Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society is proud to announce that we have been awarded a $2500 grant from National Audubon Society

​This award will be used for the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Doan Brook IBA Avian Survey Project: Phase 1

2014 Kirtland Bird Club and Western Cuyahoga Audubon Survey Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve

This summer, the Kirtland Bird Club and Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society will commence birding surveys at the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (formerly known as Dike 14). This citizen science project will occur year-round with a greater focus during migration season. It is expected to last for at least 10 years. 

The Port Authority has granted us permission to install 16 T-posts in order to conduct point counts which will prove the importance of this significantly important birding area. Mark Shieldcastle from the Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) and Laura Gooch of Cleveland are responsible for organizing the protocol for the point counts at CLNP

The Survey will consist of 16 points along the trail which runs through CNLP. It will take a total of two hours to walk the whole trail and hit all points. Most groups will not hit all the points, and will use a far shorter amount of time to conduct their part of the survey. This is a wonderful opportunity to conduct a significantly worthwhile citizen science project, aid in the conservation effort, and have the perfect excuse to make frequent birding visits to this beautiful park.

If you are interested in volunteering to conduct point counts for the Dike 14-Doan Brook IBA research project at the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, contact: Project Coordinator, Laura Gooch at lgooch@alum.mit.edu.  You can also look for updates on the KBC website: www.kirtlandbirdclub.org or see the project Facebook page Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Birding Surveys

To see the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Survey Calendar and results from the latest surveys, Click Here.

This is a joint project conducted by Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society and Kirtland Bird Club.

Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Update: 

This summer (2011) preparations are being made to relocate the entrance to the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve behind the ODNR State Park office.

Photos (click here) are from a new wood-chip entrance trail being prepared from the pine trees near the ODNR State Park office parking lot to the new site entrance gate. A bobcat created the trail and we are waiting for delivery of wood chips. Thanks to the Port Authority, ODNR, Metroparks, the City of Cleveland, Collaborative members and many others for your support!

A new self-registration entrance kiosk near the new site entrance is being created by a local scout as his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project.
Contact: Earth Day Coalition 216.281.6468

Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative website has the latest news. Click here.

The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Environmental Education Collaborative was formed by local organizations that recognize the unique opportunity for Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve-centered educational resources. The Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative is composed of Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Metroparks, Outdoor Education, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, Earth Day Coalition, Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes and Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society. The Collaborative is dedicated to providing exemplary environmental education for students, teachers, families and the greater community, and promoting environmental stewardship of Dike 14 as a unique place for people and nature on Cleveland's Lakefront.

Cleveland area birders and citizen scientists began bird surveys. Over 280 species of birds have been found on Dike 14 since it was built. Dike 14 is also home to over 29 species of butterflies, 26 native plant species, 16 mammals, 9 native tree and shrub and 2 reptiles.

The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Environmental Education Collaborative (CLNP EEC) is an ad hoc collaborative organization devoted to providing exemplary environmental education for students, teachers, families, neighbors and the greater community, to promote the stewardship of Dike 14 as a unique place for people and nature on Cleveland's lakefront. More information about the
CLNP EEC can be found at http://www.dike14.org/index.html

Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society joined this Collaborative in the Spring of 2007.

Permission is needed to visit Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. WCAS
holds annual visits to Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. These visits
are open to the public but registration is
necessary. Please check our Field trip page.

Participates will be required to sign a waiver
to enter the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve.

The Dike 14 Nature Preserve Discovery Pack was designed and organized by members of the Dike 14 Environmental Educational Collaborative for use on the Dike 14 Nature Preserve or in the classroom.

The Discovery Packs are available for loan to teachers, classrooms, libraries, etc.

To borrow a Discovery Pack or arrange a field trip to Dike 14 email us at info@wcasohio.org