Workshops on Thursday, September 10

Earthworm Workshop
Instructor: Cindy Hale, Ph.D.

For most of us, when we think of earthworms we think of the benefits they bring to our soil and plants, unfortunately however, this is not always the case and these tiny creatures are actually causing harm to our natural areas. Native earthworms in northern North America were extirpated during the last glaciation and the current population, brought here by early Europeans, is slowly changing the face of our native forests.

Please join us as we learn about the fascinating world of earthworms in our region. Dr. Cindy Hale, from the University of Minnesota at Duluth and author of The Earthworms of the Great Lakes, will demonstrate earthworm survey methods on this field trip to selected areas in our region. In addition, Dr. Hale will conduct a short course in the afternoon on worm identification.

More information about earthworms is available at the Great Lakes Worm Watch website.

Limit: 12. Lunch: Bring your own. Fee: $30 per person. Travel by Museum Van. Depart from the Museum at 9 am.

Everything you need to know about making and using Compost and Modern Compost Teas
Instructors: Jeff Lowenfels

Compost is the best material you can use to improve your gardening and sustainability. Have fun while you learn what compost is, how to make it properly (and easily) and how to use it in your yard and on your gardens, vermicomposting included! In addition, learn how to make aerated compost tea and when and how to use it. The workshop by Jeff Lowenfels, America's Dirtiest Lawyer and consummate horticultural humorist, is guaranteed to give you the information you need in a fun, fact-filled, morning. Limit: 40. Fee: $15 per person. Workshop will take place at the Museum in Classroom B.

Field Trips on Thursday, September 10

Participants will meet at site for all trips, unless noted otherwise.

Select one trip on either Thursday or Saturday (you may register for one trip each day for an additional fee.) Trips are rain or shine.

Directions will be mailed in advance.

Explore the Alvar communities on Kelleys Island with the Museum Curator of Botany Dr. Jim Bissell and GIS Specialist Garrett Ormiston. NOTE: Travel will be by Museum van. Participants will depart the Museum at 8 am, returning by 5 pm. Fee $30/person.

See the relationships between aquatic organisms and the soils along a tributary to the Chagrin River with Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District Researchers Matt Scharver and Chad Edgar.

Discover the rich natural and social history of Little Mountain at The Holden Arboretum with Land Conservation Manager Roger Gettig. Unique geological formations, diversity of plant life and its historic use as a resort make this a spectacular natural site.

Take a rare walk through The Nature Conservancy’s Herrick Fen with Botanists Rick Gardner and Tom Arbour of the Ohio Division of Natural Areas & Preserves and TNC’s Land Steward Karen Adair.

Explore the geological features at Gorge Metro Park with Naturalist Mike Greene of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. This hike will feature a program on how rocks and minerals are used in our daily lives.

Field Trips on Saturday, September 12

Participants will meet at site for all trips, unless noted otherwise.

Select one trip on either Thursday or Saturday (you may register for one trip each day for an additional fee.) Trips are rain or shine.

Directions will be mailed in advance.

Walk the pristine Beech Maple Forest at the Museum’s Cox Preserve in Medina County with Biodiversity Coordinator David Kriska.

Take a daring hike on the edge of a slump along the Rocky River with Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist Chuck Thomas and Museum Curator of Botany Dr. Jim Bissell.

Join Museum Naturalists Larry Rosche and Judy Semroc for a tour of the beautiful rock ledges and hemlock forests of Thompson Ledges. Its cool spring seeps, lovely waterfall and unique geological features make this area a fantastic study site for ledge formations, unique soil conditions and the uncommon flora and fauna species.

Explore Geauga County Parks District’s newest preserve Orchard Hills with Park Biologist Paul Pira. Formerly a golf course, Orchard Hills is a large-scale restoration project, including several stream and wetland restorations, extensive reforestation, and meadow establishment.

Explore the Museum’s unique North Kingsville Sand Barrens with Museum Conservation Specialist Stanley Stine and Herbarium Coordinator Trish MacKeigan. Ancient beach habitat provides a setting for unique plant and animal species, uncommon to northeastern Ohio.