Emerald Necklace - February 2011 by Cleveland Metroparks

Emerald Necklace February â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;11 Volume 60 #2

Featuring Cleveland Metroparks program guide and events

Contents Special Events 2 Evenings With The Researchers 11 Birds of Prey Weekend

Features 3 Forest Detectives 19 Who Were The Whittlesey? 4 6 8 14

Columns Notes from the Field Naturalist’s Almanac Inside The Emerald Necklace Zoo News

In Addition 12 16 20 21 32

Learn With These “Golf Courses” A Gift To Nature Events By Location Events Calendar Directory

All photos by Casey Batule or Cleveland Metroparks archives unless otherwise noted

Emerald Necklace Published monthly by:

Cleveland Metroparks 216-635-3200 TTY 216-351-0808 clevelandmetroparks.com

Paulette Welch Editor

Nobbynees Ltd. Graphic Design

RR Donnelly Printing Printing

Board of Park Commissioners Bruce G. Rinker President

Dan T. Moore Vice -President

David W. Whitehead Brian M. Zimmerman Vice-President

Executive Director-Secretary

For editorial questions or comments, contact Paulette Welch at 216-635-3205 Cleveland Metroparks does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability in employment, services or access to programs and activities. Special assistance for Cleveland Metroparks programs or facilities is available by calling 216-635-3264 in advance

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

eveninGs With the reseArchers

LeArn More ABoUt YoUr PArK’s nAtUrAL resoUrces 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. • CanalWay Center • Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation Did you know that Cleveland Metroparks has specialists who monitor and manage the land and the wildlife that you enjoy? Did you know that scientists and graduate students from local and distant universities use Cleveland Metroparks as a living laboratory to study plants, animals, and the ecosystems that make up the Park District? Through research and management, Cleveland Metroparks watches and cares for the ever-changing landscape and biology of the parks resources. We have put together a series of programs to enlighten the public about some of the research and monitoring projects overseen by the Natural Resources Division and answer the following questions: • • • • •

Should we be concerned about the population of coyotes in our urban and suburban neighborhoods? How will the Emerald Ash Borer affect Cleveland Metroparks? Why are vernal pools known as “Ohio’s Hidden Wonders”? Why are some plants invasive and why should I care? What is a headwater stream and why are they so important to the health of our rivers?

This series of programs will answer all of these questions and much more. These evenings will feature experts who know firsthand the challenges, concerns and successes we face within Cleveland Metroparks and our region. February 16 - Cuyahoga Coyotes: Learn about a new cooperative study that is using radio telemetry and global positioning systems to monitor coyote movement and habits in the Cuyahoga River valley. April 20 - Headwater Streams: Lake Erie water quality is dependent on the water quality of our rivers, and the quality of our rivers is controlled by the headwaters that supply them. Learn how our actions control the integrity of our headwater streams. June 1 – Ohio’s Hidden Wonders: Vernal pools are temporary ponds that provide critical habitat for aquatic organisms including frogs, toads, salamanders, and various insects and other aquatic life. Research by Case Western Reserve University scientists and Park District staff is uncovering important information about life in these systems. August 17 - Emerald Ash Borer: Many of us have at least heard of this insect and its destructive quest to destroy all ash trees in its path. How is the Park District dealing with this pest, and what research has been done to learn about the lasting effects of this outbreak. October 19 - Invasive Plants in the Park: Plants have continuously been introduced to North America from areas around the globe beginning with the earliest explorers and settlers. We will learn how Cleveland Metroparks monitors and manages invasive plants and how The Ohio State University researchers are aiding in the process. For more information, call CanalWay Visitor Center at 216-206-1000

Forest Detectives Often, we head to the woods for recreation. Sometimes it is for a sense of solitude. But have you ever considered heading to the woods to be a detective? Whether it is the woods in your backyard or your favorite Emerald Necklace destination, with an observant eye, one can discover the past life of the land. It is not easy to do, but with practice you may never look at the land quite the same. Just like a detective, you must be able to ask questions. Fortunately, the land leaves its clues behind for hundreds of years. Many of these clues are obvious. Looking at the trees is a great starting point. By gathering enough evidence, you might be able to determine the history of where you stand and whether that land has ever been altered by humans, animals, or other natural forces. Take a moment to investigate. Is the ground smooth and even or sloped and irregular? Is there any evidence of fencing? Don’t think about the type of fencing that you currently see in your backyard. Instead, do you notice several large trees in a straight row, trees with wire grown into them, or numerous trees with thorns (osage-orange, for example, was once used for fence posts)? Even ground with some evidence of fencing may indicate past agricultural use. Do you notice

any trees grown outward with low branches? ‘Wolf trees’ might have been placed out in the open pasture to provide shade for livestock. These trees were once able to spread out because they lacked competition for the sun. But what if you rule out agriculture; what other suspects are there? On occasion, you might walk into an area and notice multiple trees down. This alone will not help you pinpoint a cause. Begin to look at the individual trees; look at both those standing and fallen. Are there nearby snags (standing dead trees)? In which direction are the downed trees lying? Asking a few of these questions may help to determine what happened. With snags nearby, it is likely that the downed trees were dead before they fell. In this case, the trees would have fallen in various directions. Deadfall typically snaps near ground level; you should not see roots. With numerous trees following this pattern, it is likely that the area was harmed by blight (insect or fungal). In the case of high winds and storms, large trees would be uprooted and lying in the same direction. You may also notice trees tipped at an angle rather than being blown down completely, this may have occurred when the tree was young. Sometimes, the lowest limb will begin to grow straight up, taking the role as the trunk. In cases of tornado, trees are often snapped at mid-height. Becoming a forest detective takes practice and patience, don’t get discouraged. Start small, ask questions, and look for patterns. With time, you may discover an entirely new way to enjoy nature. For other examples and additional information, I recommend Reading the Forested Landscape by Tom Wessels.

Photos courtesy of Valerie Fetzer

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

Valerie Fetzer, Naturalist Rocky River Nature Center vjf@clevelandmetroparks.com

Notes From The Field

the BoYs oF Winter

I was having lunch with my friend Warren yesterday, and we eventually got around to talking about things we used to do “back in the day”. Fishing in those days, for example, was mostly with a cane pole - available in 10, 12 or 14 foot lengths at the neighborhood hardware store. Buying a new cane pole was an annual rite of spring, since they rarely survived through the previous fall, and even if they did the old hollow wood often split and caught tender skin as it was being handled the next spring. Fish like bass and northern pike were too large or too powerful for cane poles, so we used casting rods (spinning reels weren’t invented yet). It took a well-practiced thumb making light drag on the spool of black cotton line to prevent a backlash on the reel when the large artificial bait finally hit the water. A lot of good fishermen stayed with bluegill fishing and cane poles just to avoid those backlashes. There were lots of fish in those days, and lots of cane.

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

Photo by Stephanie Wollman

In those days there were no soccer leagues starting at age 4, or any of the host of children’s sports that create the unceasing frenzy that passes for childhood fun these days. Summer meant Little League baseball, for those who could throw, catch or bat. There were piano lessons for some, and ballet lessons for the girls. Wealthier families sometimes had children tutored after school, but mostly we came home from classes about 3:30 p.m. or so, quickly changed into jeans and flannel or t-shirts, and played outside until dinner. If it was summer, we hurried through dinner and went back out and played until dark, then came back inside. The universal rule of law and good sense was enforceable by any mother on the block, and the word of one mother was as good as the word of any other. Correction was swift and sure, and no mother later questioned any other mother’s account of what their children shouldn’t be doing, or what she told anyone else’s child to do. There was no television to bray dire warnings of evildoers lurking behind every tree and bush, so we played carefree anywhere we chose to go. The woods were our friend, and we built forts and dug holes and climbed kid-friendly trees. Creeks held crayfish and minnows, and every boy and girl we knew played down by the water and got pinched by those “crab claws” almost every time. Moms knew that getting wet and dirty was a rite of childhood, and that’s what kid’s clothes were for anyway. Everyone bought clothes at Sears or Penney’s, maybe Montgomery Ward, and we all looked pretty much the same. Except for the occasional school concert or seasonal sports for a few, we mostly lived our lives outdoors. It was expected that kids should be outside to be healthy and happy, and to engage imaginations and learn how to interact with others. Almost every day was spent “outside messing around in nature” in one way or another. No one had allergies to peanuts or perfumes or dust

mites, and many of the maladies which seem to plague children today were unheard of in our communities. What has happened to the world? The Ohio Division of Natural Resources recently issued “Ohio Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights”, which states: “Our children are entitled to: 1. Be physically active and play outside every day to grow up healthy 2. Have access to safe, natural green spaces in their community 3. Connect with nature, with free time to explore the outdoors 4. Discover the wonders of plants and animals, large and small, using all five senses 5. Explore the diversity of Ohio’s natural habitats 6. Understand the patterns and cycles of nature 7. Experience the joys of splashing, playing and swimming in safe, clean lakes and streams

Cleveland Metroparks is rapidly becoming one of the few remaining places in Cuyahoga County where the “Children’s Bill of Outdoor Rights” can be realized. The Division of Outdoor Education is committed in its interpretive master planning process to realizing new outdoor recreation and outdoor education experiences for all of its visitors. These master plans will be woven into the “Cleveland Metroparks 2020” Master Plan to move this great and wonderful park district, a gift from the past, into its second century. Want to join us? There are a vast array of volunteer opportunities at nature and visitor centers and with the outdoor recreation units. Want to give in other ways? The Emerald Necklace EndowPhoto by Stephanie Wollman ment Fund is creating a living legacy of land acquisitions and other worthy projects beyond the abilities of operating funds. The names and emails of those contacts follow. Help us move our beloved pasts beyond us to the future. Robert D. Hinkle, PhD Chief, Division of Outdoor Education rdh@clevelandmetroparks.com

For more information about volunteering: Heather Triplett - hat@clevelandmetroparks.com charitable giving: Karen Kannenberg - kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com

8. Be fully immersed in nature by camping overnight, free of the distractions of electronic devices 9. Learn how to give back to nature” Warren and I grew up that way. Our simple childhood play formed us. Later as adults we returned to nature as often as we could, as a place of escape, as a place to re-create ourselves, as a place of deep personal meaning. I suspect that many of you who read these words grew up like Warren and I did. Photo by Stephanie Wollman

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

Naturalist’s Almanac February

February marks the beginning of the end of winter. Winter will slowly lose its icy grip on the valleys and fields of Cleveland Metroparks this month. Certainly many more days of snow and ice remain, and another month must pass before the vernal equinox marks the oﬃcial beginning of spring. In February, however, the stirrings of a new season are upon the land and anyone who ventures forth can plainly see them and rejoice. By month’s end, winter will have broken. Spring comes subtly upon the land, but each year the migrating geese and redwings, emerging skunks and raccoons and the fluttering mourning cloak butterflies bet their very lives on the timing of the eternal cycle of the season. You and your family are forever a part of that magic cycle and can experience it every month in Cleveland Metroparks.

First Week

Third Week

Goldfinches return to winter feeders in large flocks. Restock the thistle seed this week if you can!

Spring migrating ducks such as buﬄeheads, goldeneyes and redheads begin to reappear at Cleveland Metroparks refuges. They are among the first of the waterfowl to follow spring northward as open water slowly becomes available.

Birds Chickadees begin to sing their spring songs in earnest this week as the hours of daylight, gradually increasing since late December, finally begin to be noticed.

Great horned owls are already nesting in secret places high atop forest canopies. Imagine them incubating eggs in the winter’s cold and snow! Mammals The first signs of spring bring the parade of skunks from their winter sleeping places. Most look quite trim after using much of their body fat reserve during their long winter sleep.

Second Week

Birds Song sparrows, resplendent in their new brown coats with streaked breasts and a central chocolate spot, begin to reappear at area bird feeders. Most will not begin to sing in earnest for another few weeks. Mammals Meadow voles’ tunnels under the snow begin to appear as the warmer days “melt the roof off.” Their exposed meandering trails in the snow look like snake tracks, giving rise to the old fable of “snow snakes.” As temperatures rise above freezing, chipmunks may reappear in search of fresh food. Their underground storehouses of nuts and seeds may be running low! Wildflowers Skunk cabbage, one of the first harbingers of spring, should be blooming in the wetter lowlands of Brecksville, Hinckley and Rocky River reservations this week.

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

Birds “Oka-reee!” Red-winged blackbirds begin to appear in large numbers about this time each year. Their annual reappearance marks one of the first and surest signs of spring.

Mammals Breeding seasons for squirrels, raccoons and skunks begin as the temperature warms, the day length increases and the animals become more active. Insects Mourning cloak butterflies, which overwinter as adults, may reappear on any warm day this month. Their velvety-brown wings tipped with yellow and small blue spots surprise the winter-weary hiker on Cleveland Metroparks trails.

Fourth Week

Birds Forlorn-looking red-winged blackbirds huddle on snow covered branches as the last of the month’s snowstorms catch them by surprise. Look for the red and yellow shoulder patches that distinguish them from all other blackbirds. Trees If days become warm enough and nights stay cold, the maple sugaring season should be in full swing. Watch for acrobatic squirrels licking tasty sap that drips from the ends of broken branches.

this FeBrUArY, eArthWorDs Presents A niGht For Lovers… “nAtUre” Lovers, oF coUrse! Rocky River Nature Center • Sunday, February 13 • 6 p.m. Conjure up an image of a peaceful walk in the park. We all know how we feel while spending a bit of quiet time in the woods. We tend to forget our problems; we get lost in the serenity of nature; we feel calmness surrounding us; stress seems to disappear. Visiting Cleveland Metroparks is a natural means of de-stressing. Come to Rocky River Nature Center with that “someone special” on Valentine’s Eve and learn about another natural way of handling stress - mudras. Mudras are simple ancient gestures that can help us focus, calm ourselves, release anger, and energize us. Join local author Emily Fuller Williams as she teaches us these easy movements to help us quiet our bodies and minds. Emily is a massage therapist who has been studying and teaching mudras for several years. Her book, Mudras, will be available to purchase after our program. You will definitely want to delve deeper into this fascinating subject. More highlights of this relaxing evening: • Delicious hors d’oeuvres and beverages • Beautiful music performed by local singers, songwriters, Larry & Rosemary Knopf • Author book signing • Special savings at EarthWords Nature Shop

A variety of products also will be available to purchase to help continue your relaxed mood: • Soothing scents - Crystal Journey’s Tranquility candle set, 4-pack $9 • Mesmerizing music - Nature Walk CD by Acoustitherapy, $17 • Delicious chocolates - Tasty, tempting treats such as Chocolate Covered Caramel, Dark Chocolate Mint Fudgie, and Butter Almond Toﬀee

Registration and a fee of $5 per person or $8 for two are required. Adults only - call 440-734-7576 by February 10 to register.

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

CanalWay Center Cuyahoga Heights 216-206-1003 North Chagrin Nature Center Mayfield Village 440-449-0511 Rocky River Nature Center North Olmsted 440-734-7576 Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Sunday Noon - 4:45 p.m. Are you a member of Cleveland Zoological Society? Bring your membership card to receive 10% oﬀ non-sale merchandise every day! Subscribe to our free email newsletter to see new products and specials! Send an email to hjs@clevelandmetroparks.com, and type “subscribe” in the subject.

iF YoU PLAnt it, theY WiLL coMe

Inside the Emerald Necklace

February 1 • 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Reinberger Education Building • Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

The Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society presents a special February program at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Landscaping for birds by replicating native habitat maximizes the odds of attracting birds to one’s home. Casey Tucker, founder and director of the American Avian Conservation Association, discusses how birds interact with plants, what attracts birds throughout the year, beneficial plants and potentially harmful plants.

FiGht the Frost FestivAL

February 12 • 1 - 4 p.m. CanalWay Center • Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation CanalWay Center is holding its second Fight the Frost Festival to encourage northeast Ohio residents to keep moving and enjoy the winter, whether you’re inside or out. CanalWay Center has planned an afternoon of fun-filled activities in the center and outside amidst the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. Families, individuals and groups are all welcome to take part in this free day of games, hikes, music, and crafts. Here is what you can look forward to: puppet show, children’s nature music, snowshoeing, winter hikes, cornhole, nature crafts, bird watching, hot chocolate, cookies and much more. We hope you shake off the winter blues with us as we offer everyone the opportunity to embrace the cold during this frosty season.

2011 LooK ABoUt LoDGe FiresiDe concerts Come out of the cold to cozy Look About Lodge for our annual Fireside Concert Series. All concerts are from 7 to 8 p.m. and cost $5 per person. Registration is required - call Look About Lodge to reserve your seat at 440-247-7075. February 4 February 11 February 18

The Flipside (folk rock) Nan O’Malley (Irish) Erie Heights Brass Ensemble (Mardi Gras/Dixieland)

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

toBoGGAn At the chALet! Looking for a great place to book a private, fun winter outing for your group, then look no further than Cleveland Metroparks Chalet Toboggan Chutes. It’s the perfect place for family get-togethers, business and club outings, school and church groups, and special events. The facility features a great room with a big-screen TV (cable), Wi-Fi, a concession stand, a loft area with video games, and two fireplaces. The twin, refrigerated ice chutes operate with or without snow. Enjoy the icy winter thrill ride with your group on nature’s winter wild ride. For information and reservations, call 440-572-9990.

it’s MAPLE SUGAR TIME! Saturdays & Sundays, February 26 & 27, March 5, 6, 12 & 13 • 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Maple Grove Picnic Area • Rocky River Reservation The History of Maple Sugaring returns to Cleveland Metroparks! The end of winter arrives in northern Ohio at a snail’s pace, indicated by “drip-drip-drip” as snow and ice melt, signaling that sap begins to flow in the trees and we must rush to collect it before the leaves bud out. Despite winter’s lingering reminders, it’s the leading edge of spring and maple sugaring time again! The 2011 season brings another year of gathering sap, making syrup and leading hikes through the maple-heavy woods of the sugarbush at Maple Grove Picnic Area. On weekends from February 26 through March 13, walk through time along the Sugarbush Trail to see the sap-collecting methods and syrup-making processes used by Native Americans, pioneers and modern sugar farmers. You’ll end at the sugarhouse to watch sap boiled into delicious maple syrup. Guided hikes leave the sugarhouse every 20 minutes (the last hike leaves at 3:40 p.m.) Groups may be accomodated on weekdays by appointment only. This program is complete outdoors - dress for the weather and wear footwear suitable for an unpaved, muddy or snowy trail. For more information, call 440-734-6660. Maple Grove Picnic Area is located off Valley Parkway in Rocky River Reservation, between Cedar Point Road and Spafford Road in North Olmsted. It is 1/3 mile south of Rocky River Nature Center - follow the signs.

Join Us to RECLAIM a Guinness World Record! Cleveland Metroparks is again calling all canoers and kayakers to help reclaim the “Guinness Book of World Records Largest Raft of Free Floating Canoes & Kayaks.” The record breaking attempt will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Hinckley Lake in Hinckley Reservation at the “Guinness Book of World Records Canoe & Kayak Challenge.” Almost 10 years to the day, Cleveland Metroparks broke the record on May 19, 2001 with 776 canoes and kayaks. Cleveland Metroparks held the record for seven years but it has since been broken - once by Islip, NY with 1,047 boats and then recently in June 2010 by Pittsburgh, PA with 1,800 boats. Registration to participate is $10 per canoe or kayak and $7 per person for additional riders in the canoe or kayak. All proceeds will benefit Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Education Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 216-635-3200 . Also, follow Cleveland Metroparks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/ClevelandMetroparks and canoeandkayakchallenge.blogspot.com.. 9

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

Clip & Save! 2011 Cleveland Metroparks Special Events Calendar

A LooK AheAD: AnnUAL retUrn oF the BUZZArDs Tuesday, March 15 - 7 a.m. - ???? • Free! Buzzard Roost • Hinckley Reservation • Hinckley

Saturdays & Sundays, February 26 & 27, March 5, 6, 12 & 13 History of Maple Sugaring Maple Grove Picnic Area Rocky River Reservation

The old March proverb should be updated from “in like a lion, out like a lamb” to “soar like a buzzard, back to Hinckley guaranteed!”

Tuesday, March 15 Annual Return of the Buzzards Buzzard Roost • Hinckley Reservation

The annual return of the buzzards is an internationallyknown phenomenon that occurs every year on March 15. Buzzard spotters, young and old, will search the sky for turkey vultures (buzzards) with the “Official Buzzard Spotter,” Dr. Bob Hinkle. The search begins at 7 a.m. Be sure to bring binoculars, cameras and a sense of humor.

Sunday, March 20 • Buzzard Sunday! Buzzard Roost • Hinckley Reservation Saturday, March 26 “Toad-ally” Awesome Amphibians North Chagrin Nature Center North Chagrin Reservation Friday - Sunday, April 15 - 17 North Coast Nature Festival Rocky River Nature Center Rocky River Reservation

But remember, “No one spots a buzzard ‘til the Official Buzzard Spotter spots one first!” For more information, call 216-635-3200.

BUZZArD sUnDAY!

Saturday, May 14 & Sunday, May 15 Children’s Fishing Derby Wallace Lake • Mill Stream Run Reservation (May 14) Ohio & Erie Canal • Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation (May 15)

Sunday, March 20 • 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. • Free! Buzzard Roost • Hinckley Reservation • Hinckley

Saturday, May 21 • Guinness Book of World Records Canoe & Kayak Challenge Hinckley Lake • Hinckley Reservation

The free event features a buzzard scoreboard, naturalistled hikes, live bird programs, musical entertainment, storytelling, displays and exhibits, bus tours of the reservation, EarthWords Nature Shop, and more. For more information, call 216-635-3200.

Saturday, June 4 • Farm & Garden Day Garfield Park Nature Center Garfield Park Reservation Sunday, June 12 • Knee-High Naturalists The Arboretum South Chagrin Reservation Saturday, June 18 • Train Day CanalWay Center Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation

10 Emerald Necklace, February 2011

Like clockwork, the buzzards always return. Celebrate the buzzards return with Cleveland Metroparks at the Buzzard Sunday!

“toAD-ALLY” AWesoMe AMPhiBiAns Saturday, March 26 • 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. • Free! North Chagrin Nature Center North Chagrin Reservation • Mayfield Village. Hop on over to discover awesome amphibians! Enjoy presentations with guest speakers, a puppet show and a movie. Plus, see over 30 live amphibians, crafts and activities for kids, hikes, refreshments for sale, and more! For details, call 440-473-3370.

Birds of Prey Weekend Discover hawks, eagles and owls during this special weekend featuring exhibits, crafts, art show and demonstration, live animal presentations, hikes, puppets and more. Incredible birds of prey await your discovery! For more information, call 440-734-6660. Scheduled activities include:

Saturday, February 5 • 1 - 4:30 p.m. 1- 2 p.m.

Birds of Prey Hike - Cottonwood Picnic Area Join a naturalist for a hike in raptor country. Bald eagle, peregrine falcons, red tailed hawks and other daytime raptors have been nesting in the Rocky River Valley. Bring your binoculars and try to spot one of these elegant hunters.

1 - 1:30 p.m.

Birds of Prey Bingo

1 - 1:30 p.m.

The Ancient Art of Falconry - Using raptors to hunt is called falconry. Join licensed falconers Jeff Riebe, Don Jessie and Al Lang to meet their birds and learn about this ancient sport.

1:30 - 2 p.m.

Trailsider Puppeteers - “Hunters of the Air”

2 - 3 p.m.

“Hawks: Sun-loving Killers” Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s Dave Wolf takes a closer look at the lives of hawks in Northeast Ohio. There is nothing like seeing a live hawk to make you want to join the hawk fan club. 3:30 - 4: 30 p.m. “Owls: Hunters of the Night” live animal program with Lake Erie Nature and Science Center’s Dave Wolf

Sunday, February 6 • 1 - 4:30 p.m. 1- 2 p.m.

Birds of Prey Hike South Mastick Picnic Area Join a naturalist for a hike in raptor country. Bald eagle, peregrine falcons, red tailed hawks and other daytime raptors have been nesting in the Rocky River Valley. Bring your binoculars and try to spot one of these elegant hunters.

1 - 1:30 p.m.

Birds of Prey Bingo

1:30 - 2 p.m.

Trailsider Puppeteers - “Hunters of the Air”

2 - 3 p.m.

Bird of Prey 101 - The Medina Raptor Center has lots of live examples of what makes a raptor a raptor. What is the difference between hawks, owls, falcons and eagles? Bring the family to learn about these fascinating predators.

3 - 4 p.m.

Rocky River Nature Center

Raptor Rehab Laura Jordan from the Medina Raptor Center will show us firsthand what it takes to get an injured raptor back on its ... wings

is located in Rocky River Reservation at 24000 Valley Parkway, 1/4 mile north of Cedar Point Road in North Olmsted.

Emerald Necklace, February 2011

LEARN WITH THESE “GOLF COURSES”

Are you one of the estimated 27 million people who consider themselves “highly interested” in learning to golf? Or, are you a golfer who would like to improve your short game, or learn how to drive for distance? Then check out these golf learning opportunities available from Cleveland Metroparks Academy of Golf.

Look for these upcoming classes:

Beginners - An Introduction to Golf A hands-on series covers the basics of the full swing, chipping and putting. Basic golf terms, rules and etiquette are covered. Loaner equipment available. All participants completing the course will be given a pass to a Cleveland Metroparks short course. A maximum of 7 students will be accepted in each class. Students in this class should be beginners to 25 handicap. Date Time

Sat., February 5 - 26 Thurs., April 7 - 28 Sat., April 9 - 30 Sat., April 9 - 30 Mon., April 11 - May 16 Tue., April 12 - May 3 Mon., April 18 - May 16 Mon., April 18 - May 16 Thurs., April 22 - May 23 Thurs., April 22 - May 26 Tue., April 26 - May 31 Tue., April 26 - May 31 Tue., April 27 - June 1 Wed., April 27 - May 18 Wed., April 27 - June 1 Fri., April 29 - May 20 Sat., April 30 - June 4

10 - 11:30 a.m. 6:30 - 8 p.m. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 2 - 3:30 p.m. 6:30 - 8 p.m. 6:30 - 8 p.m. 10 - 11:30 a.m. 6 - 7:30 a.m. 6:30 - 8 p.m. 6:30 - 8 p.m. 6 - 7:30 p.m. 6 - 7:30 p.m. 6 - 7:30 p.m. 7 - 7:30 p.m. 6 - 7:30 p.m. 6 - 7:30 p.m. 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Number of Sessions

Location

Fee

4 4 4 4 5 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 4 6 4 6

Manakiki Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington Shawnee Hills Shawnee Hills Shawnee Hills Manakiki Sleepy Hollow Sleepy Hollow Washington Manakiki Washington Manakiki

$100 $120 $120 $100 $150 $100 $125 $150 $150 $150 $150 $150 $150 $100 $150 $100 $150

Instructor

Kochensparger Short Short Short Staker Staker Staker Taylor Taylor Taylor Kochensparger Fiander Fiander Short Kochensparger Short Kochensparger

Indoor Spring Training Get an early jump on the season ahead. These two-hour sessions are designed to help you take advantage of practice time before the weather breaks in the spring. You’ll have a game plan in place covering areas of your swing that need work for a better golf experience. A maximum of 10 participants. Fee is $20. Date

Sat., March 12 Sat., March 19

Time

10 a.m. 10 a.m.

Location

Sleepy Hollow Manakiki

Instructor

Fiander Kochensparger

Golf Fitness - Introduction - 500 Series Learn how to improve your swing, help avoid injury and hit the ball farther through improved fitness. Golf specific stretching and strenghtening exercises will be taught along with the connection between swing faults and fitness deficiencies. Wear comfortable clothing! Call 440-526-4285 for more information. $30 Date

Sat., April 9 Tues., April 12

Time

10 a.m. - noon 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location

Sleepy Hollow Sleepy Hollow

Instructor

Fiander Fiander

Classes fill up early. Visit clevelandmetroparks.com for complete class schedules. For more information or to register, call 440-232-7247 12 Emerald Necklace, February 2011

DON’T MISS THE FINAL WEEKS OF ICY WINTER FUN AT CLEVELAND METROPARKS CHALET TOBOGGAN CHUTES! Didn’t get a chance yet to cross oﬀ winter tobogganing from the “winter to-do list?” Don’t worry, there’s still time to experience the icy thrill at Cleveland Metroparks Chalet Toboggan Chutes in Strongsville. Not only can you drop 70 feet vertically down the twin ices chutes for a run of approximately 700 feet, you also can still enjoy the many great promotions at the Chalet until the end of the season. And, best of all, the Chalet Toboggan Chutes operate with or without snow! The Chalet Toboggan Chutes are open through March 6, weather permitting. Public tobogganing hours are: Thursdays 6 - 10 p.m. (Thursdays in February only) Fridays 6 - 10:30 p.m. Saturdays Noon - 10:30 p.m. Sundays Noon - 5 p.m. Special Holiday Hours: Monday, February 21 – Noon to 5 p.m. Tobogganing costs $8 for adults and $6 for hildren, ages 11 and under. One-time ride tickets are available for $3. All riders must wear gloves or mittens. Children, ages 11 and under, must be at least 42” tall to ride, and must be accompanied by an adult. Group rates, for 20 or more people, are available for tobogganing during public hours. Groups must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance (not valid for season pass holders). Season passes are available at $35 for adults and $25 for children, 11 and under. A family pass (for up to four) may be purchased for $100. Private Use: The Chalet, including the ice toboggan chutes, can be rented for exclusive private use during non-public hours. Rental fees are $500 for 3 hours for up to 100 people (fee for additional riders). The Chalet, including the ice toboggan chutes, can be rented for private, exclusive use during non-public hours. Semi-private rentals are oﬀered on February 2 & 16 for a maximum of five groups or 150 riders. Book now – dates fill up fast! For more information and to make group, private and semi-private rentals, call 440-572-9990 (press “0” to bypass the prompts).

Still plenty of great promotional dates at the Chalet: Student I.D. Night -All Students with a Valid I.D. Pay $5 Thursdays,February 3, 10, 17, & 24 FREE Ice Scraper Friday, February 4 Super Bowl Sunday Special – Wear Any Team Jersey/Shirt & Save $2 Sunday, February 6 Lake Erie Monsters Street Team Activities 6 - 8 p.m., Drawing to Race “Sully” the Mascot at 8 p.m.! AND, Receive a Buy One–Get One FREE Ticket to the February 14 (Valentine’s Day) Monsters Game! Friday, February 11 Sweetheart Deal - $20 for 2 Toboggan Passes, 2 Hot Dogs, 2 Sodas, & 1 FLEECE BLANKET! Sunday, February 13 FREE Winter Hat for Your Noggin Sunday, February 20 Dollar Dog Day - $1 Hot Dogs & $1 Sodas Friday, February 25 Star Light, Star Bright with a FREE Lighted Necklace Friday, March 4

Sometimes, the winter season seems to go too fast. So, before it’s over, be sure to enjoy the Chalet Toboggan Chutes – the only public ice chutes in Ohio!

Family 4-Pack – $30 for 4 Toboggan Passes, 4 Hot Dogs & 4 Sodas Sunday, February 27 & March 6, & Saturday, March 5

The Chalet Toboggan Chutes are located at 16200 Valley Parkway in Mill Stream Run Reservation, between Routes 42 and 82 in Strongsville, are open through March 6, weather permitting.

{All promotional items are with paid admission, while supplies last}

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GrAB YoUr tiArA AnD Get hoPPin’ to cLeveLAnD MetroPArKs Zoo’s FAirYtALes & FroGs Just in time to break up the extreme gray blahs of February comes a most regal event - Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s second Fairytales & Frogs day! The party takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, February 21 in The RainForest. All kids younger than 12 get FREE admission to the Zoo and The RainForest for the day and everyone is encouraged to come dressed as a princess, prince or frog.

Zoo News

Let The RainForest’s 80-degree temperatures hold off winter’s chill while you learn about the importance of frogs in the world’s ecosystem and the unique role they have played in fairytales and stories throughout history. Visitors also will have the chance to meet the Zoo’s larger-than-life frog mascots and even a princess! There will be Get Close encounters with real frogs, a chance to separate amphibian fact from fiction with the keepers, crafts, stories and an interactive life-size “Frogger” game that illustrates the dangers frogs face in the wild from pollution, climate change and habitat loss.

to The RainForest and free admission to the Zoo, following regular Monday admission rates. Out-of-county residents can also enjoy reduced winter admission to the Zoo and The RainForest. For additional pricing information, visit clemetzoo.com or call 216-661-6500. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Discounted winter admission through March 31 is $7 per person, $5 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 77, 90 and 480. Joe Yachanin Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

Visitors also can see more than a dozen species of frogs, many of them endangered, on exhibit in The RainForest along with plenty of other reptiles, turtles, snakes and even a gharial! So shine up your tiara and your glass slippers, practice your princely wave or work on your frog jump and get ready for some serious amphibian fun. Adult residents of Cuyahoga County (with proper ID) will receive discounted admission

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all photos courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Volunteer Safari If you’ve been looking for volunteer opportunities, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has the event for you. Every year, the Zoo holds a Volunteer Safari for people interested in joining the program. This year, the Volunteer Safari is set for 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 2 and 5. To make a reservation for one of the two Safari sessions, call 216-635-3395 or 216-635-3391. Last year, the Zoo’s 400 volunteers generously donated more than 40,000 hours of service. Their time and dedication are crucial factors in providing an enjoyable experience for the Zoo’s visitors. They answer questions, give directions and are general ambassadors for the Zoo. Volunteers man the Zoo’s information booths, assist at special events, help staff at overnight events and even work in the Zoo’s library. The Safari is a three-hour orientation session that highlights volunteer opportunities. After the orientation, potential volunteers fill out an application and do a short interview with Zoo staff. If you’re accepted into the program there is a mandatory two-day Service Volunteer Training Course held a few weeks after the Safari. There is a nominal fee for the course to cover training materials and a volunteer shirt. Benefits of being a volunteer include free admission to the Zoo and RainForest, discounts at the gift shop and select concession stands, volunteer appreciation events, a subscription to the volunteer newsletter, special notifications of animal births and exhibit openings and he opportunity to meet new people and contribute to the Zoo’s conservation efforts.

Who’s New at the Zoo? While the return of the Zoo’s elephants might be the, ahem, “big” news that everyone’s talking about, they aren’t the only ones who have moved in lately. One fella who recently came to Cleveland is “Lalo,” an endangered male Andean bear. Lalo, 15, is on loan to the Zoo from the Alexandria Zoological Park in Louisiana. Zoo officials here hope Lalo will be interested in breeding with 18-year-old Nooreja, the resident Andean bear in Cleveland. Sometimes referred to as “spectacled bears” because of their distinctive facial markings, Andean bears are the only bear species native to South America. They live at various elevations in the Andes mountain range from Venezuela to Argentina.

Top: Andean bear Middle: White-front marmoset Bottom: Golden frog

Joining the sizeable primate collection at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a pair of white-fronted marmosets. These New World monkeys, sometimes referred to as Geoffroy’s marmosets, are native to eastern Brazil. They are a smaller species of monkey with fullgrown males weighing up to only 350 grams - that’s less than one pound. Other species that have come to the Zoo in recent weeks include crowned lemurs, golden poison dart frogs, a red-bellied side necked turtle, a Henkle’s leaf tailed gecko, black spined toads and dwarf Surinam toads. The species list is always changing, so frequent visits may be necessary to see everything! It’s always a good idea to check clemetzoo.com as well for the latest news on “Who’s New at the Zoo.”

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the GiFt oF nAtUre

People committed to preserving the natural landscape of Greater Cleveland created Cleveland Metroparks in 1917. The Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund was established within The Cleveland Foundation for people who are passionate about ensuring the future of the Park District for generations to come. Gifts to the Legacy Fund help to create a welcome and healthy environment for wildlife and enhance educational opportunities.

Cleveland Metroparks gratefully acknowledges the following members of the Emerald Necklace Fellowship who have included Cleveland Metroparks in their estate plans:

Cleveland Metroparks gratefully acknowledges the following gifts contributed between September 1 and November 30, 2010:

Cleveland Metroparks gratefully acknowledged the following memorial gifts received between September 1 and November 30, 2010:

Anonymous (13 donors) Jay Beswick* Nancy and Joseph Bozicevich* Sheila Brown Warwick A. Buer* - in memory of my beloved wife, Marguerite A. Buer Helen E. and Robert L. Burns* Jane Christyson Mina Davis* Michael and Marcia Dolyk Jeanette Eustache Dorothea Jean Hassler* Bernice C. Haytas* Barbara A. Hershkowitz Dr. Robert D. Hinkle Constance M. Howell* Paula T. Hurwitz* Alyce M. Jarr* Marion E. Johnson* Fred R. Jones* Constance M. Junge* Mort* and Emilie Kadish Karen J. Kannenberg and Dennis A. Seifert* Christopher Malek and Friends Terence J. and Nancy S. McCann Jean C. Murphy* Celia and Edward Nedved* George and Cynthia Oprita Elizabeth H. Ragg* Carmen R. Reeths Margaret Rawsthorne Kathleen Schlemmer Dorothy D. Schmidt* Mary Sedlack* Kathryn S. Spilar* Coletta L. Stopp* Angela M. Thiery - in celebration of the lives of Daniel and Victoria Thiery Mildred Turza Constance S. White, MD Dorotha L. Whitney* Brian M. Zimmerman *Deceased

Cleveland Touring Club Hillary Emer Mr. and Mrs. Herbert E. Harpster Estate of Dorothea Jean Hassler John and Nora Kowalchik – in honor of outdoor education Jerald and Denise Krane – in honor of Jerry Krane David Krause John & Karen Lanigan The McDevitt Family - in honor of Madonna and Al McDevitt Jessica McNally - in honor of Ann and John McNally National Instruments Beverly Nemitz Almuth Riggs Nancy G. Rome - in honor of Cathy Kirkendall and Reid Morse Kathleen Schlemmer Anita and James Woodward

In memory of Earl Bloomfield Jeff Bixby Robert and Laura Bogdanski Harry and Jody Doyle Midge Strong William and Lynda Wallets In memory of Vicky J. Brummit Jeannie Deveraux In memory of Anton Buffa Michael and Allison Fowler In memory of John and Joan Caputo The Caputo Children In memory of Dan DiBiasio Danny DiBiasio Lisa M. Jeske Gina Settanni In memory of Robert and Ruth English Dorothy Carney In memory of John Halgash Bob and Julie Breining In memory of Reba Festa Jayne Kandzer Mark and Becky Mehill Amelia Reed In memory of Edison Houser Lucy and Howard Evans In memory of Virgil & Henrietta Martin Jane Martin In memory of Novak’s son Catherine Kovanda Mary Beth Kovanda In memory of John Stecura Lucy and Howard Evans

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Cleveland Metroparks gratefully acknowledges the following gifts received between September 1 and November 30, 2010 in support of the programs and facilities listed below: CanalWay Visitor Center Anonymous Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cleveland Chapter Friendly Couples Group Institute for Creative Leadership Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites Fishing Fund Jucknowski Family - in memory of Richard Juchnowski Look About Lodge Anonymous Bedford Garden Club North East Ohio Iris Society North Chagrin Nature Center Anonymous Cleveland Natural Science Club Cleveland Touring Club Dueteers - Lakewood Presbyterian Church Fox Hollow Garden Club Kiwanis Club of Cleveland

Rocky River Nature Center Nick and Marge Blum - in memory of Adam Wolf Pebbles Bush Faith Lutheran Combined Circle Ken Gober and Jody LeFort - in memory of Adam Wolf Katherine Hellermann - in memory of Adam Wolf Lakewood Garden Club Rob and Lynn LaVorgna - in memory of Adam Wolf Richard and Janet Miller - in memory of Adam Wolf Vi and George Niedermayr - in memory of Adam Wolf Helga and Joe Noffsinger - in memory of Adam Wolf Gunda and John Olsen - in memory of Adam Wolf Rocky River Nature Center Staff - in memory of Adam Wolf Mike and Kathy Schmidt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in memory of Adam Wolf Wendy Weirich - in memory of Adam Wolf Ann Marie Wiederman - in memory of Adam Wolf George Wolf - in memory of Adam Wolf Henry and Elisabeth Wolf - in memory of Adam Wolf Trail Monitor Fund Victoria Plata - in honor of Evelyn Sherman Youth Outdoors Kiwanis Club of Cleveland Woods & Waters Club of Northern Ohio

Are you considering a Gift to Nature? Please contact Karen Kannenberg, CFRE, manager of gift and donor development, at 216-635-3217 or kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com to discuss ways that you can help preserve and protect Cleveland Metroparks. Information regarding the ways you can support Cleveland Metroparks also is available at clevelandmetroparks.com. 17 Emerald Necklace, February 2011

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Groundhog Day Program Children ages 1 - 5 with one adult Tuesday, February 1 • 10 - 11:30 a.m. Fee: $5/person This Groundhog Day, take a “Play-cation!” Learn a little about the holiday, meet an animal, make a craft, read a story, and of course PLAY! This free-flow program will allow you and your little one to move at your own pace, make new friends and focus on what you enjoy best. Pre-registration required. Spring registration begins! Tuesday, February 8 • 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call to register for our Spring programs! Valentine’s Day Program Children ages 1 - 5 with one adult Tuesday, February 14 • 10 - 11:30 a.m. Fee: $5/person Learn a little about the holiday, meet an animal, make a craft, read a story, and of course PLAY! Get ready to learn through play! Pre-registration required.

Log Cabin Discoveries Dinosaurs For children ages 4 - 6 Friday, February 18 • 10 - 11 a.m. OR 1 - 2 p.m. Fee: $15/child; members $10/child Become a nature detective as you explore the hiking trails and gardens, encounter an animal, sing and dance to music or listen to a story. Fun themes and activities await your discovery during each one-hour session that takes a slice from our Explorers Club! Pre-registration required. Presidents Day Program Children ages 1 - 5 with one adult Monday, February 21 • 10 - 11:30 a.m. Fee: $5/person On Presidents Day, take a “Play-cation!” Learn a little about the holiday, meet an animal, make a craft, read a story, and of course PLAY! Pre-registration required. Steelhead Trout Angling Seminar CFor adults only Wednesday, February 23 • 7 - 9 p.m. Fee: $5/adult This year promises some great steelhead fishing in Lake Erie tributary streams. How and where can you catch steelhead in Northeast Ohio? What kinds of bait and equipment should you use for varying water conditions? Learn spinning and fly fishing techniques for catching a trophy steelhead at this seminar, which is co-sponsored by Ohio Sea Grant and Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Pre-registration required.

Walter R. Schuele Planetarium Family Programs* Twinkle Tots Thursdays & Saturdays • 11 a.m. Fee: $1/person (including infants) This is a program for the toddler in your family. Watch lights dance across the sky, see some magic and learn what’s new in space. This program is fun for just about everyone in the family! Stellar Stars Wednesdays • 11 a.m. & Saturdays • noon Fee: $2/child Grab your passports, blast oﬀ to a new planet and find a different picture in the stars each week. Watch lasers moving to music, take home a planet picture to color and add a sticker to your passport. Great for children 2 years and up!

Backyard Astronomy Saturdays • 1 p.m. Fee: $2/person Explore the night sky as it appears from your very own backyard! View winter constellations and other celestial objects visible in the Northeast Ohio sky. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Monthly Skyquest: Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19 & 26 • 2 p.m. Fee: $2/person Saturdays, February 5 & 19 • 7 p.m. Fee: $3/person Bright lights and one planet… maybe two This time of year can be the best time to view the brightest stars of all four seasons. Taurus the Bull, Orion the Hunter and Gemini the Twins all dominate the evening. There are even two dogs: the large & small dogs are so very easy to find. Even Jupiter has been shining brightly with us this winter as it begins to sink lower in the Western sky. We may even have a chance to still see Uranus through the telescope. February can oﬀer the best nights to finally get outside. Join us for telescope nights and look up! This longer, in depth program is recommended for ages 7 and up.

*Door closes promptly at posted start time for all star shows. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Located at 28728 Wolf Road in Bay Village | 440-871-2900 | www.lensc.org Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is an independent nonprofit aﬃliate of Cleveland Metroparks

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Who Were the Whittlesey? The Whittlesey were the last prehistoric Native Americans to live in Northeastern Ohio. Between 1000 and 1650 A.D., they occupied land along our local waterways. The Whittlesey are considered to be “prehistoric” because they did not leave written records. They had no contact with Europeans, so everything we know about them has been learned from studying their sites and the artifacts they left behind. We don’t even know what they called themselves and so they are named after Charles Whittlesey, who mapped their sites in the 19th century.

Charles Whittlesey was born in 1808 and studied geology at West Point before becoming a lawyer and newspaper editor in Cleveland. He worked on the team conducting the Charles Whittlesey first geological survey of Ohio. For two years, he traveled around the state not only creating a topographical map of Ohio, but also surveying its prehistoric earthworks. Whittlesey published numerous important works including Early History of Cleveland Ohio in 1869 and Ancient Earth Forts of the Cuyahoga Valley in 1871. He also helped found the Western Reserve Historical Society and served as its first president. Whittlesey’s descriptions of the Native Americans’ sites are sometimes vague, but they provide us with general ideas of where we may find clues about the lives of these prehistoric people. Some of the exact locations from Whittlesey’s drawings are still unknown and few remain intact. It is known however, that the Whittlesey people spent time on high bluffs along local rivers and streams that connect with Lake Erie including the Cuyahoga, Chagrin, and Rocky rivers. It is at these places where 19 Emerald Necklace, February 2011

archaeologists conduct research to find out more about these little known people.

The Whittlesey lived in family groups in villages. They constructed oval and rectangular-shaped dwellings made of saplings and bark. They were hunter-gatherers as well as agriculturalists. They used bows and arrows when hunting for elk, deer, and bear and gathered wild plants. They also cleared land and grew corn, squash, and beans. The Whittlesey fished with bone hooks and nets. As well as providing food, waterways also gave them transportation routes and places to gather clay for pottery. Whittlesey women made highly decorative pottery which was used for cooking and storage. The Whittlesey were gone by the mid-1600s, and before Europeans arrived in Northeast Ohio. So what happened to them? Archaeologists are still trying to answer that question. New evidence shows that the Whittlesey probably left Ohio by 1650 because they were being raided by other native groups. They may have ended up in Wisconsin or Illinois and blended with other Native Americans in exile. While the end of their story is still being written, Cleveland Metroparks acknowledges Charles Whittlesey and our late prehistoric Native Americans by naming the road that leads to the CanalWay Center, Whittlesey Way. Many Whittlesey sites dotted the landscape along the Cuyahoga River near Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. While these places are now buried under houses and businesses, it is a part of our local history that everyone should know. Karen Lakus Cultural History Interpreter, CanalWay Center kel1@clevelandmetroparks.com

Fort #3, Whittlesey, 1871

February Events by Location Off-site Programs

10 • Urban Explorations: The Plain Dealer Tiedeman Production & Distribution Center 17 • Urban Explorations: The Alcazar 28 • Bird or Bust: Erie Gulls & Waterfowl

(BeR) Bedford Reservation

5 • Woodlands of Bedford: Landscape of Ice

(BrR) Brecksville Reservation 4 • For Women Only

(BNC) Brecksville Nature Center

Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rt. 82 entrance, Brecksville 440-526-1012 1 • Hidden Story Hike 5 • 6 • 12 • 13 • 19 • 20 • 26 • 27 • Hand Feed a Chickadee 6 • Drop in Discovery - Craft Morning 13 • Hemlock Hike 16 • Animal Crackers 18 • Full Moon Dog Walk 19 • Drop in Discovery - Box Turtle 19 • Woodland Melodies Concert 20 • Drop in Discovery - Amphibians 24 • Migration Madness 25 • 26 • For Adults Only: Astronomy

(HuR) Huntington Reservation

(LENSC) Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 28728 Wolf Rd., Huntington Reservation, Bay Village 440-871-2900 19 • Great Horned Owl

(MSRR) Mill Stream Run Reservation 13 • Royalview Hike 15 • Hiking for the Young at Heart

(NCR) North Chagrin Reservation

2 • Ground Hog’s Day Celebration 5 • Families Explore: Sweet Treats for the Birds 12 • Natural Expressions: Birds at the Feeder 13 • Birds and Coffee 13 • Hemlock Hike 16 • Outdoor Education for Homeschoolers: To the Overlook 19 • Winter Stroll 25 • Family Friday Night: Sledding 27 • Owl Sunday 27 • Owl Prowl

(NCNC) North Chagrin Nature Center

Open Daily 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mayfield Village 440-473-3370 EarthWords Nature Shop Open Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., (BR) Brookside Reservation Sun. noon - 4:45 p.m. 440-449-0511 24 • Around the Emerald Necklace 4 • Family Friday Night – Meat Eaters 5 • Journey through the Seasons… Close Up (CWC) CanalWay Center 6 • Sunday Bird Walk Open Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 6 • Chickadees at the Overlook Off E. 49th St., Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation 11 • Friday Movie Night - Pale Male Cuyahoga Hts., 440-473-3370 12 • Dog Hike EarthWords Nature Shop 12 • Natural Expressions - Birds at the Feeder Open Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., 12 • Colorado Sun. noon - 4:45 p.m. 440-449-0511 12 • Young at Art: Backyard Birds 1 • CanalWay Photography Display 15 • Stroller Science 9 • Winter Walk 16 • Trail Trackers: Snow 12 • Fight the Frost Festival 18 • Naturepiece Theatre: Lost and Found 12 • Second Saturday Storytelling 18 • Full Moon Hike 14 • Preschoolers: Won’t You Be Mine? 19 • China and Tibet 16 • Evening with the Researchers 20 • A Home for Toad 18 - 21 • Great Backyard Bird Count 22 • Science Olympiad Study Session 18 • CanalWay CoffeeHouse 26 • Chickadee–dee, Please Feed Me 22 • Hidden Valley Homeschoolers: Winter Weather 26 • The Big, Bad, Savage, Scary …..Amazing Wolf 26 • Acoustic Players Circle Cleveland Metroparks Photography Club East 26 • Living History: James A. Garfield “From Log 7 • 21 • Bi-monthly Meeting Cabin to White House” Cleveland Astronomical Society (RRR) Rocky River Reservation 3 • Monthly Meeting 26 • 27 • History of Maple Sugaring

(ECR) Euclid Creek Reservation 26 • A Creek Runs Through It (GPNC) Garfield Park Nature Center Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Broadway Ave. or Turney Rd. entrance, Garfield Heights 216-341-3152

3 • Snowflakes 5 • Hike & Soup: Winter Thaw 6 • Urban Bird Count 10 • Around the Emerald Necklace 11 • Screech Owls! 12 • Winter Theater: Balto 1, 2 , and 3 13 • Slither 20 • Owl Pellets 27 • Watch Your Step

Group Programming For information on group programs, call any Cleveland Metroparks nature or visitor center.

Outdoor Adventures With IGO

The Institute of the Great Outdoors (IGO) offers year-round courses in canoeing, backpacking and more, plus Escapes to Nature throughout the U.S. and Canada. For details, visit www.clevelandmetroparks.com.

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(RRNC) Rocky River Nature Center

Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., 24000 Valley Parkway, North Olmsted 440-734-6660 EarthWords Nature Shop Open Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Sun. noon - 4:45 p.m 440-734-7576 1 - 15 • Gallery Wall 2 • 9 •16 • 23 • Beginning Beekeeping Class 4 • Friday Nights with Nature - Pacific Northwest 9 • Hike and Fireside Chat 10 • Homeschool Happenings 11 • Friday Nights with Nature - The Changing Tides of Fundy 12 • Science Olympiad Coaching: Birds 12 • Nature, I Love You! 12 • Science Olympiad Coaching: Geology 13 • 27 • Bird Banding at Rocky River Nature Center 13 • Meet the Artist 13 • Winter Book Review 14 • 15 • Little Explorers 16 •19 • Science Olympiad Coaching : Leaf and Tree ID 16 • Hike and Fireside Chat 17 • Inviting the Planet to Dinner 18 • Full Moon Frolic 18 • Friday Nights with Nature - Southern Africa Safari 19 • Coffee with the Birds 19 • Monthly Morning with the Birds 20 • Elementary Science Olympiad Coaching: Birds (Part 2) 20 • School of the Wilds: Dunk and the Devonians 24 • Hiking for Your Health 25 • Friday Nights with Nature - North to Alaska 26 • Cinema Saturday Night: Yukon Quest - Spirit of the North Cleveland Metroparks Southwest Camera Club 7 • 21 • Bi-Monthly Meeting Trout Unlimited 8 • Monthly Meeting

(SCR) South Chagrin Reservation Look About Lodge

Open for scheduled programs. Miles Rd., east of Rt. 91, Bentleyville 440-247-7075 4 • Fireside Concert Series: The Flipside 5 • Origami Workshop 6 • The Lodge is Open! 10 • Little Nature Artists: Birds at Your Feeder 11 • Fireside Concert Series: Nan O’Malley 12 • Dinner and an Owl Prowl 18 • Fireside Concert Series: Erie Heights Brass Ensemble 18 • Winter’s Moon 26 • Join the Parade 26 • Busy Bodies at the Lodge 27 • Nature 101: Let’s Landscape for Wildlife Cleveland Natural Science Club 19 • Monthly Meeting

(WCR) West Creek Reservation

7 • Winter Warriors of West Creek 17 • Cabin Fever Hike-off

February Events Calendar 1 • Tuesday CanalWay Photography Display This month we will feature nature photos by Canton area photographer Elizabeth Bushey. Her creative eye for detail and love for all things wild is captured in these beautiful images. Come see her eclectic collection of Northern Ohio nature images. Through February 26. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CWC Gallery Wall Enjoy the mixed media art work of Artist Lynne Dufenetz on the Gallery Wall through February 15. 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. RRNC

Cleveland Metroparks Maps

Visit clevelandmetroparks.com for maps of Cleveland Metroparks 16 reservations. Or, call 216-635-3200 and request a Pathfinder Map & Guide. Hidden Story Hike Join Naturalist Jenny McClain for a walk through time in and around Brecksville Nature Center. There are many stories from the past waiting to be told. 9:30 - 11 a.m. BNC Terrain: slippery, 1 miles

2 • Wednesday Groundhog’s Day Celebration Groundhog’s Day is also about the midpoint of the winter season. We’ll mark the day with a short hike and campfire. 7 - 8:30 p.m. NCR Nature Education Building Terrain: level, easy, 1 mile

Beginning Beekeeping Class The Greater Cleveland Beekeepers Association provides basics to get you started with your own honey-producers. Learn the basics of honeybee biology, beekeeping equipment and techniques to keep your hive healthy in this fourpart series. 7 - 9 p.m. RRNC Registration required www.greaterclevelandbeekeepers.org

design your own fantastic flakes. If it is snowing, we will catch snowflakes and use microscopes to observe how no two flakes are alike. 3:30 - 5 p.m. GPNC

3 • Thursday

4 • Friday

Snowflakes Each snowflake is magically unique. Stop in and try your hand at making mathematically correct snowflakes or

For Women Only Come join other women for exercise and camaraderie as we recharge after a busy week. We’ll enjoy the quiet beauty of the winter woods as we hike along the Buckeye and bridle trails. 10 a.m. - noon BrR Brecksville Stables Ages: adult women Terrain: slippery, hills, 2 - 3.5 miles

Cleveland Astronomical Society Guest speaker, astronaut Michael J. Foreman, will present a program on STS-129 and the furture of the human space program. 8 p.m. CWC

Family Friday Night Meat Eaters What do bobcats, coyotes, and hawks have in common? All are meat eaters. Skulls, pelts and mounted specimens will be available to see and/or touch. A short hike will follow. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. NCNC Terrain: easy, level, .5 mile

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Fireside Concert Series: The Flipside Let a fire in the fireplace and the folk rock music of The Flipside warm your soul this wintry evening. 7 - 8 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge Fee: $5 Registration required 440-247-7075 Friday Nights with Nature Pacific Northwest From mountain forests to Palouse grasslands, this program will feature the land from Glacier National Park in Montana to Olympic National Park in Washington. Discover the natural connections and diverse habitats with Naturalist David Dvorak. One show only, seating limited. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. RRNC Ages: adults, students

5 • Saturday Origami Workshop Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper to resemble objects. Artist Jeff Balazs will demonstrate and lead us through the steps to create our own origami animals. 9 a.m. - noon SCR Look About Lodge Ages: 12 years & up Fee: $10/person Registration required 440-247-7075 Woodlands of Bedford: Landscape of Ice After hiking down a hill, we will slowly examine the secluded floodplain of Tinkers Creek which includes the stone dam of Powers Mill, a remnant from a mill active

over 150 years ago. Spectacular ice formations are hoped for in the creek itself, surrounded by a beautiful winter forested backdrop. 9:30 a.m. - noon BeR Egbert Picnic Area Terrain: hilly, difficult 216-341-3152 Families Explore: Sweet Treats for the Birds Many birds stay behind and face challenges in winter. We will show them we care by making sweet treats for them. Once the treats are made, stick around to watch the birds as they visit the feeders. 10 - 11 a.m. NCR Nature Education Building Ages: families Registration required 440-473-3370 Hand Feed a Chickadee Generations of visitors have experienced the thrill of feeding a free-flying bird that lands in your hand. Now it’s your turn! We’ll provide a handful of sunflower seeds and instructions. 10 a.m. - noon BNC Hike & Soup: Winter Thaw Come thaw out and build up an appetite by hiking through Garfield Park Reservation. We’ll look for signs of the coming spring, then return to the nature center for a cup of homemade soup and bread baked in the fireplace. 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. GPNC Registration required 216-341-3152

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Journey through the Seasons… Close Up Beginning with the appearance of the first wildflower and concluding with winter’s snow and ice, this program by photographer Bruce Mack takes the viewer on a journey through the seasons, examining the smaller, often overlooked aspects of the natural world. 7:30 - 9 p.m. NCNC Birds of Prey Weekend (see page 11 for details)

6 • Sunday Sunday Bird Walk The increase in daylight brings an increase in bird activity. February brings the nesting of owls and some early territory displays by cardinals. Join us as we search for these behaviors and maybe even catch a glimpse of some early southern migrants. 9 - 11 a.m. NCNC Terrain: easy, 2 miles Drop in Discovery Craft Morning Hey kids, stop by the discovery table to make a takehome craft or two. 10 a.m. - noon BNC The Lodge is Open! Drop by Look About Lodge this afternoon to enjoy the warmth of the fire and serenity of nature. C’mon in and sit a spell! Enjoy watching the birds at our feeding station. Noon - 3 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge

Urban Bird Count Do you love birds? If so come and help document the birds that live in an urban setting. You do not need to be an experienced birder to help count. The results of our study will be sent to Cornell University as a part of their national study of what species thrive in urban settings. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. 2 - 3 p.m. GPNC Ages: families, adults Chickadees at the Overlook One of the joys of experiencing the winter season is to witness the spectacle of hand-feeding birds. We will hike to the Overlook where we will discover the hardiness of birds surviving the winter, most notably the black-capped chickadee. When we return, we will enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores by the fireplace. 2 - 4:30 p.m. NCNC Terrain: may be icy, 1.5 - 2 miles Hand Feed a Chickadee (See 2/5 for details) Birds of Prey Weekend (see page 11 for details)

7 • Monday

9 • Wednesday

Winter Warriors of West Creek Join Naturalist Jen Brumfield on a quiet winter hike through the crisp fields and forests of West Creek. We’ll be on the lookout for resident birds, like titmice, juncos, and bluebirds, that are toughing out the season here in Parma’s “big backyard.” Binoculars recommended. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. WCR Ages: adults, families Terrain: moderate, mostly flat, 1.25 miles 216-341-9225

Winter Walk This walk will start at the center and head down to the Canal, then follow along the Lower 40 Loop Trail. It may be cold outside but we will get our blood pumping to warm us up! 1 p.m. CWC Terrain: all purpose trail, 1 - 1.5 miles

Cleveland Metroparks Southwest Camera Club Professional photographer Stuart Pearl presents “Seeing Light.” Learn to use light and shadow more effectively in your photography. 7:30 - 9 p.m. RRNC Cleveland Metroparks Photography Club East Short month – short subjects, nature subjects, that is. Anything goes, but please keep it to 10 minutes, or you’ll get the hook. 8 - 10 p.m. NCNC

8 • Tuesday Trout Unlimited “Brown Trout on the Clear Fork River” - John Rochus, fly fishing guide and instructor, discusses the history of brown trout stocking in the Clear Fork in central Ohio. John shares successful techniques for landing large browns, and may divulge the location of favorite fishing spots. 7 - 9 p.m. RRNC

Hike and Fireside Chat Enjoy a fast paced hike for some winter exercise with Naturalist Kathy Schmidt, then warm by the fireside with a cup of tea and some conversation. The trail taken will depend on weather conditions. 1 - 2:30 p.m. RRNC Terrain: varied, 1.5 miles Beginning Beekeeping Class (see 2/2 for details)

10 • Thursday Urban Explorations: The Plain Dealer Tiedeman Production & Distribution Center Tour The Plain Dealer production and Distribution Center facility including ecofriendly design and presentday use. Tour includes museum, newspaper warehouse, paper stripping, presses and distribution center. Tickets mailed after registration. 9 a.m. Ages: adults, 8 years & up with adult Register beginning February 1 216-206-1000

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Little Nature Artists: Birds at Your Feeder The best way to learn about birds is by watching them at the feeder. Children are invited to create their own birdfeeder. Be sure to “dress for mess” and for the outdoors. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. or 1-2 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge Ages: 3 - 5 years with adult Register by February 7 e-mail LALreg@ clevelandmetroparks.com Around the Emerald Necklace Cleveland Metroparks naturalists are excited to share their favorite trails around the Emerald Necklace with you. These hikes will rotate throughout most of the reservations within Cleveland Metroparks. Our hope is to introduce you to a few spots that will become your favorites as well. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. GPNC Terrain: moderate, some hills, 3.5 miles 216-341-3152 Homeschool Happenings What makes bird a bird? Join Naturalist Min Keung for a close encounter with a bird. We will try our hand at hand feeding a chickadee. Dress for the weather. 1:30 - 3 p.m. RRNC Ages: 6 - 12 years Register beginning February 1 440-734-6660

11 • Friday Screech Owls! What does it mean if you hear an owl? It depends who you ask. Some say misfortune is coming your way; others say visitors will be arriving soon. Learn some owl folklore before we venture out to find the screech owls known to nest in Garfield Park Reservation. We will need to stand quietly in the cold, so come dressed for the weather! 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. GPNC Ages: adults, 8 years & over with adult Registration required 216-341-3152 Fireside Concert Series: Nan O’Malley Settle in by the fire and tap your toes to Irish tunes performed by Nan O’Malley. 7 - 8 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge Fee: $5 Registration required 440-247-7075 Friday Nights with Nature The Changing Tides of Fundy Photographer/Historian Karen Beck reveals the ebb and flow of the Bay of Fundy’s aquatic and political tides. Visit forests primeval, walk on the floor of the sea, and hear the tale of the Acadie - people caught between Britain and France in a battle for world dominance. One show only, seating limited. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. RRNC Ages: adults, students

Friday Movie Night Pale Male Of the millions of newcomers who flock to New York City, a red-tailed hawk’s astounding arrival in 1991 made history. Discover the story behind Pale Male, the hawk who became a Fifth Avenue celebrity! Popcorn will be served. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. 7:30 - 9 p.m. NCNC

12 • Saturday Natural Expressions: Birds at the Feeder Express your interest in nature artistically. No experience is necessary to see the beauty in nature and try your hand at sketching birds at the feeder. Supplies provided. 9:30 a.m. - noon NCR Nature Education Building Ages: 14 years - adult Registration required: 440-247-7075 or LALreg@ clevelandmetroparks.com

Nature, I Love You! That famous holiday of love is close by, so why not send a valentine to Mother Nature? Join Naturalist Bethany Majeski for a fun learning experience and enjoy a story and valentine craft. Children will have a chance to learn about an aspect of nature they love, and practice their reading and writing skills. 1:30 - 3 p.m. RRNC Ages: 5 - 8 years Registration required 440-734-6660

Young at Art: Backyard Birds Kids who love art and nature are invited to come and express their creativity. We’ll observe birds at the feeder and create an art project. Come prepared for the outdoors and potential messiness. Supplies provided. 1:30 - 3 p.m. NCR Ages: 10 - 13 years old Nature Education Building Science Olympiad Registration required: Coaching: Birds 440-247-7075 or LALreg@ Naturalist Gretchen Motts clevelandmetroparks.com helps you move toward successful preparation for the Science Olympiad bird segment of the ElemenCoaching: Geology. tary Science Olympiad with Go over the geology portion helpful hints and hands-on of the Elementary Science activities. For Science Olym- Olympiad with Naturalist piad competitors, teachers David Dvorak. We will have and coaches. Other interested hands-on materials. For Scistudents welcome. ence Olympiad competitors, 10 a.m. - noon RRNC teachers and coaches. Other Registration required interested students welcome. 440-734-6660 1:30 - 4 p.m. RRNC Registration required 440-734-6660

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Dog Hike Bring your best friend to the park for some exercise and socialization. We will hike the wooded trails of North Chagrin Reservation. Dogs must be leashed. 2 - 3:30 p.m. NCNC Terrain: moderate, may be icy, 1.6 - 2 miles Winter Theater: Balto 1, 2 , and 3 Come see Balto on the big screen and learn about his Cleveland connection! We will make popcorn, but bring a blanket to sit on (or use one of our chairs). There will be brief intermissions between each movie. Join us for any or all of the movies. (1 p.m. - Balto. 2:30 p.m. - Balto 2, 4 p.m. - Balto 3) Rated G 1 - 5:30 p.m. GPNC

Dinner and an Owl Prowl Adults are invited to bring a spouse or friend to a sophisticated evening of owls at Look About Lodge. We’ll learn a little about owls indoors, enjoy an owl-inspired dinner and then head out into the winter night in search of these grand birds of prey. 6 - 8 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge Ages: adults Fee: $20 per couple Register by February 9 440-247-7075 or LALreg@ clevelandmetroparks.com

Second Saturday Storytelling As Valentine’s Day looms near, the elusive meaning of love comes to mind. Myths, legends and personal stories of people, plants and animals may help define that term. Call Janelle Reardon if you want to share a tale. 7:30 - 9 p.m. CWC Age: adults, older students 440-734-6660

Bird Banding at Rocky River Nature Center Better than binoculars, you will see intricate details of birds as we capture and band the birds from the feeder. Learn about bird banding, an essential tool for learning about our feathered friends. Program will be cancelled during rain. Drop in any time between the hours below. 9:30 - noon RRNC

Colorado Professional nature photographer Gary Meszaros will take us on a trip across colorful Colorado. We’ll climb peaks on the front ranges and tour many of the state’s national monuments and visit famous Pawnee National Grasslands. 7:30 - 9 p.m. NCNC

Hemlock Hike Hemlocks are magnificent in the winter. Join Naturalist Kelly McGinnis for spectacular views along the Hemlock Loop Trail. 1 - 2:30 p.m. BNC Terrain: hills, slippery, 2.5 miles

Winter Book Review Join the Rocky River Readers as they review Collapse - How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond. This could be a wakeup call for those looking at the abandoned ruins of Angkor Wat or the Mayan cities overgrown by jungle. 2 -4 p.m. RRNC Ages: adults

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Preschoolers: Won’t You Be Mine? Find out a little bit about why we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Make cards for your loved ones the old-fashioned way - with ribbons, lace and a hand-written note (adults may need to help with this.) Be sure to wear red! 10 a.m. CWC Ages: 3 - 5 years with adult Register beginning February 1 216-206-1000

Meet the Artist Artist Lynne Dufenetz will be present to talk about her mixed media artwork. See some of her best work currently gracing Rocky River Little Explorers Nature Center’s gallery wall. Who is the animal that yips 2 - 4 p.m. RRNC and howls at night? You may only hear them, but coyotes Royalview Hike Stretch your legs on the lon- have moved into Ohio. Learn ger trails in the Royalview more about these wily predaArea of Mill Stream Run tors through a story, simple Reservation. Enjoy the roll- craft and walk. ing land, meadow vistas and 10 - 11:15 a.m. or deep woods as you hike one 1 - 2:15 p.m. RRNC of the gems of the Emerald Ages: 3 - 5 years with adult Terrain: mostly flat, 0.5 mile Necklace. Registration required 2 - 4 p.m. MSRR 440-734-6660 Royalview Trailhead

Slither Discover why snakes are so sensational. Capture the image of your favorite snake in a craft Hand Feed a Chickadee while you learn about how (see 2/5 for details) snakes behave in the wild. Live snakes, courtesy of Chuck Vo13 • Sunday racek, will be onsite for viewing - come see them slither! Birds and Coffee Drop in anytime between the parking lot Join us to enjoy birds visit- hours below. Ages: adults ing the feeders as we sip hot 1 - 4 p.m. GPNC Terrain: some hills, mud, coffee. We will discuss how 3 miles to attract birds to your backHemlock Hike 440-734-6660 yard and behaviors of the Join Naturalist Tim Krynak birds that are being observed. as we hike along the hemHand Feed a Chickadee This is great opportunity to locks throughout North Cha(see 2/5 for details) have your bird questions an- grin Reservation. February swered. brings change to the forest 9 - 10 a.m. NCR - sap begins to flow, the first Nature Education Building black birds will arrive any day Register beginning and the first wildflowers of February 1 the spring are ready to bloom 440-473-3370 near some wet areas. 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. NCR Buttermilk Falls parking lot Ages: adults & teens Terrain: hilly, 4 miles Fight the Frost Festival (see page 8 for details)

14 • Monday

15 • Tuesday Hiking for the Young at Heart Join Naturalist John Miller for a hike along the Rocky River. Our route will be based on scenic beauty and wildlife viewing. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. MSRR Eastland Road parking lot Ages: adults Terrain: moderate, slippery, 3.5 miles 440-526-1012

Stroller Science Bring your little one out to look for birds. With the leaves gone, a variety of birds including woodpeckers, cardinals, and chickadees can be seen a little easier. You both will appreciate the hardiness of these winter birds afterwards. 10:15-11:15 a.m. NCNC Ages: 2 years & under with adult Register beginning February 1 440-473-3370

Trail Trackers: Snow Snow, snow, snow! How is it made and where does it go? Snow has a story to tell you and me. A hike and craft make this a wintertime treat. 10 - 11 a.m. or 1 - 2 p.m. NCNC Ages: 3 years - K with adult Terrain: may be slippery, 0.5 mile Register beginning February 1 440-473-3370

Outdoor Education for Homeschoolers: To the Overlook You’re invited to hike with us 16 • Wednesday to the Overlook. We’ll learn about winter birds and try to Animal Crackers hand feed some of them. A Come discover “whooo” handful of sunflower seeds lives in the forests of Brecks- will be provided. ville through activities and a 12:45 - 2:15 p.m. NCR take home craft. A.B. Williams Memorial 10 - 11:15 a.m. or Woods parking lot 1 - 2:15 p.m. BNC Ages: 6 - 12 years Ages: 3 - 5 years with adult, Terrain: steps, moderate, no siblings 1 mile Register beginning Register beginning February 1 February 1 440-526-1012 440-473-3370 Little Explorers (see 2/14 for details)

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Hike and Fireside Chat Enjoy a fast paced hike for winter exercise with Naturalist Kathy Schmidt, then warm by the fireside with a cup of tea and conversation. The trail taken will depend on weather conditions. 1 - 2:30 p.m. RRNC Terrain: varied, 1.5 miles Science Olympiad Coaching : Leaf and Tree ID - Part I Are you planning on participating in this year’s elementary Science Olympiad competition? Help is on the way. Join Naturalist Valerie Fetzer for some helpful hints that will help you identify trees by their twigs, seeds and leaves. 6 - 8 p.m. RRNC Registration required 440-734-6660 Beginning Beekeeping Class (see 2/2 for details) Evening With The Researchers (see page 2 for details)

17 • Thursday Cabin Fever Hike-off Join Naturalist Jen Brumfield on an adventurous winter hike through the wintry woods of West Creek. There’s no better way to fend off cabin fever than to hit the trails! We’ll tackle some of the lesser-known ridges of the park. Wear appropriate footwear. 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. WCR Ages: adults Terrain: moderate to difficult, 3.5 to 4 miles 216-341-9225 Urban Explorations: The Alcazar Join Historical Interpreter Doug Kusak as we tour this magnificent 1923 tribute to Spanish-Moorish architecture. Discover this rare Cleveland Heights gem listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 10 a.m. Ages: adults Register beginning February 1 216-206-1000

Inviting the Planet to Dinner Join Local Food Cleveland’s Peter McDermott for an evening of hearing about the powerful local food movement in Cleveland. If you are interesting in getting involved in growing a thriving local food economy, come and learn more about how you can connect with your neighbors to transform Cleveland. Free. 7 - 8:30 p.m. RRNC

18 • Friday Great Backyard Bird Count Stop by the center anytime in the next four days to help count our backyard birds. People across the continent will be counting birds at their backyard feeders. We will have a list of the birds you might see, field guides, and binoculars to use. Through February 21. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CWC Full Moon Frolic Don’t let chilly temperatures keep you from enjoying the beauty of a full moon! Join Naturalist Bethany Majeski for a lovely winter stroll through the snow-covered woods of Rocky River Reservation. 6 - 7:15 p.m. RRNC Ages: adults and families with older children Terrain: snowy, slippery with some stairs, 1.5 miles

Naturepiece Theatre: Lost and Found Join the Naturepiece Theatre puppets for a mystery as we become detectives and try to locate a missing friend. What kind of clues could be left behind? Then make your own tracks and clues to take home. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. NCNC Ages: 6 years & under with adult Register beginning February 1 440-473-3370 Full Moon Hike Under the light of the full snow moon we will listen for courting owls and squeaking squirrels, and if the sky is clear observe Jupiter and its moons. 7 - 8 p.m. NCNC Terrain: easy, 1 - 2 miles Fireside Concert Series: Erie Heights Brass Ensemble While Fat Tuesday is a little more than two weeks away, enjoy a winter evening with Mardi Gras and Dixieland music shared by Erie Heights Brass Ensemble. 7 - 8 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge Fee: $5 Registration required 440-247-7075 Full Moon Dog Walk Bring the dogs and the family to enjoy the beauty of the full moon as it rises. Naturalist Debra Shankland leads this easy hike. Well-behaved dogs and their six-foot leashes are welcome. 7 - 8:15 p.m. BNC Terrain: gentle slope, 1.25 miles Register beginning February 1 440-526-1012

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Friday Nights with Nature Southern Africa Safari Lions, elephants and giraffes showed up on Naturalist Min Keung’s path during a recent safari to Southern Africa. Join us as she shares highlights of her trip to Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. One show only, seating limited. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. RRNC Ages: adults, students

Monthly Morning with the Birds Enjoy a stroll through winter forest and along wetlands searching for birds, especially winter specialities like pine siskin and red-breasted nuthatch. 9 - 11 a.m. RRNC Terrain: level, 2 miles

Drop in Discovery Box Turtle Drop by the nature center anytime to visit our resident CanalWay CoffeeHouse box turtle. You will learn Logan Wells, a local artict what its like to be a turtle, with national appeal, will be and make a craft. featured this evening. Open- 10 a.m. - noon BNC ing for national country artists, performing in Las Vegas Woodland Melodies Concert and throughout the U.S., she Join Bud Preston, known as will perform for our small “Ohio’s Finest Fingerstyle venue with a big sound, sing- Guitarist,” as he performs a ing a variety of music styles. romantic blend of instrumen7:30 - 9 p.m. CWC tal acoustic guitar with the 216-206-1000 sounds of nature. Learn how the rhythms of nature can be Winter’s Moon combines with the rhythm of Visit Jackson Field under a full music to create one harmonimoon for the first in a series of ous experience. four full-moon hikes this year. 2 - 3 p.m. BNC The silvery glow will guide us as we discover the wonders Science Olympiad of the river-bottom land at Coaching : night. Leaf and Tree ID - Part II 9 - 10:30 p.m. SCR Are you planning on particiJackson Field pating in this year’s elementary Science Olympiad com19 • Saturday petition? Help is on the way. Join Naturalist Valerie Fetzer Coffee with the Birds for some helpful hints that Bird watching is fun, interest- will help you identify trees by ing and enlightening. Join us their leaves, silhouettes and for a relaxing hour to discov- bark. er which birds arrive at the 1 - 3 p.m. RRNC nature center’s bird feeders. Registration required 9 - 10 a.m. RRNC 440-734-6660 Ages: adults, teens Registration required 440-734-6660

Winter Stroll Join us for an afternoon stroll along the Scenic Loop Trail. We’ll see what this winter day has in store. 2 - 4 p.m. NCR Strawberry Picnic Area parking lot Terrain: moderate, some hills, 1.6 miles

20 • Sunday Drop in Discovery Amphibians Stop in between the hours below to learn about the spring amphibian migration. There will be an amphibian craft for the kids to take home 10 a.m. - noon BNC

Great Horned Owl People are intrigued by owls, especially the awesome great horned owl. Come and see why. In this program, we will discuss interesting facts about the “Tiger of the Woods” while viewing one up-close and personal. Free. 3 p.m. LENSC 440-871-2900

Elementary Science Olympiad Coaching: Birds Naturalist Gretchen Motts will help you move toward successful preparation for the bird segment of the Elementary Science Olympiad with helpful hints and hands-on activities. For Science Olympiad competitors, teachers and coaches. Other interested students may also parCleveland ticipate. Natural Science Club 10 a.m. - noon RRNC “A Journey Through the Registration required Seasons, Up Close” will be 440-734-6660 presented by Photographer Bruce Mack. Owl Pellets 7:30 p.m. SCR Ever wonder what an owl Look About Lodge eats? Come be a nature detective as we investigate what the China and Tibet owl coughs up after a meal. From the Great Wall of China We will take a close- up look to the city of Lhasa in Tibet, at bones, feathers, and fur as join Naturalist Min Keung we learn about these silent as she shares pictures of her hunters. recent adventure. Just in time 2 - 3 p.m. GPNC to celebrate the Chinese New Ages: 8 & up with adult year, learn about fascinat- Register beginning ing Chinese culture and cus- February 1 toms. 216-341-3152 7:30 - 9 p.m. NCNC Hand Feed a Chickadee (see 2/5 for details) Great Backyard Bird Count (see 2/18 for details)

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A Home for Toad Already thinking about spring? Join Naturalist Mindy Murdock as we make toad abodes. A hungry toad can consume hundreds of insect pests. Place the house in your garden this spring to provide a home for toads and enjoy the benefits of natural pest control. 2 - 3:30 p.m. NCNC Ages: adults, 6 years & over with adult Fee $10 (per toad abode) Register February 1 440-473-3370 School of the Wilds: Dunk and the Devonians Over 360 million years ago, Ohio was a warm shallow sea that was home to a predatory fish called Dunkleosteus. “Dunk” ate a variety of Devonian sharks that BaldwinWallace Geology professor Paul Hilston will tell you all about. Learn more about how the Rocky River holds clues to our past. 2 - 4 p.m. RRNC Hand Feed a Chickadee (see 2/5 for details) Great Backyard Bird Count (see 2/18 for details)

21 • Monday Cleveland Metroparks Southwest Camera Club Members share their best prints in competitions in the categories: “Negative Space” and “Pictorial.” Learn to improve your photography by viewing and discussing the works of other photographers, from novice to professional levels. 7:30 - 9 p.m. RRNC

Cleveland Metroparks Photography Club East Close-Up and Macro Thru The Seasons - Bruce Mack will share his secrets to good close-up and macro photography. 8 - 10 p.m. NCNC Great Backyard Bird Count (see 2/18 for details)

22 • Tuesday Hidden Valley Homeschoolers: Winter Weather Join us at CanalWay to explore the winter weather. We will discover what snow and ice do to the forest and the wildlife that live in it. We will be outside for this program. 1- 3 p.m. CWC Terrain: one hill, all purpose trail Register beginning February 1 216-206-1000 Science Olympiad Study Session In preparation for the Elementary Science Olympiad students are invited to drop in. Study tables and presentations will be available to help prepare for Amphibians and Reptiles, Bird Identification, and Leaf and Tree identification. Bird Identification presentation will be 4 - 5 p.m. and Reptile and Amphibian presentation will be 5 - 6 p.m. 4 - 6 p.m. NCNC

23 • Wednesday Beginning Beekeeping Class (see 2/2 for details)

24 • Thursday Around the Emerald Necklace Cleveland Metroparks naturalists are excited to share their favorite trails around the Emerald Necklace with you. These hikes will rotate throughout most of the reservations within Cleveland Metroparks. Our hope is to introduce you to a few spots that will become your favorite as well. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. BR Valley Event Site Terrain: all purpose trail, one hill, steps, 1 - 1.5 miles 216-206-1000 Hiking for Your Health Enjoy a brisk walk through the winter forest with Naturalist David Dvorak. We will search for signs of winter wildlife. 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. RRNC Ages: adults Terrain: varied, 2.5 miles

Migration Madness Early spring is an amazing time in Brecksville Reservation. Thousands of amphibians migrate to the breeding ponds. Join Naturalist Kelly McGinnis to learn about these fascinating animals. 7 - 8:30 p.m. BNC

program (February 26 also) workshop. You’ll find your way among the constellations and learn how to enhance your viewing opportunities. Participants will learn to use a Star Finder, and there will be an off-site field trip for sky watching on Saturday night. Participants must attend both 25 • Friday parts. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. BNC Family Friday Night: Ages: adults Sledding Fee: $9 for Star Finder Bundle up, grab your sled and Register beginning join us on the sledding hill. February 1 While you sled, take in the 440-526-1012 beautiful sights and sounds of our surroundings. We Friday Nights With Nature: will provide hot chocolate to North to Alaska warm you up. Explore wild Alaska with 6:30 - 8 p.m. NCR Naturalist Ken Gober. Travel Old River Farm Picnic Area north of the Arctic Circle to parking lot Gates of the Arctic National Ages: families Park & Preservat for the fall caribou migration, and enjoy For Adults Only: the grand wildlife and scenAstronomy ery of Denali National Park This is a great opportunity to & Preserve. learn about twinkling objects 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. RRNC in the night sky. If you’d like to Ages: adults, students distinguish planets from stars and meteorites from comets, 26 • Saturday join Cleveland State University research astronomer Jay A Creek Runs Through It Reynolds for this two-part Flowing water may resist freezing in winter. Animals seeking this source of drinking water will leave footprints behind. As we hike along creek, we’ll look for signs that local animals have been out and about. 10 - 11:30 a.m. ECR Highland Picnic Area parking lot Terrain: hill, moderate, 2.5 miles 440-473-3370

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Acoustic Players Circle Join this well-established player’s circle, singing songs to a theme each month and swapping songs, chords and styles of playing. If you don’t play an instrument, don’t worry, listeners are always welcome. Professional abilities not needed, just a desire to have fun and learn from fellow musicians. 1 p.m. CWC 216-206-1000 Chickadee-dee, Please Feed Me While wild birds have managed to survive the winter long before bird feeding became popular, providing food for them makes survival easier. We’ll take seed into the woods where you can attract the local black-capped chickadees that may even eat from your hand! 1 - 2:30 p.m. NCNC Terrain: stairs, may be icy, 2 miles Join the Parade “Parade the Circle” is an annual event at University Circle that promotes the arts. Come and represent nature in art. We will create our own costumes for the event in June. 1 - 3 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge

Living History: James A. Garfield “From Log Cabin to White House” - Local re-enactor Ed Haney takes you through the life of President Garfield, from his birth in a log cabin to his tragic assassination. Experience an intimate view of the stages of Garfield’s life and find out his many connections to the Ohio & Erie Canal. 3:30 p.m. CWC Busy Bodies at the Lodge Families will young children will find fun and busy activities at Look About Lodge this evening. Stop by to battle cabin fever by reading books, doing puzzles, playing games and having nature-fun together. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. SCR Look About Lodge 440-247-7075 Cinema Saturday Night: Yukon Quest Spirit of the North The Yukon Quest is a sleddog race across the icy wilderness of Alaska and the Yukon Territory, testing skill, determination and the incredible bond between humans and dogs. Follow three teams attempting to finish the toughest sled-dog race in the world. Doors open at 7 p.m. 7:30 - 9 p.m. RRNC Ages: families with older children, adults

The Big, Bad, Savage, Scary …..Amazing Wolf Maligned by some, revered by others, misunderstood by most. Tom Stanley shares the fascinating story of the gray wolf throughout history right up through the reintroduction efforts in Yellowstone National Park, the southwest US and the natural recovery in the upper Midwest. 7:30 - 9 p.m. NCNC

Owl Sunday Owls are among our most fascinating birds. Come learn about the myths and facts surrounding these popular birds. This program will feature live owls, activities, and movie about owls. 1 - 4 p.m. NCR Nature Education Building

Nature 101: Let’s Landscape for Wildlife It’s not too early to think about spring planting. Join For Adults Only: Naturalist Barb Holtz for an Astronomy (7 - 9 p.m. - see 2/25 for details) overview of landscaping for wildlife, plant choices and wildlife needs. We’ll take Hand Feed a Chickadee time to do some hands on (see 2/5 for details) designing and plant choosing History of Maple Sugaring for your backyard. 1 - 4 p.m. SCR (see page 9 for details) Look About Lodge 27 • Sunday Ages: adults Registration required Bird Banding at Rocky 440-247-7075 River Nature Center Better than binoculars, you Owl Prowl will see intricate details of Asia, Africa and Europe Finbirds as we capture and band ish off the Owl Sunday prothe birds from the feeder. gram with an owl prowl. We’ll Learn about bird banding, search the forested trails and an essential tool for learning ravines for screech, barred about our feathered friends. and great horned owls. Program will be cancelled 6:30 – 8 p.m. NCR during rain. Drop in any time A.B. Williams Memorial between: Woods parking lot 9:30 a.m. - noon RRNC Terrain: moderate, hill, may be icy, 1.25 - 2 miles Watch Your Step Animal scat is evidence of Hand Feed a Chickadee where they have traveled and (see 2/5 for details) what yummy food they have eaten. Find out what animals eat and recreate the scat of some of Ohio’s common species. The whole family will enjoy this messy, but fun, activity. Drop in anytime between the hours listed below. 1 - 4 p.m. GPNC

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28 • Monday Bird or Bust: Erie Gulls & Waterfowl Join avid birder/naturalist Jen Brumfield on a quest to see rare Arctic gulls that visit the tundra-esque Cleveland lakefront in winter. Hopefully the ice shelf will have pushed these tough gulls and waterfowl towards the shore for a morning of intense field study. Gull identification is complex and tricky, but we’ll help you get a handle on these surprisingly beautiful and distinct birds. Dress extremely warm. Binoculars required. Spotting scope recommended. Maximum of 10 participants. 9:30 a.m. - noon Ages: adults Terrain: flat, possibly icy walkways Register beginning January 28 216-341-9225 History of Maple Sugaring (see page 9 for details)

Cleveland Metroparks is proud to serve the following products

EMERALD NECKLACE KIDS CORNER

New for 2011! Each month will feature a puzzle or quiz just for kids! Answers will appear in the following month’s issue.

Who Am I? Five birds of prey want to tell you about themselves, but they’re all mixed up! Can you match the description of each one to its picture and name? 1. I’m a fairly large bird. I soar in circles over open fields, using my keen vision to find tasty rodents such as mice and voles. My voice sounds as though I’m screaming, “Keeeeeer!” 1. Peregrin falcon (photo by David McCauley)

2. I am one of the few kinds of birds with both eyes facing forward, not back farther on either side of my head. I am nocturnal, which means I hunt at night and sleep during the day. My wings make no sound when I fly, so my prey never hears me coming. 3. When I dive, or stoop, from high in the air to catch a pigeon for lunch, I can fly as fast as 200 miles per hour. I make my nest on a ledge in a tall cliff or even on a skyscraper, such as Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland.

2. Bald eagle (photo by Gary Kramer / USFWS)

4. My favorite food is songbirds. I prefer living in forests, which makes me a strong flyer, able to chase my prey through dense stands of trees. I’ve also learned how to survive in suburban neighborhoods, so you might even see me flying in your backyard.

3. Eastern screech owl (photo by Alvin E Staffan/ODNR)

5. Although my name might make you think differently, my head is covered with white feathers. I often build my nest near water, because I eat a lot of fish.

If you need help with the answers, come to Birds of Prey Weekend (see page 11 for details), or ask a naturalist at any nature center! Answers to January’s Kids Corner puzzle: 1. Sunflower, 2. Feathers, 3. Cavity, 4. Snake Scramble Word: FLOCKS

4. Red-tailed hawk

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31 Emerald Necklace, February 2011

4101 Fulton Parkway Cleveland, Ohio 44144-1923 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED DATED MATERIAL DO NOT DELAY

printed on recycled paper Administrative Offices

216-635-3200/general Cleveland Metroparks information - 24-hours a day. TTY 216-351-0808 4101 Fulton Parkway Cleveland, OH 44144 clevelandmetroparks.com 24-hour Job Hotline 216-635-3211 Office of the Executive Director 216-635-3214 Office of the Treasurer 216-635-3231 Human Resources 216-635-3228 Marketing 216-635-3268 Planning/Engineering 216-635-3237 Brochures/Maps/Emerald Necklace 216-635-3200 Permits/Picnic Area Reservations 216-635-3200 Volunteer Services 216-635-3258

Ranger Headquarters Ranger Chief 4600 Valley Parkway Fairview Park 440-331-5530 Accidents or Emergencies 440-333-4911 Parkway Alert Line (PAL) 440-331-5963

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & The RainForest 216-661-6500/24-hour information. TTY 216-661-1090 3900 Wildlife Way Cleveland, OH 44109 clemetzoo.com Office of the Zoo Director 216-635-3330 Education Programs/Volunteers 216-635-3391 Travel Programs 216-635-3331 Marketing & Public Relations 216-635-3338 School Group Reservations 216-635-3308 Groups/Parties/Private Events/ Facility Rentals 216-635-3389 Cleveland Zoological Society 216-661-6500, ext. 4421

Winter Recreation 216-635-3200

Chalet/Tobogganing Mill Stream Run Reservation Strongsville 440-572-9990

Golf

Cleveland Metroparks Directory

Golf Tee Reservations (24 hours) and directions, hours, fees etc. 216-635-3673 clevelandmetroparks.com Golf Services – for general course info and inquires 440-232-7247 Big Met Golf Course 4811 Valley Parkway Rocky River Reservation Fairview Park 440-331-1070 Food Service/Catering: Big Met Grille 440-333-5575 Little Met Golf Course 18599 Old Lorain Road Rocky River Reservation Cleveland 216-941-9672 Food Service/Catering: Fairway Grille 216-252-6533 Manakiki Golf Course 35501 Eddy Road North Chagrin Reservation Willoughby Hills 440-942-2500 Food Service/Catering: Sammy’s of Manakiki 440-946-1140 Mastick Woods Golf Course 19900 Puritas Road Rocky River Reservation Cleveland 216-265-3666 Food Service/Catering: Eagle’s Nest Cafe 216-265-3660 Shawnee Hills Golf Course 18753 Egbert Road Bedford Reservation Bedford 440-232-7184 Food Service/Catering: Double Bogey Grill 440-439-1068 Sleepy Hollow Golf Course 9445 Brecksville Road Brecksville Reservation Brecksville 440-526-4285 Food Service/Catering: Theo’s of Sleepy Hollow 440-546-1555 Washington Golf Learning Center 3841 Washington Park Blvd. Washington Reservation 216-641-1864 The First Tee of Cleveland 216-641-7799

Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education Administration 216-341-9225 Institute of the Great Outdoors 216-341-1704 Historical Interpretation 440-786-8530 Voyageur Canoe Paddle Wallace/Hinckley Lakes 440-786-8530 West Creek Reservation 216-341-9225 Youth Outdoors 216-206-1010

Outdoor Education Facilities CanalWay Center E. 49th Street entrance Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation Cuyahoga Heights 216-206-1000 Brecksville Nature Center Rt. 82 entrance Brecksville Reservation Brecksville 440-526-1012

Swimming

440-331-8111 Hotline 216-635-3383 Hinckley Lake Hinckley Reservation Hinckley Township Huntington Beach Huntington Reservation Bay Village

Garfield Park Nature Center 11350 Broadway Avenue Garfield Park Reservation Garfield Heights 216-341-3152

Ledge Pool & Recreation Area Hinckley Reservation Hinckley Township Ledge Rock Café

North Chagrin Nature Center Sunset Lane Entrance North Chagrin Reservation Mayfield Village 440-473-3370

Wallace Lake Mill Stream Run Reservation Berea Quarry Rock Café

John J. Donnelly Rocky River Nature Center 24000 Valley Parkway Rocky River Reservation North Olmsted 440-734-6660

Cleveland Metroparks Affiliates and Clubs

Look About Lodge Miles Rd., east of Rt. 91 South Chagrin Reservation 440-247-7075 EarthWords Nature Shops CanalWay Center Cuyahoga Heights 216-206-1003 North Chagrin Nature Center Mayfield Village 440-449-0511 Rocky River Nature Center North Olmsted 440-734-7576 NatureTracks Education Unit 216-341-1707 Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Bay Village 440-871-WILD

Boating

Emerald Necklace Marina 1500 Scenic Park Drive Rocky River Reservation Lakewood 216-226-3030 Food Service/Catering: Sweetwater Landing 216-228-2233 Kayak Rentals 41° North Coastal Kayak Adventures Rocky River Reservation 1-866-529-2541 Hinckley Boathouse West Drive, Hinckley Lake Hinckley Reservation Hinckley Township 330-278-3132 Wallace Lake Off Valley Parkway, south of Bagley Road Mill Stream Run Reservation, Berea Quarry Rock Café

Affiliates are supported, but not operationally-funded, by Cleveland Metroparks. These outstanding non-profit organizations depend on class fees, special events, benefactor initiatives, and your financial support to operate. Your contributions and volunteer service are encouraged.

Achievement Centers for Children Camp Cheerful 440-238-6200 Mill Stream Run Reservation BAYarts Huntington Reservation 440-871-6543 www.bayarts.net Vento 440-835-4530 Brecksville Historical Society Brecksville Reservation 440-526-7165 Brecksville Stables Brecksville Reservation 440-526-6767 www.brecksvillestables.com Brilla House Slavic Village Development Mill Creek Falls Garfield Park Reservation 216-429-1182, ext. 116 Chagrin Valley Trails and Riding Club South Chagrin Reservation 216-635-3200 Cleveland Archery Club 216-635-3200 Cleveland Natural Science Club 440-247-4005 or 440-247-0151 Hinckley Historical Society Hinckley Reservation 330-278-3159 Huntington Playhouse Huntington Reservation 440-871-8333 www.huntingtonplayhouse.com Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Intergrove Lodge 1-800-852-4474 www.gsneo.org Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Huntington Reservation 440-871-2900 www.lensc.org Olmsted Historical Society Rocky River Reservation 440-779-0280 www.olmstedhistoricalsociety.org Rocky River Stables Rocky River Reservation 216-267-2525 (lessons & boarding – no trail rides)