Nature Center
founding member Jean Eakin (1906-2003) was deeply committed to and zealous
about preserving the Shaker parklands during the freeway fight in the
mid-1960s. She remained a lifelong supporter, planning and installing the first
part of the Stearns Trail, serving on water quality and park conservation
committees, and preventing Shaker Heights
from channeling the Doan Brook. Jean, a dedicated birdwatcher, also founded the
Center's first bird banding project.
The Nature Center
commemorates Jean's numerous spirited efforts and her passion for birding with
the Jean Eakin Fund. Donations to the Jean Eakin Fund support our efforts to
maintain our Center as an Audubon Society "Important Bird Area." This
fund enables the Nature Center
to purchase new birdfeeders and bird seed, plant modest landscaping in the
outdoor birdfeeding area, as well as make improvements to the indoor viewing
area, names the Jean Eakin Bird Observation Station. This indoor space invites
visitors to observe local and migratory birds feeding at the outdoor bird
station, peruse bird books on the balcony and linger in this tranquil area.
Every spring the wildflower garden at the Nature
Center blooms into a riot of color.
If you've lingered in the garden and admired the foliage, consider making a
contribution to the Rusty Knight Wildflower Garden Fund.
The Shaker Lakes Garden Club (SLGC) established the
wildflower garden soon after the Nature
Center was built. The SLGC was
instrumental in the Center's founding, sponsoring an Audubon study that
recommended a nature center be built using the Shaker Lakes area as an outdoor
laboratory for nature study and conservation practices. They also helped
establish the Maybelle Stearns Trail and restored the Kathleen Firestone
Whidden foot bridge.
The garden was renamed in honor of Rusty Knight, a long-time Garden Club member who helped
establish the garden and devoted much time to its upkeep. Every spring the SLGC cleans up the garden by
weeding, mulching, straightening up the stones lining the pathway, and removing
invasive species like goutweed.
Donations to the Rusty Knight Wildflower Garden Fund support
the upkeep of the garden, including the purchasing of supplies such as mulch,
humus, and new plants as needed; the sprinkler system; and ongoing efforts to
label the plants. Your gift will allow people of all ages to continue to
experience the wondrous beauty of wildflowers.
Jean Eakin Fund
