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THE NATURE CENTER AT SHAKER LAKES
Spring PROGRAMS

Mark your calendars for upcoming programs!

GUIDED BIRD WALKS
Nature Center
Select Sundays: March 12, March 26* | 8–9:30AM | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes ♿
Select Sundays: April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21 | 7:30AM - 9:00AM or later | Nature Center♿

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. Rain or shine. Accessible hikes will be canceled if the paths are covered in snow/ice.

Dates in April and May are part of the Audubon Spring Bird Walks. The ending times for these walks vary depending on bird activity and can sometimes last up to 3 hours. Plan on joining for however long you're able to! These walks begin on our ADA-accessible boardwalk and then move to dirt trails throughout the Parklands. People with limited mobility are encouraged to join us for the first portion of the walk. Our fully accessible walks will resume in June. ASL interpretation is available for all Audubon Spring Bird Walks. For all hikes, meet in the Nature Center parking lot. A limited number of binoculars are available to borrow. Rain or shine.

Registration required. Free. Donations welcome.

HEALING WALK CLUB with the HIIT FACTOR
Select Saturdays: April 15, May 13, June 10 | 7:30AM - 9:00AM | HIIT Factor
Start your weekend with an invigorating hike from The HIIT Factor on Larchmere to the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, and back. Focus on the health of your mind and body while alternating between a brisk walk and naturalist-led nature breaks (7:30AM-9:00AM). Back at The HITT Factor, you are welcome to stick around to enjoy a complimentary sampler class led by fitness instructor, Haja Tunkara (9:00-10:00 am). Looking for even more fitness opportunities? NCSL members receive a 15% discount on HIIT Factor Memberships.
Prepare for dirt trails and to hike about 3.5 miles. Registration required. Free.

RECENTER & RESET HIKES
Select Sunday Evenings: March 26, April 30, May 21 | 6:00PM - 7:00PM | Nature Center
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.

NATURE STORY TIME
Select Saturdays: March 18, April 15, May 20 | 10:00am-11:00am | Nature Center
This year, our monthly Nature Story Time series is inspired by Sarah Nelson’s book, A Park

Connects Us. In her story, Nelson celebrates the many ways a community can join together to
experience a green space. Let’s explore, play, and create together as we experience the many
ways we can connect right here at the Nature Center. Each program includes a story, an outdoor
exploration, and an activity. This program is recommended for children ages 3–6 with an adult.
Registration required. $7 per child. Members save 20%. Use coupon code “Connect” for BOGO
tickets. 

NATURALIST NOTEBOOK: THE OWLS OF THE EASTERN ICE
Sunday, May 21 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Hybrid: Join us at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes or Online

The Owls of the Eastern Ice:  A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl is a book which is part conservation advocacy, scientific inquiry and adventure story.  The huge, endangered Blackistan's fish owl -- the largest, living species of owl -- is the subject of our book and together with J. Slaght's great storytelling, makes for great nature writing. Registration required. Free. Donations welcome. Purchase your book at Loganberry Books for a 10% discount.

RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Tuesday May 16 and Tuesday May 23 | 5:30pm-7:00pm | Nature Center

Make your own rain barrel and save more than just water! We supply the barrel, parts, and tools and show you how to construct a closed, 55-gallon rain barrel system. Barrels can be attached to any standard downspout to collect and conserve rainwater for your plants and yard. This event is in collaboration with Doan Brook Watershed Partnership. $85 per rain barrel. Members of NCSL or DBWP save 20% (use coupon code “Member” at check-out) Registration Required.

HOMEGROWN PLANT SALE | SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 11AM–3PM
The popular Homegrown Sale is now a stand-alone event! Featuring native perennials and shrubs grown and donated by local gardeners. The Nature Center receives 100% of all sales! Member preview 10:30–11AM.

MAKING ROOM IN YOUR GARDEN? DONATE YOUR HEALTHY OR SPLIT PLANTS TO OUR SALE!
Bring plants in ready-to-sell condition to the Friends Pavilion on Thursday, June 8 or Friday, June 9. For times and other details, contact Homegrown Chairperson Tim Kalan at Kalan_T@shaker.org.

 

CHAMBERFEST CLEVELAND AT THE NATURE CENTER
Sunday, June 18 | 11AM–1PM | Nature Center
ChamberFest Cleveland presents a fun-filled outdoor event for the whole family! Join us on Father’s Day for world-class chamber music performances and hands-on music-making activities. This all-ages event is free and open to the public. Stay tuned for more details. Stroller and wheelchair friendly.

 


SUMMER OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMP
Offering NINE weeks of camp for pre-k through Grade 9 with themes such as Junior Naturalist, Summer Scientists, Nature Games, Bio Blitz and MORE! Camp financial aid and registration information available at shakerlakes.org/camp.

SPRING BREAK CAMP
March 27–31 for pre-k through grade 5 with daily themes including Spring Scientists, Jaws, Paws and Claws, Art in Nature, Blast From the Past and Grossology.

Camp Financial Aid information is available at shakerlakes.org/camp. Summer/Spring Camp Counselor in Training and Junior Counselor volunteer opportunities for teens ages 13–17. Paid Summer Camp Internships are available for ages 16 and older. Contact schmidt@shakerlakes.org for details.

VISITOR ACTIVITIES AT THE WELCOME DESK

Stop by the Welcome Desk year-round for seasonal activities, scavenger hunts, and more! Find a cozy corner and read a book from our Shaker Library Collection and watch birds from our observation space.