20 Years of Growth, Change, Birds and Memories

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center's Executive Director, Larry Richardson is marking a milestone this month: 20 years at the helm of our Bay Village organization. The Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Board of Trustees made a special presentation to Larry last night, recognizing his two decades of service.

Larry has presided over an expanding operation during the most recent third of the Center’s 60-year history. When he came to the Center in 1988, it was a treasured but small community organization, conducting about 250 programs a year. Today it's truly a regional center of excellence; with more than 2,400 programs each year and expanded facilities that include more than 100 live animals on exhibit.

Larry says,“I never wanted to change the basic philosophy of the place. Our founder, Bert Fleming’s original idea that children learn best through hands-on discovery still works. In fact, our children and families need the very real connection to nature we provide today more than ever.”
Larry’s trademark cowboy hat and mustache make him a recognizable and down-to-earth figure to people who have enjoyed the Center’s programs over the years. An avid birder, whose "life list" (of different bird species sighted) is 1,884, Larry has led groups from Northeast Ohio on birding expeditions to 15 destinations all over the world. (He just returned from Costa Rica earlier this year, where he added to that list!)

Two decades and hundreds of thousands of visitors, program participants, members, supporters, staffers and fellow-birders equal a lot of memories. You're welcome to add your favorite memory from the past 20 years in the comments below.

Happy Anniversary, Larry ... and many more!