Watershed volunteers learning about streams. West Creek Reservation, January 2022

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Happy New Year

Greetings Watershed Stewards,

We hope you all enjoyed the holidays. We are excited to start the new year with you and bring you in-person and virtual opportunities over the winter. See upcoming event details below.

Thank you so much for continuing to connect, learn, and give back with us. We are honored to be part of your watershed journey. If you weren't able to join us you can see our 2022 highlights and ten year celebration slides here.

Gratefully,

The WVP Team

A Fond Farewell

Hi Watershed Stewards,

I have had a wonderful time expanding my involvement with WVP from being a fellow Watershed Steward, a WVP Seasonal, and now the WVP Coordinator. Being able to work with and alongside all of you has been an unforgettable experience and one I will continue to carry with me forever.

Unfortunately, I must relay the bittersweet news that I will be leaving this position at the Cleveland Metroparks.

As many of you know, I have always held a joint interest in both watershed science and the arts. Although I plan to continue my watershed stewardship journey on a personal level, I am excited to begin devoting more time, professionally, towards working in art education and career development for young artists.

I sincerely appreciate all your hard work and feel very thankful for our time together. Please continue to reach out to [email protected] to provide feedback or to ask any questions and Elizabeth Hiser (Stream Restoration Ecologist) and Bre Turner (Community Science Assistant) will get back to you as they are able during this transition period.

Fondly,

Taelor Benoit (he/they)

Watershed Volunteer Program Coordinator

Happenings

Watershed Spotlight

Salt Watch Program Materials

[Photo credit: Izaak Walton League of America: Save Our Streams]

Salt Watch

This year we will be partnering with Izaak Walton League of America to join their Salt Watch program. This program allows community members to sample salinity levels in their local streams using a simple testing strip and the Water Reporter system to report results.

Studies have shown our drinking water supply and aquatic wildlife are impacted by excessive levels of road salt. Join this community science project and test the salt levels in your stream. See details below about an option to join us on Friday February 3rd for a presentation and training by Izaak Walton League of America to formally join our WVP Salt Watch program. Just can't wait? You can order a Salt Watch kit from Izaak Walton League of America by taking their Salt Watch Pledge.

WVP Hosted Opportunities

Watershed Stewards learning about West Creek Watershed. West Creek Reservation, January 2022

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(L) Talk: 2023 WVP LinkUp*

Sat, Jan 14, 10 a.m. - Noon @ Watershed Stewardship Center

(L) Talk: Smart Watershed Technology Roadshow

Thu, Jan 19, 3 - 4:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center

(M) Workshop & Training: Salt Watch

Fri, Feb 3, Noon - 1:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center or @ Online

(R) Work Session: Invasive Plant Management

Wed, Feb 8, Noon - 2 p.m. @ Brookside Reservation (Note Location Change)

(L) Monday MeetUp: Friends of Lower Lake

Mon, Feb 13, 6 - 7 p.m. @ Online

(R) Work Session: Live Stake Harvest and Install

Fri, Feb 17, 2 - 3:30 p.m. @ Acacia Reservation

(L) Talk: 2022 Monitoring Recap

Tue, Feb 21, Noon - 1 p.m. @ Online

*Open to the public, email us to register.

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

View Event Details

Opportunities With Our Partners

Inviting Biodiversity into Our Gardens: Five-part Virtual Symposium*

Thu Jan 11, Jan 25, 1 - 3 p.m. @ Online

Inviting Biodiversity into Our Gardens will inspire homeowners, horticulturists, botanists, naturalists, educators, conservationists, landscape designers, and others to learn more about the value of using native plants and trees to create and maintain healthy habitats.

The free virtual series will feature five sessions intended to guide you from start to finish in creating gardens that benefit pollinators and other wildlife. Join and explore the importance of restoring our increasingly fragmented and disappearing native habitats beginning in our own backyards—whether small or large. Register with our partners here.

Cleveland Water Alliance Smart Lake and Smart Watershed Technology Roadshow*

Jan and Feb 2023 (Multiple Dates), 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. @ Location Varies

Unable to join us in the afternoon on January 19th? Join the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) at one of the upcoming Smart Lake & Smart Watershed Technology Roadshow events. The roadshow event series will feature new low cost tech for monitoring water and provide opportunities to network with others in your region. You’ll learn more about examples of current use cases of innovative tech and even learn about a sensor demo/lending program. Register with our partners here.

Local Watershed Groups Seek New Members:

Volunteer with the Friends of Euclid Creek (FOEC): FOEC works to educate the public and protect the watershed of Euclid Creek in the eastside suburbs. Join FOEC and learn about native plants, environmentally friendly actions, and protecting Lake Erie. Learn more at www.friendsofeuclidcreek.com

Rocky River Watershed Council (RRWC) seeks new volunteer board members. RRWC is dedicated to protecting the Rocky River and its tributaries. Board members help plan events such as tree plantings, stream clean-ups, rain barrel workshops, and outreach with their local communities. All levels of experience welcome – they seek to represent a wide range of stakeholder backgrounds. Learn more at www.myrockyriver.org, email the Watershed Coordinator or mark your calendars for the annual meeting Wednesday, January 25^th 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Allardale Lodge in Medina.

Northeast Ohio Master Rain Gardener Program*

In-Person: Wed, Mar 1 - Apr 5, 10 am - 1 pm @ South Euclid Community Center

Looking to take action in your own yard to address runoff? Take the Master Rain Gardener Course and learn all about how to locate, size, design, dig, and plant your very own rain garden. Register with our partners here.

Cleveland Metroparks | Digital Emerald Necklace*

Read and Watch here

*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S) Watershed Partner Event by Jan 31. Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.