The Old Woman Creek Reserve education program seeks to enhance people’s willingness to make informed decisions and take responsible actions to benefit Lake Erie coastal ecosystems and communities. Programs emphasize hands-on scientific learning for a range of audiences in our “outdoor classrooms” which includes the Old Woman Creek estuary, stream, barrier beach, and near-shore Lake Erie. Participants use seine and plankton nets, microscopes and water quality testing equipment to increase understanding of the complex ecology of a freshwater estuary and foster their connection to these natural resources and their responsibilities as environmental stewards.

Programs offered by the reserve include audio-visual presentations, interpretive field trips and guided tours, guest lectures, educator workshops and technical training seminars.

Specific community education programs offered by the reserve include:

• Estuary Explorations – free educational programs open to the public include guided hikes, canoe tours, nature art classes, a seminar on invasive species, and hands-on rain garden and rain barrel workshops.
• Volunteer Stream Monitoring – a program that trains citizens to monitor water quality in Old Woman Creek and neighboring streams.

Specific opportunities for educators and students include Wetland Ecology, Water Quality, and Life in a Water Drop. These programs focused on wetland ecology, watersheds, and water resource stewardship are provided upon request for teachers, schools, colleges, and universities, including some in-the-water experiences. Programs meet Ohio Academic Science Standards and resource materials are made available to educators prior to on-site programs.