Go in Search of Thomas Dambo’s Famous Trolls in Dayton

Founded as a nature center, educational farm and wildlife sanctuary, Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm in Dayton also offers a trek through the woods, where kids and adults alike can meet some of the world’s most famous trolls. 

Danish artist Thomas Dambo has been creating larger-than-life recycled wooden trolls around the globe since 2014, and in 2021 he installed three at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm. The installation, titled “The Troll that Hatched an Egg,” focuses on the story of the daughter troll, Bibbi, who mistakes an airplane for a bird who has laid eggs. She and her parents, Bo and Bodil, construct a nest and Bibbi attempts to fly to find the bird. 

“The trolls’ story is all about protecting birds and the history of flight to honor Dayton’s history with the Wright brothers,” says Laurie Cothran, community building coordinator at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm. “It’s all about birds, adventure and being in the woods.”

Families can take the Warbler Way and the Woodpecker trails to see all three trolls, and the entire journey spans around 2 miles round-trip. Each stop along the way makes for great photos, as visitors are encouraged to hug the trolls. 

“In the world we live in today, it’s really important to have an adventure,” Cothran says. “I always hear families get so excited about finding the trolls. I think people get a lot of joy out of the wonder, of seeing something like these beautiful trolls.”

Each troll has defining physical characteristics: Bibbi grins as she prepares to take flight, Bodil inquisitively inspects the “eggs,” and Bo smiles softly as he is seated. The experi has prompted an influx of visitors to seek out the sculptures when traveling through Dayton.

“It really lifted us up and is now a destination,” Cothran says. “If you’re coming to Dayton, you’ve got to go to the Air Force Museum and you’ve got to see the trolls.” 1000 Aullwood Rd., Dayton 45414, 937/890-7360, audubon.org/aullwood

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