Look Back At 2008

As we close out 2008 and welcome the New Year, we offer up some fascinating retrospectives from some of our favorite websites for natural discovery and fun.
From the Discovery Channel, you can view the Top Ten Discovery News Videos of 2008 including stories about stunning new species and momentous moon moments.
The moon is also highlighted in NASA's Top Science, Exploration and Discovery Stories of 2008.
NASA's 2008 achievements caught the attention of The Science Channel, which promises to skip tabloid celebrity fodder and political news as they count down the Top Ten Science Stories of 2008.
You can review the year at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, by browsing back through the entries in this blog or skimming through the announcements in our online newsroom or special events acknowledgements. It was an exciting year for all of us as we welcomed tiny tots, Ohio's Governor and all kinds of folks in between, always working to honor our mission to educate and inspire understanding, appreciation and responsibility for the natural world.
Thanks for joining us in 2008! We look forward to seeing you in 2009!

Holiday Hours

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center will be closing our doors early this Christmas Eve at 3 p.m. to spend time with friends and family. We hope you're doing the same! We'll be closed on Christmas Day as well. We'll also observe an early 3 p.m. closing on New Year's Eve with New Year's Day off. The rest of the Winter Break period, we'll be open for our usual hours (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and we even have some extra fun planned in the Walter R. Schuele Planetarium where you and your family can enjoy the twinkling stars and special holiday laser lights and music. May your holidays be filled with joy & natural wonder!

Holiday Wish List

Even if you're belt tightening this holiday season, you can afford something from our "wish list." We have items both small and large on our list and they all help us carry out our mission to "educate and inspire each of us to understand, appreciate and take responsiblity for the natural universe." So pick up some baby food or pine shavings for the wildlife in our care or puzzles and blocks for the children in our classrooms and drop them off at the front desk. You can access the complete in-kind donation "wish list" here. Thanks for including us in your giving. Happy Holidays!

The Night Tree Comes To Life

Looking to give your kids a different twist on the holidays? Want to capture the "giving" spirit of the season and celebrate the natural world? You won’t want to miss The Night Tree, the heartwarming story of one family’s tradition of sharing the true spirit of the holidays with nature.
Hear the telling of The Night Tree in Lake Erie Nature & Science Center's Schuele Planetarium and have a close encounter with some of the animals featured in the story! Prepare yummy treats for the wildlife to eat and enjoy your own afternoon snack of holiday cookies and warm beverages.
This special family program on Tuesday, December 16 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. requires pre-registration with a fee of $10 per child. Ages 3 and up with an adult are welcome!

Nature Center Holiday Gifts

In addition to the popular Adopt-An-Animal program, which makes a great "green" holiday present for the animal lover in your home, we have a couple of other gift options this year. Our 2009 Lake Erie Nature & Science Center wildlife calendars are hot off the presses. We have a limited number of copies for sale at the front desk for just $5! Our cute critter ornaments are also selling for $5 this year. Stop in a make your gift-giving dollars make a difference!

We need you!

There's been a barrage of unsettling headlines recently about the struggling economy and its impact on all of us-- jobs, nest eggs and yes, philanthropy! Like other worthy non-profit organizations, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center relies on the generosity of people like you – not tax dollars – to provide the crucial funding for our mission.
In spite of the turbulent times, if you are able, we hope you will take time in this busy season to make a year-end gift to the children, families and animals that rely on us. We are only able to provide free admission seven days a week, wildlife rehab at no charge and so many other valued programs and services with the strong financial backing of donors like you.
You can make a 2008 year-end gift to us in one of three ways: call 440-871-2900, mail your donation to 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, OH 44140 or follow this link right now to donate online.
To those of you who have already made a contribution, thanks for your support!
To each of you, forget about the economy for a bit and come visit the animals, catch a star show or just sit by our fireplace and relax. Hope to see you soon!