What better way to explore one of Ohio’s rarest ecosystems than to step into it yourself? 

Join Museum naturalists on a guided hike through the Scheele Preserve on Kelleys Island, where you’ll explore a unique alvar landscape, characterized by flat, exposed limestone bedrock. We’ll use the newly improved and expanded trails and boardwalks at the preserve to explore its alvar shrubland, forest, swamp, and lakeshore habitats. We’ll pause now and again to examine the species that call these places home: rock elm and wafer ash, coffeetree and juniper. We may even see a Lake Erie watersnake on Scheele’s broad, white-sand beach.  

As we explore, we’ll be joined by Museum Research Associate and bird bander Tom Bartlett, who will share insights from his more than 30 years of studying birds along the Lake Erie coast and islands.   

Space for the free, naturalist-led hikes is limited--please register for one if you wish to join. Guests are also welcome to explore the preserve on their own, before or after the hikes. Scheele Preserve is always open to visitors during daylight hours.