Course Focus: During this course, we will be studying the natural history, field recognition, and ecology of ferns, as well as learning some of the club mosses (Lycopodiums), spike-mosses (Salaginellids), and horsetails (Equisetums) of our region. In the eastern temperate forest, ferns can be grouped into four broad categories: 1) the alkaline-tolerant ferns growing on exposed limestone and dolomite bedrocks, 2) fern generalists that can be found in a variety of habitats, 3) ferns adapted to growing on exposed sandstone, and 4) wetland-loving ferns.

This course will concentrate on the first two fern groupings. If there is sufficient interest in this course, we will offer a course in the future that focuses on the latter two groupings - the ferns of the exposed sandstone faces and the wetlands. Together, these two courses will acquaint you with most of the fern species native to our region.

Location: The education headquarters for this event will be at the Manor House of the Arc of Appalachia’s Tremper Mound Preserve.

Attendance: Workshop attendance will be limited to no more than 20 people, with a maximum of 10 people per leader for each field trip.

Leaders: Leaders for this event are Nancy Stranahan, Director of the Arc of Appalachia; and Elijah Crabtree, Manager of Tremper Mound and Simon Farm Preserves. (link to their sites)

Lodging: Lodging is available for an additional fee at the Tremper Mound Manor House. The Manor House is an attractive, rambling 1940s house with many bedrooms that is aesthetic, comfortable, and convenient - since the gathering room for this workshop is at the same location. Linens and towels are provided. Optionally, registrants can choose to stay in one of the several Airbnb offerings in the Portsmouth region - roughly 15 minutes away. Also available are lodge rooms at Shawnee State Park Lodge. The lodge is approximately a 25-minute drive away from the manor house, which, because of the distance, is not as ideal as staying in the manor house or in town. The manor house is truly a "house" that has been remodeled to provide private and semi-private accommodations. One room has a private bath, the others share baths on the hall. Price ranges from $50/per night/person to $85/per night/person. Give our office a call to discuss available options.

Cancellation policy.  In case of cancellation, refunds will be granted in full up until May 13, 2025. After that time, all payments are final and if not used, will be recorded as a tax-deductible donation to the Arc of Appalachia. Registrations are transferable. If transferring your registration to another party, please be sure to give us the recipient’s name and email.

We will be providing a little FERN ID booklet that has proven to be an amazingly helpful aid. For serious learners, we recommend the book: Ferns, Spikemosses, Clubmosses, and Quillworts of Eastern North America (Princeton Field Guides) by Emily Sessa.

Special Perk - June is Firefly Season! Tremper Mound is a FANTASTIC destination for firefly watching in mid-June. On Saturday night we recommend you linger after the program and enjoy the show. All you have to do is walk out the door! We will be happy to orient you to the species that will be flashing this time of the year.

The manor house is right next to one of North America’s most significant indigenous earthworks. All you have to do is walk right outside the door to enjoy the privilege of standing at an ancient sacred site of the Hopewell Culture. Click here for more information on Tremper Mound.

And there is hiking at Tremper Mound Preserve, too! If you have extra time during the breaks, there are three different trails you can choose among at Tremper Mound Preserve.

What should I bring? 

• Cell phone for taking pictures of fern and their allies as your self-made field guide.

• Tremper is dark-sky country. Bring a flashlight or just use your phone.

• Raingear is recommended as this course will go on rain or shine. Consider a wide-brimmed hat to shed the rain.

• Water bottle and day pack to carry your lunch.

• Notebook or clipboard, pen, pencils, and paper (for sketching and field notes)

• Pocket money for snacks and small purchases; a credit card for dinners.

• Personal care items (soap, shampoo, etc.).

• First aid kit appropriate to your needs

• Optional. Insect repellent for ticks & chiggers, see details below. We will also bring some to share. June is not a time we should have to overly worry about chiggers, thank goodness.

Cell phone coverage and the internet. Most cell phones work at Tremper Mound Manor House. However, if you want internet access you will have to hook up a hotspot off your phone.

Meals: We will offer simple, optional breakfasts at the manor house on Saturday, and Sunday mornings, provide lunch at the manor house on Friday, the fixings for a packed lunch on Saturday, and lunch snacks for Sunday. Friday and Saturday dinner is at the registrants’ expense. Many fast food and slow food options are available in West Portsmouth and Portsmouth. Recommendations will be provided.

Comfort in the out-of-doors. We will be spending most of our time in the field, so please pack clothing that will allow you to be comfortable for a variety of weather conditions. In southern Ohio, our temperature highs could be anywhere from the high eighties to the low nineties. We encourage you to check the weather forecast before you pack. Night-time lows are equally variable, anywhere from the fifties to low seventies, but most likely in the mid-sixties. 

Flying in? Participants may fly into either Cincinnati or Columbus. Both airports are roughly two horse from Portsmouth. 

Emergency Messages. Emergency messages for course participants can be left at the mainline of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary (937) 365-1935 during daytime hours. Leader’s cell phones will also be provided to you

Poison Ivy.

Should I prepare for ticks, chiggers, biting insects and poison ivy? You will have minimal but possible exposure to poison ivy. The leaders know the plant well and will help you avoid exposure. If you do touch the leaves, washing vigorously with soap within an hour avoids reactivity in most people. Chiggers do not typically peak until July and August. In June, the Shawnee region does not support high numbers of uncomfortable biting insects. We do not have black flies and only a very few deer flies and mosquitos. You may encounter a few ticks in the open fields, and chiggers in tall grass if you choose to wander off-trail (which is another good reason not to). If any of these challenges are new for you, let us know and we will do our best to orient you to them, help mentor your adjustment, or minimize exposure. That said, no exposure to insects is not a realistic expectation for field studies. We have developed a fantastic homemade repellant for flying insects, ticks, and chiggers made of essential herbal oils that is stunningly effective and 100% natural.

Please click here to learn about the considerable hazards presented by ticks and chiggers, and prepare your own insect repellant that is safe to use, affordable to make, and will give you the confidence to enjoy the out-of-doors.

Questions or interest in making lodging reservations:
For event & lodging information: Cassidy Drummond, Education Coordinator at 937-794-3360
Email: cassidy.arcofappalachia@gmail.com