Grand Opening for Cahoon Room on Sept. 8

August 31, 2022

Posted by Lake Erie Nature and Science Center

Cahoon Room

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center will host a grand opening for its new program space, the Cahoon Room, on Thursday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We are excited to welcome more preschool age children for session classes beginning the week of September 12,” says Preschool Coordinator Teece Lester. “In these classes, children and their families will meet an animal, create a simple craft, enjoy playtime, and connect with nature through our live animal exhibits.”

Donations from visitors and businesses in the community totaling more than $50,000 made possible the renovation of a former retail space into an engaging and lively learning environment for children. The Cahoon Room will host classes for preschool children and was remodeled with this special audience in mind. Filled with natural light, the room offers plenty of space for social interaction and nature-based play, including a children’s restroom and an extra sink anticipating many fun hands-on activities.

“The community’s generosity is helping the Center reach even more children and families with the Cahoon Room renovation project, which was entirely funded by donations,” says Executive Director Catherine Timko. “We are truly grateful for the many families and visitors for their support of our mission to connect people to the natural world. We welcome everyone to visit the Center, which is open 7 days each week, and especially for our grand opening on September 8th.”

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is an independent, 501c3 nonprofit organization funded by donations and grants. Tax ID #34-0845030.

Registration is open and ongoing for Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s preschool programs for ages one to six. Enrollment is available online or by phone at 440-871-2900.

The Cahoon Room is located in the space formerly occupied by Wild Birds Unlimited. Renovations were completed by CPK Construction.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s mission is to educate and inspire each of us to understand, appreciate and take responsibility for our natural world.

Topic: News, Preschool

Keep Migratory Birds Safe This Fall

August 17, 2022

Posted by Lake Erie Nature and Science Center

Every spring and fall, millions of birds migrate through Ohio on their way between their breeding and overwintering grounds. During migration birds can travel hundreds of miles in one night, even hummingbirds weighing an average of 3.5 grams. Most birds migrating to Central America will fly the 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico nonstop, leaving at dusk, which takes between 18 and 22 hours.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, located in Bay Village, Ohio, is the only wildlife rehabilitation facility in Cuyahoga County and commonly treats songbird injuries during migration. “A large percentage of the bird species we treat each year are due to window collisions,” says Tim Jasinski, Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator at the Center. “As an Ohio Lights Out partner, we aim to reduce collision-related deaths through wildlife education and rehabilitation.”

Here are a few ways you can help keep birds safe during fall migration:

Turn Off Your Lights

Most species of songbirds migrate at night, and lights on tall buildings or through windows can disorient them, causing many birds to strike windows or circle buildings until they fall from exhaustion. According to the Ohio Lights Out campaign led by the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, a recent study estimated that as many as 1 billion birds die each year in the United States from building collisions.

In Ohio, peak fall migration is August 15 through October 31. You can help songbirds by turning off your lights between midnight and dawn.

Make Your Home Safer

Window collisions are most commonly caused by the reflective characteristics of glass. Migrating birds unfamiliar with their surroundings may see their environment reflected in windows, mistaking them as an extension of the sky and trees. This inability to see glass causes birds to collide with windows at full speed, which is often fatal.

If you notice that birds are attracted to your windows, simply closing your blinds or curtains can make a difference. Companies such as CollidEscape or FeatherFriendly provide both commercial and residential window solutions in effort to prevent collisions and reduce songbird deaths.  

Monitor Pets

It is always important to monitor your pets and keep cats indoors, especially during baby wildlife and migratory seasons. Your supervision will not only protect songbirds and other wildlife, but keep your pets safe, too.

Become Involved

Other ways you can help to protect songbirds is through volunteering in community-led programs such as Ohio Lights Out, sharing educational resources with family and friends or making a donation to your local wildlife rehabilitation facility.

If you find an injured songbird this season, place it in a box with air holes and do not provide food or water. Call your local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center offers wildlife services at no charge to the public and can be reached at 440-871-2900 x204 or wildlife@lensc.org.  

Topic: Wildlife