Overview

Please join us for the Spring 2026 Women’s Walk in the Woods On May 2, 2026. Our guest speaker will be Risa Pesapane, PhD, OSU Associate Professor and Director of Buckeye Tick Test, as we discuss how to:

Beat the Bite! Smart tick tactics to protect you and your family.

Discover the hidden world of ticks and mites in her engaging presentation designed especially for outdoor enthusiasts! Whether hiking forest trails or relaxing with pets in your backyard, you face the real and growing risks posed by these tiny but powerful parasites.

Doctor Pesapane will unpack the wide-ranging impact of tick and mite infestations on both human and animal health, from the transmission of dangerous diseases like Lyme to the immediate effects of bites such as itchy rashes and allergic reactions. We’ll delve into the ecological drivers fueling the rising abundance of these pests and shifts in animal and human behavior, making tick encounters more likely for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Join us to gain practical skills in prevention as we explore proven interventions. Learn how modern science allows us to test ticks for pathogens so you can respond fast and protect your health—and that of your furry companions. This presentation will equip you with knowledge and actionable steps to enjoy nature safely without letting ticks or mites steal the adventure. This event will ensure you’re prepared, informed, and protected—so you can focus on what you love, not what’s lurking in the grass.

We will meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum for the presentation and a bring-your-own picnic lunch before heading out to hike one of the beautiful trails near the Highlands Nature Sanctuary.  

Bring your female friends and family to meet new people, learn about what we can do to support native habitats, and enjoy nature.

Make it a weekend trip by reserving one of our lodges today! Lodging at Highlands Nature Sanctuary | Arc of Appalachia.

Schedule

10:00 am: Sign in and get to know each other at the Appalachian Forest Museum. 

10:30 am: Program Begins with an introduction to the Arc of Appalachia and review of the day’s agenda.

10:45 am: Guest Speaker Presentation:  Beat the Bite! Smart tick tactics to protect you and your family.

Presented by Risa Pesapane, PhD, OSU Associate Professor and Director of Buckeye Tick Test. 

Risa Pesapane, PhD: Dr. Pesapane is an Associate Professor with a joint appointment between the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on the impact of ticks and mites on human and animal health, understanding the ecological drivers of tick abundance and disease transmission, and interventions for managing ticks and mites. Dr. Pesapane is also the Director of Buckeye Tick Test, a tick pathogen testing service lab for contracted partners and the public. 

12:00 -12:45 pm:  Enjoy a bring-your-own picnic lunch in the company of fellow hikers.

1:00 – 4:00 pm: Naturalist-led hike (select a first, second, and third choice for your hike during the registration process.)

What to Bring

• packed lunch

• water

• binoculars

• good hiking shoes

• hiking stick or poles

• appropriate clothing/rain gear

Cancellation Policy

WE WILL HIKE RAIN OR SHINE unless the weather or trails become too hazardous.

Sorry, there are no refunds for cancellations of this event, The registration fee will be considered a donation to the Arc of Appalachia. Please try to find someone to fill your place as this program will run rain or shine.