The focus of this field trip will be the diverse botanical community found at Spring Grove Cemetery. Come out and join UC professor, and skilled botanist and naturalist Denis Conover as he leads us on a mid-morning late summer walk through the beautiful grounds of Spring Grove Cemetery. This is a beautiful time of the year and vegetation will be at peak on this date. Denis will identify the tremendous diversity of trees, shrubs and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology. Denis will point out our native flora, invasive species, ornamental plantings and late summer plants that bloom at this season, as well as show us some of the many national and state champion trees found here. One white oak that he will show us is thought to be nearly 400 years old.
So why not come along and join Denis on what could be a glorious fall morning and gain some tips and insight on plant identification and their natural history.
Denis has been involved in various types of botanical research since 1981 and is a professor in the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. Denis has interests in other aspects of natural history as well and he will be sure to point out any birds and other fauna we might run across.
Participants should be prepared for a few hours of walking, most of which will be relatively flat and on pavement, but there will also be some walking off pavement on trails or in damp or wet grass. We suggest wearing good comfortable footwear. Binoculars are not necessary to see plants but are recommended them if you have them. August can be hot so we recommend wearing a hat and bringing water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office.
The Spring Grove Cemetery main entrance is located on Spring Grove Avenue just west of the Winton Road intersection. To find our meeting spot, drive in through the main entrance gates and go straight. You will go through a short tunnel. Just beyond the tunnel, pull over and park alongside the right side of the road. If you have any questions feel free to contact Denis.