Naturalist Notebook: The Overstory by Richard Powers
2026-08-16 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Naturalist Notebook: The Overstory by Richard Powers
Sunday, August 16 | 1-3 PM
Join Loganberry Books and the Nature Center for our quarterly book club where we’ll be reading Richard Power’s Pulitzer-prize winning novel The Overstory – a passionate work of activism told as a fable with trees and humans as the main characters. The Overstory helps us understand the world and see it differently, as The Lorax did when first published over 50 years ago. Look forward to talking about both of the American classics.
Free. Registration required. Copies available at Loganberry at 10% off.
REGISTRATION https://givebutter.com/naturalist-notebook-8-16-26

Yoga, Popcorn & Pet Play Date
2026-08-19 17:00 - 20:00
Yoga, Popcorn & Pet Play Date
August 19 | 5 – 8PM
Nature Center Snacks*
Grab $1 popcorn and an ice cream in the Duck Pond for 25% off!
Yoga | 6-7:30PM
Join Emmy for a yoga experience inspired by the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes’ 60th anniversary celebration starting at 6 PM. Together, we will gather beneath the same moon that guides the rhythms of nature and renewal in a grounding and reflective yoga practice. This class invites you to slow down, and reconnect with the earth. Suitable for all levels. $10 donation suggested.
https://givebutter.com/beneath-one-moon-yoga-8-19-2026
Pet Play Date
Woof! Woof! Bark! Bark! Translation: Normally pets are not permitted on our trails but we invite you to bring your favorite furry companion to the Nature Center for this special dog-friendly (and people-friendly!) event. Walk your dog along the Nature Center trails (which is usually not allowed to help us preserve the natural habitat of the animals and plants on our property). Enjoy a treat for yourself and your furry friend! Ice cream from the Duck Pond Gift Shop is 25% off and grab a $1 pup cup for your dog.

*Previously there was a food truck scheduled but the had to cancel so this has been updated accordingly!

Native Plant Container Workshop
2026-08-20 18:00 - 19:30
Thursday, August 20 | 6-7:30 PM | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 S. Park Blvd.
Are you spending money every year on annual plants that don’t serve our pollinators? Bring nature to your porch, balcony or patio with native perennial containers. Amy from Avonlea Gardens will start us off with a great presentation on native containers. This workshop will teach you how to teach you how to pick the right plants for your location and keep your plants alive through winter. You’ll also learn how to arrange them for the best appearance. With a little care, most native perennials will return year after year, meaning you don’t have to buy plants again each spring.
Includes three plants, soil, and a container liner for a ticket price of $30. Additional plants or pots available for purchase a la carte.
Contact Natural Resource Manager Nick Mikash at mikash@shakerlakes.org with any questions or concerns.
Registration required. https://givebutter.com/native-plant-container-8-20-26

Guided Bird Walks
2026-08-20 18:30 - 20:00
Guided Bird Walks
Select Thursdays 6:30 – 8 PM
August 20*
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. Walks marked with an asterisk are fully accessible and include an ASL interpreter. For all hikes, meet in the Nature Center parking lot. Binoculars are available to borrow. Rain or shine. Free. $5 suggested donation. Registration required.
*Months marked with an asterisk are fully accessible and include an ASL interpreter
REGISTRATION:
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-20-26

End of Summer Soiree
2026-08-26 17:00 - 20:00
Celebrate the end of summer with music by award winning children’s artist Mr. Jeff, food, and drinks. Family-friendly. Mr. Jeff’s performance begins at 6 PM. Enjoy food from the Dawg Bowl Food Truck.
About Mr. Jeff:
“Award Winning, Silly and Fun Music For Children of All Ages Created by A Teacher!”
Mr. Jeff wears many hats as a multi-instrumentalist musician, songwriter, music teacher, audio engineer, and former Pre-K and Preschool Teacher. With a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ to his name, he spent four years inspiring young minds in his preschool classroom, where he seamlessly blended music, theatrics, and reading into his lessons.
Mr. Jeff’s YouTube channel, with over 100,000 views, is a favorite for kids and families, offering fun, educational music videos that spark joy and curiosity.
His high-energy, interactive live shows combine gross motor movement, social-emotional learning, and a healthy dose of silliness, leaving kids ready for a nap—and parents asking for more! Perfect for libraries, schools, festivals, museums, and family-friendly events, Mr. Jeff’s performances are designed to captivate and engage audiences of all ages.

GirlTrek Hikes
2026-08-29 10:00 - 11:00
GirlTREK
Select Saturdays | 10-11 AM | August 29
Join Jo Rattiliff of GirlTrek Cleveland for our monthly hikes. In the case of inclement weather, the hike will be cancelled, and an email will be sent out. The trail will be of natural surfaces (paved and dirt trails) and sidewalk. Registration required.
Free. Donations welcome. Learn more at GirlTrek.org.
REGISTRATION
https://givebutter.com/girltrek-8-29-26

Hike & Run
2026-09-13 08:00 - 12:00
Hike & Run – Sunday, September 13, 2026
The 22nd Annual Shaker Lakes Hike & Run is just around the corner!
On Sunday, September 13, join us for a community tradition that celebrates the Nature Center’s past, present, and future. Just days before our official 60th anniversary, celebrate with us and choose from scenic chip-timed 5K and 10K routes throughout the picturesque Shaker Parklands, a 1-mile fun run, and four rarely offered guided hikes that include some of the best-kept-secret trails in the area. There is something for everyone.
Every registration directly supports environmental education and the care of the Nature Center’s trails and habitats. Don’t miss this annual community event! Lace up, step out, and be a part of the celebration savoring the last few days of summer while honoring health & wellness, the outdoors, and 60 years of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Learn more and register: https://shakerlakes.org/hikerun/

AutumnFest
2026-09-26 15:00 - 19:00
AutumnFest: Harvest Moon
A 60th Anniversary Celebration | Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 3-7PM
IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY!
Join us beneath the Harvest Moon as we celebrate 60 years of connecting people with nature. Gather your friends and family for an evening filled with festive fall traditions, birthday surprises, moonlit adventures, music, food and activities for all ages.
Any and all costumes encouraged: Dress celestial or 60’s inspired to help us celebrate!
A 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION | SATURDAY 9.26 | 3–7PM
HARVEST TABLE*
• Food Trucks
• Donuts
• Fritters
• Cider
• Hot Cocoa Fireside
• Toasted Moon (S’mores)
Bring a birthday card for the Nature Center
with your special message and receive 6 free
activity tickets. Enter our 60th Anniversary
Birthday Cake Decorating Contest.
Learn more:
TICKETED ACTIVITIES*
• Harvest Pumpkin Painting
• Little Lunar Builders Corner
• Reach For the Moon: Tree Climbing
• Spin the Moon Prize Wheel
HARVEST TABLE*
• Food Trucks
• Donuts
• Fritters
• Cider
• Hot Cocoa Fireside
• Toasted Moon (S’mores)
ADULTS ONLY GAZEBO
LUNAR LOUNGE
• Moonrise Tavern* & Acoustic Music Lounge
with Charlie Mosbrook (bring a chair)
FREE ACTIVITIES
• Share a Birthday Wish on the Wish Wall
• Moonlight Music & Games with DJ
• Moon Dust Play Zone: Bubbles & Sidewalk Chalk
• Wish Makers Wand Craft with Shaker Library
• Moon (seed) Pods with NEORSD
• Meet Luna the Wish Fairy
• Nature Center Birthday Photo Booth
• Birthday Trivia and Raffles
• & MORE

Cake Decorating Contest
2026-09-26 15:00 - 19:00
Celebrate our 60th Anniversary with us by decorating a cake for display and judging at our annual AutumnFest event. Cakes to be decorated at home and dropped off prior to the event.

Fill out the form below to enter for the Nature Center’s 60th Anniversary cake decorating contest on Saturday, September 26th. Cakes can be delivered to the Nature Center between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday, September 26 and must be able to be at room temp from drop off until 7 pm. Cakes will be raffled off with proceeds supporting the Nature Center. Bakers are encouraged to decorate around themes of celebrating nature, 60 years, and the moon/space. All who participate will receive 20 free activity tickets for use at AutumnFest and winners in each category will receive a 60th anniversary gift basket and a $20 gift card. All ages and abilities welcome. When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.

SIGN UP

Luminary Walk
2026-12-18 08:00 - 17:00

Pre-K Explorers
2027-04-15 08:30 - 10:30
Pre-K Explorers
Pre-K Explorers is for children ages 3.5-5. Explorers meets once a week on Thursday mornings from 8:30-10:30am. Register for one or multiple semesters. $595/semester. $50 member discount. Use code Explore50. Register for one or multiple semesters. Each semester includes 12 classes.
2026 Fall Semester: 9/17/26-11/19/26
2027 Spring Semester: 2/4/27-4/15/27 (no class on 4/1/27)
Members – Use code, “Explore50” to receive $50 off EACH semester you register for.
REGISTER: https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/event/pre-k-explorers/3108983
Children must be fully bathroom independent.

Calling all families with young explorers!
Register your 3.5-5 year old in Pre-K Explorers. This once-a-week program adds outdoor exploration to your existing childcare or preschool routine. It can also be used to give your young explorer practice with classroom behaviors before starting a formal Pre-K program.
Each, 12-week, semester provides weekly opportunities for your Pre-K Explorer to engage with age-appropriate content through observation, exploration, and play. They might look for different colors on a nature hike, count acorns in the forest, or compare the size of different leaves before heading inside to model their own creation based on the day’s theme. Our educators create safe spaces where children become comfortable asking questions, sharing their ideas with others, and trying new things.
The group of students and the lead NCSL educator are consistent throughout the entire semester, allowing your Pre-K explorer to practice the soft skills needed for any group environment.

Q: Does NCSL offer a licensed Nature Preschool program?
A: No. The Pre-K Explorers Program meets too infrequently to qualify for the registration process through the state of Ohio. However, we do have a state and ACA certified day camp we run each summer and apply those same safety standards and educator expectations.
See our Family Starter Guide for more details on program procedures.

Q: What will my Pre-K Explorer learn?
A: Each week offers a different nature theme like bugs, birds, or the night sky. While the activities, games or stories will be anchored to the theme, student outcome goals center on the Ohio Department of Education’s standards for building inquiry skills and social emotional learning. Your Pre-K explorer will be making observations, communicating ideas, and practicing working with others.
See our Family Starter Guide for more details on program goals.
Q: What can we expect for weekly logistics?
A: Each week has a unique theme, but the structure of the day and the people in the group stay consistent from week to week.
Sample Schedule:

8:30am: Arrive

8:30-9:00: Free Play

9:00-9:15 Circle Time

9:15-9:30 Animal Share or Game

9:30-10:15 Outdoor Exploration/Hike

10:15 -10:30 – Craft or Experiment

See our Family Starter Guide for more details on program logistics.
Still have Questions?
No problem! Please reach out to our Director of Education, Erica Prange. She can answer your logistic questions or connect you with the lead educator for the semester you’re interested in.
Contact Erica by email at prange@shakerlakes.org or phone 216.321.5935 ext.243
Ready to Register?
Pre-K Explorers is for children ages 3.5-5. We meet once a week on Thursday mornings from 8:30am-10:30am. Children must be fully bathroom independent.
Register for one or multiple semesters. Each semester includes 12 classes.
2026 Spring Semester: 2/5/26-4/30/26 (no class on 4/9/26)
2026 Fall Semester: 9/17/26-12/10/26 (no class on 11/26/26)
2027 Spring Semester: 2/4/27-4/29/27 (no class on 4/1/27)
Members – Use code, “Explore50” to receive $50 off EACH semester you register for.
REGISTER: https://shakerlakes.doubleknot.com/event/pre-k-explorers/3108983

Pre-K Explorers Family Guide_2026
