NKU REFS-Research & Education Field Station

06/04/2026

What I'm seeing this week in Campbell County.

06/02/2026

Reminder: first program of the summer is tomorrow! We hope to see you there.

05/26/2026

Please use the QR code to sign up for talks. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

05/01/2026

What I found this week in Campbell County! A lot of sedges and bedstraws.

04/17/2026

04/06/2026

Save the Date! Sunday, April 12, KNPS Wildflower Week Kick Off Hike at the North Wetlands

In April 2026, the Kentucky Native Plant Society (KNPS) is having a week-long botany blitz (see their project here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/knps-wildflower-week-2026-botany-blitz ) to lead up to their annual Wildflower Weekend. Kick Off hikes are being offered the weekend of April 11-12. If you're a KNPS member, you can see more information about planned hikes and register at https://www.knps.org/begin-botany-blitz-2026-with-a-kick-off-hike-on-april-11th-12th/

NKU's REFS will be hosting one of these hikes for KNPS at 2 pm, on Sunday, April 12.

Participants can park at the Field Station:
NKU Research and Education Field Station (NKU REFS)
99 Harrison Ct, Melbourne, KY 41059

The grounds around the Field Station host both white (Erythronium albidum) and yellow (Erythronium americanum) trout lilies, and the the yellow-flowered plants are polymorphic for anther color, including both red and yellow individuals (see this observation for more info: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/205786301 ). Trillium sessile and Claytonia virginiana are also common in the area. Later in the growing season, both native species of jewelweed (Impatiens capensis, with orange flowers, and Impatiens pallida, with yellow) will dominate the fencelines near the buildings.

Dr. Whitson (botanist) & Dr. Boyce (plant ecologist) will be giving a guided hike through the fenced, North Wetlands at the St. Anne Woods & Wetlands. We'll take a loop trail through wet woods where we can see typical (but lovely!) spring ephemerals, including Trillium sessile, Claytonia virginiana, Corydalis. Polemonium, and Geranium. Fun woody plants in the area include Lindera benzoin (spicebush) and Asimina triloba (paw-paw).

Moving from the woodlands out into the open wetlands, we'll see shrubby Hypericum and Hibiscus (though no blooms until summer, sadly).

The northern margin of the wetlands provides access to the banks of the Ohio River where we'll see stinging nettle (wear jeans), Equisetum, wild ginger, and lots of silver maples.

KNPS members can register for the hike at the KNPS website ( https://www.knps.org/begin-botany-blitz-2026-with-a-kick-off-hike-on-april-11th-12th/ ). Local iNatters who aren't in the KNPS can just leave a comment here or message me ( m_whitson ) to let me know you're planning to join us.

Suggested gear includes boots (the trails may be quite muddy), jeans (we have poison ivy, multiflora rose, and stinging nettles), water, and bug spray that will deter ticks and mosquitoes. The field station building does have potable water and restroom facilities.

To begin Botany Blitz 2026 and Wildflower Week, on Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th, KNPS will host a series of Kick Off Hikes in parks and natural areas across the Commonwealth.

04/02/2026

What's blooming this week in Campbell County, aka Kentucky's Great White North!

03/25/2026

What's up this week in Campbell County.

03/06/2026

Spring is coming! Check out the video; the spring peepers are deafening!

10/28/2025

The last hurrah before the long winter sleep.