Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland

Using Native Plants via Zoom
2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Using Native Plants on Our Home Grounds by Debra Knapke
What are native plants and what are their ecological contexts? If we can answer those question, we know whether or not they will be able to grow and thrive in our gardens… or not. Engage in the discussion about native plants and how they can be successively incorporated into our gardens. Debra will offer many examples of native plants in their habitats and in gardens.
In 1992, after two other careers, Debra turned her avocation of plant study and gardening into her full-time career. Known as “The Garden Sage”, Debra is passionate about gardening, sustainable garden design and the natural world, and enjoys sharing knowledge through her writing, public speaking, and garden consulting in the private and public sectors. She has served on various local and national committees and boards that focus on education, the environment, and sustainability. She has championed those passions during her two-year term (2014-2016) as Honorary President of the Herb Society of America and as the Co-Chair of the Sustainability Committee of GardenComm. In addition, she mentored the future of the landscape industry at Columbus State Community College for 24 years. She loves being a gardener and has packed an amazing variety of perennials, trees, shrubs, and edible plants onto the 2/3-acre lot surrounding her home.
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.

Raptors of NE Ohio Program
2026-03-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Dunham Tavern Museum, 6709 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44103
Raptors are birds that get their food by hunting other birds or mammals. We know them as Eagles, Hawks, Falcons and Owls. Some live here year-round while others visit only during the winter. Enjoy pictures and natural history of the 19 species typically found in NE Ohio throughout the year. About 1 hour. Presented by Matt Valencic.

Waterfowl Wander Field Trip
2026-03-28 09:00 - 12:00 | La Due Reservoir, La Due Reservoir, Akron, OH, United States
Join us to view the astounding plumage of the drakes as the waterfowl wing north to their nesting grounds. This is a caravan style birding tour where we will stop at several favorite lakes and ponds in southern Geauga and northern Portage counties. We will finish our trip with lunch at Freddies in Streetsboro to share stories and our tallies. Make sure to have a full tank of gas because gas stations are not one of our stops. Meet at the boat ramp parking lot at the end of Washington Street off of St. Rt. 44 in Auburn Corners.

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.

Every Yard Counts via Zoom
2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00
Despite global conservation efforts and successes, many bird species have continued to decline over the past century. These declines received significant attention recently with the published paper in Science, detailing the loss of 3 billion birds in North America, as well as Audubon’s report on the impacts from climate change. Many of the species detailed in these reports are Neotropical migrants and cover vast amounts of land annually. Join us to learn about how you can make your yards and homes bird-friendly and support populations of migratory birds.
Matthew Shumar is based in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University where he is Program Coordinator of the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative. He was the Project Coordinator and co-editor for The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Ohio and is Co-Director for the upcoming Ohio Bird Atlas 3. Matthew also runs a private research station with a year-round bird banding program in southeastern Ohio with his wife, Molly, and is currently serving as President of the Association of Field Ornithologists.
Visit https://natureinmybackyard.ohionativeplants.org/programs/ to register for this program.

Woodcock Watch Field Trip
2026-04-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Novak Sanctuary, 382 Townline Road, Mantua, OH, 44202, United States
If you have not had a chance to view and hear the courtship song, dance, and flight display of our local Timberdoodles, then you should see this “show”! These upland “shore birds” do not live near the shore; they thrive in our moist woodlands bordering wet fields. We usually have several displaying at the same time. It is a short walk to their singing grounds, but dress for the weather and wear waterproof footgear. You may use a flashlight on the walk out. Meet at the parking lot on the east side of Townline Rd. a mile north of State Rt. 82 on the Aurora/Mantua border.

Spring Bird Walk Series Field Trip
2026-04-12 07:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-19 07:30 - 09:30, 2026-04-26 07:30 - 09:30, 2026-05-03 07:30 - 09:30, 2026-05-10 07:30 - 09:30, 2026-05-17 07:30 - 09:30
Spring Bird Walk Series 2026
The Series of Spring Bird Walks is one of the oldest community science partnerships between Northeast Ohio park systems, Audubon chapters, and other organizations now in its 93rd year. It is also a celebration of migratory birds. Walks are led by experienced birders and will be held on Sundays, April 12, 19, and 26, and May 3, 10, and 17 at 7:30 AM unless otherwise noted. The following locations are participating in the Series:
Aurora Sanctuary – Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland Sanctuary, parking lot east of Page Rd. on E. Pioneer Trail, east of routes 306 and 43, Aurora. 216-337-2202. Terrain: 2.5 miles, packed soil with some hills and MUD! Boots highly suggested.
Bedford Reservation – Hemlock Creek Picnic Area, off Button Rd., Bedford. 330-715-6300 Terrain: natural surface, may be muddy and uneven footing. 2 miles with an additional (optional) 3 mile spur.
Big Creek Reservation – Lake Isaac, southern terminus of the Lake-to-Lake Trail, Cleveland Metroparks Big Creek Parkway, Middleburg Heights. Contact: info@wcaudubon.org Terrain: natural surface, some off trail, short boardwalks, footing can be rough, muddy, and slippery. 2 miles.
Brecksville Reservation – Parking area at Station Rd. Bridge Trailhead, off Riverview Rd. south of Route 82, Brecksville. 330-467-3664. Terrain: varies, 3 or more routes.
Gates Mills – Various locations. Takes place rain or shine, footwear and clothing for the weather. Children with adults are welcome. May 3, May 10 and May 17 are TBA (contact Buster 216.316.1621 for details)
April 12 – Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve – the End of Skyline Drive (Off of River Rd.), Willoughby Hills, OH and continue at Hach-Otis John & Carol Lillich Meadows, 2685 Dodd Road, Willoughby Hills, OH
April 19 – Orchard Hills Park –11340 Caves Road, Chester Township, (north of Mulberry)
April 26 – Frohring Meadows – 16780 Savage Road, Bainbridge Township
Geauga Park District – Various locations in Geauga County, see list below. 7:30am to 9:30am at all locations. Contact info@geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516 for details.
April 12 – Burton Wetlands – 15681 Old Rider Rd, Burton OH 44021
April 19 – Frohring Meadows – 16780 Savage Rd, Chagrin Falls OH 44023
April 26 – The Rookery – 10110 Cedar Rd, Chesterland OH 44026
May 3 – Eldon Russell Park – 16315 Rapids Rd, Troy Township, OH 44021
May 10 – Big Creek Park – 9160 Robinson Rd, Chardon, OH 44024
May 17 – Swine Creek Reservation – 16004 Hayes Rd, Middlefield OH 44062
Hiram – James H. Barrow Field Station (Hiram College), 11305 Wheeler Road, Hiram use the south driveway not the employee/delivery driveway please. 330-569-5787. Terrain: natural surface, may be muddy. 2.5 miles.
Lake Metroparks – Lake Erie Bluffs, 3301 Lane Rd., Perry Township. Meeting time is 8:00 AM. For information contact 440-256-1404, ext. 2118. Terrain: 2 miles. Sunday Morning Bird Walks sign-up page: WebTrac Activity Search – Lake Metroparks

Lorain County Metro Parks
Vermilion River Reservation – Bacon Woods https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L274600
Note: Walks begin at 8:30 AM! Drive to the back of the park to meet at the trailhead at the far northern lot. Walk includes the beginning sections of the parking lot and the red and blue trails. Terrain: crushed gravel, short boardwalks, and sometimes mud on the grass trail. Approx 2 miles. Contact: 440-787-7736
Mentor Marsh – parking at Shipman Pond parking lot, 9600 Headlands Rd., Mentor. 440-257-0777. Terrain: Approx. 3 miles. Details at Calendar | Cleveland Museum of Natural History
North Chagrin Reservation – North Chagrin Nature Center parking lot, 401 Buttermilk Falls Parkway, Mayfield Village. 440-473-3370. Terrain varies: all purpose and natural surface trails and boardwalk 2.5 miles. Walks are from 7:30 -10:30am.
Novak Sanctuary – Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland Sanctuary, parking lot at 382 Townline Rd, Aurora, 44202 (north of Rt. 82). Text or call 216-374-6292 or email caslonsvcs@gmail.com. Terrain: 1.5 miles with modest hills and wet and muddy areas. Please wear/have mudproof footwear.
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation – CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th Street, Cuyahoga Hts. 216-206-1000. Terrain: 2.3 miles primarily on all purpose trail.
Rocky River Reservation – Rocky River Nature Center parking lot, 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted. Contact: info@wcaudubon.org. Easy to moderate terrain; some paved, crushed gravel, boardwalks, and potential mud: Approximately 2 miles.
Shaker Lakes – The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes parking lot, 2600 South Park Blvd., Shaker Heights. 216-321-5935. Terrain: Mix of all purpose trail, asphalt and dirt, 2 miles. Registration is appreciated but not required www.shakerlakes.org – Events/Programs, Programs, Birding Programs

River Styx Park – Medina County Park District, 8200 River Styx Rd., Guilford Twp., Wadsworth. Will have walks on Saturdays, April 11 through May 16 at 7:30 AM. 330-722-9364 Terrain: about 1.5 miles and can be muddy

Don’t miss the migration!
Cosponsored by Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Blackbrook Audubon Society, Black River Audubon Society, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Gates Mills Birders, Geauga Park District, Hiram College, Holden Arboretum, Lake Metroparks, Lorain County Metro Parks, Medina County Park District, Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, and Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society.
PLEASE STAY ON TRAILS WHILE ATTENDING THE BIRDWALLKS!

Warbler Warm-up Program
2026-04-12 14:00 - 15:00 | West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, Novelty, OH, 44072, United States
Some of the prettiest birds on the planet are in NE Ohio from April through October. Learn how to identify them by their field marks and songs. Presented by Matt Valencic.

Summer Birds of NE Ohio Program
2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:00 | North Royalton Public Library, 5071 Wallings Road, North Royalton, OH, 44133, United States
Did you know that more than 50 species of birds travel hundreds, even thousands, of miles each spring just to raise a family in NE Ohio? This one-hour presentation showcases 50 species of “Summer Visitors” through 180 photographs of adult birds, babies, nests and habitats. Presented by Matt Valencic.

Lighting Up the Night via Zoom
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00
Lighting Up the Night: Gardening for Fireflies
Elijah Crabtree will begin with an introduction on the fascinating natural history of fireflies across the globe, and here at home — where our eastern temperate forests host high levels of firefly biodiversity. Following this discussion on the fascinating nature of our flashy summer companions, Elijah will explain the current threats facing Ohio’s fireflies and how each of us can take action in our own backyard to not only protect them but even bring them back!
Elijah is an Education Specialist and Naturalist for the Arc of Appalachia. He was born and raised in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he acquired a passion and insatiable interest for the natural and cultural history of Appalachia and the Western Allegheny Plateau. This led him to his former on-site residency at the Tremper Mound – a newly-protected, major Hopewell Earthwork – overseeing its development as a protected cultural and natural preserve, and as a management and educational hub for the region. In 2025, he joined the administrative team as an Education Specialist to organize, coordinate and lead many of the Arc’s Naturalist Programs. Elijah is an avid student of natural sciences and particularly loves spending his time studying Ohio’s geology and botany.
To register for the Zoom presentation please visit
www.natureinmybackyard.ohionativeplants.org/programs
Nature in My Backyard is a program administered by Ohio Native Plants with support from
the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Shaker Lakes Garden Club,
and Master Gardener Volunteers of Cuyahoga County.

ASGC Annual Dinner Event
2026-06-06 15:00 - 19:30 | Veterans Legacy Woods, 14085 Ravenna Rd, Newbury Township, OH, 44065, United States
ASGC Annual Meeting and Dinner
June 6, 2026
Veterans Legacy Woods, 14085 Ravenna Rd., Newbury Township, OH
Schedule of events:
Nature Walk…………………………3:00pm
Social Hour………………………….4:00pm
Meeting & Awards………………..5:00pm
Dinner…………………………………5:30pm
Guest Speaker…………………….. Jamey Emmert, Avian Education Coordinator with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, presents The Lake Erie Birding Trail.
Caterer: “Vinny’s Italian Kitchen”
Cost: $35 per person.
To RSVP, make check out to Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland and mail to:
ASGC Annual Dinner
P.O. Box 391037
Solon, OH 44139

Good Bug - Bad Bug via Zoom
2026-06-10 12:00 - 13:00
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 register
www.natureinmybackyard.ohionativeplants.org/programs
Nature in My Backyard is administered by Ohio Native Plants with support from
Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Shaker Lakes Garden Club
and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cuyahoga County.

Butterflying in My Backyard via Zoom
2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:00
Mary Lynn Delfino, a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, became butterfly-obsessed more than a decade ago after discovering two butterflies named after punctuation marks: the Eastern Comma and the Question Mark. For the past 10 years, she has volunteered as a citizen scientist with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s butterfly monitoring program at Terra Vista Natural Study Area. Wherever she goes, she is butterflying, whether in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Costa Rica, Italy, or her Cleveland Heights backyard, where she is on a quest to shrink her lawn and create a habitat where all living creatures can thrive.
In her talk, Butterflying in Your Backyard, Mary Lynn will help participants identify butterflies most commonly seen in yards and natural areas in Northeast Ohio and match them to native plants
butterflies use as nectar sources and hosts for reproduction (so you can add them to your garden, of course!). And although it may be summer, she’ll also discuss simple ways you can prepare your yard this fall to support overwintering butterflies and other invertebrates.
To join the Zoom presentation please register
www.natureinmybackyard.ohionativeplants.org/programs
Nature in My Backyard is administered by Ohio Native Plants with support from
Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Shaker Lakes Garden Club
and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cuyahoga County.

Some Good Fronds... via Zoom
2026-08-12 12:00 - 13:00
In the Garden with Some Good Fronds: Garden-worthy Native Ferns
Steve McKee is from Mansfield, Ohio, where he served as director of the Richland County Park District for 35 years. He has been interested in ferns for about 50 years, has studied them in several states and countries, and has grown over 20 species of native ferns in his Ohio gardens.
In his retirement, Steve still searches for rare ferns in both Ohio and Utah, where he is a volunteer botanist for Zion National Park.
Steve’s program will focus on native ferns that you can grow in your Ohio garden.
To join the Zoom presentation please register
www.natureinmybackyard.ohionativeplants.org/programs
Nature in My Backyard is administered by Ohio Native Plants with support from Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Shaker Lakes Garden Club and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cuyahoga County.

Nature Blitz! Event
2026-08-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Novak Sanctuary, 382 Townline Road, Mantua, OH, 44202, United States
ATTENTION NATURE NERDS! Join us on Saturday August 15th from 9am – noon for a Nature Blitz at the Novak Sanctuary, 382 Townline Road, Aurora. Using the Citizen Science apps iNaturalist, SEEK, Pl@ntNet and Merlin, we will walk the fields and trails to see how many species of flowers, trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, birds and insects we can identify with the help of apps and our volunteer guides. These are free apps you can download to your smart phone now and we will help you learn to use them. Rain date will be Sunday August 16th. Please RSVP to info@clevelandaudubon.org in case we need to contact you due to rain.

Birding Workshop Event
2026-08-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Education Center, 382 Townline Rd, Aurora,, OH, 44202, United States
Get ready for Bird Quest with this comprehensive birding workshop! Designed for newer birders, but experienced birders might learn something too! Includes one hour of classroom instruction followed by a guided bird walk in the Novak Sanctuary to practice what you learned! Presented by Matt Valencic.
Free to all. Register HERE.

Reap What You Sow via Zoom
2026-09-09 12:00 - 13:00
Saving seeds is an economical and joyful way to renew the beauty of your backyard garden. Participants will learn how to identify various types of seeds, learn when seeds are ready for harvest, and how they can be stored for the following growing season. Join Seed Bank Manager, Kim Lessman, to learn about seed saving best practices in your own backyard.
Kim Lessman is the Seed Bank Manager for Holden Forests & Gardens. Initiated in 2023, the Holden Seed Bank is working to source, collect, and redistribute native seeds of local ecotype to support restoration and reforestation efforts innortheast Ohio.
To join the Zoom presentation please register
www.natureinmybackyard.ohionativeplants.org/programs
Nature in My Backyard is administered by Ohio Native Plants with support from
Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Shaker Lakes Garden Club
and the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cuyahoga County.

Chagrin River Bird Quest Event
2026-09-11 16:00 - 2026-09-12 18:30 | West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, Novelty, OH, 44072, United States
Get your team together and join us for the 12th annual Chagrin River Bird Quest at West Woods Nature Center in Geauga County!
24-hours of birding followed by our famous Celebration! with fresh food, awards for the most birds seen, and prizes just for showing up! What better way to spend a weekend?
Teams are 2 or more, friends, neighbors, family or co-workers. The more the merrier (up to a point!)–more people looking means more birds seen!
Come to the West Woods Friday between 4pm and 6pm to pick up checklists, t-shirts for every team member, and a chance to kibbutz with knowledgeable birding enthusiasts who can tell you where to get started. Guided bird walks are also offered. All free!
Participation is free, but please do register your team. Register HERE.

Fringed Gentian Walk Field Trip
2026-09-20 13:00 - 14:30 | Aurora Audubon Sanctuary, 896 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH, 44202, United States
gCome and visit our treasured fringed gentian patch. Fringed gentian are an uncommon native plant with delicately toothed petals showing an amazing hue of blue. Fringed Gentian are among the last flowers to bloom in our area. Mother Nature may add the more common closed or bottle gentian and ladies tresses (which belong to the orchid family), to our autumn jaunt. Full sunshine will create an unforgettable display! Meet at the Brettschneider/Audubon parking lot on the north side of Pioneer Trail a few hundred yards east of Page Rd. in Aurora.
