Community Action

WCAS at NASA Sustainability Fair September 2013

Penny, Nancy and Diane at NASA

WCAS table at NASA 2013

Tree Swallow at Nest

Scouts setting up to put bird boxes up at Zoo bird box trail.

WCAS members examining old bird boxes

Birding inside the box! 2010-2012

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society is partnering with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to develop a trail of bird nest boxes at the Zoo.  The project aims to enhance the Zoo’s backyard wildlife habitat for native birds and inspire Zoo staff, volunteers and guests to learn more about northeast Ohio’s urban bird ecology.  Plus, watching birds feather their nest box, lay eggs, and raise chicks is a fun and interesting experience!  

The project began in March 2010 when WCAS members observed the zoo’s old nest boxes, which were in need of replacement.  WCAS members began helping to design a nest box trail plan based on the location of forests, ponds, and open grasslands at the Zoo.  This past winter, Rick Ryan, a prospective Eagle Scout from Brooklyn, Ohio decided to earn his scouting wings by constructing nest boxes for the project.  He built four basic designs that were specified by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.  The nest boxes vary in dimension and cavity opening size so that target species of Ohio’s cavity-nesting birds like wrens, tree swallows, chickadees, and woodpeckers will be attracted to nest in them.  Zoo Curator of Birds and Aquatics, Stan Searles, worked with WildBirds Unlimited to outfit the Zoo with poles and predator guards for the project.  Rick’s Scout Troop then helped to mount twenty of the boxes this spring.   It has been a rewarding local conservation effort with plenty of community involvement!

A team of certified volunteers—also known as citizen scientists—are already helping to monitor the nest boxes in accordance with NestWatch, a project funded by the National Science Foundation and managed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  In April, Jason Martin, Project Leader for the NestWatch program, Skyped with about 20 volunteers at the Zoo to teach the basics of bird nest monitoring.  The Zoo’s citizen scientists were thrilled to observe several of the boxes being used by tree swallows and other birds within weeks.  The information volunteers collect as part of the Zoo’s nest box project will contribute to a national avian database that helps biologists, natural resource managers and conservationists make informed decisions about wildlife management.   Cornell researchers are also interested in learning more about how climate change impacts bird ecology, such as earlier egg laying and migration.  By participating in long-term wildlife monitoring on a landscape-scale, we can better understand the science behind the birds and the bees!

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Federation of Wildlife and supports the work of the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Chapter.   More opportunities to get involved in nest monitoring efforts will be available once the program is fully fledged.   Stay “tweeted” to learn more about the Zoo’s nest box project!   If you have questions, please contact Gayle Albers, Conservation Coordinator, at gla@clevelandmetroparks.com. 

 

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD, March 26, 2011

Thank you to Jan Holkenborg, Nancy Howell and Dave LeGallee for preparing, staffing and judging the Science Olympiad at Cleveland State University on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Elementary school students from 13 schools or school districts - urban, parochial, private and suburban - took part in the Bird Identification part of Science Olympiad. Calls and songs, parts of a bird, bird behavior and plain and simple identification of birds that are found in northeast Ohio were all fair game as part of their “test”. For more details see our Education Events page.

 

NEOSEF winners © Penny O'Connor

NEOSEF participates © Penny O'Connor

Penny and Dave

 

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society at the Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair, March 15, 2011

The Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico inspired many science projects at the 2011 Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair.  More than 600 students in grades 7-12 from eighty-plus schools in seven counties competed this year. The overall winners will go on to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society awarded 3 special awards.

Elena Paparizos analyzed several methods of removing oil from bird feathers. Her project “The Oil spill effect: The Removal of oil from bird feathers using household solvents” won one of our top prizes.” Elena is from St. Michael Elementary School.  Erich Pocker likewise took up the challenge of oiled wildlife.  His project was entitled, “Finding formulas for fixing fouled fur and feathers.” He is a student at St. Angela Merici Elementary.

Non-point pollution was the theme of Emmanuel Garcia’s project.  He sampled water in the Rainforest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  Emmanuel is a student at Lincoln-West High School. 

Other projects explored light pollution, genetically modified crops and bird song.

Judges for Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society this year were Dave LeGallee and Penny O’Connor.  Offering awards at the science fair is opportunity for our organization to recognize the achievements of middle- and high-school science students, and to encourage their future interest in birds, conservation and the watershed.

 

Tweet it! 

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society and Brooklyn Centre Naturalists are partnering with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to develop a trail of bird nest boxes on Zoo grounds.  The purpose of this project is to get involved in a local conservation effort to study northeastern Ohio’s nesting bird populations.  The project began in March 2010 with WCAS members observing the existing nest boxes and helping to design a nest box trail plan based on the location of forests, ponds, and grasslands at the Zoo.  The project aims to enhance the Zoo’s backyard wildlife habitat and inspire Zoo guests to learn more about urban bird ecology and the impacts of climate change on bird populations.  Plus, watching birds feather their nest box, lay eggs, and raise chicks is a REALLY FUN experience!  When the trail is complete, trained volunteers—also known as citizen scientists—can help monitor the nest boxes in accordance with NestWatch, a project managed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  The research will contribute to a national database about bird nesting that helps biologists, natural resource managers and conservationists make informed decisions about wildlife management.  Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Federation of Wildlife and supports the work of the Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society Chapter.   Stay “tweeted” to learn more about the Zoo’s BirdNestbox Trail!   

    

WCAS Survey of land parcel at Seneca Golf Course Oct 13, 2010
We found lots of birds and a few interesting finds. See report here.

Brownies at Lake Isaac Oct. 3, 2010

As reported by Nancy Howell

Met with the Brownie Troop at Lake Isaac on Sunday at 2 PM.  I took my umbrella so it would not rain … and it didn’t.  Nine lively girls and 3 parents were there.  I gave the adults our Audubon literature and sent some additional with the leader.  The girls all received a sticker.  We checked out the different habitats around Lake Isaac.  We saw deer, squirrels, Great blue heron, lots of Myrtle warblers which I was able to “pish in” close enough to see their butter butts.  Chickadees were also coming in close.  We discussed some of the litter along the way and why people litter.  The girls also saw lots of stuff which opened my eyes too.  It was fun. 

NEOSEF 2010	Photos by Penny O'Connor
Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society recognized five students for their excellent projects presented at the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSEF) held March 15-18, 2010 at Cleveland State University.  These awards focused on projects relating to birds, conservation, or watersheds. WCAS Science fair judges were Gayle Albers, Nancy Howell, Dave LeGallee and Penny O Connor. Winners of our special awards and honorable mentions are:   Julia Scharfstein  -Agnon Elementary School -  How does the color of roof material affect temperature James Wojtal  - Lake Ridge Academy Elementary School -  Birds  reaction to predator calls  Swetha Vinjimoor   Strongsville High School -  Aggressive plants: The study of the parts of an allelopathic plant  Aniah McClellan - Beachwood Middle School -  Earthworm invasion  Nicola Douglas  - Solon Middle School -  Effect of precipitation on water quality     NEOSEF is an outreach activity for WCAS. Over 600 students in grades 7-12 took part. They came from schools in 7 counties. Our awards give encouragement to the next generation of science- and conservation-minded citizens.	Science Fair Nancy, James, & Dave with "Birds Recation to Predator Calls"	Swetha & "Agressive Plants" Aniah McClellan & "Earthworm Invasion"

Special Events WCAS that participated in 2010

Environment Club program March 8, 2010 - Emerson Middle School in Lakewood – Nancy Howell and Paula Lozano

 NASA Earth Day April 15, 2010-  Penny O'Connor, Diane Sigler, Nancy Brewer, Laura Obloy

 School Days at Edgewater May 26, 2010– Dave LeGallee and Dave’s son, also Geri Hannibal

 Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve  May 22, 2010– Terry and Joanne Gorges

 Science Fair Judges March 16, 2010– Dave LeGallee, Penny O’Connor, Nancy Howell, Gayle Albers

 Science Olympiad March 20, 2010– Dave LeGallee and Nancy Howell

 International Migratory Bird Day at the Zoo - Joanne Gorges, Terry Gorges, Penny O'Connor, Barb Warny

North Coast Nature Festival April 24-25, 2010-  Kit Birch, Terry and Joanne Gorges, Penny O'Connor, Barbara Warny

Terry & Joanne representing WCAS at North Coast Nature Festival © Laurie Boylan

 

March 2010 was a busy month for WCAS volunteers. 

We can all be grateful for their spirit of volunteerism.  Here is a list of volunteers and the activities they attended:

March 2, Global Warming Symposium, Baldwin-Wallace College

Tom Romito

Diane Sigler

Gerriane Hannibal

March 10, Middleburg Heights Planning Council Meeting

Tom Romito

Diane Sigler

Stan Searles

Vickie Searles

 

March 16, Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair

Penny O’Connor

Nancy Howell

Gayle Albers

Dave LeGallee

 

March 20, WCAS Field Trip to Lakeview Park in Lorain

Penny O’Connor, Field Trip Coordinator

Many participants

 

March 21, Buzzard Day, Hinckley Elementary School

Liz Clingman

Tom Romito

Nancy Howell

Gerianne Hannibal

Pat Hannibal

 

March 22, Zoo Bird Trail, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Gayle Albers

Tom Romito

Nancy Howell

Penny O’Connor

Page Stephens

Liz Clingman

Terry Gorges

Joanne Gorges

Gerianne Hannibal

 

March 30, Presentation to Kiwanis Club, Lakewood

Tom Romito

Stan Searles

  

Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival At Cleveland Museum of Natural History Friday, November 6, 2009

The Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival played to a full house Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.  Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society was one of about a dozen exhibitors. Our table was strategically located in front of a display full of South American birds and Neotropical migrants.  Representing WCAS were: Joanne and Terry Gorges, Penny O’Connor and Barbara Warny.

Penny, Joanne & Barb at CMNH

Helping Cleveland Metroparks Acquire Habitat (Summer surveys 2007-2009)

As a result of our ongoing Important Bird Area Survey in the Rocky River Watershed, Cleveland Metroparks recognized the expertise of WCAS members and recruited them to survey private parcels in the Rocky River East Branch between Mill Stream Run and Hinckley reservations. The purpose of these surveys is to provide Metroparks with data on bird populations in these parcels in order to support Metroparks' grant propsals  to continue William Stinchcomb's vision of a contiguous green corridor in the Emerald Necklace.

Areas include:
    Private land adjacent to Mill Stream Run (2009)
    Private land adjacent to Rising Valley (2008)
    Private land adjacent to Hinckley Reservation (2007)

May 20, 2009 School Days at Edgewater

Thanks go out to Dave LeGallee for staffing the WCAS display at the School Days event on Wednesday, May 20 at Edgewater Park.  About 300 youngsters and their teachers stopped by the display on Bird Identification...and the students received stickers.

May 9, 2009 International Migratory Bird Day -- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Photos courtesy of Penny O'Connor. International Migratory Bird Day at the Zoo. The migration game was a big hit, as was the Zoo's screech owl.

April 24-26, 2009 North Coast Nature Festival -- Rocky River Nature Center

Photo courtesy of Laurie Boylan. Thanks to Kit, Terry, Joanne, Barb, Penny, Dave & Laurie for promoting WCAS during North Coast Nature Festival.

2009 Outreach to Community Groups

In 2009, WCAS members Tom Romito and Stan Searles made presentations to four Kiwanis Clubs about how the Rocky River IBA project is helping to conserve land along the East Branch of the Rocky River.  As a result of the talks, many Kiwanians are more aware that they live in the Rocky River watershed and that WCAS is play a vital role in its preservation.  Here are the Kiwanis clubs that heard the presentation:

Saturday, March 10, 2009 North Royalton Kiwanis Club	Monday, March 23, 2009 Rocky River Kiwanis Club
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Parma Heights Kiwanis Club	Monday, May 11, 2009 Independence Kiwanis Club

March 3, 2009 Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society gave a Special Science Fair Award at the March 3, 2009 Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair. The winner was Cara Smith, from Incarnate Word Academy for her project “Green Streams: Does a healthy riparian zone affect a stream’s turbidity after rainfall?” Cara’s project was also picked as a winner by several other societies. She was in the 7^th-8^th grade Environmental Science project category. She studied locations along Big Creek and the Cuyahoga River.

The Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering fair gives 500 students from 80 scools a showcase for their work, and a chance to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair.

The NEOSEF site has a list of all winners:

http://www.neosef.org/past_results/2009_results.htm#First_Place_Winners_all_Categories

 July 19, 2008 Summerfest -- Fairview Garden Club

Photos courtesy of Laurie Boylan. Thanks to Dave, Laurie, Terry and Joanne for telling everyone at Summerfest in Rocky River/Fairview Park about Western Cuyahoga Audubon.

Outreach to Community Groups

In 2007 & 2008, WCAS members Tom Romito and Stan Searles made presentations to several organizations about how the Rocky River IBA project is helping to conserve land along the East Branch of the Rocky River.  As a result of the talks, many citizens are more aware that they live in the Rocky River watershed and that WCAS is play a vital role in its preservation.  Here are the organizations that heard the presentation:

October 23, 2007 Town & Country Co-Op	January 30, 2008 Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District
Monday, March 3, 2008 North Olmsted Kiwanis Club	Thursday, March 27, 2008 Cleveland Metroparks Board of Commissioners
Monday, March 31, 2008 North Olmsted Kiwanis Club	Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Berea Kiwanis Club	Wednesday April 9, 2008 North Royalton Rotary Club
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Broadview Heights Lions Club	Friday, April 11, 2008 Westlake Community Service Department
Saturday, May 10, 2008 Renaissance Retirement Home

 

Surveying the 303 Hinckley property Public library outreach Dike 14 public events Science Olympiad Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Wind Turbine Project. Outreach to Emerald Necklace Inn