Over 100 species of birds have been observed at the preserve. While many are migratory visitors, the marshy meadows, thickets, and wooded stream corridor harbor an outstanding variety of nesting songbirds. Nest boxes shelter Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and Wood Ducks. The aerial courtship display of the male American Woodcock can be observed at dusk on early spring evenings. A patch of tall-grass prairie, using Ohio seed sources, offers an attractive nectar source for hummingbirds, many kinds of butterflies and other insects. 

Fish-eating birds such as grebes, mergansers, gulls, loons, terns, and herons frequent Best Lake. Birders may spot an Osprey or Bald Eagle. The best time to visit is during fall and spring waterfowl migration when birders can expect to see Canada Geese, Mallard, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, American Black Duck, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Horned and Pied-billed Grebes, Ruddy Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Bufflehead, and Greater and Lesser Scaup. Less often, uncommon species such as Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, Common Merganser and Red-necked Grebe can also be observed on Best Lake. Notable rarities sighted at the preserve include an American Goshawk reported by Geauga Park Naturalists in 1996.

Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve is a 101-acre reservation located in Munson Township, 1.5 miles south of the City of Chardon. The Preserve’s natural habitats provide visitors the opportunity to enjoy a rich diversity of plant and animal life.

Walter C. Best, the founder of the nearby Best Sand Corporation, built a 30-acre lake in the 1960s because of his interest in waterfowl. After his death, his wife, Edna May, donated the lake and surrounding land to Geauga Park District. The Preserve was dedicated in 1988.

Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve offers a birding experience for everyone with its well-maintained, accessible trails. The preserve features three paved trails: the 1.18-mile Cattail Trail encircles Best Lake, the Waterfowl Walkway is a 0.04-mile spur that takes birders to the Wildlife Observation Blind, and the Goldenrod Trail is a 0.23-mile connector between the two parking areas that passes through a wildflower prairie and past a wetland. The diverse habitats include woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. Along the Cattail Trail are seven fishing platforms and two additional platforms are located along the Goldenrod Trail.