Established in 1895, Stone Laboratory is the oldest freshwater biological field station in the United States. We are located on Gibraltar Island near Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Join us for a tour of Gibraltar Island and experience our passion for education and research as well as a close up look at Civil War financier Jay Cooke’s Castle, Perry’s Lookout, the island’s glacial grooves, our unique colony of Lake Erie Water Snakes, the solar pavilion, and the Stone Laboratory classroom building. Other activities may include a science cruise aboard one of our research boats, a tour of the Aquatic Visitors Center, a historic fish hatchery on South Bass Island, or a visit to South Bass Island Lighthouse whose light was first lit on July 10, 1897.

Partially accessible. Moderate activity including walking uphill and taking a research cruise on a vessel (lifejackets provided). Participants should have the ability to maneuver on and off our vessels freely, climb stairs, stand for periods of time, and walk over uneven ground. The drive time will be roughly 3 hours round-trip. It is suggested that you wear substantial shoes, carry water, and bring a jacket in case of rain.

Learn about the many efforts across Ohio to improve nonpoint source pollution, and the mechanisms to do so. Take a stop at the wonderful Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of Ohio’s few remaining examples of a natural estuary, to learn about the innovative H2Ohio initiative. Guests will have time to explore the nature center as well as the estuary itself. Next travel to marinas in Huron who are addressing marine debris and stormwater in partnership with the Ohio Clean Marinas team and other regional partners.

Fully accessible, light walking involved on designated paths and beach. Please bring cash to purchase food or drinks along the way.

Explore the coastal beauty and rich maritime history of Lake County. On this tour you will visit some of Northeast Ohio’s greatest natural and cultural treasures. We will begin the day with a kayak trip and bird watching followed by walking tour of the recently restored Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve. The afternoon will be filled with a beach cleaning robot, wetland restoration, a visit to a private lighthouse, and stories from Lake Erie’s depths. Be ready to spend the whole day outside exploring the lovely coastal areas of Lake Erie.

Partially accessible, strenuous activity level. Please bring your own binoculars. You will be walking on beaches, steps, uneven ground, and a very uneven breakwater wall. Please wear sturdy shoes that can get wet (i.e. old sneakers, Chaco or Teva like shoes). No flip flops. Bring cash to purchase food or drinks along the way. Please bring your own reusable water bottle to refill. Sun protection is encouraged. Please use reef safe sunscreen. You may get wet while paddling so a towel and change of clothing is encouraged, including change of shoes. Indoor bathrooms and changing facilities are provided. This program will be adjusted to accommodate weather changes, but will please dress for the weather. Dressing in layers is recommended. All paddling equipment is provided. You will be required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while paddling.

Participants will be welcomed to the Watershed Stewardship Center, a LEED Gold certified building with over 20 stormwater management practices. A whirlwind building tour will lead to a lab and classrooms where we will identify common submerged plants (macrophytes). We will then journey outside, donning provided field gear, to see those same plants and to undertake a Hydrilla site survey. You may elect to facilitate a tuber sampling demonstration and a vegetative sweep in the same wetlands where Hydrilla was discovered over 10 years ago. This interactive program will cover Hydrilla’s threat to our freshwater communities, efforts past and present to control it, and regional response strategies to this aquatic nuisance species. Members of the Natural Resources and Outdoor Experiences divisions of Cleveland Metroparks will be our guides.

Partially accessible. Participants on this tour should expect moderate levels of activity including wearing waders, entering the water, and light walking. Dress for the weather.

Participants will take a scenic walk along the Lower Cuyahoga River Area of Concern on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The journey will start with a 1.3-mile stroll through downtown Cleveland in route to Hart Crane (River Gate) Park, located in the heart of the city, and wind up the ‘Crooked River’ pausing to observe where river restoration actions have been implemented. Examples include areas where fish habitat has been installed within the shipping channel, erosion has been remediated along the riverbanks with best management practices, and public access points have been established. The tour will end at Irishtown Bend, where the Cleveland Metroparks-owned Merwin’s Wharf features stunning views of water and wildlife and provides a great place to grab a snack and a beverage before returning to the hotel. Members of the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern Advisory Committee will serve as guides.

Participants on this tour should expect to walk between 3-5 miles over uneven terrain with modest elevation gain and loss. Dress for the weather. Bring cash to purchase food or drinks along the way. ADA accessible.

Join us for a trip to some of our most environmentally responsible, yet tasty establishments, as you visit Cleveland’s iconic W 25th street, home to several craft breweries, the best ice cream in town, and the oldest operating market space in Cleveland, the West Side Market. Hear from experts with the City of Cleveland Office of Sustainability and other partners about local efforts in the circular economy space. Get ready to have fun on this scenic, historic (and delicious) walking tour in Ohio City.

Accessible, moderate activity level. Dress for the weather.

Participants will begin with a three-quarter mile walk from the hotel through Cleveland’s Historic Warehouse District to the Flats East Bank to board the Cleveland Metropark’s Water Taxi on the Cuyahoga River. This scenic boat trip with experts from the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern Advisory Council will start in the heart of the city’s entertainment district, winding up the ‘Crooked River’ to pause and observe areas where river restoration actions have been implemented. The trip will highlight fish habitat installations, erosion control measures, and public access points. Participants will next visit the Greater Cleveland Aquarium for a guided tour led by their Education Team. Journey through Ohio’s lakes and rivers, freshwater around the globe, tropical forests, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and the open ocean. Awe in biodiversity of our world’s aquatic ecosystems. Discover spotted turtle, Surinam toads, mossy frogs, stingrays, seadragons, moon jellies, octopus, sharks, eels, and so much more. Pandemic permitting, we will peek behind the scenes to glimpse at what it takes to operate an Aquarium in a historic building in the West Bank of Cleveland’s Flats. Approximately 1.5-2 hours will be spent on the Cuyahoga River and 1.5 hours at the Aquarium (1-hour guided, 1/2-hour on own). Lunch will be eaten prior to trip departure. Bring cash/credit to purchase food or drinks along the way or to stay in the area for dinner.

Accessible, moderate level of activity. Participants on this tour should expect to walk about 2 miles in urban terrain including a 50 ft. elevation change to and from the Flats. Cleveland Metropark’s Water Taxi and the Greater Cleveland Aquarium are ADA accessible. Accommodation to and from the Flats is available, please make a request in your registration.