The Women’s hike is a time for women of all ages and occupations to join together, relax, and connect in the serene beauty of our natural world. Before we head to the woods, we will meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum to hear a presentation from our guest speaker. We will enjoy a packed lunch, which participants are asked to bring with them, and then depart on one of the stunningly beautiful trails near the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Bring your female friends and family to meet new people, share stories, and celebrate the beauty, balance, and biodiversity of Mother Nature!
photo: Red Bat by Lexie Stevenson
Women’s Walk in the Woods
Autumn Date - Saturday, October 3, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Held at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Registration fee: $20.00
Please fill out the registration form and complete your payment in order to register for the Women’s Walk in the Woods program.
Please join us for the Fall 2026 Women’s Walk in the Woods on October 3, 2026. We are delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Amy Stevens from Dragonfly Garden Wildlife Rescue, and her two brown bat ambassadors, Elvira and Debanhi.
Bats: Our Mysterious and Marvelous Flying Mammals!
Amy Stevens will be our guest speaker for the day. She joins us from Dragonfly Garden Wildlife Rescue, an Ohio Division of Wildlife Category 2 Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility based in Batavia, Ohio. Dedicated to the compassionate care, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and displaced native wildlife, Dragonfly Garden Wildlife Rescue serves as a vital bridge between people and the ecosystems we share — promoting understanding, protecting biodiversity, and fostering a culture of conservation.
Amy will share her engaging bat education program tailored especially for our event. The presentation will explore the fascinating and often misunderstood world of bats: their biology, ecological roles, behaviors, and why these remarkable creatures deserve our appreciation and protection.
The highlight of the presentation will be a rare, up-close encounter with Elvira and Debanhi, two live ambassador bats who call Dragonfly Garden Wildlife Rescue home. As permitted ambassador animals, they serve as living representatives of their species, transforming what can be an abstract conservation message into a personal, memorable experience.
We hope through the program you gain a newfound appreciation of bats — and maybe even affection — for one of nature's most mysterious and marvelous mammals!
We will meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum for the presentation and a bring-your-own picnic lunch before heading out to hike one of the beautiful trails near the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.
Bring your female friends and family to meet new people, learn about what we can do to support native habitats, and enjoy nature.
Make it a weekend trip by reserving one of our lodges today! Lodging at Highlands Nature Sanctuary | Arc of Appalachia.
Schedule
10:00 am: Sign in and get to know each other at the Appalachian Forest Museum.
10:30 am: Program Begins with an introduction to the Arc of Appalachia and review of the day’s agenda.
10:45 am: Guest Speaker Presentation: Amy Stevens with Dragonfly Gardens discussing Bats: Our Mysterious and Marvelous Flying Mammals.
12:00 -12:45 pm: Enjoy a bring-your-own picnic lunch in the company of fellow hikers.
1:00 – 4:00 pm: Naturalist-led hike (select a first, second, and third choice for your hike during the registration process.)
What to Bring
packed lunch
water
binoculars
good hiking shoes
hiking stick or poles
appropriate clothing/rain gear
Cancellation Policy
WE WILL HIKE RAIN OR SHINE unless the weather or trails become too hazardous.
Sorry, there are no refunds for cancellations of this event, The registration fee will be considered a donation to the Arc of Appalachia. Please try to find someone to fill your place as this program will run rain or shine.