Providing inspiration
and ideas for enjoying Cleveland Metroparks.
North Coast Nature Festival
Friday, April 15 • 7:30 p.m.
Saturday , April 16 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Rocky River Nature Center
Rocky River Reservation • North Olmsted
FREE!
The North Coast Nature Festival features presentations by guest speakers, exhibits of nature-related organizations and other nature-minded vendors, hikes for all ages, live animals, digital photography scavenger hunt, a ranger led bike ride, children’s activities, and more. Plus, a special evening presentation Friday night and a night hike on Saturday.
And for the nature-minded art lover, enjoy “The Nature Art Show.” Local nature organizations will be conducting demonstrations and exhibits by and many local artists and vendors will be displaying their nature-themed arts and crafts for sale on Saturday.
The North Coast Nature Festival features a special free evening presentation at Rocky River Nature Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited.
Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. Close Encounters of the Bird Kind– Laura Erickson
A licensed bird rehabber for almost two decades, Erickson has handled a wide range of species, getting insights into their natural behaviors by observing their behaviors while under temporary captive care. She learned how to calm a wild owl by "allopreening" its head feathers, how to keep a recovering Sora relaxed by making sure it had little hiding places, and how quickly migrating warblers learned to exploit unfamiliar food resources. In the interest of scientific observation, she allowed a fledgling Pileated Woodpecker to explore the crevices in her ears with its extensible tongue. From hummingbirds to loons, and Saw-whet Owls to Great Gray Owls, her intimate encounters with birds were sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking, but always fascinating.
Laura Erickson from Duluth, Minnesota has authored four books including 101 Ways to Help Birds and The Bird Watching Answer Book. Erickson attended the University of Minnesota and study night hawks and has served as science editor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and continues to write some entries on their “All About Birds” website and other projects. Laura rehabbed wild birds for over a decade, and possesses an 11-year-old Eastern Screech-Owl, Archimedes, who was originally treated at the Back to the Wild Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Castalia, OH.
Erickson has won many awards, but most proud of The Conservation Award from The Raptor Center in 1988 for working hard to stop construction of a guyed, lighted antenna tower on Moose Mountain, on the Hawk Ridge flyway near Duluth. Erickson received the National Outdoor Book Award in 1997 for Sharing the Wonder of Birds with Kids. In May, 2007 Laura received the Bronze Passenger Pigeon by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology "For significant contributions to Wisconsin ornithology."
Erickson is married and has three kids, along with her dog Photon and a feral cat that Laura says enjoys the indoors!
Classroom Presentation – Going Green in Your Backyard (Jared Bartley, Cuyahoga
County Soil & Water Conservation)
4 p.m
Nature Hike – Meet at Dunk Circle
7 p.m
Wetlands and Amphibians hike – registration required
8:30 p.m.
Star Party
Saturday, April 16 • 11 a.m. Cleveland Metroparks Rangers Bike Tour to Berea Falls
Enjoy a scenic bike ride along the all-purpose-trail from lagoon Picnic Area to Berea Falls. The bike ride is roughly 6.5-miles round trip. Meet at Lagoon Picnic Area and be lead by one of Cleveland Metroparks’ Rangers. Light snack and water provided at Berea Falls. To register, call 440-734-6660.
Saturday, April 16 • 7 p.m. Wetlands and Amphibians
Naturalist Bethany Majeski will lead you deep into the wet woods of spring where frogs and salamanders like to sing. Dress for the weather. All are welcome. Space is limited and registration required. To register, call 440-734-6660.
Saturday, April 16 • 8:30 p.m.
Star Party
Join the Cuyahoga Astronomy Association for a star party at the open field on Lewis Rd. The Cuyahoga Astronomy Association will have multiple telescopes set up to view the night skies. For details, call 440-734-6660.
Other activities:
Digital Photo Scavenger Hunt, EarthWords Nature Shop t-shirt stamping, kids' crafts, refreshments for purchase, and more!
Digital Photo Scavenger Hunt
Bring your camera phones or your digital cameras! Take only pictures as you or your team venture to find the items on the list. Return with all the appropriate photos and receive a prize!
The Nature & Art Show
Features nature art/photography exhibitors/vendors, exhibits of nature-related organizations and other nature-minded vendors, including:
Live Animal programs with Lake Erie Nature Science Center
Begin Designs
Birds from Behind
Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
Dodd Camera
Good Nature Organic Lawn Care
Institute of the Great Outdoors
LAS Design
M. J. Anthony & Associates, Inc.
Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists
Ohio Prairie Nursery
Pens, Etc.
Plant Kingdom Bakery
Renewal by Andersen
Western Cuyahoga Audubon
(as of January 26).
Calling All Kids 12 and Under!
Print out and color in the pileated woodpecker coloring page and redeem the finished coloring page at The Big Show Catering concession stand at the North Coast Nature Festival event for a FREE treat! And, redeem the attached coupon to The Big Show catering concession stand for a buy a hot dog, bag of chips and a drink and receive a FREE cookie!
Stop by and enjoy:
Hotdogs
$2.00
Mac & Cheese
$3.00
Burger
$3.50
Cheese
$0.50
Veggie Burger
$3.50
Chips
$1.25
Cookies & Brownies
$1.50
Water
$1.25
Pop
$1.25
Catering provided by The Big Show catering
PARKING INFO
Visitors can park at Rocky River Nature Center and along Valley Parkway.
Rocky River Nature Center is located at 24000 Valley Parkway, between Cedar Point Road and Shepard Lane in Rocky River Reservation in North Olmsted – just off the I-480/Clague Road exit (westbound) and I-480/Columbia Road exit (eastbound).
