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Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab Offer South Bass Island Tourists a Chance to Learn About Lake Erie | Ohio Sea Grant

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Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab Offer South Bass Island Tourists a Chance to Learn About Lake Erie

11:02 am, Wed June 27, 2018 – Visitors to South Bass Island this summer have the chance to explore Lake Erie science and history

Put-in-Bay Visitors to South Bass Island this summer have the chance to explore Lake Erie science and history at the South Bass Island Lighthouse, Aquatic Visitors Center and Gibraltar Island.

South Bass Island Lighthouse

South Bass Island Lighthouse

The South Bass Island Lighthouse, which was completed in 1897, is located at the southwest tip of the island and was in operation until 1962. The lighthouse grounds are open to the public dawn to dusk free of charge unless otherwise posted. Free tours will be offered from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on July 14, August 11, September 8 and October 13, 2018. Visitors can climb the lighthouse stairs to take in the view from the top of the tower. Tours for groups of 10 or more may be scheduled April through November by calling 419-285-1800.

Aquatic Visitors Center

Aquatic Visitors Center

The Aquatic Visitors Center is an educational facility, giving visitors of all ages the chance to explore Lake Erie’s complex ecosystem through hands-on activities and aquaria containing live Lake Erie fish. Children ages 15 and younger can borrow fishing gear and fish for free off the 100-foot pier. A limited number of free life jackets, provided by the BoatUs Foundation, are available for loan. AVC tours are free and open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays June 20 through August 25, 2018. Group tour reservations are available mid-May through October at a cost of $4 per person by calling 419-285-1800.

Gibraltar Island

Gibraltar Island

Two science and history tours of Gibraltar Island are offered each Wednesday from June 20 through August 8, 2018 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Groups tour the island, including Perry’s Lookout and the glacial grooves and see the outside of Cooke Castle before learning more about Stone Lab research. Tours can accommodate up to 70 people and are first-come, first-served. To attend, meet at 10:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. at the Boardwalk Restaurant dock, 341 Bayview Ave. in Put-in-Bay. Tours are $10 per person, $5 for children ages 6-12, plus $6 for round-trip fare to Gibraltar Island, payable to the water taxi driver.

Gibraltar Island and the South Bass Island Lighthouse are owned by The Ohio State University, and all three attractions are managed by Ohio Sea Grant & Stone Laboratory. For more information on scheduling your trip, visit go.osu.edu/tours.

Stone Lab’s Guest Lecture Series runs most Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. June 14 through August 2 and features speakers from Ohio universities, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies and private consulting firms, all covering topics related to the Lake Erie environment. Members of the public are invited to see the lecture series live at Stone Lab on Gibraltar Island. Information on getting to Gibraltar is available at go.osu.edu/stonelablectures.

The Friends of Stone Lab’s annual open house, this year scheduled for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018, includes all three attractions. For details, visit go.osu.edu/slopenhouse.

Lake Erie Watersnake

Lake Erie Watersnake

Stone Lab staff will also attend events at the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center as part of Wild Tuesdays, which run June 12 through August 7, 2018. Ohio State’s Dr. Richard Bradley, who teaches a spider biology course at the lab, will talk about spiders on July 3, Lisa Brohl of the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, who teaches local plants courses and workshops, will cover dragonflies and damselflies on July 10, and education and outreach coordinator Dr. Kristin Stanford will bring Lake Erie Watersnakes and other slithery island residents to the event on August 7.

Located on the 6.5-acre Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay harbor, Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and the research, education, and outreach facility of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. The Ohio State University’s Ohio Sea Grant College Program is part of NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 33 Sea Grant programs dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. For information on Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu.

ARTICLE TITLE: Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab Offer South Bass Island Tourists a Chance to Learn About Lake Erie PUBLISHED: 11:02 am, Wed June 27, 2018
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Christina Dierkes
Outreach Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant College Program

As Ohio Sea Grant’s science writer, Christina covers research, education and outreach projects in the Great Lakes for a wide range of audiences. She also produces online events like the Freshwater Science webinar series and other outreach events, and manages social media for Ohio Sea Grant.

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