The hoot of a barred owl
The blue wings of waterfowl
The majesty of a bald eagle
Covering 20,000 square feet behind the Nature Center, the Wildlife Gardens offer up-close encounters with native animals including a bald eagle, hawks, crows, owls, and falcons. More than 100,000 visitors enjoy free general admission to the Wildlife Gardens each year, in addition to the Nature Center’s indoor animal exhibits and natural history displays.
Phase 1 of the Wildlife Gardens Education and Renovation Project was completed in June 2025 at a cost of $1,900,000. Three new structures including the Aviary, Bald Eagle Exhibit, and Wildlife Rehabilitation Exhibit are helping to create more engaging learning experiences about native animals for visitors of all ages.
Phase 2 of the Wildlife Gardens Education and Renovation Project is in the concept stage. Stay tuned for updates on this page.
Support the Wildlife Gardens Education and Renovation Project
As an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Nature Center relies on donations and grants to support day-to-day operations in addition to capital improvements. Generous donors from across the region and the country are making this Project a reality for visitors, in addition to a state of Ohio capital appropriation. Renovations are funded with donations from the community, foundation grants, and corporate contributions, in addition to a capital appropriation from the State of Ohio.
For more information about giving opportunities, please contact Morgan Haines, Marketing and Development Coordinator, at 440-471-8359 or morganh@lensc.org.
How to make a donation:
Online:
By Mail:
Send a donation in the mail to:
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
28728 Wolf Road
Bay Village, OH 44140
Matching Gifts:
Ask your employer about matching your donation. Obtain a matching gift form from your employer and send it to the Center with your donation.
Donor-Advised Funds:
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center accepts grants from donor-advised funds. The Center is a nonprofit organization, Tax ID #34-0845030.
Stock/Appreciated Securities:
Donations of stock may be arranged by calling 440-871-2900 to request transfer instructions.
Donation with an Individual Retirement Account (IRA):
You can make a distribution from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) as a “qualified charitable distribution”. This may be of interest to people 70 ½ years of age or older. Provide instructions for a charitable rollover to your IRA custodian. The Center is a nonprofit organization, Tax ID #34-0845030.
Fundraising Status
Phase 2: Stay tuned!
$750,000
42% raised
Phase 1:
$1,900,000
100% raised
Funds raised as of
May 31, 2025:
$2,216,096.23