
Our Nature
Rethinking, Restoring & Rebuilding our Relationship to Nature
In collaboration with the Living Water Association, we present a four-part series exploring human nature and our (dis)connection with our local ecosystems. As we explore socioeconomic, spiritual, and habitat issues, we will learn to become agents of change in both big and small ways.

Environmental Racism, Urban Ecology & Building Resilient Communities
February 26, 2 - 4pm, Free
Mike Johnson,
Summit Metro Parks Chief Conservationist
Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Avenue, Akron
Over half of our global population lives in cities, making healthy urban environments an essential component of environmental justice. Join us as we hear from Mike Johnson and discuss community challenges with the Big Love Network and South Street Ministries.
Co-sponsored by the East Ohio Conference of the
United Methodist Church
Democracy, Spirituality
& the Built Environment
March 12, 2 - 4pm, Free
David Orr,
Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics Emeritus of Oberlin College
First Church in Oberlin, 106 N Main Street, Oberlin
What do faith and democracy have to do with environmental justice? In this session we'll hear David Orr discuss the work of faith communities with Rev. David Hill and the Green Team of the First Church in Oberlin.
Co-sponsored by First Church in Oberlin


Stop, Look & Listen:
Build a Better Backyard
April 9, 2 - 3:30pm, Free
Jeff Riebe,
Naturalist, Cleveland Metroparks
North Chagrin Nature Center
401 Buttermilk Falls Parkway, Mayfield Village
Why relegate nature only to parks and preserves? What if you could encourage biodiversity in your own backyard by focusing on the beneficial plantings you already have and expand your landscape to truly benefit the planet? An exploration of beneficial gardens at North Chagrin Reservation will allow us to assess our own spaces and expand our understanding of an eco-friendly gardening approach.
An Evening with Douglas Tallamy, author of "Nature's Best Hope
May 6, 5 - 9pm
$40 per person or
$15 by Zoom from 6:45 - 8:30pm
(Event includes dinner provided by
Cleveland Field Kitchen
and an exhibitor fair)
Family Life Center
16349 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge 44023
Spend an evening with New York Times bestselling author, Douglas Tallamy as we conclude the Our Nature series. Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware who has authored eighty research articles and four books. His "Homegrown National Park" initiative encourages us to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function in our individual and community spaces because every human being on this planet needs diverse, highly productive ecosystems to survive.
