
- This event has passed.
Native Medicinal Plant Walk at AOA’s Bonnoront Preserve
May 24 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Enjoy a late spring ramble on AOA’s Bonnoront Nature Preserve in Hocking County. We will see the last vestiges of the spring wildflowers while walking through relatively mature forests as we survey and identify plants of medicinal value growing on this exceptional site.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn about threatened species such as American Ginseng, Goldenseal, and Black Cohosh, their preferred habitats, and tips for growing them on your own property. Historical and contemporary medicinal uses of plants will be discussed as well as their greater ecological significance (pollinators, seed dispersers, wildlife value, et al.).
The 25-acre Bonnoront Preserve is part of AOA’s Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative that has conserved 95 properties and over 6,000 acres. High hills frame a shallow and deep box canyon, showcasing characteristic Hocking Hills landscape features such as spectacular Blackhand sandstone bluffs, a rock shelter/cave, slough rocks, waterfall, relatively mature forest, historic sandstone quarry, as well as a small, forested wetland. The site includes a small riparian corridor along the Hocking River and a Coldwater primary headwater habitat stream. The site has very few invasive species with areas of relatively pristine forest habitat.
This medicinal plant walk will be led by Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH (AHG), clinical herbalist consulting from Sovereignty Herbs in Athens and Columbus, Ohio. Erika utilizes her knowledge of and passion for medicinal plants native to Ohio and the Greater Appalachian region to teach, lecture and write on native medicinal plant conservation and applied ecology, propagation, and clinical efficacy.
The walk will last approximately two to three hours. We will be very informal and will have much to see and discuss! This event is free and open to the public.
Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m.
What to Wear: This activity will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on some slopes.
What to Bring: Lunch, snacks and/or drinks of your choice. Insect repellant is recommended during tick season.
Location: Bonnoront Preserve is located north of Rockbridge just off Highway 33. Park along Bailey Road. Please do not block the road. We will enter the forest via the old dirt road on the far left side of the former Bonnoront house. The Google map address for the property is 25651 Bailey Road, Rockbridge, OH, 43149.