Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Begins Wildlife Gardens Education and Renovation Project

June 20, 2024

Posted by Lake Erie Nature and Science Center

As children and families continue to enjoy exhibits and summer programs, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is beginning renovations of its outdoor Wildlife Gardens which will improve experiences for visitors of all ages.

Covering 20,000 square feet behind the Nature Center, the Wildlife Gardens offer up-close encounters with native animals including a bald eagle, hawks, crows, owls, and falcons. Nearly 100,000 visitors enjoy free general admission to the Wildlife Gardens each year, in addition to the Nature Center’s indoor animal exhibits and natural history displays.

Renovations to the outdoor Wildlife Gardens will begin on June 24. The Nature Center will continue to be open for free general admission, nature-based programs, and wildlife assistance 7 days a week.

The Wildlife Gardens Education and Renovation Project will create more engaging learning experiences about native animals, provide ample space for students to learn alongside wildlife specialists, and raise visibility of the Nature Center’s wildlife rehabilitation program. The Project will remove and replace exhibits and structures, improve pathways, and replace the protective perimeter fence. The Project will cost $1,900,000 and be the Nature Center’s largest capital investment in its free offerings for the public.

As an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center relies on donations and grants to support day-to-day operations in addition to capital improvements. Renovations will be primarily funded with donations from the community, foundation grants, and corporate contributions.

“This Project will transform the Wildlife Gardens to give visitors better visibility to our native animals and our wildlife rehabilitation efforts,” says Executive Director Catherine Timko. “The Project’s impact demonstrates our continued commitment to free admission and to connecting people with the natural world. It follows a long series of capital improvement projects generously supported by the community and local funders.” The Nature Center is working with design-build firm Parallel Partners which has performed other capital improvement projects for the organization.

Three new structures will be installed during the Project including an Eagle Exhibit, an Aviary, and a Wildlife Rehabilitation Exhibit. New habitats in the Eagle Exhibit and Aviary will improve the quality of life for resident animals on exhibit in the Wildlife Gardens. These former rehabilitation patients can no longer live in the wild because of permanent injuries and serve as ambassadors for their species in the Nature Center’s education programs. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Exhibit will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to observe animals in their final stages of rehabilitation through one-way glass.

The Project will be underway for approximately 12 months. During this time, the Nature Center will remain open for free general admission, nature-based programs, and free wildlife assistance 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Resident animals will be in new locations for visitors to continue enjoying up-close encounters during the Project.

For more information and updates, please visit www.lensc.org/wildlife-gardens-project.

Media Contact:

Morgan Haines
Marketing and Development Coordinator
440-471-8359
morganh@lensc.org