Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm - Montgomery County, Ohio

Mom, let’s go see the Trolls. Okay, let’s go!

Little did I know for little kids, that meant, let’s pick that giant nose!! #lifewithboys

Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm is located at 1000 Aullwood Rd Dayton, OH 45414  in Montgomery County - https://aullwood.audubon.org

"The artist Thomas Dambo, is from Copenhagen, Denmark. He is the world’s leading recycle artist. Thomas has been helping giant trolls come to life around the world for over 10 years. He worked with a team of local volunteers as well as members of his artistic team to prepare for the trolls’ arrival at Aullwood using locally sourced materials to create the sculptures.

“Everything I make I try to make out of things laying around. This way I can build really big things with a very small footprint or impact,” says Dambo.

Dambo hopes that his trolls bring people into nature to explore. He also wants people see how scraps and garbage can be recycled into something meaningful and beautiful. He designs the trolls and writes the stories that explain who they are and what they’re doing." Read more about him on his link above.

TROLL ETIQUETTE

When visiting our new exhibition, please adhere to the following guidelines:

 * Please stay on the trails to protect our plants and wildlife.

 * Please do not climb on the trolls. They want everyone to be safe.

 * Please do hug the trolls. All trolls love to be hugged!

 * Please do not collect anything from the property. Leaves, moss, lichens, twigs, branches, and fungus provide habitat and food for hundreds of animals and insects that live in our sanctuary.

One of the boys favorite parts of the trail was being able to explore the farm and see the animals. We were able to see ducks, pigs, sheep, and cats. There was a see saw and more inside, but we stayed outside as we continued on the troll trail.

**When we go back again I think I would start at the Farm and troll near it and work towards the center. Especially for little kids, the farm gives you something for them to look forward to if they get tired on the trail. "Come on buddy, a little bit longer and we can go back and see the animals!"

Like I said... my boys are silly, and we picked the trolls nose.

In total and to help you plan your trip to see the trolls (using either the farm or nature center entrance) *I suggest farm if you have kids under 6* allow for: 30 minutes to view one troll, 60 minutes to view two trolls, 3 hours to view all 3 trolls and the nest (approximately 3 miles round trip on foot). Here is the map link, but you will also get a paper copy when you arrive.

I love the stories that go along with his artwork. #readeveryday

 

As Pythagoras said, "Leave the roads; take the trails." If you would like to read about the trolls we visited in Kentucky as well - Bernheim Arboretum Troll Blog Post - this is a direct link to read all about the trolls outside of Louisville. On to more #guentheradventures