BIRD ID CLASS + GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
Bird ID Class | Tuesday, February 6 | 3pm – 4:30pm
Great Backyard Bird Count | Saturday, February 17 | 8:30am
Open to all ages and skill levels | $10
Embark on a captivating journey into the world of backyard birds! Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned birder, everyone can join – no experience needed! This is a two-day experience – attend either session or, ideally, both!
On February 6th at 3:00 pm, gear up for the Great Backyard Bird Count in an interactive class. Learn to identify feeder birds, exploring their unique features, behaviors, and calls. Our expert instructor will guide you through birdwatching fundamentals, providing valuable tips for recognizing common avian visitors to your feeders. Return to Stratford on Saturday, February 17th at 8:30 am for the Global Great Backyard Bird Count. Transform into a citizen scientist, starting your morning on the farm. Count and enter the bird species you observe in a setting surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Our conveniently located feeders, accessible to all ages, will be stocked and ready for our feathered friends. Join us in celebrating the diversity of our avian neighbors and making a meaningful contribution to citizen science. From novices to bird enthusiasts, everyone can play a role in understanding and preserving our feathered companions!
MAPLE SUGAR TOURS
Saturday, February 10 & 17 | 10am – 1pm
Open to all ages | $10
Discover the wonder and time-honored tradition of transforming sap into pure maple syrup as you explore Stratford’s forest, witness sap collection, and experience the magic of the Sugar Shack. During your one-hour, hands-on tour, you’ll hike through Stratford’s beautiful forest, learn how to identify sugar maples and tap a tree yourself! When you arrive at the Sugar Shack, you’ll taste a sample of freshly collected sap, watch the sugar cookers work their magic and observe the evaporation process up close, then taste a sample of that sweet liquid gold. Local maple syrup will be available for purchase afterwards. Tours last approximately one hour, departing every half hour, and require participants to walk about 3/4 – 1 mile on even terrain. The final tour departs at noon.
MAPLE SUGAR CELEBRATION
Saturday, February 24 | 10am – 2pm
Open to all ages | $10 (Ages 2 and under free)
Bring the whole family to Stratford to celebrate this magical time of year. From farm to forest discover the early signs of spring. Celebrate the maple sugar season with us as you walk the Storybook Trail out to the Sugar Shack where you’ll learn how to tap a tree, taste maple sap and syrup, observe the cooking process and more. After your adventure, visit the newborn farm babies, take a tour of the greenhouse, and warm up by the fire. Before you head home, stop in the farm store to take home some local, pure maple syrup and grass fed sausage for the ultimate breakfast at home. It doesn’t get much sweeter than that!
WINTER FARM SCHOOL FRIDAYS
Friday, February 2, 9, 16, 23 | 9am – 12pm
Age 3 – Kindergarten (must be potty trained) | $50
Friday, February 2, 9, 16, 23 | 9am – 2pm
1st – 5th Grade | $65
At Farm School, nature is the classroom and the teacher. Children will expand their joy of learning as they care for the animals, tend to the gardens, and explore native Ohio habitats. From seed to table, Farm Schooler’s will participate in age-appropriate farming activities, engaging all of their senses, and gaining a deeper understanding of where their food comes from. Winter Farm School Fridays have a highlighted focus on the maple sugaring process, allowing kids to tap a tree, taste freshly collected sap, observe the evaporation process up close, and sample the pure, sticky, sweet syrup. Farm School will support grade level Ohio Academic Standards. Check with your district about Alternative Learning Experience credit for attending Farm School in place of a traditional school day. We’re excited for your child join us for a day of growth, exploration, and fun – where every moment is a lesson and every lesson is an adventure!
WAITLIST
If any session you’re interested in is sold out, please fill out the form linked below to join the waitlist. If we have any openings, we will reach out in the order that requests were received. If you have multiple children you need to add to the waitlist, please fill out one submission per child.
HERBAL STUDY GROUP
Second Tuesday of the Month | January – December | 1pm – 3pm
(June – August 9:30am – 11:30am due to afternoon heat)
Adults | All skill levels | $10 for the entire year
Dive into the world of herbs with us as we explore different varieties each month, from culinary classics to medicinal wonders. Each month the group examines different herbal topics and works together in the herb garden, tending, harvesting and learning from one another while building a sense of community. Whether you’re a seasoned herbalist or just starting, there’s always something new to discover in this participant led group. Swap seeds, recipes, and herbal wisdom all year long!
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
Third Thursday of the Month | January – November | 10am – 12pm
Adults | All skill levels | $20 for the entire year
Calling all photography enthusiasts! Monthly meetings provide an opportunity to share and edit photos, learn techniques from local experts to photograph landscapes, animals, gardens and more. All skill levels welcome! Just show up and bring your camera, even if it’s your phone. Participants are welcome to wander the fields and forests of Stratford to capture the abundant beauty of the seasons. Please contact photography@stratfordecologicalcenter.org for more details.
BOOK TALKS
Third Friday of the Month | January – December | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Adults | $10 for the entire year
Have you ever wanted to join a book club, but feel like you don’t have time to read the whole book? Then this is your kind of book talk! Join fellow participants who want to explore literary works from Stratford’s library in a lively discussion on topics ranging from agriculture, nature writers and homesteading. Librarian and incredible naturalist Liz Barker does the heavy lifting by reading a series of books on a particular subject, and then convenes the group to share her learnings and lead a discussion. It’s a social summary with friends! Explore and recommend topics with Liz any time you want.
WINTER SEED STARTING
2025 Date TBD | 10am – 12pm
Open to all ages and skill levels | $20
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, join the Delaware County Master Gardeners for a family-friendly workshop using recycled milk jugs as mini greenhouses. Get a jump on your spring planting and learn the essentials of winter seed starting through hands-on techniques and planting tips. Each participant will take home seed tape and their own mini greenhouse jug. Plan to join us again in May (exact date TBD) for our community planting day of our seed starting creations!
- Flexible Scheduling Opportunities – Full time and part time opportunities
- Paid Opportunities – Stratford believes it is imperative to invest in the education of our future leaders, therefore Stratford offers some paid internship opportunities
- Work-Study & For Credit Opportunities – Some of Stratford’s internships qualify for high school, college credit, or work-study hours. These provides invaluable hands-on experience you can’t get inside the four walls of a traditional classroom.
- Subsidized Housing Available – Through a partnership with The Methodist Theological School of Central Ohio, just a few minutes away, Stratford is able to offer affordable housing as needed.
- Farm Fresh Products – Free and significantly discounted organically managed farm goods including fresh produce, eggs, meat, honey, syrup, and more!
- Passion – Must have enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, collaborative environment with a commitment to the greater good of the organization and the natural environment.
- Experience – No minimum experience required. All training required.
- Age – Must be 18 or older with valid ID
- Background Check – Must be able to pass an FBI & BCI background check
- Transportation – Must have or be able to secure regular and reliable transportation
- Weather – Willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions
- Physical Requirements – Most internship positions require extensive time on your feet, walking on uneven terrains, heavy lifting and physically strenuous activity
- Farm Environment – Stratford Ecological Center is a working farm that uses heavy equipment with potential hazards for physical harm. Honey beehives are maintained and there is a high level of insect activity on our farm. People with hay fever and allergies to animals may be uncomfortable.
- Environmental Education | Summer Camp Counselor –Create core memories and lifelong friendships in a fun, safe, playful environment for children to spark their curiosity and excitement for nature during ten weeks of Farm Camp.
- Environmental Education | Children’s & Family Programs – Join our team of staff and volunteers guiding children and families through a variety of seasonal hands-on programs teaching about gardening, ecology, animal husbandry, and more.
- Farming & Sustainable Agriculture –Assist the farmer through hands-on experience in the day-to-day aspects of production on the 65-acre organically managed farm, including livestock, field crops, horticulture crops, and agroforestry.
- Land Stewardship –Empower yourself and others through education and effective practices, like battling invasives and protecting native species, to actively conserve and manage natural resources for a sustainable future.
- Non-Profit Administration – Learn the ins and outs of the behind-the-scenes operations that are integral to any non-profit’s success.
- Development – Cultivate donor relationships and execute fundraising strategies to fuel Stratford’s mission.
- Communications & Marketing – Develop and implement strategic outreach initiatives to promote Stratford’s mission and engage with its supporters and participants.
Follow these two simple steps to apply:
- Fill out the online questionnaire linked below
- Send your resume to internships@stratfordecologicalcenter.org
Audrey Mungovan
Environmental Education 2016, 2018 & 2021 | Development Intern, 2022
“Interning at Stratford has reminded me of what’s important in life; connecting with the natural world, sharing this connection with children and others, being a part of a community, learning, and savoring the simple things. Stratford’s staff and volunteers are welcoming and encouraging, and I have learned and gained valuable skills and life lessons from those I have had the privilege of working alongside. “
Katelyn McKee
Agriculture Intern 2021
“Working at Stratford Ecological Center as a Sustainable Agriculture Intern was one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had. Most importantly, it taught me the lasting impact of hard work, but also exposed me to more knowledge than I ever thought was possible. Being surrounded by people who want to make a positive influence on the environment and other animals is such a rewarding experience. My internship exposed me to new life skills, valuable knowledge, and lifelong friendships.”
Finn Hartner
Education Intern 2022 – 2023
“Because of Stratford, it’s definitely changed my entire career path. Instead of pursuing video games and a computer related field, I’ll probably go into more of a nature field because I’ve realized that my life definitely belongs more with the world, instead of online.”