Luminary Walk
2026-12-18 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44120

AutumnFest
2026-09-26 08:00 - 17:00
AutumnFest – Saturday, September 26, 2026

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/

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

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 Delish Mobile Food Truck.

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

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

Naturalist Notebook: The Overstory by Richard Powers
2026-08-16 13:00 - 15:00
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

Guided Bird Walks
2026-08-13 18:30 - 20:00
Guided Bird Walks
Select Thursdays 6:30 – 8 PM
August 13, August 20*
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. Walks begin on our ADA-accessible boardwalk and move to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. 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 LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-13-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-20-26

Restoration Hike
2026-08-12 18:00 - 19:30
Restoration Hike
Celebrating 60 Years of Conservation & Restoration
August 12 | 6-7:30 pm
Join our Natural Resources team as we hike the property and discuss the progress we’ve made since 2019 in removing invasives and restoring our 22 acres. We’ll talk about how we’ve done it, the invasive plants we’ve removed, and what natives we’ve installed.
Free. Registration required.
REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/restoration-hike-8-12-26

Waxing Moon Sound Bath & Restoration Hike
2026-08-12 17:00 - 20:00
Experience a relaxing sound bath and guided meditation with Liz from Waxing Moon Sound OR join NCSL Natural Resources Manager Nick Mikash for a free restoration hike to learn about the restoration work recently completed. Sound Bath $35 non-members, $30 members.
REGISTRATION LINKS:
Hike: https://givebutter.com/restoration-hike-8-12-26
Sound bath: https://givebutter.com/sound-bath-8-12-26

Art in the Park
2026-08-05 17:00 - 20:00
Co-hosted with studio Chartreuse
Stroll through this summer favorite pop-up shopping experience with local artisans and makers, music, Grateful Grub food truck, and cocktails. Free to attend. All ages. No registration required.
This year’s vendors include:

Artifacets Jewelry
Bendi’s Fine Designs, LLC

Brenna Claire Artistry

Clara Grace Illustrates

Dynamite Desserts / Jabrielle Russell

Eileen Ryan Ewen

From the Lobby

Jane Mallorn

Joyce Morrow Jones

Lari Jacobson

Light the Wild / Terri Stefanko

Lucy Bailey Art

Noble Fawn Jewelry

Nonlinear Nomad / Nicole Adams

On The Lookout Jewelry

Rabbit Rabbit

SASHA / Sara McClelland

Shaker Art Circle

S’il Vous Play

Starlight Grove Studios

Studiowurk

Sweet bean / Kristin Barnes

Native Plant Bingo, Pop-Up Plant Sale & Food Truck Night
2026-07-29 17:00 - 20:00
**Summer Wednesdays are each Wednesday Night from 5-8PM at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.**
NATIVE PLANT BINGO IS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT. WALK-UPS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE A CARD OR PLAY.
Pop-Up Native Plant Sale, Game Night and Native Plant Bingo PLUS a Food Truck
Wednesday, July 29

SCHEDULE:
5-8PM | Games and Dinner available from Good Times LLC Food Truck. Ice Cream 25% off from the Duck Pond

6-8 PM | Native Plant Bingo & Pop-Up Plant Sale Join us for Native Plant Bingo! This will be a night of fun and learning about native plants. Participants will play 8 rounds of bingo, with a native plant theme and everyone will have the opportunity to win a native plant from the evening’s nursery partner Meadow City. Registration required. $12 for non-members, $10 for members. Plus a Pop-Up plant sale! Native plants from Meadow City will be available for purchase. Register: https://givebutter.com/native-plant-bingo-7-29-26

Author Talk w/ Jarod Anderson Book and Loganberry Books
2026-07-22 17:00 - 20:00
7.22 Author Talk w/ Jarod Anderson Book and Loganberry Books
The Nature Center is partnering with Loganberry Books to host an enlightening evening with Jarod Anderson, author of the newly released memoir SOMETHING IN THE WOODS LOVES YOU. Jarod is best known for his writing/podcast as @cryptonaturalist. We will hear Jarod read an excerpt from his book, lead a discussion on nature’s impact on mental health, and share how you can start writing in nature.
Free. Suggested $5 donation. All ages. Registration required.
REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/jarod-anderson-7-22-26

GirlTrek Hikes
2026-07-18 10:00 - 11:00
GirlTREK
Select Saturdays | 10-11 AM | July 18, 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 LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/girltrek-7-18-26
https://givebutter.com/girltrek-8-29-26

Canceled: Guided Bird Walk
2026-07-16 18:30 - 20:00
This event has been canceled due to dangerous air quality.
Guided Bird Walks
Select Thursdays 6:30 – 8 PM
July 16, August 13, August 20*
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. Walks marked with an asterisk begin on our ADA accessible boardwalk and move to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. 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 LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-7-16-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-13-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-20-26

Native Plant Container Workshop at NCSL
2026-07-16 18:00 - 19:30
Native Plant Container Workshop at NCSL
At NCSL- Thursday, July 16| 6:00-7:30 pm
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.
Registration required.
https://givebutter.com/native-plant-container-avonlea

Clothing Swap with Fashion Talks
2026-07-15 17:00 - 20:00
7.15 Clothing Swap with Fashion Talks
Connect with your community and update your wardrobe at the Nature Center’s first ever clothing swap in partnership with Fashion Talks. Bring your gently used clothes, shoes, purses and accessories to find a new home while enjoying delicious mocktails from Verbena Free Spirited and discovering your own new favorite pieces.
$10 Admission fee. All ages. Registration required.
REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/clothing-swap-7-15-26

Guided Bird Walks
2026-07-09 18:30 - 20:00
Guided Bird Walks
Select Thursdays 6:30 – 8 PM
July 9*, July 16, August 13, August 20*
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. Walks marked with an asterisk begin on our ADA accessible boardwalk and move to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. 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 LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-7-9-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-7-16-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-13-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-20-26

Pet Play Date
2026-07-08 17:00 - 20:00
7.8 Pet Play Date
Bring your furry friend to the Nature Center to walk our trails at this year’s Pet Play Date! We will have sweet treats available for four-legged and two-legged guests alike, with both ice cream and pup cups available for purchase.
Free. All ages. No registration required.

Shaker Art Circle
2026-07-07 17:30 - 19:00
2026 Dates at the Nature Center
Tuesdays, 5:30 – 7PM
July 7 / July 21
August 4 / August 18
September 1 / September 15
The Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is pleased to announce our continued initiative: The Shaker Art Circle, a community of artists and creatives who gather regularly to draw, sketch, and paint in inspiring locations around Shaker Heights. This welcoming group is open to artists of all experience levels — from curious beginners to seasoned professionals. Bring something you are working on or begin something new and enjoy making art with like-minded, supportive individuals in a quiet outdoor setting. Not sure if this is for you? If you have that creative drive, then it probably is! Call Sheri 216-544-7989 with additional questions.
Meet us at the outdoor Nature Center Pavilion at 5:30
Inclement Weather: The Market Hall at the Van Aken District across from Brasica.
These events are free and open to adults 18 years or older.

Native Plant Bingo, Pop-Up Plant Sale & Musician Maxwell Stern
2026-07-01 17:00 - 20:00
7.1 Native Plant Bingo & Musician Maxwell Stern
Pop-Up Plant Sale
Our bingo co-hosts from Avonlea Gardens and Inn will join us to offer plants for sale with a portion of proceeds supporting the Nature Center.
Join us for our first installment of NCSL Native Plant Bingo! This will be a night of fun and learning about native plants. Participants will play 8 rounds of bingo with a native plant theme. Our partners from Avonlea Gardens and Inn will bring the plants and cohost! Visitors will also enjoy live music from local artist Maxwell Stern. Bingo starts at 6 PM. $12 for 8 rounds. $10 for members. Registration required.
REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/native-plant-bingo-7-1-26

Rain Barrel Workshop
2026-06-25 17:30 - 19:00
Rain Barrel Workshop
June 25| 5:30:-7:00 pm
$85 for members / $95 for non-members. Members can use code SUMMERMEM2026 for $10 off.
Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water, and using rainwater is a healthier way to irrigate your garden. Join our natural resources team as we walk you through a hands-on workshop to build your own rain barrel. The price includes the rain barrel, diverter kit, and all necessary parts. We provide the tools and instruction. This easy workshop is suitable for all skill levels. Registration required.
REGISTRATION https://givebutter.com/rain-barrel-workshop-6-25-26

VEGAN NIGHT: Beneath One Moon
2026-06-24 17:00 - 20:00
VEGAN NIGHT: Beneath One Moon
Grab a vegan dinner at our Vegan Taco Bar from Cleveland Vegan for $15, or add a side salad or beet “beef” slider ($6) and assortment of vegan pastries ($4). Enjoy refreshing beverages from the Duck Pond as well as 25% off frozen treats. First come, first served, sales begin at 5 PM.
OR 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.
REGISTER https://givebutter.com/yoga-night-6-24-26

Rain Barrel Workshop
2026-06-23 17:30 - 19:00
Rain Barrel Workshop
June 23 & June 25| 5:30:-7:00 pm
$85 for members / $95 for non-members. Members can use code SUMMERMEM2026 for $10 off.
Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water, and using rainwater is a healthier way to irrigate your garden. Join our natural resources team as we walk you through a hands-on workshop to build your own rain barrel. The price includes the rain barrel, diverter kit, and all necessary parts. We provide the tools and instruction. This easy workshop is suitable for all skill levels. Registration required.
REGISTRATION LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/rain-barrel-workshop-6-23-26
https://givebutter.com/rain-barrel-workshop-6-25-26

Summer Solstice Night Hike
2026-06-22 20:00 - 21:30
Summer Solstice Night Hike
Monday, June 22 | 8-9:30 pm
Bring in the summer season by joining the Nature Center for a Summer Equinox Moonlit Walk. Stroll through our trails under the moonlight on the first night of spring and learn about bats and other nocturnal animals, summer plants, and more. Joining us will be Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist Madi Bacci, who will share her passion for bats and other nocturnal critters!
Registration Required. Free/$7 donation suggested. All ages.
REGISTRATION: https://givebutter.com/summer-solstice-6-22-26

GirlTrek Hikes
2026-06-20 09:30 - 10:30
GirlTREK
Select Saturdays | 9:30-10:30 AM | June 20, July 18, 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 LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/girltrek-6-20-26
https://givebutter.com/girltrek-7-18-26
https://givebutter.com/girltrek-8-29-26

Guided Bird Walks
2026-06-18 18:30 - 20:00
Guided Bird Walks
Select Thursdays 6:30 – 8 PM
June 18*, July 2*, July 16, August 13, August 20*
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. Walks marked with an asterisk begin on our ADA accessible boardwalk and move to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. 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 LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-6-18-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-7-2-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-7-16-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-13-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-20-26

Environmental and Racial Justice Fair
2026-06-17 17:00 - 20:00
Environmental and Racial Justice Fair
Featuring Really Amazing Food Truck
Join the Nature Center for an inspiring Juneteenth community celebration featuring local racial justice organizations, environmental advocates, art exhibits, and changemakers. Through engaging community conversations, unique exhibits, and opportunities to connect with local groups, we’ll explore how environmental racism impacts Black communities and the collective work being done to advance equity and access to healthy, vibrant neighborhoods.
Visitors can also experience the Nature Includes You exhibit, on loan from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, along with a special quilt exhibit presented by the African American Quilt & Doll Guild.
Enjoy food from the Really Amazing Food Truck. Free and open to all ages. All are welcome.

Guided Bird Walks
2026-06-11 18:30 - 20:00
Guided Bird Walks
Select Thursdays 6:30 – 8 PM
June 11, June 18*, July 2*, July 16, August 13, August 20*
Join a guided walk through the Shaker Parklands looking and listening for birds. Walks marked with an asterisk begin on our ADA accessible boardwalk and move to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. 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 LINKS:
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-6-11-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-6-18-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-7-2-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-7-16-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-13-26
https://givebutter.com/summer-guided-bird-walk-8-20-26
