the Adams County Nature Society presents the
Adams County Bird Symposium
Celebrating birds and bird‐watching in Adams County, Ohio since 2004.
The Adams County Bird Symposium is an annual gathering that brings together bird enthusiasts from across the region – both Amish and “English” – to celebrate the joy of birds and birdwatching. It started as an idea in 2004 by Cincinnati Museum Center’s Edge of Appalachia Preserve and local Amish bird watchers to bring birding to the Adams County Wheat Ridge Amish Community. The symposium has grown from its humble beginnings in the basement of an Amish farmhouse into an annual sold-out event. Originally hosted by the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Adams County Travel Bureau, a new organization was formed dedicated to organizing nature events in Adams County. As of 2026, the Bird Symposium will be hosted by the Adams County Nature Society.
2026 Symposium
The next Adams County Bird Symposium will take place the first Saturday in March 2026. Registration for the symposium will open in late Fall and will remain open until the event is full. This event will be hosted by the Adams County Nature Society, Inc.
The registration fee includes:
- Access to all speaker presentations throughout the 1 day event
- An optional guided birding hike to Adams Lake
- Morning coffee and donuts for breakfast
- A delicious lunch provided by the local Amish community
Please note: Once open, registration is first-come, first-served – be sure to sign up early, as the symposium typically sells out every year!
Symposium Presentations (2026 Speakers & Topics coming soon!)
The 2026 Adams County Bird Symposium will feature an outstanding lineup of speakers and presentations. We are busy working on it and will update this page soon! In the meantime, sign-up for updates below!
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Vendors & Exhibitors
The following vendors and exhibitors have participated in recent symposiums. (If you are interested in being a vendor or exhibitor at a future event, please note that space is limited and tends to sell out quickly – registration for vendors typically opens the first week of January.)
- Adams County Humane Society (HSAC) – A private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization serving Adams County, Ohio. HSAC has operated an animal shelter for dogs, cats, and other companion animals since June 2015. Phone: (937) 544-8585
- Ann Geise Art – Ann Geise is a landscape, wildlife, and nature artist from the Cincinnati, OH area who works in oils and watercolors.
- Arc of Appalachia – Saving Ohio’s wild lands and putting you in them (conservation and nature education organization).
- Bill Dreger Art – Handmade, unique rustic birdhouses.
- Bill Gordon (High Adventures Wilderness School) – Nest and bird boxes.
- Rob Liptak Art – Hand-carved bird sculptures.
- Mucky Boots Farm – Specializes in elderberry products.
- Nature Guys Podcast – A podcast connecting people to nature (with a focus on wildlife and birding).
- Ohio University Press – Books (including nature and birding titles).
- OOS – Ohio Ornithological Society – Ohio’s statewide birding network and organization for bird enthusiasts.
- Raptor, Inc. – Raptor rehabilitators and educators in southwest Ohio.
- Ride the Wind Wild Bird Rehab Center (New Richmond, OH) – Wildlife rehabilitators specializing in birds; connect with them on Facebook.
- The Nature Conservancy of Ohio – Conservation organization preserving lands and waters across Ohio (local chapter of TNC).
- Edge of Appalachia Preserve System (Adams County) – A network of nature preserves in Adams County managed for conservation and education.
- Time & Optics – Binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and accessories. A family business for 43 years supplying birders and nature enthusiasts with high-quality optics. Buy from the people who know their product!
Vendor and exhibitor inquiries: Please direct any questions to Mary at ??.
Thank you to our Supporters!
None of these annual events would have been possible without the support of our sponsors and the help of local organizations and individuals. A special thank you to the following organizations for their support. A list of all donors and sponsors will be displayed at the event.
- Adams County Travelers & Visitors Bureau is hosting this event
- Wheat Ridge Amish Community
- Murphin Ridge Inn
- The Ohio Nature Conservancy (TNC)
- Edge of Appalachia Preserve System: Cincinnati Museum Center
- Hilltop Cabinets
- Audubon Ohio-Cincinnati Chapter
- Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc.
- Yoder's Furniture and Bakery
- Mary Ann Keim and Family
- Jay and Joanne Smale
ABS Symposium Team in alphabetical order:
- Tom Cross, Executive Director, Adams County Travel Bureau
- Marty Dermody
- Ann Geise
- Dave Helm
- Martin McAllister, Ohio TNC
- Kathy McDonald
- Linda Richey
- Joseph Raber
- Mary Tenoever
Interested in helping with the symposium?
The Bird Symposium is always looking for new people who are interested in the natural world in Adams County to help with events, lead trips, and more! Email the team for more information at
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Events
Other Nature Events
The Adams Nature Society may plan other events outside of the Birding Symposium. Future events such as field trips, programs and workshops will be posted here.
About Adams County
For more information about Adams County, we suggest you visit the following informational links:
- Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau. You will find a wealth of information about Adams County on their website – including local history, upcoming events, places to stay, and things to do during your visit.
- Ohio TNC/Edge of Appalachia: For outdoor adventures, consider hiking one of the many trails in the Richard and Lucille Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve system that encompasses 20,000-acres, often referred to as "The Edge", in Adams County. A natural wonderland of where prairies meet the southern edge of the great glacial advances of Ohio's past and where nature is found in abundance. Located just 75 miles east of downtown Cincinnati in Adams County, Ohio, this remarkable preserve system is the undisputed crown jewel of biological diversity in Ohio.
- Before you visit, get a glimpse of the beauty of nature found in Adams County by awatching this video created by local naturalist John Howard using sounds and scenes found here!
. We look forward to seeing you at an event and hope you take some time to enjoy all that our area has to offer!
