2024 Watershed Work

[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Watershed Moments

In 2024, 240 WVP volunteers put in 3,665 hours during 85 events. 32 volunteers became Certified Stewards and 49 volunteers worked on Independent projects. Each of those hours made an impact on our Cleveland Metroparks, our watershed and our environment overall. Each WVP volunteer made a difference. During our Annual Celebration of Stewardship on December 9th, we took the opportunity to honor some of this year's highest achievers with awards:

2024 Watershed Volunteer Program

Outstanding Engagement by a New Steward

Alea Jones

2024 Watershed Volunteer Program

Highest Service Contribution by a New Steward

Christopher Meigs

2024 Watershed Volunteer Program

Outreach Steward of the Year

Carrie Hansen

2024 Watershed Volunteer Program

Restoration Steward of the Year

Michael Romito

2024 Watershed Volunteer Program

Monitoring Steward of the Year

Paul Miklovich

2024 Watershed Volunteer Program

Independent & Special Projects Steward of the Year

Mary Partin

Congratulations to one and all! After 12 years, the Watershed Volunteer Program continues to be a place for people who want to work on projects that solve problems, and create real and lasting change.

With gratitude,

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator

(O) WVP End of Year Celebration Award Ceremony

Dec 9, 2024, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(O) WVP End of Year Celebration

Dec 9, 2024, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Watershed Spotlight

(R) Josh Zawiski ready to eradicate invasives @ Bunn Lake

Dec 6, 2024, Bradley Woods Reservation

[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Hello, my name is Joshua Zawiski, and I am proud to be the new Watershed Management Specialist for the CMP. My interest in the watersheds of northeast Ohio began as a child when my dad would take me to play in creeks and rivers, where we would explore the waters searching for macroinvertebrates, fish, and salamanders. In 2021, after years of working in photography and construction/design, I decided to go back to school and completed a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation at Ohio University. While attending OU, I spent two summers interning for the Ohio EPA doing construction permitting and a head water survey, as well as two years working in an avian research lab on campus.

After finishing my time at Ohio University, my girlfriend and I decided to fulfill a long-time dream of moving to Asheville, North Carolina. On September 27th, 2024, we learned the hard way what happens when aggressively developed landscapes meet the changing weather patterns of our new reality. We were fortunate to evacuate with some neighbors and our pets as the Swannanoa River, which ran alongside our apartment, began to rise. When we returned to the complex 36 hours later, the home we had fallen in love with had been flooded. The Swannanoa River reached a record peak of over 26 feet, surpassing the previous record set in the early 1900s.

Though events like what I experienced in Asheville are supposed to be rare, they are becoming increasingly common due to the effects of climate change. With a better understanding of construction methods and development practices, we can make more informed decisions to mitigate these historic events. As Watershed Management Specialist, my goal is to help pursue opportunities that will strengthen communities’ connections to their local waterways, bringing us closer to the natural worlds we are lucky enough to cohabitate with.

Two Months Before the Flood

[Image credit: J Zawiski]

One Day After the Flood

[Image credit: J Zawiski]

Salt Watch Reminder

Salt Watch Volunteers: It's time to take your December sample.

Questions? Email us

Happenings

(R) Invasive Shrub Removal @ Bunn Lake

Dec 6, 2024, Bradley Woods Reservation

[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

WVP Opportunities

Key

(L)earning: These events include talks, workshops, and training sessions.
(M)onitoring: These events include water quality testing through chemistry and macroinvertebrate monitoring.
(R)estoration: These events include bioretention clean-ups, tree plantings, invasive plant removal, etc.
(O)utreach: These events are used to spread awareness of the Watershed Volunteer Program and general watershed health.

(R) Work Session: Seed Processing

Mon, Dec 16, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Invasive Mantis Egg Case Removal with Jen Brumfield

Wed, Dec 18, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Acacia Reservation

(R) Invasive Mantis Egg Case Removal with Jen Brumfield

Wed, Jan 15, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ South Chagrin Reservation

(M) 2025 Winter Stone Fly Survey a.k.a. WVP Winter Stonefly Club

Sat, Jan 18, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Baldwin Creek

(L) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: Tim Krynak's "Uncovering The Mystery of Migration With Rehabilitated Bats"*

Wed, Jan 22, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(L) Tool Maintenance Clinic with Jen "Cricket" Hilmer

Wed, Jan 29, 6 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. @ West Creek Reservation

WVP volunteers, please log into Volgistics to register for primary events.

*Open to the public. Click Here or Email us for the registration link.

View Event Details

(R) Invasive Shrub Removal @ Bunn Lake

Dec 6, 2024, Bradley Woods Reservation

[Image credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Christmas Bird Count

Sun, Dec 15, 7:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Kendall Lake Shelter and Trailhead

Annual counts help monitor bird populations, establish which species are in the area, and alert scientists to unusual changes. Participate as a park volunteer, counting birds in the southern portion of CVNP for the Greater Akron Audubon Society. Walking terrain will vary by location.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Cuyahoga SWCD: Master Rain Gardener Self-Paced Online Class

Learn to design, dig and plant your own rain garden!! Rain gardens capture and soak in rainwater that runs off hard surfaces like roofs and driveways while filtering pollutants that would otherwise flow to our storm drains and into our creeks and streams. Share your knowledge and become your community’s expert on rain gardens. By the end you have your rain garden all planned out, and you are ready to dig, build a rain garden and become a Master Rain Gardener!

More Information and Registration Here

More (S)upplemental events can be found on our website here.

*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S) Watershed Partner Event Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.