Location(s)

Did you know that wetlands help protect streams and Lake Erie by breaking down pesticides and pharmaceuticals? Ask a scientist how at this day long festival highlighting research conducted at Old Woman Creek Reserve.

Location(s)

Roll up your sleeves and join others to clean up the beach at Old Woman Creek Reserve. Sunscreen, boots, sturdy shoes, and gloves recommended. Meet at the Reserve beach access on the north side of Cleveland Road just west of the bridge over Old Woman Creek. Call (419) 433-4601 for directions.

Location(s)

Take a closer look at the Old Woman Creek beach and learn more about coastal processes and Lake Erie with Brenda Culler with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Management. Please call for directions (419) 433-4601.

Location(s)

Learn to identify butterflies along the trails at Old Woman Creek with Lois TerVeen, Erie Metroparks Head Naturalist. Length 1 - 1.5 miles. No registration required. Visit www.oldwomancreek.org or call (419) 433-4601 for more information

Location(s)

Join this group for seasonal adventures in sketching the Old Woman Creek estuary and its watershed. The class begins with classroom drawing warm-ups and a sketching hike and the second hour is "free" sketch time and wrap-up. Bring your own sketching materials. All skill levels welcomed. Attendance at all classes not required.

In event of rain, class is held in dormitory at Old Woman Creek Reserve beach access: 2005 Cleveland Road East Huron, Ohio 44839.

Visit www.oldwomancreek.org or call (419) 433-4601 for more information.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History and MOCA Cleveland explore the link between bird watching and conceptual art at a two-part event this Saturday (July 12).

MOCA’s latest exhibit, “A Bird in the Lens” features artist Jean Luc Mylayne, who spends hours, days, weeks, and even months gaining an intimate knowledge of the environment and birds that he photographs. Mylayne’s conceptual practice bears formal similarities to bird watching, a popular and passionate activity for many Northeast Ohioans.

Andy Jones, Curator of Birds at the Natural History Museum will lead a one-hour introductory lesson on bird-watching along the trails at the Shaker Lakes Nature Center starting at 8:30 a.m. Afterwards, ‘migrate’ to MOCA where Assistant Curator Megan Lykins Reich leads a tour of the Mylayne exhibition.

Space is limited; Reservations required. RSVP by calling Megan Lykins Reich at 216.421.8671 ext. 26.

One of GCBL’s dedicated interns, Lora DiFranco, is featured in an interview on MTV’s social activism site think.mtv.com. Lora publishes a “zine” (a homemade magazine) for young people interested in becoming active in sustainability. It features tips on how to reduce your environmental impact, do-it-yourself projects, art, and personal stories written by high school and college students in Northeast Ohio.

After talking to teens, Lora found that many feel powerless to affect change at school or in their communities. GreenLight’s articles and events all aim to show young people that they already possess many of the skills needed to make a positive difference in their communities.

"GreenLight is a way for young people to express creativity and have fun while educating themselves and making change," says Lora.

The Willoughby Hills native takes advantage of the strong local music community to reach people that might be interested in environmental issues. “As a newcomer to Cleveland’s local punk scene, I’ve been blown away by the impact that music can have on young people. Music gives people a sense of community, and this is my vision for GreenLight, too.”

When thinking about other forms of media that are available to this age group regarding environmental issues, the Internet is the first thing that comes to mind. However, by printing a zine and having a physical final product, Lora hopes that GreenLight will be more present in the lives of readers. It’s also exciting for young contributors to see their writing and art published in the zine, leading to a more invested and dedicated group of contributing youth.

Location(s)

Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and disease all threaten the amphibian’s survival. “Toad-ily Frogs” exhibit is part of the “Year of the Frog” initiative devoted to helping save amphibians from extinction.

Get an overview of amphibian biology, their habitat and the roles they play within natural systems. High-speed videos of amphibians feeding.

Did you know that the same pair of peregrine falcons have been nesting on the 12th floor of the Terminal Tower for the past few years? It’s hatching season for the fastest creatures on earth—the first fuzzy white chick arrived this week, on Earth Day.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is maintaining the Cleveland FalconCam, which has been recording the lifecycle of this and previous falcon families since 1991. And, to stay up on the latest developments, join the FalconFlash enews of Connecticut grade school teacher Deborah Mathies. Read more.