Accessible Bird Walk
2024-03-17 08:00 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. The first walk of each month begins on our ADA accessible boardwalk and moves to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. The second walk of each month (marked with an asterisk*) is fully accessible and includes an ASL interpreter. For all hikes, meet in the Nature Center parking lot. Binoculars are available to borrow. Rain or shine. Accessible hikes will be canceled if the paths are covered in snow/ice. Registration required. Free. Donations welcome. https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewActivitySpaceAvailable.aspx?OrgKey=4283&CategoryID=23991

Making the Most of Your Tree with a Soft Landings Garden
2024-03-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
A beautiful “soft landings” shade garden is one of the best ways to support biodiversity in your yard. Learn how these plantings allow butterflies and moths to complete their life cycles, and pick up some practical gardening tips in this presentation by Dave Tomashefski of Meadow City Native Plant Nursery. Register: https://givebutter.com/15AWwF

Handmade Pressed Flower Cards
2024-03-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Blend the beauty of art and nature together by learning art of calligraphy from experienced luxury and event calligrapher Brenna Rudary of Brenna Claire Calligraphy!
Each guest will receive blank stationery cards to create their own art print using pressed wild flowers, arranging them on their paper and adhering with craft glue. They’ll leave space in the center to put their new calligraphy skills to work writing out a chosen greeting, quote, lyric and more! Keep them for yourself as a token of your newfound skills, or gift to a loved one.
Guests will receive 45 minutes of calligraphy instruction with one on one support, blank stationary cards with envelopes, pressed flowers, a calligraphy pen with a brush tip, practice paper, a printed instructional workbook, and a custom name card as a keepsake!
Registration required. $90 per person. Members enjoy a 20% discount with spring member code.

Gardening is for the Birds
2024-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Ohio
Presented by John Barber
As spring migration is beginning in the Mississippi Flyway where we live, John will talk about the decline of birds and what we can do in our own yards and community to mitigate the loss.
Hosted by Friends of Heights Parks
Location: CHUH Public Library Lee Road Branch, 2345 Lee Road, Meeting Room A & B
Registration Link: https://shorturl.at/ikzGO

Science Cafe: The Eclipse
2024-03-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Ohio
Ever wanted to sit down with an expert and chat about science? Now’s your chance! The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes present Science Cafes, events that allow you to learn and discuss different science, nature, and wildlife-related topics with the Education and Natural Resources team and your likeminded peers!
The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse event is coming up soon- but what does that mean? Nature Center Educator Lisa can answer your questions about what an eclipse is, what to expect during the event, what makes this eclipse special, and more! Registration begins March 12.
Eclipse glasses provided free with attendance. Must stay for full program. Register https://events.heightslibrary.org/event/11650822
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
Tuesday, March 26 | 2 – 3:30PM | Lee Road Branch

The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly
2024-04-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Ohio
“If you see it, squish it” – That’s what we’ve been told to do when we come across the invasive species. But why? Are the spotted lanternflies in northeast Ohio? What is this pest and what impacts does it have on our environment? And what should you do if you start to spot them? The Natural Resources team at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes can help answer these questions and more!
University Heights Branch – Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
Register: https://events.heightslibrary.org/event/11628508

Outdoor Spring Creative Play Day with Lake Erie Ink
2024-04-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Get inspired by a morning of creative expression with Lake Erie Ink to capture your responses to the beauty of nature in a song! Write your own verse to our forest song; use the melody provided to be part of a group sing-along. If your own melody comes to you, feel free to share it, too. This uplifting activity will naturally highlight the rhythmic and musical aspects of poetry.
Dress for the weather and prepare to take a hike on our Stearns Trail. Registration required. Free. Best for kids ages 8-12.
Saturday, April 6 | 10AM – 1PM | Nature Center
Registration Link: https://givebutter.com/rgtcDp

Eclipsed! At the Nature Center
2024-04-08 11:30 - 16:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Mark your calendars for April 8th, the day of the total solar eclipse that will darken the skies over Shaker Heights for 3-4 minutes as the moon passes directly in front of the sun! Rain, shine, or clouds- join the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for a full day of science and learning, fun, and food!
FREE
Art:
Paint Handprint Community Banner Craft
Oreo Eclipse Take Home Craft
Citizen Science
Nature Observation Sheet
Eclipse Soundscapes Project (https://eclipsesoundscapes.org/)
Eclipse & Community
Great place to experience the eclipse!
Group commemorative photo
Donation based polaroid station
Refreshments and Parking:
Food for sale in the Duck Pond includes apple sauce (kosher), chocolates, cheese sticks, water, Nooma.
Dawg Bowl Food Truck will be on site from 12:30pm-4pm.
Parking lot will be closed for safely viewing the eclipse; South Park and West Park will be open for parking- be prepared to walk!
Activities will be available rain or shine under the Pavilion.

Recycle your Solar Eclipse Glasses with us! We will be collecting glasses after April 8 through April 30 as part of the The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District collection!

This section of the day is sold out!
These fun and educational workshops includes 7 different hands-on breakout sessions where kids and adults will learn about the the history of the eclipse beginning with Tecumseh’s Eclipse, how the the phenomenon affects nature and wildlife, citizen science projects, creating take home time capsules, and more!
Between breakouts, grab food at The Dawg Bowl Food Truck! Tickets include access to the workshop and a pair of eclipse glasses! $5 for kids, $10 for adults.
REGISTRATION https://givebutter.com/eclipsed

Walktail Meetup
2024-04-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
WITH VERBENA FREE SPIRIT
Enjoy a morning of walking in nature, community, conversation, and mocktails at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes!
With the backdrop of spring in bloom, you’ll meet new people, enjoy mocktails, connect with like-minded individuals and create lasting friendships in a relaxed and alcohol-free environment!
We’ll start with mocktails and conversation in the Friend’s Pavilion, followed by a walk through on the ADA accessible All People’s Trail. Adventurous walkers can continue on a slightly more strenuous walk through the Stearns Trail.
Registration required. $12 per person includes one complimentary mocktail and one complimentary hot chocolate. Additional drinks available for purchase.
Registration Link: https://givebutter.com/4eukj5

Going Wild in our Yards | Heights Native Pollinator Pathway
2024-04-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Ohio
Heights Native Pollinator Path with Peggy Spaeth. Dig deeper into learning how to go wild in your yard, beginning with a small front yard native garden on the Heights Native Pollinator Path. The Heights Native Pollinator Path is a local project initiated in 2019 to benefit nature by connecting habitat in our urban environment. Learn what to plant in your own yard to be part of a nature-based solution to the climate emergency. Peggy will share how her yard was transformed into native habitat a few plants at a time with a lavishly illustrated talk.
Hosted by Friends of Heights Parks
Forest Hills Park Cleveland Heights Community Center
Free. Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUAAobQjl6ET0bW8XhVn3oe5fleKP4GWI7gWDGITdRfquG9A/viewform

Animal Care: Snails
2024-04-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Have you ever wondered what it takes to keep our animal ambassadors here at the nature center happy and healthy? Join us the second Saturday of every month for a “behind the scenes” look at our animal care program. Each month will highlight a different species. Children 4 & up will be given the opportunity to interact with animal ambassadors. Children 3 & under will be asked to sit with their grown-ups. All presentations will conclude with a feeding demonstration for that species. Registration required. $7 for children 4 and up; no charge for adults and children ages 3 and under. Donations welcome.
Children audience members will be seated on the floor on mats. Adult audience members (and children under 3) will be seated behind them on benches.
Register https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewActivitySpaceAvailable.aspx?OrgKey=4283&CategoryID=29963

Nature is a Language
2024-04-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Ohio
A READING WITH JILL BIALOSKY AND LINDSAY TURNER
How does language shape our relationship with nature and with each other? What is poetry’s role in the future of our planet?
Join Literary Cleveland and Orion Magazine at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for a literary reading and conversation between Jill Bialosky, editor at Norton and author of Asylum and The Deceptions, and Lindsay Turner, CWRU professor and author of the poetry collection The Upstate. Together, they will explore how poetry engages the natural world, reveals our interconnectedness as human animals, and challenges us to address ecological crises.
Books will be available at the event courtesy of Mac’s Backs-Books on Coventry. This event is sponsored by Orion Magazine in partnership with the Nature Center.
Register https://givebutter.com/natureisalanguage

The Invasive Spotted Laternfly
2024-04-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Ohio
“If you see it, squish it” – That’s what we’ve been told to do when we come across the invasive species. But why? Are the spotted lanternflies in northeast Ohio? What is this pest and what impacts does it have on our environment? And what should you do if you start to spot them? The Natural Resources team at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes can help answer these questions and more!
Thursday, April 18 | 7-8:30PM | Lee Road Branch – Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
Registration Link (April 18): https://events.heightslibrary.org/event/11628442

Community Swap Meet
2024-04-20 11:00 - 14:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
All are welcome to this community “free-cycle” event! You can come empty handed and take home a few free treasures or sign-up as a vendor to bring a larger quantity of items to give away.
Celebrate Earth Month with the Nature Center at our Community Swap Meet! This “no-buy” event brings neighbors together to give and receive clothes, appliances, tools, home decor, and more in a sustainable and charitable way. This event is planned in partnership with the Shaker Heights Public Library.
Rain or shine, this event will be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.
If you’re looking to do a little spring cleaning in an earth-friendly way and have items you’d like to give away at the Community Swap Meet, register as a vendor here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflxPryoOG31VR6eWcCoBZON8g0iwf5KSeOamOoyivQycazzw/viewform

Doan Brook Stream Sweep
2024-04-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Ohio
To celebrate Earth Day, individuals, families, and community groups will have the chance to show the Doan Brook some love by pulling trash, debris, and invasive vegetation from the stream corridor and surrounding trails and roadways.
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes partners annually with the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership and several other organizations for our Annual Stream Sweep. Volunteers will be cleaning up winter’s accumulation of litter. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.
Volunteers will meet at the Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park in Cleveland, Ohio. When visiting the cultural gardens, you will find ample parking on side streets, and on Martin Luther King and East Boulevards. You will see wider sections of the road where you can park on the street right in front of the Garden(s) you are visiting. Please dress for the weather and wet or muddy conditions.
Location is the Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza, Cleveland Cultural Gardens 1051 Martin Luther King Blvd Cleveland, OH 44108 Please dress for the weather and wet or muddy conditions. Registration is requested and walk-ups are welcomed!
Register:https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7iFglDojGk6XaEjA8rdk7-qJe2zfhZhGtFvgdIJjZVRUOThEMzdISFY0QUJWRlZDQjMxNUs4WVlYSC4u

Teen Climate Change Advocacy and Action Series
2024-04-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
News surrounding climate change can be overwhelming. Though we all want to help in the environmental movement, it can seem daunting on where to start or how to make an impact.
The Nature Center is here to provide those resources and knowledge surrounding climate change advocacy and solutions! No matter if you are just starting your journey in advocacy or want to build more skills as an advocate, join in learning how to write a letter to a senator, congressman, or president, discover climate change solutions, and build connections for your environmental career goals.
Best for high school students ages 12-18. This is a free, three-part series, registration is open for one or all parts: Sundays, April 21st, April 28th, and May 5th.
Registration Link: https://givebutter.com/Z0CBqd

Earth Day Tree Giveaway
2024-04-22 10:00 - 17:00 | Ohio

Create an Eco-Friendly Backyard Oasis
2024-04-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Workshop with CH Green Team, Meadow City Nursery, and Good Nature
In this workshop, Heights’ residents will be able to ask and hear from experts about practical and available solutions to make their yards and gardens more eco-friendly. CH & UH residents can sign up to receive a free tree planted in their front yard as well as discounts on native plants. Registration is required. The event is free. For more information, contact the CH Green Team at: greenteam@chgreenteam.org
Wednesday, April 24 | 7PM-8:30PM | Nature Center
Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeOkBx1C7N2MzRB30VJHNYo1WYDOk8Ke8YRPxoiZDEVcBIiw/viewform

Guided Bird Walks
2024-04-25 08:00 - 09:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. The first walk of each month begins on our ADA accessible boardwalk and moves to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. The second walk of each month (marked with an asterisk*) is fully accessible and includes an ASL interpreter. For all hikes, meet in the Nature Center parking lot. Binoculars are available to borrow. Rain or shine. Registration required. Free. Donations welcome. https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewActivitySpaceAvailable.aspx?OrgKey=4283&CategoryID=23991

Weed Wrangle® with The Shaker Lakes Garden Club
2024-04-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Weed Wrangle® is a one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants. Supervised by an expert in invasive weed management, Weed Wrangle® volunteers learn, practice and begin a habit of maintaining an area free of non-native invasive plants and encourage replanting with natives in removal areas.
Registration is strongly encouraged. Dress for the weather! Light refreshments provided.
Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7iFglDojGk6XaEjA8rdk7-qJe2zfhZhGtFvgdIJjZVRUMkIyVUE3OVpPMDlPUkJRSlI1WElUTEU0NS4u

Recenter and Reset Hikes with GirlTrek
2024-04-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Join Jo Rattiliff of GirlTrek Cleveland for our monthly Sunday evening hikes as we watch Spring come to life while trekking the beautiful trails of Shaker Parklands and the surrounding neighborhood. Enjoy the fresh air, trees budding, flowers popping up, sounds of flowing water, evening bird calls, and much more. The trail will be of natural surfaces (paved and dirt trails) and sidewalk. Come rain or shine. All are welcome to join us for a fun-filled evening in nature. Registration required. Free. Donations welcome.
Registration Link: https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewActivitySpaceAvailable.aspx?OrgKey=4283&CategoryID=27739

Grow More - Mow Less!
2024-05-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Ohio
Horticulturalist Kate Small will talk about a nuanced approach to “No Mow May”, and what we can do in our yards and public spaces to increase habitat and reduce lawn. In America over 40 million acres of land are covered by turf grass, resulting in a lack of biodiversity; increased air pollution; and fertilizer runoff into our watersheds. Reducing lawns in our parks and yards is an important step towards a healthy ecosystem. Kate will talk about replacing lawn with native shrubs, sedges, grasses, ferns, and perennials preferred by native insects and birds to increase biodiversity and decrease lawns.
Hosted by Friends of Heights Parks
Saturday, May 4 | 10AM – 12PM | Forest Hills Park Cleveland Heights Community Center
Free. Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyEydPFXbBR0y81sy5U_P-SPwU1ofQrKBneXKGPZWYB4QRDQ/viewform

Audubon Society Spring Bird Walks
2024-05-05 07:30 - 10:30, 2024-05-19 07:30 - 10:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Each spring for many years on the last three Sundays in April and the first three Sundays in May at 7:30 A.M. the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland in conjunction with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Metroparks, Lake Metroparks, Geauga Park District, The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, and Holden Arboretum conduct bird walks to experience the progression of spring migration through our area.
Bird species are counted and recorded and the data is stored both on ebird and at the Museum of Natural History. This is a great way to improve your birding skills as the walks are led by experienced birders who welcome all levels of birders from beginners to advanced.
Register: https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewActivitySpaceAvailable.aspx?OrgKey=4283&CategoryID=23991
More information about the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland here.

It's a Wild Life | Art on View
2024-05-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
IT’S A WILD LIFE | Art on View

Debbie Palen’s work represents a portion of her career as a freelance illustrator providing art for children’s books and magazines. Humorous and educational, this mixed media artwork draws upon a child’s curiosity and encourages their engagement with the natural world. Many of the pieces were created for Ranger Rick, a publication of the National Wildlife Federation.

This exhibit will be shown from May 9 – August 15.

Join us for a FREE opening reception! Refreshments provided. The parking lot will be closed for plant sale preparations, but there will be plenty of street parking available. Thursday, May 9 | 5:30PM – 7PM

42nd Annual Plant Sale
2024-05-11 10:00 - 15:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Join us and shop the area’s largest selection of hard-to-find native plants, perennials, edibles, and annuals.
Member Preview 8:30AM-10AM | All Nature Center members are invited to join us for early sale access at the Member Preview. Complimentary coffee and pastries.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the 42nd Annual Plant Sale the week of May 6!
Monday, May 6-Unloading the truck of perennials. Volunteers will be outside and will be lifting plants and placing them in the parking lot. (2.5 hour shift -Time TBD)
Tuesday, May 7–Pick Day-Volunteers will be outside and will assist with filling the plant sale online orders. Volunteers will be outside and will be bending and picking up plants for the orders. (Shifts are 8:00-10:45am and 10:30-1:15pm.)
Wednesday, May 8–Plant Pick Up day– Volunteers will assist with organizing the parking lot and loading orders into cars. The volunteer shift is 3:45-7pm.
Thursday, May 9–Plant Pick Up Day-Volunteers will assist with organizing the parking lot and loading orders into cars. (The volunteer shift is 3:45-7pm.)
Friday, May 10-Volunteers are needed to assist with auditing the inventory of annuals and organizing the parking lot to get ready for the sale day on Saturday. (3 hour shift-time TBD)
Saturday, May 11– PLANT SALE DAY! Volunteers are needed to fill several roles including wayfinders, plant experts to assist customers, craft volunteers, volunteers assisting with loading cars, and clean up volunteers. 3 hour shifts from 8:00-11:00am, 10:30-1:30pm, and 1:00-4:00pm.
If you are interested in volunteering during Plant Sale week, please email volunteer@shakerlakes.org for registration information. Volunteer groups are encouraged to register!

Audubon Society Spring Walk
2024-05-12 07:30 - 10:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120

Meditation in Nature Series
2024-05-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
MEDITATION IN NATURE SERIES
Saturdays and Sundays May 18, May 25, June 2 | The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
The natural world is the perfect place to nourish your inner world! The sights and sounds naturally steady the mind, releasing the busy thoughts. These classes will help you deepen these experiences and will empower you to draw upon this meditation technique on your own. It’s an ideal way to make friends with your mind, and it’s as natural and as simple as breathing. Led by Jyoti Evans, experienced yoga instructor at Lotus Flower Yoga Collective and founder of Purna Yoga.
Registration required. $10 per class or $25 for all three classes. Members enjoy a $5 discount with spring members code.
Registration Link: https://givebutter.com/auDkfA

Animal Care: Snakes
2024-05-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Ohio
Have you ever wondered what it takes to keep our animal ambassadors here at the nature center happy and healthy? Join us the second Saturday of every month for a “behind the scenes” look at our animal care program. Each month will highlight a different species. Children 4 & up will be given the opportunity to interact with animal ambassadors. Children 3 & under will be asked to sit with their grown-ups. All presentations will conclude with a feeding demonstration for that species. Registration required. $7 for children 4 and up; no charge for adults and children ages 3 and under. Donations welcome.
Children audience members will be seated on the floor on mats. Adult audience members (and children under 3) will be seated behind them on benches.
Register: https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewActivitySpaceAvailable.aspx?OrgKey=4283&CategoryID=29963

Naturalist Notebook: Season on the Wind
2024-05-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
SEASON ON THE WIND BY KENN KAUFMAN
It’s migration season! Kenn Kaufman is well known for his guide books (particularly, his bird guides) but he has also written many books. Season On The Wind: Inside the World of Spring Migration could not be more perfectly suited to read both because it deals with spring migration and focuses on our part of the country Northern Ohio, the Great Lakes and Magee Marsh — Warbler country. For “birders” and just bird lovers, Season on the Wind is a great read about our geographic corner of the world and a great pastime.
Registration required. Free. Donations welcome.
Purchase your book at Loganberry Books for a 10% discount.
Registration: https://givebutter.com/maynatnotebook
