Explore Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Discover Nature's Oasis in Downtown Columbus: The Grange Insurance Audubon Center! 

More than just a building, we are a living example of sustainable design. Our 18,000 square-foot facility utilizes recycled construction materials and alternative energy for heating and cooling, demonstrating the power of green building. 

As you step inside, you’ll be welcomed by a bright, open, and spacious interior featuring over 800 sq. ft. of wall space dedicated to vibrant artwork. Visit the front desk to get started and find information on our FREE family programs, exhibits, and events. We make it easy to connect with nature, offering dynamic indoor and outdoor activities right here in the heart of the city! 

Your Urban Nature Adventure Starts Here 

• Outdoor Exploration: Start your own birding journey! Check out FREE binoculars and an Ohio bird guide or grab a seasonal Bird Bingo card. For broader wildlife encounters, pick up an exploration backpack. 

• Indoor Fun (All FREE!): Let the kids explore the indoor playroom and climbing feature. You can also meet our ambassador turtles, view the current art exhibit, make our monthly craft, or chat with our artist-in-residence. 

Make a Difference: Community and Conservation 

Get hands-on with conservation by joining the Native Plant Backyard Challenge. Learn to turn your own space into a native habitat for local birds and wildlife. You can also participate in seasonal community science events like the Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch, or join a winter sowing workshop to prepare your native garden. 

Let's Go Birding! 

Equipped with your new binoculars, it's time to look for our feathery friends! The park boasts close to 200 bird species within the IBA (Important Bird Area)!  You can also check out our indoor bird photo display featuring almost 200 bird species sited within the IBA at least three times color coded by the season they are most likely seen in the park.  Pick up a Bird Scavenger Hunt to experience this Bird Display. 

Hike the Trails of the Scioto Audubon Metro Park 

Pick up a map of the Scioto Audubon Metro Park inside the center. The Scioto Audubon Metro Park offers 119 acres of green space for recreation and educational purposes.  Three main trails; Scioto Greenway, Connector offer and Hermit Thrush. See details below. 

Scioto Greenway 
10 miles 
Easy – Hike, Bike, Pets – Paved 
Stretches along the Scioto River. 

Connector 
2.5 miles 
Easy – Hike, Bike, Pets – Paved 
Links various areas of the park. 

Hermit Thrush 
0.1 miles  
Easy – Hike, Pets – Mulched 
Runs from the Scioto Greenway Trail to the Scioto River. 

Education Programming - Audubon Led

The Grange Insurance Audubon Center offers participants a unique opportunity to explore nature right in their own backyard. One of just a few Audubon centers located within a large metropolis, its urban location demonstrates the adaptivity and resilience of nature. Our education programs invite participants to think about their place within the natural world, and how we can create bird friendly communities for the benefit of birds and people alike.    

School Programs 

Programs for students are a supportive extension of the learning already taking place in the  classroom.  Choose a theme from our program guide, and our educators will work with you to create an engaging experience.  Download Education Program Guide below for all details. 

Adult Programs 

Our adult talks and programs are a great fit for garden club workshops, adult learning groups, lunch and learn programs, and much more! Topics include birding, bird migration, and native plants.  Download Education Programs sheet below for all details. 

Art at Audubon 

Enjoy 6-8 free art exhibitions, installations, and opening art receptions annually featuring local and national artists displaying a variety of mediums.  Featured artwork is for sale and the Grange Insurance Audubon Center Receives a portion of proceeds for all artwork sold. A Plein Air Painting competition and exhibition is offered yearly providing artists with an opportunity to paint in the park and enter their work in the competition/exhibition.   Additional photography competition and exhibitions may also be offered encouraging participation by professional and amateur photographers alike. 

Grange Insurance Audubon Center features three resident artists yearly providing additional engagement opportunities for visitors to connect with nature and inspire conservation action through the arts. 

Join artist Mah Leah Cochran in a mini workshop series that invites participants to explore the beauty of nature through painting. Workshops are offered quarterly after select Saturday Beginner Bird Walk dates.  Designed for all skill levels, these workshops focus on observing and capturing elements of the natural world such as flowers, leaves, landscapes, and wildlife.  Participants will leave the workshop with a completed painting and a deeper appreciation for nature's artistry.   

Summer Outdoor Music Concert Series 

Attend our summer outdoor music in nature concert series June-August. This Art at Audubon event is suitable for families and people of all ages encouraging a connection between the arts, nature and community. In addition to the live music the concert series will include outdoor activities for children and food trucks.  Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics and non-alcoholic beverages.  Attendees are required to bring their own blankets and/or chairs as seating will only be provided if the concert moves indoors due to inclement weather. Tickets are required and cover the bands/orchestra’s production and performance fees. 

Attend a Community Event 

Bird Walks, festivals, workshops, community science activities, outdoor summer concert series and more are available at Grange Insurance Audubon Center!  Check our event calendar to see what’s coming up soon! 

We offer free and paid community events year-round to help you and your family connect to nature right here in downtown Columbus, Ohio! 

Free Saturday Beginner Bird Walks 

Join us for a guided bird hike with our center educators or Columbus Audubon volunteers on our center grounds and the surrounding Scioto Audubon Metro Park. Meet at the front desk inside Grange Insurance Audubon Center. Offered every other Saturday, registration required. 

Workshops, Conferences and Speaker Series 

Grange Insurance Audubon Center offers a variety of workshops, speaker series, conferences and events hosted by the center, the Columbus Audubon chapter and community members.  These events include the Columbus Audubon monthly speaker series, a variety of community science workshops, group invasive species removal and garden work days and conservation-themed seminars, conferences and more. These events may require an RSVP and fees, please check ahead of time if admission and fees are required.  

Ohio Young Birders Club 

Grange Insurance Audubon Center hosts the Central Ohio Division for youth ages 12-18 who are interested in engaging with other teen nature enthusiasts. Youth are invited to attend monthly field trips to nature-themed outdoor parks and areas around Columbus and Ohio. In addition to field trips, members participate in service projects focused on habitat restoration and conservation projects such as building Barn Owl nest boxes and monitoring Bluebird trails. The mission of the Ohio Young Birders Club is to encourage, educate, and empower our youth conservation leaders. Visit www.ohioyoungbirders.org to join. 

Free Family Events 

Visit the center for our free family events including our Earth Day celebration “Planet Protectors” with Seeds of Caring, community Juneteenth celebrations, Raptor Rendezvous, Fall Family Festival and Winter Solstice Celebration.