The center's wildlife rehabilitation program admits over 1,000 injured or orphaned animals annually.
The facility is integrated into the 103-acre Huntington Reservation, which provides direct access to Lake Erie's shoreline.
It hosts one of the few public planetariums in the Greater Cleveland area.
Many of the permanent animal residents, such as the bald eagles and owls, are non-releasable due to permanent injuries.
The center was originally founded as the 'Youth Science Center' in 1945 before evolving into its current form.
The Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is a specialized educational facility located within the Huntington Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. It operates a wildlife rehabilitation center that provides medical care for injured and orphaned animals native to Ohio. The center features indoor and outdoor wildlife exhibits, including raptor mews housing non-releasable birds of prey. Its planetarium offers digital projection shows focused on astronomy and space exploration. Educational programming is centered on hands-on science experiences for visitors of all ages. The facility serves as a regional hub for environmental education and local ecological conservation efforts. Visitors can observe live animal habitats and interact with exhibits detailing regional biology. It maintains a strong focus on community-based science learning and stewardship of the Lake Erie shoreline.
The viewing area outside the raptor mews provides an excellent vantage point for capturing images of the resident birds of prey.
Check the daily program board upon arrival to coordinate your visit with specific planetarium showtimes.
Combine your visit with a walk down to the Huntington Beach area, which is a short stroll from the center's entrance.
Wear comfortable walking shoes to transition easily between the indoor exhibits and the outdoor raptor trails.
Do not attempt to feed any of the outdoor wildlife in the surrounding reservation.
Typically closed on major holidays; check for seasonal variations in planetarium show schedules.
Maintain a quiet volume near the wildlife exhibits to avoid stressing the animals.
