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Winter or First Signs of Spring Botanical and Bird Walk
Theme: Winter or First Signs of Spring Botanical and Bird Walk
Location: Spring Grove Cemetery
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Meet: 10:00 A.M. at Spring Grove Cemetery, along the road just beyond the tunnel from the main entrance on Spring Grove Avenue
Leader: Denis Conover, (513) 390-0863, conovedg@hotmail.com
This late February field trip to Spring Grove Cemetery will look more like winter than early spring as snow will probably still be on the ground. Even though the snow will have begun melting, a winter landscape will greet us and it will be interesting to see if we can find any signs of the coming spring. Regardless, our regular Spring Grove leader, Denis Conover, will focus on whatever nature brings us. Denis has become our designated ASO field trip leader for our monthly Spring Grove Cemetery field trip. Denis is a UC biology professor, an ASO Board Member and an expert botanist and naturalist. And he loves Spring Grove and knows it as well as anyone.
As always Denis will take us on a walk and point out the diverse botanical community and seasonal birds found at Spring Grove Cemetery. He will identify the tremendous diversity of trees, shrubs, and other plants that can be found here and expound on their ecology. He will also point out our native flora, invasive species, and ornamental plantings as well as show us some of the champion trees found here. Denis has interests in all aspects of natural history and he will be sure to point out the birds and other fauna we are sure to see. So come along and join Denis to see the beautiful grounds of the cemetery on what should be a beautiful winter or early spring (your guess is as good as mine) morning walk and gain some tips and insight into plant identification and their natural history as well as winter resident bird species.
Participants should be prepared for a few hours of steady 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 grass or snow. This will be a three to four hour walk but you can always end your walk whenever you like. Denis is always willing to stay later if anyone wants to go longer. We suggest wearing good waterproof footwear and dress for cold temperatures. Binoculars are not necessary to see plants but are recommended if you have them, or want to see birds clearly. Restrooms are available at the cemetery office.
Snow will not cancel this field trip. Severe winter weather of course would cancel the trip. If you are unsure at the time, don’t hesitate to contact Denis.
Directions: 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 on the right side of the road.
Spring Grove Cemetery website:
https://www.springgrove.org/locations/spring-grove-cemetery-arboretum/
Spring Grove Cemetery Map:
(Contributed by Jay Stenger)