$200/person
Celebrate two of spring’s most exquisite artists: the delicate wildflowers that carpet our forests and the dazzling darters that glide through our streams.
April brings welcome carpets of dazzling floral color to our drab winter-worn woodlands. In May, the jewels of migrating birds splash color across our woodlands. But there is a third source of seasonal color that explodes covertly below the surface of our rivers and streams. Spring is the season when our native fish species adorn themselves in breathtaking breeding colors.
During the Pilgrimage, three days of field trips will lead you into some of the Eastern Forest’s most outstanding wildflower displays - led by expert naturalists and botanists. On Friday evening’s indoor presentation, Dan Rice, co-author of The Naturalist’s Guide to Fishes of Ohio, will introduce you to the rainbow-hued darters that are endemic to North America. On Saturday evening, Dr. Anna George from the Tennessee Aquarium will present a program on the importance of conserving our Eastern aquatic treasures. Two hearty breakfasts and a delicious dinner are included in the registration fee. Witness spring’s masterpiece in full color! Photo of Bluebells by Kathryn Cubert. Orangethroat Darter by Brian Zimmerman,
pil·grim·age (n):
A long journey or search, especially one driven by an exalted purpose.
18th Wildflower Pilgrimage
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
April 11-13, 2025
Coming soon
Leaders & Speakers
You can count the springs of your life. Who would want you to miss even one year of wildflowers? The Highlands Nature Sanctuary, centered on the Rocky Fork Gorge, and other Arc of Appalachia in nearby preserves present some of the richest wildflower displays to be found in the Eastern United States, if not the world. This is in large part due to the scale of land preservation that has been accomplished in this region, and the wealth of moisture and minerals in the underlying limestone and dolomite bedrock. These karst country landscapes of springs, rock arches, seeps, and sinkholes produce an unusual abundance and density of wildflowers each spring in mid-April. We expect to catch the floral showcase during the Pilgrimage near peak, presenting awe-inspiring drifts of wildflowers in the preserves we will be visiting.
Full Weekend Tuition: $200 per person. Includes two evenings of presentations, two days of field trips, breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday evening.
Questions? If you have any questions or problems, contact our Education Coordinator, Cassidy Drummond at 937-794-3360, or for questions about lodging contact Office Staff, Seth Oglesby at 937-365-1935 or arcpreserveinfo@gmail.com.
Registration Process: Lodging is not included in tuition, and we recommend that you secure your lodging before beginning the registration process. If the Pilgrimage is booked full, the registration button and you will see an announcement that we are full on the top of the page. If we are full, you are welcome to give us a call and ask to be put on the waiting list. If the button is active, it is safe to assume that registration is still active. When you are finished filling out the registration form, you will see the link that will take you to our payment center. You will not be registered until the registration fee is paid. Once we have your submitted form and your receipt of payment, you will be sent an emailed confirmation.
Lodging is available through our office at the Museum for both Sanctuary and Pike Lake State Park cabins, about a 25-minute drive from the Sanctuary. If our offered lodging is filled up, there is a wide variety of private inns and cabins offered in the region available on the county tourism websites, GPS search engines, and Air BnB. Some of the lodges closest to the Sanctuary include: Blueberry Hill Cabins, Lazy H cabins, Kinder Farm, and Tu-Lakes Hotel. Camping is available near the Sanctuary at Paint Creek, Rocky Fork, and Pike Lake State Parks and several local facilities listed on HipCamp.
Selecting your field trips. All registrants will be provided a form on which they can select their preferred field trips - either as part of the registration process or shortly thereafter. We will send you a confirmation email with your field trip assignments and directions to all your weekend destinations. Hikes are limited to no more than 12 people per field trip, Each hike has a designated meeting area and unique time of departure that can be found on the website and in your confirmation email.
Transportation. Participants will drive their own cars to the described trailheads.
Workshop Hub: The workshop hub is at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary at 7660 Cave Road Bainbridge, Ohio, 45612, The Sanctuary is just one mile south of Highway 50 on Cave Road, four miles west of Bainbridge, and four miles east of Rainsboro. The Sanctuary and Cave Road is signed on US-50 and is easy to find. All meals take place at the Appalachian Forest Museum at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.
Evening Presentations at Paxton Theater. The Friday and Saturday night presentations will take place at the Paxton Theater located in Bainbridge at 133 E Main St, Bainbridge, Ohio on the east end of Bainbridge on US-50 (south side of the road). Parking is easily found along Bainbridge’s quiet residential streets and in the lot directly across from the theater. Please arrive early enough to include a five minute walk to the theater. Built in 1910, the Paxton Theater is made of local rainbow sandstone and seats 300 people. It has sponsored the Paint Valley Jamboree, featuring live country musicians each month for over 50 years!
Cancellation Policy for Event Registration: In case of cancellation, refunds will be granted in full up through March 11, 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 you are transferring your registration to another party, please be sure to give us your recipient’s name and email.