Shaker Trace Nursery Improvements

As one of the largest seed nurseries in Ohio, Shaker Trace Nursery at Miami Whitewater Forest is one of the few places in our region that grows native plants for ecological restoration, producing more than 200 species. With the help of dedicated volunteers, the nursery harvests hundreds of pounds of native seed each year and stores it until needed. Great Parks, which manages one-third of Hamilton County’s total open space, uses the harvested seed to restore prairies, wetlands and other habitats with plants native to the region. This seed is critical, as it represents local plant ecotypes that are adapted to the specific climate and soil of Southwest Ohio.

Shaker Trace Nursery's revitalization increases its capacity to support restoration projects across Hamilton County while expanding opportunities for public education. Improvements include a new, modern greenhouse, a climate-controlled seed storage facility and a half-mile trail connection to the existing Shaker Trace Outer Loop. Great Parks also preserved the site’s historic 1880s drying barn to accommodate educational programming and special events. The campus will be a net-zero energy facility, with all energy produced on-site through solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling. Great Parks is designing the project to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.