Oakland Nature Preserve illuminates the night with Firefly Hike

Oakland Nature Preserve invites the community to a special evening.

The Firefly Self-Guided Hike will take place at7 p.m. Friday, April 10, at ONP, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland.

Oakland Nature Preserve will be open on select dates until 9 p.m. to allow visitors to explore the boardwalk and look for fireflies. 

Please park in the grass overflow lot and perpendicular along the driveway outside of the gate when the parking lot is full.

This event is free, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds help fund preserve upkeep and programming.

Please, no flashlights as a courtesy to other visitors. Plan for mosquitos!

Rules for guests:

• No touching, capturing (in glass jars or other containers) or any other actions that cause harm to the fireflies, or other animals you may encounter on your hike.

• No flashlights, phone lights or flash photography allowed.

• No bug spray. This not only kills mosquitoes but also the delicate fireflies.

• No pets allowed. Being dark and no lights allowed, it is unsafe for other visitors and the dogs to navigate past one another on the narrow boardwalk. Plus, dusk is when our preserve predators are more active.

• No smoking on the boardwalk/preserve property. It has been very dry, and fires can start easily in these hot conditions.

The event will be canceled in the case of inclement weather; check ONP’s Facebook page for updates.