The Nature Center is a member of the Association of Nature Center Administrators.
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes was founded in 1966 as the result of a grassroots community effort to preserve the Shaker Parklands from becoming the route for a new freeway connecting Cleveland's East Side to downtown.
The parklands had been designated in the late 19th century as a natural green space, set aside by the city of Cleveland for the benefit of its fast growing population. Citizens used the park as an escape to the "country" as the industrial city pushed eastward and as the land that had been farmed by the North Union Shaker community began to be transformed into the new suburban communities of the Heights. City and suburban residents found that they could enjoy the area along the Doan Brook, from Warrensville Center Road through Rockefeller Park to Lake Erie, and stay in touch with the natural world.
That setting was threatened in the mid-1960s by the proposed Clark-Lee freeway, which would have cut through and over the Shaker Lakes section. Citizens organized to fight the freeway through a number of strategies, including the establishment of a Nature Center. Thus the Nature Center stands today. Its goals have remained consistent, yet simple: to teach environmental education and to preserve the area's important natural habitats ~ lake, stream, marsh, field, ravine and forest..
In 1971 the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior named the Center a National Environmental Education Landmark, one of the first organizations to be recognized by the Park Service. In addition, the Park Service designated the Nature Center a National Environmental Study Area, noting the unique education opportunities offered by the diverse habitats found in such an urban setting. The parklands are also registered on the Register of National Historic Sites.
Ten thousand children participate annually in more than 30,000 hours of curriculum-related school programs, including a strong early childhood program for several East Side school districts and the Cleveland Public Schools. Additionally, 10,000 walkers, runners, and bird-watchers use the trails and grounds for exercise and enjoyment of nature.
In 2003, the Nature Center renovated and updated its indoor facilities to include: upgraded and expanded classrooms, community meeting rooms, a nature experience area / the Jean Eakin bird observation station, an elevator, accessible rest rooms and a gift shop. Sustainable building practices, including reusing existing building components and recycling construction materials, limited impact on trees and natural, adjacent habitats, and a geothermal heating and cooling system were part of the renovation.
The Nature Center has served the community well for more than three decades with its dual purpose of preservation and education. Its challenge now is to plan the continuation and improvement of its excellent programs and facilities to serve all of the diverse communities that surround it into the first decades of the new century.
Why Build Green?
During planning discussions for the new building, we carefully considered the options for building and decided that in order to be true to our mission of stewardship, recycling the current building on as small a "footprint" as possible was the most responsible way to go.
The planning for the new building focused on sustainable building practices, commonly called "green building." Though the current building is substantially remodeled inside, as many parts as possible are reused in the new building. Demolition materials were sorted for recycling. Geothermal energy provides heating and cooling. Insulation and window values maximize energy savings. A small "green roof" supports plant growth and reduces rain run-off, and the rest of the roof gutters feed into rain barrels. Carpeting and other materials are made from recycled materials. The non-diseased wood from the only sizable tree that needs to come down is used for furniture and other creative features. The Center stands as a model for cost-effective, energy efficient and "green" design in the middle of an already-built community.
To view the green building brochure click here
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The New Building:
The new building, built upon the old one to minimize waste, incorporates green architectural principles, such as geothermal heating and cooling, Energy Star appliances, and conservative plumbing and electric fixtures. Our staff capacity and efficiency has expanded with the office area renovation: We have nearly 60% more program planning space! The new building provides new avenues for our staff to educate the public about the environment, and features upgraded classrooms and a phenomenal visitor experience area.
New visitor experience area:
The experience area highlights seasonal displays and the drama of the human and natural history of the area. Exhibits examine the importance and complexity of the urban forest. They include: the "One Tree Project" exhibit; environmentally-friendly architecture and building practices; tree mapping; and an interactive multi-media Doan Brook Watershed presentation, set up with help from interns from the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Gorman Family Library:
The new Gorman Family Library offers resources and a cozy nook for in-depth study of wildlife and habitats.
Second Floor:
The second floor classrooms, meeting space and wildlife viewing area are now accessible to the elderly and handicapped by an elevator.
HISTORY:
Four years ago, after 33 years of steady operations, it was becoming increasingly clear that the Nature Center's building was in need of a major overhaul. Capacity was tight, its systems were aging, and like all things in nature, time and the elements had taken their toll. In 2001, in the spirit of continuing its mission-driven work for the next generation of environmental stewards, the Nature Center undertook an immense project: a $2.2 million Capital Campaign, which would support the design and construction of an updated, expanded, environmentally- friendly building well-equipped to house its growing needs.
Due to the generous support from a committed public -- foundations, individuals, friends and families -- we were able to exceed our goal, and the new building was proudly unveiled in April 2003!
