Spring, 2014 - Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

We’re On the Move!
Applied Science for Kids
“Eco-Career” Panel
This school year marks the launch of our
full ASK! (Applied Science for Kids) for
Cleveland Schools program, designed to
reach all preschool, kindergarten and first
grade students in the Cleveland Metropolitan
School District — nearly 7,600 children.
Serving as the foundational components of
the District’s Learn, Protect, Stay – Place
Based Collaborative, the Nature Center has
developed a multi-faceted program which
provides extensive tools to classroom teachers
and culminates in a field experience. It has
received tremendous support from The
Cleveland Foundation, Abington Foundation,
Thomas H. White Foundation, Hershey
Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Martha
Holden Jennings Foundation, Fowler Family
Foundation, Roy A. Hunt Foundation, PNC
Foundation, Macy’s Foundation, Target
Foundation, Bruening Foundation and the
Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust, as well as
the Sherwick Fund, Billie Howland Steffee
Fund, and Alton F. and Carrie S. Davis Fund,
along with numerous individuals. The Nature
Center’s Education Director, Raja Byrnside,
has also played a key role in developing
the District’s preschool through Grade 12
five year Science Strategic Plan, with an
anticipated start date of summer 2014.
Justin Evans and Natural Resources Manager
Sarah Cech participated recently on an
“Eco-Career” panel at Notre Dame College.
They joined professionals from the Northeast
Ohio Regional Sewer District, Cleveland
Metroparks, the State Health Department and
a private environmental firm to discuss their
career choices and paths.
Update from Michael R. White
Elementary School
The Nature Center is excited to continue
its partnership with Cleveland’s Michael R.
White School during the 2013-2014 school
year. Currently fourth and fifth graders are
halfway through their 20-week, investigative
exploration into the Doan Brook and Lake Erie
Watersheds. Using field trips, experiments,
observation, and lots of questions, Michelle
La Nasa, Environmental Educator/Program
Specialist, is helping the students learn that
Cleveland is naturally fascinating!
Welcoming New Staff
Nature Center Removes Litter
The Good Neighbor Litter Patrol was
launched by the Nature Center in December
as an effort to show appreciation for and
give back to the community. Consisting of
local high school students, staff and other
volunteers that meet on Thursday afternoons
at 3:30, the patrol removes all trash and
debris from the perimeter of the Nature
Center and ensures that whether walking
through or driving by the Nature Center,
the beauty of nature is all that will be seen.
The Nature Center welcomes two new staff
members. Stephen Sedam is the Director of
Advancement, the department responsible
for development, marketing and volunteer
engagement. Stephen has nearly 40 years of
experience working in nonprofit fundraising
and management with extensive experience
with nature conservation organizations. He
is looking forward to meeting Nature Center
members and donors and learning their stories.
Brittany Coffin is the Visitor and Administrative
Services Manager. Britt’s experience is in
managing day-to-day business operations
of organizations and will act as the Nature
Center’s Office Manager as well as oversee the
Duck Pond Gift Shop and all facility rentals.
Future Scientists
This past January, Rana Bottino,
Environmental Educator/Camps & Special
Programs Manager, participated in the
John Hay High School Science Fair. Rana
judged student’s projects and presentations
covering a wide variety of subject matter
including how to make plastic from milk;
more popcorn kernels pop if they are
seasoned (especially with red pepper);
and immediate family members do not
necessarily have similar fingerprint patterns.
Rana thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many
students thinking scientifically and making
their own discoveries through research and
experimentation.
Mr. Justin to Speak
Early Childhood Environmental Educator
Justin Evans is scheduled to speak at the
Cleveland Association for the Education
of Young Children’s (CAEYC) Annual
Conference on March 8. The title of the
session is “Dig In and Get Dirty with
Science Exploration!” CAEYC is an affiliate
of the National Association and the Ohio
Association for the Education of Young
Children.
Thanks for Your Support
The Nature Center deeply values the support
provided by our members and donors. In order
to keep you more fully informed of all the
wonderful and interesting things happening at
the Nature Center, the list of donors typically
found in this space will be provided annually
through the Report to the Community published in
the winter edition of The Rookery. Thank you for
your support!
Nature Notes
Throughout the winter months, a pair of Redtailed Hawks have been sighted around the
Nature Center. Red-tails usually eat mammals,
but they will snack on birds, too. Breeding
season begins in March. Look for their
soaring, diving and rolling courtship flights
high over open areas. They build large nests
out of sticks, preferring the crown of a tall
tree. Help us watch for nesting activity.
Early Spring is also a time for seeing Bald
Eagles on the move through the area. Once
a rare visitor to the Shaker Parklands, they
now seem to be regulars during migration,
stopping to eat fish from both Lower Lake
and Horseshoe Lake.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 4010
Cleveland, OH
2600 South Park Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44120
(216) 321-5935
www.shakerlakes.org
[email protected]
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
FSC position
conserving a natural area, connecting people
with nature, and inspiring environmental stewardship
32nd Annual
Plant Sale!
Welcome spring with the Nature Center’s
32nd Annual Plant Sale featuring a wide
variety of annuals, perennials, herbs,
vegetables and natives. Plants can be
purchased individually or in convenient prearranged assortments and hanging baskets.
Pre-order plants through the Plant Sale
Catalog with delivery to your door. The Plant
Sale Catalog will be available by mail and
email soon. Pre-orders are due by Tuesday,
April 15, and plants will be delivered to your
home on Wednesday, May 7. Visit the Nature
Center during Plant Sale Day on Saturday,
May 10 and choose plants from the beautiful
selection that fills the parking lot. Vendors,
refreshments and a special Mother’s Day kid’s
activity make this a fun family outing!
Join us for the 9th Annual Pestival
Friday, April 11
6 to 9 pm Meet the Chefs VIPs ($85)
7 to 9 pm Open Tasting Guests ($60)
Pestival is the Nature Center’s most unique, mission-driven event
combining successful land management and creative cuisine
from some of Cleveland’s most celebrated chefs. This annual
cocktail-style reception features delectable dishes made from the
invasive, non-native garlic mustard pulled from the property by
staff and volunteers. Proceeds will support the Nature Center’s
beloved public trails, natural habitats, and acclaimed environmental
education programs.
If You Can’t Beat It, Eat It! Enjoy delicious dishes from Coquette
Patisserie, Edwins Restaurant, fire food and drink, The Greenhouse
Tavern, J. Pistone Market and Gathering Place, Mackenzie
Creamery, Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream, SASA, and Spice
Kitchen + Bar. Wine, beer, soft drinks and a signature Pestival
cocktail will also be available.
Beat the Crowd! Nature Center members can make reservations
before the general public for both Meet the Chefs VIPs and Open
Tasting Guests through March 10.
Presenting Sponsor:
Sponsors:
Patron:
Compelling Communications
Supporters:
Farrow & Wren
Grand Cru Wine Company
Indigo Imp Brewery
Portside Distillery
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i]ZCVijgZ8ZciZgViH]V`ZgAV`Zh
(n.) breeding ground or haunt of gregarious birds or mammals
Notes from the Director
Explore Nature
Inside and Out!
March
8
9
11
25
31
Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
Seasonal Bird Walk
Discover Solar Energy
Dig in! What Grows Where?
Spring Break Camp: Session I
(thru April 4)
April
11
12
Pestival
Spring Migration at
Lake View Cemetery
13 Audubon Bird Walk
15 Plant Sale Catalog Orders Due
17 Brush Up Your Birding
20 Audubon Bird Walk
21 Bird Banding Begins
21 Spring Break Camp: Session II
(thru April 25)
27 Audubon Bird Walk
26/27 Doan Brook Stream Sweep
and Weed Pull
May
2
4
10
11
13
14
17
17
18
26
26
Explorer Series at Cleveland Museum
of Natural History: Amy Steward —
The Drunken Botanist
Audubon Bird Walk
32nd Annual Plant Sale
Audubon Bird Walk
DIY Rain Barrel Workshop at
Nature Center
DIY Rain Barrel Workshop at
Cleveland Heights Community Center
Art on View Artist’s Reception
Stewardship Saturday
Audubon Bird Walk
Bird Banding Ends
Ohio Young Birders Club Field Trip
June
7
16
21
Green Site, Starry Night
Summer Benefit
Outdoor Adventure Camps Begin
Stewardship Saturday
Save the Date!
Hike & Run: Sunday, September 21
Annual Meeting: Wednesday, October 1
Spring is a welcome reprieve from the cold,
dark days of winter. The buds peeking up
through the ground, the fresh earth scent
and the songs of birds all coax us outside to
enjoy the longer days and warm sun. Whether
you are a birder or a gardener, a foodie or a
volunteer, the Nature Center has an activity
to help you enjoy the wonders of spring.
Get your garden ready with advice from
experts at the Dig In! What Grows Where? forum
and the annual Nature Center Plant Sale. Did
you know that nearly 200 different species
of birds have been found to migrate through
the area? Our bird walks and bird banding
mornings offer a fascinating first-hand view of
the beauty and variety of birds that populate
the Nature Center and Shaker Parklands.
Stewardship Saturdays and the annual Doan
Brook Stream Sweep & Weed Pull offer
volunteers of all ages an opportunity to
make a big impact in improving the health
of our urban environment and maintaining
the trails and habitats of the Nature Center.
We appreciate the efforts of our many
volunteers, and it is our pleasure to show
our appreciation at the annual Volunteer
Appreciation Brunch, which will be held on
March 8.
Spring, 2014
Volunteers and staff all spring to action
to prepare for and implement our spring
fundraising events: Pestival will be April 11 and
Green Site, Starry Night is scheduled for June 7.
The Nature Center is also springing forward
to position ourselves to better meet the needs
of the community. A concerted effort has been
made in the past few months to engage Nature
Center stakeholders to formulate a Master
Facilities Plan, and input has been sought
from board members, community leaders and
staff. The Master Facilities Plan will address
a multitude of aspects about the Nature
Center, including improving the visitor and
education experience; enhancing the profile and
educational value of habitats; acknowledging
generous donors; positioning the Nature
Center as a showcase and source of information
for green building and sustainable practices;
and increasing the effectiveness, efficiency
and comfort of
educational and
office spaces.
The energy of spring
is all around us.
Please join us at our
many events during
this exciting time of
growth and renewal.
renewal
Save the evening of
Saturday, June 7 for
Green Site, Starry Night !
Join us for dinner, dancing, auctions
and a special award presentation to
our 2014 Great Blue Heron Honoree,
Parker Hannifin Corporation.
You won’t want to miss the best
party of the summer!
Look for event updates at
www.shakerlakes.org.
For event sponsorship information,
contact Stephen Sedam at
(216) 321-5935 or [email protected].
Donor Spotlight
Margaret Rose Giltinan
Margaret Rose Giltinan, a
member of the Nature Center’s
Great Blue Heron Society and
the newest trustee of the Shaker
Lakes Regional Nature Center
Endowment Foundation, has
a long history with the Nature
Center. She grew up in Cleveland
but has lived in Shaker Heights
most of her life. As a young girl,
Margaret had a close friend whose
parent’s house would have been
in the path of the proposed Clark-Lee Freeway, and she remembers
the parents joining the fight to stop the development of the freeway.
Margaret attended Hathaway Brown School, which also would have
been destroyed by the freeway.
When her daughters Betsy and Lynn (now 26 and 22, respectively)
were young, she often brought them to the Nature Center. During
the summer, she would watch them run around in their shorts and rain
boots and play in the Doan Brook for hours. It is one of her fondest
memories of their childhood and launched their life-long love of nature.
News of Note
On November 7, Sharon Wilson Seaton, Senior Community Affairs
Representative of the Dominion Foundation, presented a check in
support of the ASK! (Applied Science for Kids) program to Executive
Director Kay Carlson during a visit from kindergarten students and
their teachers from Adlai Stevenson Elementary School, Cleveland.
Since 2009, Margaret has served as President and CEO of the Gebauer
Company, an internationally recognized medical device manufacturer,
based in Cleveland for over 100 years and family-owned since 1957.
She is also very involved in the community. She serves on Cleveland
Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Institute Leadership Council and is active with
Playhouse Square. As a breast cancer survivor, Margaret passionately
supports Studio 51, a wig boutique at the Taussig Cancer Institute, and
the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Recently when her long-time friends Cynthia Bassett (Endowment
Foundation Board President) and David Fulton (Endowment
Foundation Treasurer) asked her to serve on the Endowment
Foundation Board, Margaret stumbled upon two historic letters
concerning opposition to the Clark-Lee Freeway. The first was a 1965
letter from the Country Club Garden Club urging Governor James
A. Rhodes to bypass Shaker Heights and the Shaker Lakes area in
building any freeways. The second letter was from Lady Bird Johnson
to the Garden Club indicating that it is the President’s hope and
hers that “America’s highways can be planned with full and sensitive
consideration of all natural values.” Margaret took this as a sign that
it was her turn to make a difference, and she agreed to serve on the
Endowment Foundation Board of Trustees. “Serving on the Endowment
Foundation Board is a great way to contribute by investing my time and
resources to a cause I love,” Margaret said.
On December 14, area birders participated in the annual Christmas
Bird Count that identifies resident winter birds and provides critical
data on bird population trends.
The Shaker Lakes Regional Nature Center Endowment Foundation was
established in 1981 by the Mortensen family and was originally called The
Mortensen Foundation. Its sole purpose is to support the Nature Center
in perpetuity, providing stable and predictable support to operations
while protecting the spending power of the Foundation. The Trustees
of the Foundation are responsible for the oversight of investments and
Foundation assets, currently valued at just over $2 million. The Nature
Center receives an annual distribution from the Foundation representing
four percent of the average market returns over three years.
We are so grateful for Margaret’s time, energy, passion and investment
and look forward to working with her in the coming years to build an
even stronger Endowment – and therefore a stronger Nature Center.
Over 100 children and adults enjoyed the “Elemental Magic” of Mr.
J.R., the magician, and his exploration of earth, wind, fire and water at
the annual Family Fireside Night held on January 31.
Programs & Community Events
B’earthday Parties
Birding Programs Family Programs
Have a unique birthday party for your little
one. Children have fun and explore nature
while learning! Nature Center B’earthday
Parties offer a one hour naturalist-led program
suitable for the season and for a range of ages.
Members receive an additional $25 off! Below
are some of the themes available for spring and
summer. For complete descriptions of themes
offered, visit www.shakerlakes.org.
Seasonal Bird Walk
Amazing Animals Scavenger Hunt
Ages 3-7, All seasons
Beautiful Butterflies Scavenger Hunt
Ages 4-8, June-October
Sunday, March 9, 8:30 to 10:30 am
Meet in the Nature Center parking lot
to begin a walk throughout the Shaker
Parklands looking for birds. Free. Binoculars
available for use with ID.
Audubon Bird Walks
Sundays from April 13 through May 18,
including Easter, begin at 7:30 am
Bird Banding with Julie West
and Gary Neuman
“Dinosaur Times” Scavenger Hunt
Ages 5-12, April-October
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
mornings April 21 through May 26,
7 to 11:30 am
Shelter Building: “Survivor” Skills
Ages 7-12, All Seasons
Sign up now!
Outdoor Adventure Camps
Spring & Summer Sessions
Register online!
www.shakerlakes.org
Saturday April 12, 8 to 10 am
Join us for a migration hike as we welcome
back spring and the migratory birds that are
returning or just passing through. Call Lake
View Cemetery at (216) 421-2687 for more
information and to register. $10 per hiker;
children 3 and under are free.
Meet in the Nature Center parking lot to
begin a walk throughout different parts of
the Shaker Parklands looking for birds. Free.
Binoculars available for use with ID.
Creepy-Crawly Critters
Ages 3-9, March-November
Letterboxing: Follow the Clues!
Ages 7-12, Spring and Summer
Spring Migration
at Lake View Cemetery
Come observe citizen science and migratory
birds as they are banded to provide valuable
insights about their movement throughout
Northeast Ohio.
Ohio Young Birders Club
Bird Banding
Monday, May 26, 7 to 11:30 am
Spend Memorial Day morning observing
and assisting Julie West and Gary Neuman
at the Nature Center. The new Northeast
Ohio Chapter of the Ohio Young Birders
Club offers monthly field trips to various
locations in Northeast Ohio. To learn about
membership, visit www.ohioyoungbirders.org.
Doan Brook Annual Stream
Sweep & Weed Pull
Saturday, April 26, 1 to 4 pm
Meet at Rockefeller Park
Sunday April 27, 1 to 4 pm
Meet at Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
Commemorate Earth Week with Doan
Brook Watershed Partnership and the
Nature Center as we take care of our
urban environment by cleaning up winter’s
accumulation of trash and pulling invasive
plants in the Doan Brook corridor and
surrounding parklands. Volunteer as an
individual or a group — all ages welcome!
Call Doan Brook Watershed Partnership at
(216) 325-7781 to register. Free.
You can register online for many of our programs! Visit www.shakerlakes.org or call (216) 321-5935, ext. 235.
Unless otherwise indicated in the description, all programs are located at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.
Adult Programs
Discover How Solar Energy
Can Work for Your
Home or Business
Tuesday, March 11, 7 to 9 pm
Join Kimberly Dyer and Michael Sokol from
Bold Alternatives to learn how solar energy
can help you, your home and business, and
our planet. Also learn how the community
nonprofit Home Repair Resource Center
can help you repair, maintain, and improve
your home and keep it sustainable. Program
includes a door prize. Free for members;
$5 for non-members.
Dig In! What Grows Where?
Tuesday, March 25, 7 to 8:30 pm
Learn more about the annuals, perennials,
edibles and natives offered for sale in the
Nature Center Plant Sale Catalog and on
Plant Sale day, and get individual advice
from area experts on how to select winning
combinations for your shady or sunny
spot; which vegetables to grow; and how to
incorporate natives into your garden.
Light refreshments will be provided.
$5 for members; $7 for non-members.
Brush up your Birding:
Warblers and Spring Migration
Thursday April 17, 6:30 to 9 pm
Join Julie West and Laura Gooch
as they prepare us for spring migration.
Our focus will be warbler identification,
habitat, and timing. Free for members;
$5 for non-members.
Art On View
Through April 30, view the fascinating
handmade paper works of Aimee Lee,
featuring pieces created from the yellow flag
iris and other invasive plants from the Nature
Center property.
The works of Mary Pat Turner will be on view
from May 17 through August 15 with an
Artist’s Reception scheduled for Saturday,
May 17 from 4 to 6 pm. The exhibit will
feature Ms. Turner’s nature based acrylic
paintings and digital prints on metal.
Explorer Series Lecture
The Drunken Botanist :
The Plants That Create the
World’s Great Drinks
Amy Steward, Author
at Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Friday May 2, 7 to 8:30 pm
At this presentation, co-sponsored by the
Nature Center and the Cleveland Museum
of Natural History, Stewart will offer an
exploration of the dizzying array of plants
that humans have, through ingenuity,
inspiration and sheer desperation, contrived
to transform into alcohol. From the sugar
cane that gives us Caribbean rum, to the
juniper berries that flavor gin, to the odd and
obscure fruits that flavor Italian liqueurs, the
author provides an intoxicating perspective
on the leaves, bark, seeds, roots, flowers and
fruit imbibed around the world—presented
in a compelling mixture of history, science,
literature and humor. Book signing to follow.
$8 per person for members of the Nature
Center or the Museum; $10 for non-members.
For more information and reservations, call
(216) 321-4600 or visit www.cmnh.org.
DIY Rain Barrel Workshops
Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 to 8 pm at
Nature Center at Lakes OR
Wednesday, May 14, 6 to 7:30 pm
at Cleveland Heights Community Center,
1 Monticello Blvd.
Make your own rain barrel, and you’ll
save more than water! We’ll supply the
barrel, parts and tools and show you how
to construct a closed, 55 gallon rain barrel
system. Barrels can easily be attached to
any standard downspout to collect and
conserve rain water for your plants and
yard. Workshop fee, including barrel and
parts, is $60. Call Doan Brook Watershed
Partnership for more information at
(216) 325-7781. Space is limited. Advance
registration is required by May 6 online at
www.shakerlakes.org. Additional support
provided by the Cuyahoga Soil and Water
Conservation District.
Volunteer News
Last quarter, eleven groups donated over
480 hours of time assisting with education,
land management and special event projects,
including: Alpha Chi Omega-CWRU; Caring
Cubs; Cleveland Montessori School; Green
Club-Shaker Heights High School; Gross
Schechter Day School; Junto Club-Shaker
Heights High School; Kappa Alpha ThetaCWRU; Open Doors Academy High School;
Positive Education Program Horticulture Club
(Greenview and Ireland Schools); and Ruffing
Montessori School.
Volunteer at the Plant Sale
The Plant Sale, a long standing volunteer
tradition, has a task for anyone who is willing to
give of their time. Shifts and opportunities are
available to set-up, assemble orders, check-out,
help with the children’s craft or assist with the
curbside valet on May 7 or May 10.
Summer Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Join the Nature Center for the summer as a part
of two unique youth opportunities. Outdoor
Adventure Camps (OAC) Youth Assistants
aid staff with the supervision and education
of OAC participants ages three to twelve.
Youth Stewardship Assistants support our land
management staff with natural areas projects
throughout the summer.
Stewardship Saturdays
Third Saturdays, May through October
10 am to noon
Volunteers interested in land stewardship
are invited to join our monthly volunteer
program, Stewardship Saturdays. Volunteers
will be involved in invasive plant removal in
the marsh and other habitats or Stearns Trail
maintenance. Focus on trail maintenance and
land management will rotate through the
season. Tools, snacks and coffee provided.
Bring a water bottle.
For more information about or to volunteer
for any of these programs, contact the
Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@
shakerlakes.org or (216) 321-5935, x 237.

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