems in action. Learn more here!
For more opportunities to explore sustainable gardening and plant care with the Civic Garden Center:
- Saturday, March 14, 1:30-3pm: Herbal Salves & Balms
- Tuesday, March 17, 6-7:30pm: Soil Health for Gardeners
- Tuesday, March 24, 6-7:30pm: Native Plants for Shade
- Saturday, March 28, 1-2:30pm: Essential Garden Herbs
- Tuesday, March 31, 6-7:30pm: Pruning Trees & Shrubs

Cincinnati Nature Center’s Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Course (Online & In-person)
Tuesdays & Thursdays (Mar 10 – Apr 16), 6:00pm-8:00pm (Online) & Saturdays (Mar 28 & Apr 18), 9:00am-5:00pm (In-Person). Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Rd. Milford, OH 45150.
Join the Cincinnati Nature Center for an immersive and educational exploration of Ohio’s natural resources. Discover the rich biology of our region and gain a deeper understanding of citizen stewardship and conservation. This spring, learn from local experts about everything from aquatic life to geology, and take the first step toward becoming an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. Register here!

Cincinnati Nature Center’s Native Plants 101 (Online Course)
Monday, March 9th – Monday, April 20th (Self-Paced). Online.
Join the Cincinnati Nature Center for a practical and inspiring exploration of native gardening. Discover the human and ecological benefits of planting native species and gain a deeper understanding of how to create a custom garden plan that fits your unique space. This spring, learn about powerhouse native plants, master site assessment, and get the tools you need to build a thriving habitat right in your own backyard. Register here!

Reforest Northern Kentucky
Saturday, March 14th, 9:00am-12:00pm. River Road, Fort Thomas, KY 41075.
Join the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy and the Northern Kentucky Urban and Community Forestry Council for a hands-on exploration of urban reforestation! Discover the impact of restoring our local environments and gain a deeper understanding of how to rehabilitate native lands. This weekend, learn directly from the experts and help plant 200 trees to breathe new life into a 22-acre local property. Learn more here!

Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop
Saturday, March 21st, 1:00pm-3:30pm. Camp Washington Perennial Farm, 3220 Colerain Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45225.
Join the Common Orchard Project and Green Umbrella for a hands-on exploration of fruit tree grafting. Discover the different techniques for grafting apple and pear trees and gain a deeper understanding of how to grow your own backyard food. This month, learn directly from the experts, get equipped with all the necessary tools and rootstock, and leave with several newly grafted trees ready to plant at home or in your community garden. Register here!

Science Time – Cincinnati
Wednesday, March 18th, 6:00-8:30pm. Fibonocci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd, Cincinnati, OH.
Science Time supports science and learning about all branches of science with monthly laid-back educational meetups. Each month is a new topic, and everyone is welcome! See updates on their social media here.

Mothers as Science Storytellers
Available Now – Thursday, March 12th. Online.
Join PEWS in celebrating the release of “Mothers as Science Storytellers,” the newest addition to the Cambridge Elements in Public Engagement with Science series. Discover the power of maternal narratives in science communication and gain a deeper understanding of inclusive storytelling. This month, dive into this brand-new release by Emma Frances Bloomfield and read it entirely for free online before the open-access window closes. Read it here!

Expanding Healthy Local Procurement Using the Foodservice Guidebook Webinar
Wednesday, March 4th, 11:00am-12:00pm. Online.
Join Green Umbrella for an insightful virtual training session on building resilient regional food systems. Discover why local food matters and gain a deeper understanding of how to advocate for healthy local procurement in your community. This week, learn actionable strategies, hear real-world success stories from a local food director, and get the tools you need to foster community resilience through increased local purchasing. Learn more here!

Community—and Science—Guided Conservation in Madagascar
Wednesday, March 18th, 7:00pm. Frisch’s Theater at the Cincinnati Zoo, 52 Erkenbrecher Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45220.
Join the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for an inspiring Barrows Conservation Lecture on wildlife preservation in Madagascar. Discover the powerful intersection of scientific research and local community priorities, and gain a deeper understanding of how integrated approaches lead to real conservation success. This month, learn directly from expert Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka as she shares two decades of experience successfully protecting vulnerable tree and amphibian species. Learn more here!

UC Regional Science Day!
Saturday, March 14th. Tangeman University Center (Great Hall), 2600 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45221.
Join the University of Cincinnati for an inspiring showcase of student innovation at the Regional Science Day and Engineering Expo. Discover incredible hypothesis-based research and engineering design projects, and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific advancements happening right in our community. This month, support the next generation of scientists and explore data-driven projects spanning multiple disciplines. Learn more here!

Bean There, Done That: How Caffeine Kicked the World into High Gear
Saturday, March 14th, 9:30am-11:00am. Caldwell Nature Center, 430 W North Bend Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45216.
Join Cincinnati Parks for a hilarious and educational journey through the history of caffeine! Discover how a humble bean and a feisty leaf changed the world, and gain a deeper understanding of how coffee and tea rewired human history. This month, enjoy a laugh-out-loud crash course with horticulturalist Ruthann Spears, complete with delicious free samples. Register here!