Lake Erie Islands Nature Wildlife Center

Picture of Nature Wildlife Center255 Meechen Rd.
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
419-285-3037
Lake Erie Islands Nature Wildlife Center

The Nature Wildlife Center – Working to Preserve Our Natural Wonders

The primary mission of the Nature Wildlife Center is to preserve the natural wonders of the Lake Erie Islands. The center is located on South Bass Island, home to the Put-in-Bay Community. The Nature Wildlife Center features classes, Interactive exhibitions, and special events that are open to local and tourism participation.

The center works to educate the next generation on the importance of wildlife preservation and ecological responsibility to ensure the future of area wildlife and fauna. The Nature Wildlife Center opens daily from 11 am-5 pm in season, and it is a fun educational place to take the kids, family, or grandchildren. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop in regularly as exhibits and programs change often. Summer activities include children’s nature camps, nature walks, and their annual Island Green Week Event held each August.

Nature Wildlife Center How They are Pollinators, Life Cycle Display

This exhibit at the Nature Wildlife Center features a Monarch butterfly interactive display. It demonstrates how butterflies are pollinators. It also teaches the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly and migration habits. It is located inside the center and is one of many that are packed with information and provide fun interactive learning. The Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center promotes conservation along with educational programs focused on the fauna, flora, and ecosystem of the Lake Erie Islands.

Lake Erie Islands Nature Wildlife Center Particulars

The center is open daily from June through August. Adult tickets are $3  and $2 for children over five and senior citizens. Group rates are available by contacting the center directly, and they offer special programming by appointment. The center is open all weekends in May and September. The center is located just a mile from the downtown Put-in-Bay Hotels district. Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center are located on the Northside of Meechen Road. Nearby is the South Bass Island State Park.

Put-in-Bay Nature Camp

The last weekend in June each year, children of all ages are invited to take part in Nature Camp. Children are grouped according to age and explore and investigate the island’s natural surroundings. Each year a new theme is introduced, such as  “Wet and Wild Lake Erie.” Some of the activities included searching for predatory animals in the field, dipping for macro and micro invertebrates, and learning how all creatures, including humans, are connected through water.

Older child campers enjoy a day of kayaking and a night of camping either on South Bass,  Middle Bass, or North Bass Island. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Lake Erie and have a lot of fun with other kids.

Wild Tuesdays

Wild Tuesdays at the center are when everyone lets loose!  Programs include talks on spiders and snakes to the numerous caves of Put-in-Bay. Everyone has the opportunity to get up close and personal with lots of fascinating animals. Regional experts travel to South Bass Island to share their knowledge. These days begin every June and have been an island attraction since 2009.

Nature Wildlife Center  Island Green Week

Each August, the center hosts a week-long program known as “Green Week.” Along with collaborators such as the OSU’s Stone Laboratory, Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, the Put-in-Bay Township Park District, and the Islands Historical Society, the center produces a week-long program. It is full of events about adventure,  ecotourism, agritourism, travel, and local history, This week is all about family fun and learning.