Elderberries: Bird in the Hand – Thursday, May 16th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Big Creek Park, Aspen Grove Shelter
See colorful migratory songbirds close up as they are netted and banded for scientific study. Binoculars available. Short distance bird walks also held. Pancake breakfast included. A collaboration with the Geauga Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. Registration required. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Secret Lives of Salamanders – Friday, May 17th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Roberta Muehlheim, assistant curator of vertebrate zoology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, relates the biology, mating and biodiversity of Ohio’s salamanders, complete with displays of live local salamanders! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Nassau Astronomy Night with CVAS – Saturday, May 18th from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Observatory Park, Nassau Astronomical Station
Join members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society to take in the wonders of the night sky using our newly restored telescope! Stop in to discover this amazing facility and all it has to offer. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
The Full Whip-Poor-Will Moon – Saturday, May 18th fro 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Observatory Park
Learn the legends surrounding these now-rare night birds, then watch the full moon rise over Observatory Park! Weather permitting, program followed by night-sky viewing at the Nassau Astronomical Station hosted by the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Annual Spring Bird Walk Series – Sunday, May 19th from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Grounds Meet at Woods Edge Parking Lot
See description for May 5th. Nature’s Not to Be Missed. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Horseback Trail Ride (Walk, Trot & Canter) – Sunday, May 19th from 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. at Observatory Park
Bring your own horse for this naturalist-led trail ride at a walk, trot and canter. Enjoy the spring woodlands from a seat in the saddle and move out at a faster pace on trail. Must trailer your own horse. Helmets recommended. Please bring a shovel to clean up after your horse in the parking lot. May register for one or both trail rides with a lunch break between. Registration required.
Horseback Trail Ride (Walk Only) – Sunday, May 19th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
Bring your own horse to enjoy the spring woodlands for this walk-only naturalist-led trail ride. Must trailer your own horse. Helmets recommended. Please bring a shovel to clean up after your horse in the parking lot. May register for both trail rides with a lunch break between. Registration required.
Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, May 21st from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Swine Creek Lodge
Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1½ miles long. Naturalist led. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule: 440-279-2126.
Rewa River Adventure – Tuesday, May 21st from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Bruce Bennett shares the adventures of his 110-mile trip up the Rewa River in Guyana. Guided by the indigenous Makushi, their trip included 40 miles in dugout canoes encountering the incredible wildlife of this South American country. A collaboration with the Blackbrook Audubon Society. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
After Work Wildflower Walk – Wednesday, May 22nd from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Woods Edge
Enjoy the diversity of wildflowers in this lush beech-maple forest. Hike 1-1 1/2 miles on hilly terrain. A collaboration with The Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio.
Maple Town Tune Traders – Thursday, May 23rd from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center
Come to play, sing or simply enjoy as an audience as musicians present short performances followed by the 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.
Henrietta Leavitt: Visionary Astronomer – Friday, May 24th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Observatory Park
See description for May 10th. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Timbertots: Animal Babies (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Saturday, May 25th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve, Sunset Shelter
Join Nora the Explorer on an adventure to discover that spring is a time for animal babies! Program outdoors, weather permitting, so dress accordingly. Registration required. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Ansel’s Cave Hike: Spring Exploration – Saturday, May 25th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods
Join a naturalist for this two-mile hike exploring the Ansel’s Cave Trail in spring with a rare opportunity to enter restricted areas! Held rain or shine. Registration required.
Nassau Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, May 25th from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Observatory Park, Nassau Astronomical Station
Observe the wonders of the night sky using this facility’s giant research-grade telescope! If weather prevents sky viewing, join us for a planetarium presentation in the McCullough Science Center instead. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show – Sunday, May 26th 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.
Timbertots: Animal Babies (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Tuesday, May 28th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge
See description for May 25th. Registration required. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Homeschool Days: Habitat Hide and Seek (Ages 5-7 & 8-12) – Friday, May 31st from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Meyer Center
Join a naturalist to learn all about habitats! Search pond, forest and meadow for small critters that call these places home. Adults may attend (need not register) or drop off child with waiver. Ages 8-12 meet at Aspen Grove picnic shelter. Program mostly outdoors, so dress accordingly. Registration required. Partially wheelchair/stroller accessible.
