INVESTING IN THE HEALTH OF THE DOAN BROOK & UPCOMING STREAM BANK RESTORATION In 2025, the Nature Center worked with environmental engineers and scientists to finalize a stream bank restoration design that will go to construction around the second week of February 2026 and will last approximately 4-8 weeks. Why is this project necessary? Our […]
THE UNCERTAIN FATE OF LOWER LAKE By Peter Bode, CEO & President The Nature Center is committed to standing as a stern advocate for the conservation of the Shaker Parklands, connecting the community to nature, and inspiring all of us to embrace the importance of our native habitats and the outdoors. Our mission is especially […]
From Mallow Marshes to Marshmallow: A Sweet History By Rachel Lasso If you walk along our All Peoples’ Trail starting in late July, you will notice flowers blooming in the marsh, in various shades of pink and white. These beautiful blooms mark the middle of summer, and will last until early September. After they are done […]
CELEBRATING OUR 2025 COMMUNITY SPARK AWARD RECEIPIENT Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District Since its establishment in 1949, Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been working diligently to support residents and landowners in protecting and restoring our county’s precious soil and water resources. In the early 1950s, there were more than 70,000 acres […]
Spotted Laternfly Watch! By Miranda Luse, AmeriCorps Staff Member According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Spotted Laternfly (SLF) was first discovered in North America in southeastern Pennsylvania in 2014. Additional infestations, or individual SLF or egg masses, have since been documented in several other states. This invasive species is a threat to […]
Container Gardening for Native Plants By Alexandria Yurosko, Marketing Content Manager At the Nature Center, we recognize the importance of native plants and strive to educate our community about how to best grow and care for them. We want to make native gardening accessible, regardless of yard size. One way to bring the beauty of […]
As the leaves start to change colors and the air becomes crisp, the store shelves full of festive and fun decorations are hard to resist! Here are some considerations when getting in the spirit of autumn. Sustainable Fall Decor Natural Elements: Leaves, pinecones, acorns, and branches can be gathered from your own yard. Arrange them […]
PLANT CARE TIPS Thank you for supporting our plant sale! Here is some information on how to ensure your plants are happy in their new home! If you cannot plant immediately, keep them watered and in a protected spot out of direct sunlight. Add compost or humus to the planting bed. Keep your new paintings […]
Winter Sowing Winter sowing is an easy way to kick-start your native garden for next year. We’ll show you how to pot native seeds in the late fall or winter and allow those seeds to stratify naturally. Here are the basic steps: Gather the ingredients….plastic pots (or cut-down milk jugs or cartons), native seeds, labels, […]
All About Milkweed By Mary Gannon, NCSL Volunteer A wonderfully fragrant perennial native plant, milkweed is the one and only host plant that supports monarch butterflies. Monarchs depend upon milkweed now—more than ever—as monarch populations have declined 80% in recent years. It’s only natural that milkweed should become one of the cornerstone plants in native […]
