Geauga Park District Quarterly Events Calendar for February 2020

Find your adventure in Geauga Park District this winter – from Frozen Fest (please register this year) and our first-ever Geauga Gems Trekking Series kick-off to a handful of bird counting opportunities that will make you an official Citizen Scientist!H

Here are our offerings for February 2020. You may also view these programs and events published on Geauga Park District, and in our quarterly Park Explorer newsletter, which was to every Geauga County household and available from all in-county libraries.

• Maple 101 Workshop – Saturday, February 1^st from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at The West Woods – Beginners and experienced producers wishing to hone sugaring skills will learn everything they need to know including tree biology and identification, why sap flows, tapping, collecting methods, sugar bush management, producing the finished product, canning and packaging. Some local sugaring history will also be included. Co-presented with the Geauga County OSU Extension Office. Registration required through the OSU Extension Office at 440-834-4656. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Sweet Maple: How to Make Maple Confections – Saturday, February 1^st from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at The West Woods – Join two local maple producers, James Miller of Sugar Valley Maple and Tom Salo of Salo Maple, as they demonstrate sweet ways to use Geauga County maple syrup and allow the audience to try some sweet treats! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Scout Day: Cadette Girl Scouts Night Owl Badge – Saturday, February 1^st from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Observatory Park – Uncover mysteries of the world after dark as we explore the night sky at Observatory Park and work on the Night Owl badge. All badge requirements will be covered during the program. Registration required by phone only at 440-279-0880. Please register only participating Cadette Girl Scouts. To maximize attendance and minimize no-shows, there is a limit of 4 registrations per person.
• Winter Hawk Watch Van Trip – Sunday, February 2^nd from 10:00 a.m. to Noon & 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge – Come along on this birding adventure into Amish farmland seeking raptors including Rough-legged Hawks, Harriers and Kestrels and as well as Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs and other winter birds of open country. Bring binoculars. Registration required. Nature’s Not to Be Missed!
• Travelogue: The Highlands of Scotland – Sunday, February 2^nd from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods – The Highlands of Scotland are majestic and breathtaking – there is little doubt why there are so many stories of myth and magic! Although we are in the modern day, come take a step back in time as we explore all the highlands have to offer, both the natural side and cultural side. Join Becky Parkin for this visually stunning presentation. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Geauga Skywatchers Club: Hubble at 28 – Answers (and Questions) from the Hubble Space Telescope – Monday, February 3^rd from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Geauga County Public Library, Middlefield Branch – Examine the accomplishments of 28 years of the Hubble Space Telescope. Contemplate the science of Hubble’s unexpected discoveries and the beauty of the many detailed photographs. Also learn about the library’s new telescope lending program and some basics on how to use a telescope to view the moons of Jupiter and rings of Saturn! Registration required at https://geaugalibrary.libcal.com. Prospective members may login to Meetup.com to find the dates and times of future lectures and activities. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, February 4^th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Beartown Lakes Reservation, North Point – Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 ½ miles long. Naturalist led. If temperatures below 20 degrees, call the park to see if hike will still being held. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2126. Also, February 18^th.
• Pluto (and Friends) – Friday, February 7^th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Observatory Park – When is a planet not a planet? Join us to celebrate Pluto’s 90th birthday! Followed by night-sky viewing until 11:00 p.m., if weather conditions permit. Also, February 21st. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Nature Break: Women’s Retreat – Saturday, February 8^th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at The West Woods – Fee: $8 Geauga residents, $10 non-Geauga residents – Retreat to the park to re-energize and relax. Activities include snowshoeing or walking, light aerobics, and a Nature-themed craft and lesson. Includes light breakfast and a soup and salad lunch. Dress in comfortable layers for both indoor and outdoor activities. Registration required.
• Hidden Gems Backcountry Hike – Saturday, February 8^th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at Big Creek Park, Meyer Center – Join a naturalist for an off-trail adventure exploring seldom-visited portions of this park in search of signs of wildlife. Rugged terrain; must be physically capable of several miles of off-trail challenges with some steep hills. Hike includes stream crossings. Registration required.
• Lake Erie Winter Van Trip – Saturday, February 8^th from Noon to 4:30 p.m. at Big Creek Park, Meyer Center – Discover the wonders of winter as we explore the frozen shores of our beautiful Lake Erie! We’ll take what Nature gives us and discover things such as ice formations, snow and hardy winter birds. Must be able to hike a couple miles in potential cold conditions. Locations visited will be determined by weather and bird activity. Possible locations: Mentor Headlands, Fairport Harbor, Edgewater Park, Neff Road Park. Prepare for the cold and bring a snack and water. Registration required. Nature’s Not to Be Missed!
• Nature Explorers: Ice & Snow (Ages 6-7 & 8-11) – Saturday, February 8^th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Affelder House – Frozen ponds, icicles, fluffy snowflakes and winter sports are the best things about winter! Learn the science of frozen water, and how it both challenges and protects wildlife, while we hike and have some fun. Program indoors and outdoors. Wear snow gear and waterproof boots. This is a drop-off program. Registration required.
• Nassau Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, February 8^th from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at 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.
• Travelogue: Parks of Southern Utah – Sunday, February 9^th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods – Join Bill and Sue Berger on a tour through the parks of southern Utah comparing photos from years ago to present day, getting a glimpse of the geology that makes this area so unique. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Poetry in Nature – Sunday, February 9^th from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at The West Woods – Experience memories of warmer seasons from a different perspective and in a very unique way – a duet of naturalists presenting a program of poems for two voices, told from an insect point of view! A combination of poetry, pictures and music will be a unique way of learning about the natural history of insects. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Full Moon: The Frost Moon – Sunday, February 9^th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Observatory Park – Learn some Native American sky lore about the winter sky, then watch the full moon rise over Observatory Park! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Great Backyard Bird Count: Swine Creek – Friday, February 14^th from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge – Stop in anytime during listed hours to identify and count birds at the feeding station, becoming an official Citizen Scientist during this worldwide bird count coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Great Backyard Bird Count: The West Woods – Friday, February 14^th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Annual, Indoor presentations – Stop by the nature center anytime during listed hours to identify and count birds seen at the big windows, becoming an official Citizen Scientist during this worldwide bird count coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

Author: Geauga News