Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

09/03/2026

Sunday, September 13 | 8AM

Race and hike prices go up on race day! REGISTER TODAY and lock in your reduced registration fee.

REGISTER: https://runsignup.com/ShakerLakesHikeAndRun

Hike & Run is a community tradition that celebrates the Nature Center's past, present, and future. Just days before our official 60th anniversary, celebrate with us and choose from scenic chip-timed 5K and 10K routes throughout the picturesque Shaker Parklands, a 1-mile fun run, and four rarely offered guided hikes that include some of the best-kept-secret trails in the area. There is something for everyone.

09/02/2026

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with us!
September 26 | 10AM – 1PM meet at the No Mow Site 2 at S Park Blvd and Lee Rd

We are calling for volunteers of all ages to join us in planting more native trees and plants and removing invasives at this site adjacent to the Doan Brook. All volunteers should come dressed for the weather. Tools and gloves will be provided. Families and volunteers of all ages are welcome! Pizza and refreshments provided for all volunteers!

Register at:

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with us! The workday celebrating National Public Lands Day will again be a collaborative event sponsored by the City of Shaker Heights, The Doan Brook […]

09/01/2026

Seed Collection Workshop
Thursday, September 10 | 5:30-7:00 pm
Saturday, September 19 | 10:00-11:30 am

Fall is a great time to start collecting mature native seeds! This workshop will cover the steps needed to identify, find, collect, clean, and store seeds for future planting. We’ll discuss the importance of collecting seeds, answer your questions about how to stratify seeds, and hike the trails to find seeds of different species. Help contribute to our native seed library! Registration required. $5 per person.

REGISTER:
https://givebutter.com/seed-collection-workshop-9-10-26
https://givebutter.com/seed-collection-workshop-9-19-26

08/31/2026

True to our roots, the Nature Center continues to serve as an urban sanctuary for lush ecosystems, a welcoming gathering place for friends and family, and an outdoor classroom where learning comes to life - just as our founders envisioned six decades ago. It's with your support that we are able to continue to grow and thrive.

Our fiscal year funding gap campaign ends today, every donation makes a difference. THANK YOU for your support! https://givebutter.com/close-the-gap-2026

08/28/2026

It's our 60th Anniversary and YOU are invited to help us celebrate!

Join us beneath the full Harvest Moon as we celebrate 60 years of connecting people with nature. Gather your friends and family for an evening filled with festive fall traditions, birthday surprises, moonlit adventures, music, food and activities for all ages.

Bring a birthday card for the Nature Center with a special message about what the Nature Center means to you and receive 6 free activity tickets.

September 26 | 3-7PM
LEARN MORE https://shakerlakes.org/autumnfest/

08/27/2026

Join us for Stewardship Saturday
Saturday, August 29 | 10AM - 12PM
Sign-up www.shakerlakes.org/volunteer visit the calendar or contact [email protected] to sign-up!

08/26/2026

We are celebrating our 60th anniversary this fall! Stop by the Welcome Desk to pick up a fun birthday themed craft to help us decorate for our special party. 🧁🎉

08/25/2026

Join us for our last Summer Wednesday 🎶
End of Summer Soiree | Wednesday, August 26 | 5-8PM
Celebrate the end of summer with music by award winning children’s artist Mr. Jeff, food, and drinks. Family-friendly. Mr. Jeff’s performance begins at 6 PM. Enjoy food from the Dawg Bowl Food Truck. Plus 25% off Duck Pond Ice Cream and 10% off 60th Anniversary merchandise.

About Mr. Jeff:
“Award Winning, Silly and Fun Music For Children of All Ages Created by A Teacher!”

Mr. Jeff wears many hats as a multi-instrumentalist musician, songwriter, music teacher, audio engineer, and former Pre-K and Preschool Teacher. Mr. Jeff’s YouTube channel, with over 100,000 views, is a favorite for kids and families, offering fun, educational music videos that spark joy and curiosity.

His high-energy, interactive live shows combine gross motor movement, social-emotional learning, and a healthy dose of silliness, leaving kids ready for a nap—and parents asking for more! Perfect for libraries, schools, festivals, museums, and family-friendly events, Mr. Jeff’s performances are designed to captivate and engage audiences of all ages.

08/21/2026

Did you know? You can recycle glass at the Nature Center ♻️ This is a free service for the community!

The Nature Center's collection site accept most container glass of any color, including:
-B**r, w**e, and spirits bottles
-Water and beverage bottles
-Food jars and containers
-Perfume and cosmetic glass
Labels and Lids can remain on, but should be relatively clean.

NOT accepted:
-Ceramics and dishware
-Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
-Mirrors and window glass
-Cookware (e.g., Pyrex)
-Tempered or laminated glass
-Lead crystal

Questions? Stop by the Welcome Desk and our staff would be happy to help.

08/20/2026

A few spots remain for you to join us at tonight’s Native Container Gardening Workshop | Thursday, August 20 | 6-7:30 PM | Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 S. Park Blvd.

Are you spending money every year on annual plants that don’t serve our pollinators? Bring nature to your porch, balcony or patio with native perennial containers. Amy from Avonlea Gardens will start us off with a great presentation on native containers. This workshop will teach you how to teach you how to pick the right plants for your location and keep your plants alive through winter. You’ll also learn how to arrange them for the best appearance. With a little care, most native perennials will return year after year, meaning you don’t have to buy plants again each spring.

Includes three plants, soil, and a container liner for a ticket price of $30. Additional plants or pots available for purchase a la carte.

Contact Natural Resource Manager Nick Mikash at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Registration required. https://givebutter.com/native-plant-container-8-20-26