A note from Babette Gowda, Former Tinker’s Creek Watershed Coordinator

After 7 years with Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners, it is time for me to step back for someone else to take the lead. I am thankful to the board members, especially our President Justin and Vice-President Ana, and our Executive Director Harry, for their support over the years. I would also like to thank the board for working with me during this transition away from the organization. I am lucky to have been able to work with so many great people over the years from consultants, municipal workers, and residents. I will continue to support the group how I can but will be devoting most of my time to my family. It is easier to leave knowing our new hire, Kate Chapel, is at the helm. Thank you to all the partners and leaders that have helped my work be possible. I have truly loved working as the Tinker’s Creek Watershed Coordinator and hope to cross paths with you in the future. Wishing you all the best! Babette Gowda

TCWP has been active in our watershed communities this summer. We've been to meetings with every one of our member communities! These were great opportunities to discuss potential projects, permit compliance, and ordinances. 

We've also spent time in collaborative meetings this summer with groups committed to protecting the whole Lake Erie watershed, especially the Cuyahoga and of course Tinker's Creek. 

Did you catch us out in the stream this summer? TCWP participated in stream clean up days in the watershed! These are fun, family-friendly events that get everyone out in their boots! We host stream clean ups and partner with other organizations to serve the watershed. These events bring dozens of trash bags out of the streams, reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in the Cuyahoga and ultimately Lake Erie. 

TCWP hosted a rain barrel workshop in Macedonia this August and another in Streetsboro in early September for residents. After the Streetsboro workshop, we also installed a rain barrel in the library's children's garden! Make sure to check it out the next time you're at the library!

Event Calendar

Winter is coming, and with the cooler temperatures it's time to put both the garden and the rain barrel to bed.

Check the date of your first frost to give you an idea of when it's time to empty your barrel. You can do this the same day you disconnect any garden hoses. We recommend emptying the barrel, washing it out, and bringing it inside. You can place your disconnected barrel in the garage, basement, or shed. Alternatively, you can flip your barrel upside down and leave it outside.

Don't have a rain barrel yet? Wondering what it's for? Check out the link below to learn more about why we promote the use of rain barrels! We host rain barrel workshops every year around the watershed, so look out for dates on our event calendar! event calendar!

If you'd like to see a workshop in your community, contact Kate Chapel.

With fall getting underway, leaves falling from your trees can enter our storm drains and river systems. Leaves provide excess nutrients and organic matter to streams that can disrupt the usual balance. Why put all this untapped potential down a drain when you can use the nutrient as compost?

Shredding leaves, or just dumping them into the compost bin, is a great balance to any green or wet material you may have, like food scraps or grass clippings.

There are many ways to set up a compost pile or bin. It can be as complicated or as simple as you'd like! Consider how much space you have and how much compost your house

Not sure how to start a compost pile? Need help troubleshooting the one you have? Give us a call in the office or email Kate Chapel.

One tree that may not be a good candidate for leaf composting is Black Walnut ( Juglans nigra). If you have a walnut on your property, you may notice that not much grows under or near it. That's because walnuts naturally produce a toxin that inhibits growth! That toxin is also in the leaf tissues, not a great thing for compost!