Joe Ford Nature Center

06/15/2026

🌿 Nature Center Closed June 15–19 🌿

Just a friendly reminder that the Joe Ford Nature Center will be closed June 15th–19th.

While the center will be taking a short break, nature never does! Summer is in full swing, and the trails continue to offer plenty to discover—from blooming wildflowers and busy pollinators to the sounds of birds raising their young.

We'll reopen the following week and look forward to welcoming everyone back for more outdoor exploration and adventure. Don't forget the trails are always open!

06/12/2026

If you've been spending time outdoors lately, you may have noticed flashes of brilliant blue darting across fields, fence lines, and open spaces. That's because Eastern Bluebirds are in the middle of one of their busiest times of year—raising hungry babies!

Eastern Bluebird pairs often raise two or even three broods each summer. Right now, parents are making countless trips each day carrying insects, caterpillars, and other tasty treats back to the nest.

A few fun bluebird facts:

🔹 Bluebirds are members of the thrush family, making them relatives of robins.

🔹 Their bright blue color isn't actually caused by blue pigment. The structure of their feathers scatters light, creating that stunning blue appearance.

🔹 Nestlings can eat hundreds of insects every day, making bluebirds excellent natural pest controllers.

🔹 You may spot them perched on low branches or fence posts as they scan the ground for insects.

The next time you're on the trails, keep an eye out for these hardworking parents. You might just catch one carrying a beak full of bugs back to a nest box!

Have you spotted a bluebird family this summer? Let us know in the comments! 🩵🌿

06/11/2026

🌙 Mark Your Calendars for Moth Night at Joe Ford Nature Center! 🌙

There’s something special about summer nights at the Nature Center—and this one is going to be extra memorable.

Join us on Saturday, July 25 for Moth Night, a fascinating evening dedicated to one of nature’s most overlooked nighttime wonders.

We’ll begin gathering at 8PM, with the program starting after sunset, as we welcome Kevin from All Bugs Go to Kevin to share all about the incredible world of moths.

Using lights and observation sheets, we’ll see what nighttime visitors stop by while learning:
🦋 Why moths are so important to our ecosystem
🌙 How many species call Kentucky home
🔍 How scientists and nature lovers attract and identify moths
✨ What makes nighttime nature so unique

This is one of those summer events that feels a little magical—being outside after dark, watching what appears in the lights, and discovering a side of nature many of us rarely stop to notice.

It’s family-friendly, fun, and a perfect excuse to spend a summer evening outdoors.

Joe Ford Nature Center - located behind GRADD
Saturday, July 25 at 8PM

Go ahead and save the date—we can’t wait to see what shows up!

06/09/2026

🦺🌿 A Cleaner Community Starts With Volunteers! 🌿🦺

This weekend, the Joe Ford Nature Center was proud to participate in Daviess County's Trash for Cash program. With the help of dedicated volunteers and board members, we safely cleaned up 5 miles of highway, removing litter and helping keep our community beautiful.

A huge thank you to our hardworking team:

👏 Eric Houtchen
👏 Lois Young
👏 Mike Robinson
👏 Bob Kirtley
👏 Brooklyn Johnson

And a very special shoutout to our MVP volunteers, Travis Johnson and Heather Terry! Your willingness to jump in and tackle the toughest jobs made a tremendous difference. We truly could not have done it without you.

We are also grateful to Daviess County Fiscal Court for creating a program that not only helps keep our roadsides clean but also gives back to local organizations working to improve our community.

Every bag of trash removed makes a difference for wildlife, waterways, and everyone who calls Daviess County home.

Thank you to everyone who gave up part of their weekend to make our corner of Kentucky a little cleaner. 💚

06/08/2026

Join us this week as summer settles in across Western Kentucky! We're seeing the full mix of June weather—warm temperatures, afternoon rain showers, the occasional thunderstorm, and plenty of sunshine in between. As always, be sure to check the forecast before heading out and dress for the conditions.

Tuesday, June 9: Open 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday, June 10: Open 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The trails are full of summer sights, sounds, and wildlife activity, making it a great time to get outside and explore.

📢 Please Note: The Nature Center will be CLOSED June 15–19. We encourage everyone to stop by this week before our brief closure.

We hope to see you out on the trails!

06/04/2026

Throw back Thursday to our amazing Bird Banding Event back in May! Scott Kramer was absolutely fantastic and the crowd enjoyed the hands on experience, especially releasing them back into the wild. 🕊️

Make sure you follow us for our next event and always bring the kids! We cannot wait to see you all there!

06/03/2026

Quick heads up nature lovers! The Nature Center will briefly close today from 2-3pm! Sorry for any inconvenience!

Send a message to learn more

06/01/2026

☀️ It’s shaping up to be a beautiful week at the Joe Ford Nature Center!

We’ll be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM and we’re looking forward to a fantastic week on the trails.

With sunny skies ahead and temperatures climbing into the 80s, it’s finally starting to feel like summer here in Owensboro.

The woods are lush, wildlife is active, and there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the season. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick walk or spending the afternoon exploring, we’d love to see you at the Nature Center this week!

06/01/2026

🍄 Why Are Mushrooms Popping Up Everywhere? 🍄

If you’ve noticed mushrooms appearing along the trails or popping up in your yard lately—you’re not imagining it!

After several rounds of rain and warm temperatures, conditions are just right for fungi to thrive. Mushrooms are actually the “fruit” of a much larger underground network called mycelium, which helps break down leaves, fallen wood, and other organic material in the soil.

Here are a few mushrooms you may spot around the Joe Ford Nature Center or in your own garden this time of year:

🍄 Mulch Mushrooms
Common in flower beds and around wood chips. These help break down organic material and are often one of the first mushrooms to appear after rain.

🍄 Turkey Tail
These grow in colorful layers on fallen logs and tree stumps. They look a little like fan-shaped shelves and can be found year-round.

🍄 Inkcaps
Tall and delicate mushrooms that may appear overnight and begin to dissolve into a dark “inky” liquid by the next day.

A good reminder: mushrooms are fascinating and important for healthy ecosystems—but many look alike, and some can be harmful. It’s always best to look and enjoy without picking or tasting unless you’re with an expert.

Next time you’re on the trail, keep your eyes low—there’s a whole hidden world of fungi showing up after the rain!