Can you imagine a flock of a million birds, darkening the sky for days?

Celebrate the legacy of the passenger pigeon

 

The passenger pigeon, a bird found only in eastern North America, was the most numerous bird encountered by America’s first settlers. About the size of a mourning dove, they lived in social colonies and traveled in huge flocks that were said to darken the skies for up to three days. Our uncut forests provided food like beech nuts and acorns, and nesting sites for huge congregations.

 

This September marks the 100^th anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon, when Martha, the last of her kind, died at the Cincinnati Zoo. But before Martha, billions of birds declined over a brief few decades. Nearly every nesting colony was disrupted and market hunting for commerce and sport was relentless.

 

No one could imagine that such an abundance of life could disappear.

 

Since the seemingly impossible loss of the passenger pigeon, the concepts of wildlife conservation and land stewardship have become important tools. Protecting all wildlife and diverse landscapes assures that other populations, abundant and rare, remain healthy—that is the legacy of the passenger pigeon.

 

Join us this Sunday for an afternoon of free family-friendly activities that celebrate the legacy of this bird.
 

Passing of the Pigeon Open House
Penitentiary Glen Nature Center
Sunday, September 28 • Noon to 4 pm

Open House activities

• Take a little walk to find clues about the story of this once abundant bird
• See an actual Passenger Pigeon taxidermy mount
• Fold an origami passenger pigeon to add to the Nature Center’s Flock of 200 birds
  (or take it home )
• Meet our Mystery Guest Time Traveler from the late 1800’s
• Check out the 10 display panels tracing the Passenger Pigeon in America
• Make and take a kid friendly coloring page
• Watch a short presentation “The Passing of the Pigeon”
• Meet friends from Blackbrook Audubon society
• Enjoy train rides presented by the Lake Shore Live Steamers, 1 – 3 pm weather permitting

 

Things to do at Penitentiary Glen Reservation

 

Discover the sights and sounds of wildlife at the interactive Nature Calls exhibit.

 

Watch and listen to birds and other wildlife through the Window on Wildlife.

 

Enjoy the fall art show: “Nature from Three Perspectives."

Discover the nature of art from a feminine perspective in this multi-media show featuring Jaymi Zents, Britta Franz and Lisa Ruschman; three talented local artists, each with her own unique interpretation of the world around us. From lush floral and Italian Renaissance-inspired figures, to modern mosaics and more, this show is a journey of creative expression you won’t want to miss.

 

Browse the nature-themed gifts at The Nature Store, a great resource for bird feeders, t-shirts, field guides, toys, children’s books and more.

 

Visit native Ohio wildlife ambassadors in and around the Wildlife Center.

 

Hike more than 8.5 miles of scenic trails, discover the beautiful butterfly gardens or enjoy a leisurely picnic on the grounds of Penitentiary Glen Reservation.

Directions

Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about one mile. Turn left onto Rt. 615. Turn right (east) onto Kirtland-Chardon Road and continue for two miles. Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located on the right (south) side of the road.

A creative journey “in the shadow of Leonardo”

Let local artist Giovanni Bocchieri take you on a creative journey “in the shadow of Leonardo” in this one-man show featuring leaf alchemy, paintings, jewelry and more.
 
The use of contrasting textures and patterns as well as vivid color imagery allows the viewer an ever-changing aesthetic exploration. His extensive travels in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean have given him exposure to diverse styles of art which have significantly influenced his own approach to drawing and painting. 

“The Alchemy of Art” is on display in the Nature Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland. The show runs through May 26 (Memorial Day). Hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily. Artwork by Giovanni Bocchieri is available for purchase; proceeds benefit the Penitentiary Glen Nature Center.
 
Giovanni firmly believes his artistic ability is a gift entrusted to him by God. Like Eric Liddell in the classic movie, Chariots of Fire, he “feels God’s pleasure” whenever he engages in art. Consequently, Giovanni is intentional in his attempts to celebrate life and the unique wonders of creation.
 
A note of interest: Giovanni enjoys a unique artistic heritage as a descendant of Italian Renaissance painter Leonardo Da Vinci. He likes to think he has inherited a certain creative versatility from his famous ancestor.

Need somewhere to dispose of your Christmas Tree?

Christmas tree recycling drop off locations

Help us turn your undecorated Christmas tree into the compost used to preserve our natural resources by leaving it one of 15 conveniently located tree bins spread across the county. 

Please remove all decorations before placing trees in designated bins. Trees are chipped and the chips then composted or used as mulch within Lake Metroparks. 

Tree bins are available at the parks listed below, and will be removed about January 15. Click on the park name for park information, including driving directions:

• Chagrin River Park (Reeves Road entrance)
• Chapin Forest Reservation (east entrance/Rt. 306)
• Concord Woods Nature Park
• Erie Shores Golf Course
• Girdled Road Reservation (south entrance/Radcliffe Rd.)
• Grand River Landing
• Gully Brook Park
• Helen Hazen Wyman Park
• Hidden Valley Park
• NEW! Lake Erie Bluffs (Lane Road entrance)
• Lakeshore Reservation
• Parsons Gardens
• Penitentiary Glen Reservation
• Pete's Pond Preserve
• Veterans Park

Photo of Chair Factory Falls in background by Jeff Burcher Photography

Lake Metroparks celebrates Earth Day

Lake Metroparks Farmpark and Penitentiary Glen Reservation

Sunday, April 21 • Noon to 4 pm 

We are all responsible for caring for our natural environment. This has been the concept of Earth Day since its beginning in 1970.  Lake Metroparks continues that focus with its Earth Day events to celebrate our successes that help the Earth, and make a commitment to learn and use new ways to make our planet a healthier place.  

LAKE METROPARKS FARMPARK

Discover earth-friendly ways to make an earth-friendly difference at home. You can learn how to start your own garden compost, investigate new ways to conserve energy at home, and how alternative energy works. Enjoy a family day in the country with fun games and crafts for the kids. 

• Check out the high gas mileage and electric micro SMART USA that embodies innovation and efficiency.
• Discover how we harness solar and wind power at our renewable energy display
• Interact with with local conservation agencies at an eco-fair.
  
• Bring your bike to Farmpark for a Children's Bike Safety Clinic (noon to 2 pm)

FREE admission for Lake County residents and Farmpark members (Valid ID required)

PENITENTIARY GLEN RESERVATION

Discover what you can do to help the environment and learn valuable tips as you participate in hands-on activities during this free Earth Day event that features:

• ECO-FAIR, where you can interact with representatives from 16 local agencies, organizations, and groups focused on conservation and the environment.
• Did you know that Earth without Art is just “Eh”? Learn more as you help make this craft. Artwork will be pieced together to be displayed in the Nature Center in the near future.
• Take a walk on the new I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TRAIL, a self guided with informative and fun stations geared towards learning what you can do to help the environment. A free tree sapling will be given to those who complete the trail.
• Visitors can help paint a rain barrel using the pointillism technique. The winner of a free drawing gets to take the rain barrel home!
• Meet native Ohio wildlife in our Wildlife Center yard and along the train line. A naturalist will share interesting animal stories and answer questions in the Wildlife Center yard.
• Haircut-a-thon – Ladies & Gentlemen Salon & Spa will be on site to give $10 haircuts, first-come, first-served. The money raised will benefit Penitentiary Glen Nature Center.
• WELW 1330 AM will be on site for your entertainment.
• Explore nature in the park – self-guided on our trail system (some trails suitable for strollers).
• Ride the miniature trains provided by the Lake Shore Live Steamers between 1 and 3 pm, weather permitting.

Click here for more information about Earth Day activities at both parks.

Natural + Recycled materials = Art

Spring can’t be too far away when the days are getting warmer, daylight lasts a little longer, and Lake Metroparks unveils its annual Spring Art Show.  Woven from Nature will allow you to discover how artists have taken natural and recycled materials and transformed them into wonderful and whimsical works of art. 

Lake Metroparks presents

Spring Art Show: Woven from Nature

Penitentiary Glen Reservation

March 10 - May 13, 2012

           

Nature offers us an endless variety of raw materials in different shapes, colors, and textures. Woven from Nature will be on display in the Nature Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland. The show opens March 10 and runs through May 13. 

Artwork on display will be available for purchase; proceeds benefiting the Penitentiary Glen Nature Center.

Visitors are invited to meet the artists at a free opening reception on March 10 from noon to 4 pm.

Click here for hours, admission and directions to Penitentiary Glen Reservation.

Kids Explore the Outdoors this Summer at a Lake Metroparks Day Camp!

Hey moms and dads: let your children explore the outdoors this summer at a summer day camp with Lake Metroparks.  Children ages five to 16 will experience the outdoors this summer while participating in one or more of the 50 offerings available.  Lake Metroparks summer day camps offer hands-on fun and educational activities including nature, farming, fishing, wildlife, boating, field trips, and so much more.  Camps are held at various parks throughout Lake County and are led by qualified staff.   Extended care is available for some camps.

A complete listing of Lake Metroparks summer day camps is available online at lakemetroparks.com and in the Spring Parks Plus! activity guide.

 


Pre-registration is required to participate in Lake Metroparks Summer Day Camps and/or the extended hours offerings.  Registration for Lake County residents begins at 8:00 am Thursday, March 1.  Open registration begins 8:00 am March 8. Registration for camps is available online at lakemetroparks.com or by calling 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.  In person registration is available at the Lake Metroparks Registration Office located at 11211 Spear Rd in Concord Twp.   Registration for extended care is available by phone or in person only.