Father’s Day Milkweed Giveaway – Sunday, June 16th from 9:30 a.m. – Noon at Claridon Woodlands
In an effort to aid the ailing Monarch Butterfly population, stop by anytime during specified hours to pick up a free pot of native milkweed to plant. One pot per person. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Explore Wicked Woods – Sunday, June 16th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Former Wicked Woods Golf Course
Join a naturalist exploring the trails of this new park, discovering nature in forest, meadow and stream. Dress for the weather as this is an outdoor program. Expect hilly terrain. Registration required.
Adventure Day Camp (Teens entering grades 8-10) – Monday, June 17the from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The West Woods – Fee: $150 ($175 out of county)
See description for June 10th. Registration required.
The Full Strawberry Moon – Monday, June 17th from 9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Observatory Park
The full moon in June is known as “The Strawberry Moon.” Come to Observatory Park to get a taste of some strawberries and their history, then watch the full moon rise using park telescopes! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Toddler Time: Sensing the Summer (Ages 1-2 w/adult) – Tuesday, June 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve, Sunset Shelter
Enjoy the start of summer with your little one as we see, smell and touch summertime in the park. Strollers and carriers welcome! Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, June 18th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Whitlam Woods
Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 ½ miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule: 440-279-2126.
Elderberries: Finny Dipping at the Pond – Thursday, June 20th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge
Relive your childhood adventures catching frogs, tadpoles, newts and wildly amazing aquatic insects. Enjoy an informative and entertaining interpretation of the morning’s catch. Pancake breakfast included. A collaboration with the Geauga Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. Registration required. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Asteroid Search – Friday, June 21st from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Celebrate “Asteroid Month” by learning how to join in the search for potentially dangerous asteroids. Protect your planet! Program followed by night-sky viewing until 11:00 p.m., weather permitting. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Music of the Night Bike Ride – Friday, June 21st from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Headwaters Park, Maple Highlands Trail Parking Lot
“Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation…” as the phantom sings. Find out if he is correct on this leisurely evening six-mile round trip bike ride between Headwaters and Tare Creek Parkway. As darkness descends, we will rely on a sharpened sense of hearing to discover bird and animal life along the way. Our electronic bat detector will also be on hand to amplify the echo-location signals sent out by bats as they hunt insects. A bike or helmet light is recommended since we will be riding after sunset. Program will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain/storms; check website or Facebook for status. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Prairie Plant Pollinator Promenade – Saturday, June 22nd from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Frohring Meadows
Celebrate “Pollinator Week” with a leisurely walk along the prairie trails. Learn about the importance of our pollinating insects, their association with blooming prairie plants, and their amazing diversity.
Cross-County Van Trip – Saturday, June 22nd from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge Parking Lot
Join a naturalist on this van trip to visit three unique parks. We’ll learn the history and explore the trails of Metzenbaum Park, Observatory Park and our newest park (the former Wicked Woods Golf Course). Bring a packed lunch and bottled water. Along the way we will stop at an Amish farm stand, so bring money if interested in purchasing produce and baked goods. Registration required.
Nights Out in the Park: Movie Night – Ralph Breaks the Internet – Saturday, June 22nd 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. at Observatory Park
View the recent hit “Ralph Breaks The Internet.” Pre-show activities begin at 8:00 p.m. and include the Geauga County Public Library’s Fun Bus. Free popcorn and lemonade. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. Movie shown indoors if inclement weather. Night sky viewing after the movie, weather permitting. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Native Solitary Bees: Beneficial Pollinators – Sunday, June 23rd from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Solitary insects like mason and leafcutter bees are gentle, native pollinators for our farms, gardens and parks. Join Cristin Smith of Nature’s Way Bird Products for tips on planting and nesting resources designed to attract and increase the abundance of these beneficial wild bees. Also enter a raffle for a beneficial insect house and take home seeds to plant in your garden. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show – Sunday, June 23rd from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Join us for a planetarium presentation about what to watch for in the night sky this week. Building open house from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Weather permitting, also view the sun using our safe solar-viewing equipment. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Junior Naturalist Day Camp (Youth entering grades 5-7) – Monday, June 24th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The West Woods – Fee: $150 ($175 out of county)
Are you ready to explore and learn how to be a naturalist? If so, join our Junior Naturalist Day Camp for an exciting week of exploring streams, lakes and forests for exciting natural history such as insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, astronomy and more! Begin and end each day at The West Woods Nature Center. Transportation provided to other park locations for various activities facilitated by highly qualified staff. Schedules, waivers and other details sent at a later date. Camp waiver required for each participant. Bring lunch, water and a raincoat in a backpack each day. Other equipment provided and included in the registration fee. Financial assistance is available; please call for details. Registration required.
Maple Town Tune Traders – Thursday, June 27th from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at The West Woods
Come to play, sing or simply enjoy as audience as musician present short performances followed by sharing of songs and tunes in the round. All musical genres, instruments and musicianship levels welcome. Snacks to share welcome. For more information, call 440-279-0883. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Bird House Van Tour: Bluebirds, Martins & More – Saturday, June 29th from 9:00 a.m. – Noon at Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve
Take a van trip to look in on bluebirds, swallows, kestrels and other cavity-nesting birds featuring an Amish Purple Martin colony. Also gain information on attracting your own bird house tenants. Registration required. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Epic Firefly Adventure – Saturday, June 29th from 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge
Bring the kids or the kid-in-you for this good ol’ fashioned lightning bug hunt, helping capture enough of these elusive insects to fill a giant jar with light! Program kicks off in the lodge with a short, amusing presentation on firefly biology. Then grab a net (provided) and head outside – an exhilarating adventure for any age! Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
Tree Frogs, Tadpoles & Toadlets – Sunday, June 30th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Deer Run Shelter
Join a naturalist to discover the tiny toads and treefrogs hiding in plain sight near the springtime pools that were their nurseries. Also dip into the water with nets (provided) to find tadpoles that have not yet emerged while we share some natural history on the lives of these amazing amphibians and other creatures that share these pools. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible. Nature’s Not to Be Missed.
