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 […]
There are two species of mink (part of the weasel family) native to the Northern Hemisphere. The European mink (Mustela lutreola) and the American mink (Neovison vision). They are notoriously valued for their luxurious dark fur and have been common in Ohio long before settlement. They still can be found in every part of Ohio. […]
Native Garden 101 by Alexandria Yurosko, Marketing Content Manager If you’ve been following the Nature Center, you’ve probably heard or seen the term “native plants” once or a hundred times. As we head into our plant sale and gardening season, here are some native garden basics! Once you learn what to look for, it gets […]
The Do’s and Don’ts of Tree Planting Adapted from Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District Trees are critical for our health, economy, and environment. A healthy forest canopy reduces flooding, absorbs stormwater, interrupts runoff, and is essential for clean water, healthy streams, rivers, wetlands, and lakes. Trees help reduce energy costs when strategically planted around […]
Making the Switch Nature Center Phases Out Gas Power Equipment By Nick Mikash, Natural Resources Manager In line with our mission of conservation and stewardship, the Nature Center has been transitioning away from gas power equipment where possible. Since 2018, the Nature Center has purchased battery-powered tools in an effort to move away from gas. […]
Aya (Age 4) Nature Nursery What is your favorite thing to do at the Nature Center? I like to go creek walking! What do you learn about? Fishies! We see fish in the creek. I like to watch fish eat. They eat mosquitos. Amara (Age 4) Nature Nursery What is your favorite thing about the […]
Rain, Rain Go Away…to the Nature Center! Alex Yurosko, Marketing Content Manager August 11, 2021 Shaker Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods are no stranger to flash floods during heavy downpours like the one today, but have you ever wondered where all that water goes? It may surprise you to find out that much of that […]
A mysterious bird illness is making its way around the eastern part of the country, including northeast Ohio. Scientists are searching for the lead cause of this unfortunate bird epidemic. The primary species that tend to be most affected are blue jays, common grackles, European starlings, American robins, and house sparrows. The disease is characterized […]
NCSL Statement of Support for NEORSD’s Recommendations July 22, 2021 The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes supports the recommendations of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District(NEORSD) regarding the future of the Shaker Lakes. Given our location between Horseshoe Lake and Lower Lake, and our mission to conserve a publicly-accessible natural area, we support NEORSD’s recommendations, […]
Jimmy’s Treehouse is NOW OPEN! Ashley Hall, Marketing Coordintor Saturday, July 17, 2021 We are excited to announce that Jimmy’s Treehouse is NOW OPEN to the public! Jimmy’s Treehouse is yet another exciting enhancement to the grounds at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, made possible through the Enhancing Your Outdoor Classroom: Campaign for the […]
