Welcome to the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2017!
Middle Bass and PIB Nature Camp forms can be downloaded by clicking on the camp forms below! If you have questions give us a call at 419.285.3037. See you at CAMP!
ODNR Reminds People to
Born Wild, Stay Wild
COLUMBUS, OH – The spring season has arrived, offering many opportunities for Ohioans to help protect young wildlife. Each year, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) officials offer this simple advice: enjoy wildlife from a distance, and leave young animals alone. Wild animals are born to live their lives in the wild, and sometimes good intentions can hurt their chances of survival.
A young wild animal’s best chance for survival is with its mother. Most wildlife taken in by people do not survive, except when handled by specially-trained personnel. In many cases, a young animal collected by a person was not lost or abandoned, but was simply waiting for a parent to return.
Many adult wild animals will leave their young alone while they forage for food or to divert the attention of predators away from their vulnerable young, especially during daylight hours. In the case of white-tailed deer, a doe will hide her young from predators by leaving it alone in a secluded spot, such as a grassy meadow or a flower bed. A hidden fawn has virtually no scent, and when the fawn is left alone, it is difficult for predators to find. The doe is usually nearby and will tend to the fawn during the night.
Baby birds that have fallen from their nests are one of the most common wildlife species that are removed from the wild by humans. Contrary to popular belief, human scent will not prevent the parents from returning to care for their young. Individuals should return baby birds back to their nests and walk away so the parents can continue to feed the birds without fear of humans.
If individuals find a young animal that is visibly injured or clearly in severe distress and may need assistance, visit wildohio.gov/staywild before taking any action. Specific information for commonly encountered wildlife species is available to help guide people on how to best help the animal.
State and federal laws protect and regulate wildlife in Ohio, and only specially trained and licensed wildlife rehabilitators, with special permits issued by the ODNR Division of Wildlife, may possess and care for native wild animals. These laws are in place for the benefit of humans as well as wild animals.
To further protect young and vulnerable wild animals, keep pets under control so they do not raid nests or injure wild animals. Also, remember to keep pets inoculated against parasites and diseases before venturing out this spring.
Always check for nests before cutting down trees or clearing brush. It is best to cut trees and clear brush in the autumn when nesting season is over. Teach children to respect wildlife and their habitat, observing wildlife from a distance.
Contact a local wildlife official before taking action. Call 800-WILDLIFE (800-945-3543) or visit wildohio.gov/staywild to connect with the proper individuals and to read about species-specific guidance. Human intervention is always a wild animal’s last hope for survival, never its best hope.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
For more information, contact:
Island Green Week! Featuring the specular Bass Islands in Lake Erie Ohio, August 5thth-11th 2017 at Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Islands. The biggest proponents of nature on the Erie Isles have teamed together to produce a taste of the unique wine culture, a real community Pig Roast put on my islanders, kayaking a great lake, a visit to the newest nature preserves, see the wildlife, flora, and fauna, get up close and personal explore by special permit explore places people would not see.
Then join us for Island Green Week! to produce a week of island fun, August 5-11.
So how did an Alaskan Birdhouse Museum now known as the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center, come to be here on Put-in-Bay?
Stan and Joann Wulkowicz came to live on the island after 27 years living and teaching in Alaska. Stan was an island native, he grew up next door to the Wildlife Center, left and moved to Alaska where he met and married Joey, a native of North Dakota.
In 1993-1994 this museum was designed and built. In the spring of 1994 the first school tours began.
The building of the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center (LEINWC) was dedicated in honor of donors Stanley Edward Wulkowicz and Joan Wulkowicz in 2008. Their remarkable effort has resulted in this magnificent collection of North American wildlife, fish and birds. The people of the Lake Erie Islands are forever indebted to them for their generous gift that future generations may appreciate these natural wonders.
A sign was placed on the front of the LEINWC building and on Put-in-Bay Road which reads “Wulkowicz Woods- These woods are preserved in honor of donor Stanley Edward Wulkowicz and in memory of his father Stanley Wulkowicz who wanted to preserve this property for his son and for islands wildlife.”
Open Weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day and Daily July-August.
Children 6 – 11 and Seniors $2
Children 5 and under free if accompanied by an adult
Family Rate $8
Grades 7 and up $2
Elementary Students $1
Minimum 20 per group, with 1 adult per 10 children
Special programs for groups and by appointment only (includes admission to Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center)
Pricing starts at $100 (up to 20 people), $5 each additional person, for 1/2 to 1 hour on one of the following topics:
• Monarch Butterfly (see Monarch tab for more information)
• Tree Identification
• Edible Plants
• Insect Walk
• Frog Pond Search
Group and weekday tours by appointment only – call 419-285-3037
Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center
255 Meechen Road
P.O. Box 871
Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456