My husband and I decided to stop by Aullwood Audubon for their Farm Babies Fest a couple of years ago. Aullwood Audubon actually consists of several sites and includes a nature and visitor center, a farm, and sanctuary nature trails. The Aullwood Nature Center is located at 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton, OH 45414, and the Aullwood Farm is located at 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton, OH 45414.

As said before, the Farm Babies Fest was the primary reason for our visit. This event turned out to be geared more toward younger children and their families but there was still plenty to do. In addition to games and crafts, the event allowed visitors to get a closer glimpse at all the new babies born at the farm that season. The event also included plenty of vendors in the nature center as well as food trucks and entertainment outside.

After we had explored the Farm Babies Fest, my husband and I decided to see if we could hike the nature trails and find all the Dambo Trolls. Thomas Dambo is a Danish world-renowned recycle sculpture artist and activist. He is known for creating giant outdoor trolls from salvaged wood and other trashed materials. The exhibit at Aullwood, “The Troll That Hatched an Egg” is one of the few Dambo creations inside the United States. The exhibit at Aullwood has three trolls, Bo, Bodil, and Bibbi, and their troll-sized bird nest. 

Unfortunately, we could only make it to two of the three trolls that day due to access for the trail of the last one being closed. We did get lost and go the long way around, but that just led to more fun and seeing more wildlife like a fox.

The “The Troll That Hatched an Egg” story is posted in the lobby of the nature center and farm discovery center. It is also available online (https://aullwood.audubon.org/sites/default/files/the_troll_that_hatched_an_egg_by_thomas_dambo.pdf) and for purchase with a commemorative troll map for $5.00.

Aullwood is a great place to visit with so much to explore and discover. I hope you decide to stop by soon for your own adventure!

P.S. Be sure to check their schedule of events. They do have a Halloween-themed event coming up on Oct. 27th. Registration can be found here: https://aullwood.company.site/Spooky-Skeletons-October-27-Sunday-2-p-m-3-30-p-m-@-Aullwood-Farm-9101-Frederick-Pike-Dayton-Ohio-45414-p703597231

Some of the Farm Babies :

The Trolls:

And lastly, the little fox friend we saw while hiking