Two Birds Released From Rehab

A Herring Gull straight-jacketed by three tri-hooks connected to a fishing lure is back in the wild! Wildlife Specialist Amy LeMonds, assisted by Rehab volunter Christa Sandy, was able to work all of the hooks out and after a short course of antibiotics the bird was ready for release. Today's release took place at Huntington Beach. Here's hoping the bird's next meal doesn't involve hooks! More of the gull's rehab "back story" is posted in an earlier blog entry.

Amy also sent a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk winging its way into the trees near Lake Erie Nature & Science Center today following its recovery from moderate lacerations. In addition to the photo here, we captured a video clip of that release and posted it on our Facebook page.

Legacy Reunion Features Surprise Guest

We welcomed many special guests to our "Legacy Reunion" on Saturday, from the sons of our founder, Elberta Fleming, to former and staff a volunteers from all eras of our vibrant 60-year history. Guests also got a glimpse of our future as they were able to meet the woman who's just been named the next Executive Director of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

Catherine J. Timko officially puts her passion for non-profits and nature to work for our Center starting on January 4. Catherine (pictured left with David and Alex Fleming, sons of founder, Bert Fleming) has devoted her entire career to non-profit work, most recently as the Ohio-based Division Development Director at the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national land conservation organization. Prior to TPL, Catherine served in development roles at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Opera.

Read more about Catherine's appointment in this pdf News Release posted in our online newsroom and view more photos from Saturday's Legacy Event on our Facebook page.

Herring Gull Un-Hooked

A Herring Gull with fishing hooks lodged in both wings and through the beak is being treated in our Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Program. The bird was apparently hooked and injured when “dinner” turned out to be a fake fish with three treble hooks attached.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist Amy LeMonds, assisted by Rehab Volunteer Christa Sandy, worked to free the bird from the hooks which penetrated both wings and the beak, with the shiny orange fish lure pinned across the body. Using wire cutters, a dremel and pliers, Amy was able to work the hooks free.

Amy and Christa consider it a healthy sign that once free, the gull thanked them with a strong bite to the glove! They quickly put the gull in a shallow bath for hydration and the bird was eager to drink. The rehab staff will start a course of antibiotics with the hope of full recovery and release back into the wild. We have a bunch of photos documenting the procedure over on our Facebook page.

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating that you should always work to avoid cutting your fishing line and leaving lures and hooks like these behind in the water after a fishing trip. You will reduce the risk of injuring wildlife, if the hooks always go back in your tackle box!

Get In On the Next Two Seasons Of Fun!

From Log Cabin Holidays and Animals A La Mode in December to Eggstravaganza and Rain Barrel Workshop in April, our great Center Members get first crack at our Winter AND Spring programs as Member Registration gets underway at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, November 7).

Both Winter and Spring Session classes and programs will be open for registration, with one notable exception: you may not enroll in Spring Session-only for Frogs and Polliwogs, Nature Nuts, Log Cabin Explorers Club or After School Adventures Club. You may sign up for Winter-only or lock in your spot for the rest of the year by reigstering for BOTH Winter and Spring Sessions in these ongoing school year programs. Any remaining spots in these popular classes will be open during Spring Registration dates. Review our Winter-Spring Program Guide here.
 

Winter-Spring 2009-10 Registration Schedule
Member Registration: Saturday, November 7

Non-member Registration: Tuesday, November 17
Phone-in: Tuesday, November 24

Registration begins promptly at 10 a.m. Please bring your Membership Card and your completed forms (Registration, Health Release - on the back of the Registration Form, new Member Forms) to make registration efficient. Call ahead with any questions about program/class openings at 440-871-2900. See you tomorrow!

Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival

Get a jump on your holiday shopping and support our non-profit at the annual Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival this Saturday at Bay High School from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The festival features over 30 local artists, craftspeople and quality vendors, a great raffle with fabulous prizes and the oh-so enticing Carousel Café featuring home baked goods, lunch and refreshments.

This event is sponsored by Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s Women’s Board and benefits our non-profit Center. The entry donation of $3 includes one free raffle ticket.
This event is held at Bay High School (29230 Wolf Road) to allow for plenty of vendor space and parking. There's also an easy access drop-off entrance. Hope to see you on Saturday!

Go Wild & Double Your Impact!

“Go Wild” and double your money for Lake Erie Nature & Science Center! If you haven't already heard, we have a great a foundation challenge grant this year that give you the opportunity to have your gift to our non-profit matched dollar for dollar! The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust has pledged to match all new or increased gifts to our year-end “Go Wild” campaign up to $500 per donor – meaning your donation can pack an extra punch for our cause!

Support from folks like YOU allows us to provide FREE admission and FREE wildlife rehab services 7 days a week! Your gift can supply food and medical care for our animal ambassadors, help release wildlife rehab patients back to their natural homes or bring students here on a “wild” educational field trip.

The chance to double your donation is only good until December 31, 2009, so don't wait!

• Use our online donation form (select the Annual Fundraising Appeal radio button)
• Donate (and invite friends to support us) through our Facebook Causes page
• Mail a gift to Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village Ohio 44140
• Make a credit card contribution by phone at 440-871-2900

Because we’re a non-profit organization, your gift is fully tax deductible, too!

Please rally your friends for the cause! All of us at your Lake Erie Nature & Science Center – human and animal – are truly grateful for your support!

Good Eats For a Great Cause!

Giving has never been easier ... or more delicious! On Tuesday, October 20,  the Max & Erma's restaurant at 30105 Detroit Road in Westlake will be donating 20% of all lunch and dinner proceeds to Lake Erie Nature & Science Center! You MUST print and present this special flyer to your server in order to benefit our non-profit Center. Please print as many copies as you like and pass along to friends, but keep in mind that it's against the rules to hand out the flyer on site.
Some of us are already craving hot bowl of that cheesy tortilla soup! See you there. Don't forget to take your flyer!!

Fall Brought Second Wave of Babies

A pair of 7 to 8-week-old Red Squirrels are among of the latest babies to come through intake at our Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program. Although we usually think “spring” is when we encounter baby wildlife, many animals produce a second wave of offspring in the late summer or early fall.

Like the little Red Squirrels pictured here, whenever a wild baby is healthy and active, we advise that the best course of action for the animal is to return them back to the wild. Better yet, we hope you'll call us before you interfere (440-871.2900 ext. 204!)
It’s actually not uncommon for young squirrels to show a lack of fear of humans. Even if they run right up to you, this doesn’t mean they need your help! Let them continue learning to be wild. You can help them learn a necessary and healthy fear of humans by clapping or making other loud noises to send them on their way. In fact, “What to do about friendly baby squirrels?” is Number 5 on our Frequently Asked Wildlife Rehab Questions list.

If a squirrel’s eyes are not open yet, you can return them right where you found them, or if you believe they are in imminent danger on the ground, make an artificial nest with a milk carton and hang it from a nearby tree for the wild parents to find.

-Amy LeMonds, Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist