Using eBird Mobile on your iPhone via Zoom
2024-03-21 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | OH
Whether you are just getting started or wanting to get more from eBird Mobile on your iPhone, this program will provide valuable information by demonstrating features of the app in real time and answering your questions at the end. Presented by Kelly Stanek.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsde2srDsrGdaVHWuBZ86efKa4kQFiz2ep
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Nature Journaling Workshop Program
2024-04-21 13:00 - 15:30 | Novak Education Center, 382 Townline Road, Aurora, OH, 44202, United States
Join us for this special opportunity to begin (or expand) your illustrated nature journal. Guest artist and nature interpreter Carol Agnew will guide this afternoon of discovery and creativity. Participants will experiment with different approaches to observing nature’s details, field sketching and illustration, and creating a personalized nature journal. What a great way to greet Spring! All skill levels are welcome.
Registration is required with a $25/participant fee. Space limited to the first 15 registrants.
To pre-register for this event, please email mmvalencic AT roadrunner.com. To complete registration, please send your check, made out to Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, to ASGC c/o 1567 Bell Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022.

May Day! May Day! via Zoom
2024-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
MAY DAY! MAY DAY!
We have lost 3 billion birds in the last 50 years and the decline is continuing …… What is a person to do??
Zoom in on MAY 1 at NOON to hear…..
PLANTING IS FOR THE BIRDS! A primer for your yard.
John Barber
How can we best feed birds in our yards? The accepted wisdom of many feeders brimming with commercially-grown seeds is increasingly seen as one of the lowest priorities for helping both nesting and migrating birds. Are we only supporting invasive birds? The answer lies in designing and planting a wide array of native trees, shrubs, and perennials to host the most diverse array of native insects, while avoiding the temptation to plant non-native and potentially invasive plants sometimes sold as “bird-friendly”. We’ll talk about turning yards of any size into truly bird-friendly habitats.
Topic: MAY DAY! MAY DAY!
Time: May 1, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82932716990?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 829 3271 6990
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Soft Landings via Zoom
2024-07-10 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Have you ever wondered where the pollinators in your garden come from? Do you wonder where they go? And do you wonder how we, as gardeners, can make their lifecycles happy and productive?
Take a lunch break from weeding and watering and join the team from Nature in My Backyard on a Zoom presentation celebrating the ways in which we can improve the lives of our pollinators, and thereby increase the biodiversity in our own backyards.
Dave Tomashefski, the Director of Education for Meadow City Native Plant Nursery, will speak on the importance of Soft Landings to the life of a butterfly or moth – and so much more! How to prepare the beds, how to plant them, recommended plants to use, and most importantly WHY we should do this. Maximize the value of your tree cover while you beautify your garden!
For the link to the Zoom presentation, email natureinmybackyard@clevelandaudubon.org

New Birders Workshop Event
2024-08-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Novak Education Center, 382 Townline Road, Aurora, OH, 44202, United States
Designed for newer birder’s before Chagrin River Bird Quest. Classroom session discusses bird field marks (using bird photographs), how to use your field guide and binoculars, and birding etiquette. Then take a walk in the sanctuary with seasoned birders to find some birds and practice what you just learned, see different habitats and learn how to ‘get on the bird’.

Chagrin River Bird Quest Event
2024-09-06 16:00 - 2024-09-07 18:30 | The Rookery, 10110 Cedar Road, Munson Township, OH, 44026, United States
This year celebrates 10 years of Chagrin River Bird Quest (CRBQ), the FREE 24-hour team birding challenge for families and birders of all skill levels. Birding begins on Friday September 6th at 4:00pm and concludes with a celebration and prizes on Saturday September 7th at 4:00pm.
This year CRBQ will be headquartered at The Rookery, 11100 Cedar Road in Chesterland, where you can pick up your FREE T-shirt, commemorative pen, checklist and other materials on Friday from 4:00 – 6:00pm. Guided bird walks are scheduled Friday and Saturday and open to all (see separate article).
This FREE family-friendly event is an opportunity to get outside and enjoy all of nature during the fall bird migration. CRBQ also serves as an annual snapshot of the birds present in the Chagrin River Corridor IBA (Important Bird Area) which includes all the Chagrin River watershed. Birders are asked to stay within the IBA for all their sightings.
See you at Bird Quest!
Online registration is required! Click HERE to register.

Extraordinary Adaptations via Zoom
2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
Extraordinary Adaptations: The Science and Wonder of Migration with Dr. Sarah Mabey
The migratory life is more than just an easy trip to the sunny tropics. Migration is a demanding and dangerous endeavor. Learn how migratory birds meet the challenges of life on the move and how scientists are uncovering their extraordinary adaptations.
Registration required. Use this is the link for registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvduChpj8vHdDsVQ4-ovLGfa_I7cU8F_pW

Where do they go? via Zoom
2024-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Back by popular demand! Zoom in to hear Dave Tomashefski speak:
Where Do They Go?
We love to watch pollinators visiting our flowers, but as the growing season ends, we may wonder about the pollinators’ lives away from the flowers. Where do they go to find shelter, and how can we modify our gardens to give these insects a home? This presentation explores the garden as though it were a city of pollinators with habitat features that we, the gardeners, can provide. Special emphasis will be given to winter shelter.
Dave Tomashefski, the Director of Education for Meadow City Native Plant Nursery, will speak on the importance of leaving the leaves, to the lives of butterflies, bees and moths – and so much more! By treating fall leaves and stems gently, we can improve the overwintering success of the pollinators we work so hard to attract.
Join the Zoom Presentation
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81271573092?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 812 7157 3092
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Owls of Ohio via Zoom
2024-11-21 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
12 species of owls have been spotted in Ohio. Several are residents, some are migrants, and a few are accidental visitors. Interesting owl trivia will be revealed. Some tips on how, when and where to spot owls will be shared. Presented by Jim Tomko.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErcO2orT0qHN1qr97C6sA8wDZTB6H-aMey
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Wetland Birds of the Eastern U.S. via Zoom
2024-12-19 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that support aquatic AND terrestrial plants and animals. They provide nesting habitat for many species in the summer and resting/feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl and passerines in spring and fall. This presentation showcases iconic wetland species like egrets, herons, ibis and rails along with raptors, waterfowl, warblers and more. There is even a bonus section presenting insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals that make their homes in wetlands.
Presented by Matt Valencic
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcOugpzojG9a74F2Wi4WsweXbTh6AXvFt
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Winter Sowing via Zoom
2025-01-08 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Winter sowing is a germination method starting seeds outdoors in an enclosed container in winter. Sowing native seeds in January is a fantastic way to kickstart your spring garden! Winter sowing offers the unique advantage of giving your plants a head start, allowing them to grow and develop faster than those sown in the spring. By planting seeds in an enclosed container, you can place them outdoors where they will benefit from a cozy micro-environment that helps accelerate both germination and growth. This seed sowing presentation will provide you with the knowledge and techniques needed to sow seeds effectively and successfully. Presented by the Natural Resources team at the Nature Center of Shaker Lakes.
Join the Zoom Presentation:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82474073716?pwd=
[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 824 7407 3716
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Nature in My Backyard is a program of the
Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland and the Shaker Lakes Garden Club.

Sparrows & Finches of NE Ohio via Zoom
2025-01-16 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
Due to an unexpected scheduling conflict, this program has been changed to: “LBJs: Sparrows & Finches of NE Ohio.”
Little Brown Jobs! That’s how many of us identify sparrows and finches, mostly because they are LBJs! But each of the 28 species we find in NE Ohio has one or more features to help lead to its identity. Through lots of photographs this program introduces you to these small birds, where to find them, when to expect to see them, and how to separate them from similar species. It’s time to put a name to the face! About 1-hour. Presented by Matt Valencic.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIof-2vqjMvHdCOTdNohYmMrHl767MgbzgW
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Will it be beautiful? via Zoom
2025-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Steve Cagan lives in Cleveland Heights, and shares birding, native plants and vegetable gardening with his wife, Beth. His avian photography and the images from his garden are by-products of a long-standing love of nature and birding. He will present a look through the year at the engaging beauty of his native garden.
Steve has exhibited and published photography on four continents and has published reviews and critical writings in variety of professional journals and books. Major awards include two Fulbright Fellowships, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and several Ohio Arts Council Fellowships and New Jersey Arts Council Fellowships. Steve taught photography at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, 1985-1993.
Register HERE.

A Bird's Eye View via Zoom
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
A Birds Eye View: The Sensory World of Birds
Did you know that a bird’s eyesight is more than seven times keener than yours? Birds experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the world in a radically different way than we do. Learn about some of the amazing ways birds make sense of their environment.
Presented by Dr. Sarah Mabey.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EFxS25tMRSS0Ev4bP8zJ2w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Planting for the Planet 101 via Zoom
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Don’t miss our next Brown Bagging it in My Backyard Zoom talk on Wednesday, March 12 at noon. Zoom in to hear Citizen Scientist John Barber’s talk Planting for the Planet 101. As the climate emergency brings awareness that nature exists in our own yards, not only in parks, people are looking for a new way to garden. John Barber will present practical ideas about how to begin, or continue, to increase habitat and reduce lawn in your own green space.
Visit our website at https:natureinmybackyard.clevelandaudubon.org to register.

Insects in the Forest Canopy via Zoom
2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
Insect interactions high in the canopy of a forest have largely remained a mystery. To understand what’s happening in and above the canopy, one must visit it. Here, I focus on how accessing, quantifying, and inferring ecological interactions in and above the forest canopy alters our understanding of forest insect ecology and end with a participatory discussion on a novel project design.
REGISTRATION LINK:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vrbQnxE7RumQBq_A2iCU2w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Warbler Warm-up Various
2025-04-11 13:00 - 14:00 | OH
Warbler Warm Up
Gates Mills Library April 11 @ 1:00pm
West Wood Nature Center April 13 @ 2:00pm
Some of the prettiest birds on the planet are in NE Ohio from April through October. Most just pass-through during May on their way north, but some stay here to have their babies. Because we only see them for a short time every year, we forget how to quickly identify them. This presentation uses actual photographs to help group birds by appearance, behaviors and preferred habitat. About 1 ¼ hours in length.
(Gates Mills Library, 1491 Chagrin River Road, Gates Mills, OH)
(West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road (Rt. 87), Novelty, OH)

Native Plants for Birds, Insects & Biodiversity Program
2025-04-11 13:00 - 14:00 | The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, OH, 44689
April 11, 2025 @ 1:00pm
Native Plants for Birds, Insects and Biodiversity
The Wilderness Center, Wilmot, OH
Birds, insects and native plants are inextricably linked in nature. Whatever happens to one will have an effect on the others. This talk explains those relationships, then shows you ways to enhance your personal landscape for birds, insects, or just for the beauty of native plants. Lots of pictures of birds, insects and native plants (flowering plants, trees and shrubs). Directions provided to download handouts from our website. About 1-hour in length.

Birds of NE Ohio Various
2025-04-14 18:30 - 19:30 | OH
Birds of NE Ohio
Mentor Public Library April 14 @ 6:30pm
North Royalton Library April 15 @ 7:00pm
Over 230 species of birds can be found in NE Ohio in a typical year. Some are year-round residents and others just pass through on their way to the Boreal Forests of Canada. Others fly across the Gulf of Mexico non-stop to have their babies in our back yards! Get a close look at 100 of the most common residents, migrants and breeding birds of NE Ohio and learn where and when to find them. Approximately 1 hour in length.
(Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH)
(North Royalton Library, 5071 Wallings Road, North Royalton, OH)

Warbler Warm-up via Zoom
2025-04-17 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
The prettiest birds on the planet will be arriving in Ohio during April and May. Whether you are a new birder or a veteran, join us to polish your I.D. skills or to just enjoy the beautiful pictures. Many tips on separating similar species. Handouts on our website after the program.
REGISTRATION LINK:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/54k2GQNRSGm8zc_hygwCNQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Good Bug - Bad Bug via Zoom
2025-07-09 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Learn about increasing biodiversity in our landscapes to attract more beneficial insects and help control insect pests. We achieve these goals by removing non-native invasive plants, and adding a variety of native flowers, shrubs and trees that beautify our yards throughout the growing season. More native plants will also attract more butterflies and birds for you to enjoy.
You decide what you want it to look like and what plants you prefer. A list of resources will be provided, or you can invite the team at Nature in My Backyard to help.
Matt Valencic is a Master Gardener of Geauga County and Chair of the Education Committee of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland.
To join the Zoom presentation please visit
www.natureinmybackyard.clevelandaudubon.org/programs

Birding Workshop Program
2025-08-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Novak Education Center, 382 Townline Road, Aurora, OH, 44202, United States
The Chagrin River Bird Quest’s pre-event Birding Workshop! Update your skills or learn new ones in preparation for the upcoming Bird Quest on Sept 5-6. An hour presentation (approximately) will be followed by a bird walk in the Novak Sanctuary to practice what you learned.
Please register on-line for this event.

Bird Quest 2025
2025-09-05 16:00 - 2025-09-06 19:00 | The Rookery, 10110 Cedar Road, Munson Township, OH, 44026, United States
Save the date for this year’s Bird Quest, coming September 5 – 6! Our base of operations will be at The Rookery in Geauga County, same as last year. Please plan on joining us.
Registration now open!

Rooted for Success via Zoom
2025-09-10 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Rooted for Success:
Tree Planting Best Practices
Tune in for Chad’s advice about proper tree-planting. Chad will walk you through best practices for selecting the right tree for your spot, choosing the healthiest nursery stock, and using proper planting techniques. You’ll also learn key tips for transplanting and how to give young trees the early care they need to thrive. Join us to grow your tree-planting know-how from the ground up!
Chad is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist. He is also a Municipal Specialist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified with the ISA, and an Ohio Licensed Commercial Applicator. Chad is passionate about providing high quality tree and shrub care with a goal towards preservation. He enjoys putting his expertise to use advising his clients about maintaining their landscapes.
To join the Zoom presentation please visit
www.natureinmybackyard.clevelandaudubon.org/programs

Confusing Fall Warblers via Zoom
2025-09-18 19:00 - 20:00 | OH
Many of our ‘Summer Birds’ molt before starting the long journey to their winter territories in Central and South America. Some of them look quite different in their ‘basic plumage’ while others look surprisingly similar. The young-of-the-year can also be confusing, often appearing like adult females. This talk will explore some of the differences with clues for recognizing birds that you might mistake for new species. Presented by Matt Valencic. About 1-hour in length.
Register in advance for this meeting.
When: Sep 18, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ifaqfYaCTQWEghyNhx4wzQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Wild About Winter via Zoom
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
As we approach the winter solstice and prepare for the festive holidays of December, it is interesting to ponder the wild goings-on in in our yards, our gardens and our neighborhoods. No, not those wild goings-on! Rather what is happening in nature. True, many organisms are now dormant, but many are not.
Harvey Webster will explore the lives of select animals and plants in winter, their adaptations and strategies for survival, and focus on the importance of the winter solstice as the key signal and lead-in to spring. We will also explore how we can observe the vibrant life of winter.
There is always much to explore in our own habitats and ‘hoods, regardless of season.
To register for the Zoom presentation please visit www.natureinmybackyard.clevelandaudubon.org/programs
Nature in My Backyard is a program of the
Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland and the Shaker Lakes Garden Club,
together with the Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County.

Birds of NE Ohio Program
2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Bay Village Library, 27400 Wolf Road, Bay Village, OH, United States
Over 200 species of birds can be found in NE Ohio in a typical year. Some are year-round residents and others just pass through on their way to the Boreal Forests of Canada. Others fly across the Gulf of Mexico non-stop to have their babies in our back yards! Get a close-up look at 100 of the most common residents, migrants and breeding birds of NE Ohio and learn where and when to find them. Presented by Matt Valencic.

Ephemeral Excitement via Zoom
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | OH
Ephemeral Excitement: The Spring Rush For Sunlight, Nectar, Pollen & Love
Judy Semroc, Conservation Specialist
Our natural world has a tight schedule for completing many important feeding mating and survival tasks before the trees fully leaf out and many of our spring wildflowers and insects take on a different look to their existence. Join in to learn about why these fleeting performances are so very important.
Conservation specialist, field biologist and naturalist Judy Semroc has 25+ years of experience offering hands-on exploration based learning programs. As a former Petroleum Geologist and science teacher, Judy loves to learn about and share her passion for the natural world through hikes, interpretive programs, and photography. Judy is the founder of Chrysalis in Time‚ the first Ohio chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Judy also serves on the board of the Ohio Bluebird Society & Ohio Ornithological Society (Conservation Committee). She has co-authored two natural history guides, “Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northeast Ohio” in 2008, and “Goldenrods of Northeast Ohio: A Field Guide to Identification & Natural History” in 2017.
To register for the Zoom presentation please visit
www.natureinmybackyard.clevelandaudubon.org/programs

Owls of Ohio Program
2026-02-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Middleburg Hts Library, 16659 Bagley Road, Middleburg Hts, Ohio
Twelve species of owls have been spotted in Ohio. Several are residents, some are migrants, and a few are accidental visitors. Interesting owl trivia will be revealed. Some tips on how, when and where to spot owls will be shared. Presented by Jim Tomko. (This is a power point presentation and no live owls will be exhibited).

A Bird's Eye View Program
2026-04-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Carlisle Reservation, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, OH, 44050
A Bird’s Eye View: The sensory world of birds
Did you know that a bird’s eyesight is more than seven times keener than yours? Birds experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the world in a radically different way than we do. Learn about some of the amazing ways birds make sense of their environment. Presented by Sarah Mabey.
