Natural Areas Field Trip: Autumn on the Ashtabula

Join us as we explore the Museum's outstanding Stanton Forest Preserve, followed by a visit to a local winery.

At the preserve, we’ll venture through an old growth forest of American beech, sugar maple, black cherry, and yellow birch, all gorgeous with fall color. Ancient eastern hemlocks line the preserve’s ravines, providing cover for roosting owls and offering a dark green contrast to the colorful leaves of the deciduous trees. Further on, we’ll examine the Museum’s project to reforest the preserve’s old agricultural fields, then pause to admire the beautiful Ashtabula River. Out of 88 species of fish documented in the entire river, 30 breed within the mile-long stretch that courses alongside the preserve—a remarkable figure that speaks to the health of the river here in its middle reaches. After hiking, we’ll make the short drive to an Ashtabula County winery just a few miles away.

This will be a beautiful, varied, informative hike—we hope you’ll join us!

Guides

Garrett Ormiston and Ken Schneider

Location

Exact location and directions will be emailed to registrants prior to the date of the field trip.

Field Trip Intensity

Moderate (hills and possibly muddy spots); family-friendly

What to Bring

Weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy footwear, and perhaps a walking stick or binoculars; don’t forget a bottle of water.

Registration

Nonmembers: $10
Members: $5
Leadership Circle: Free

Note: Members and Leadership Circle, please make sure you are signed in to your account to receive your discount, which will be reflected on the payment page.