Red Eft - Terrestrial Stage of the Red-spotted Newt or

Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)

[Photo credit: Daniel Hernandez]

Sometimes It's the Little Things...

We’re starting 2024 off small with the second installment of our WVP Natural Resources Lecture Series: The Adapted Hunt Drift Fence Technique (AHDrift). Research & Database Manager, Dr. Nathan Byer will join us on the evening of January 17th to explain how he has used a novel, low-cost monitoring approach to find and track small and elusive animals in the Cleveland Metroparks. Conservation biologists and landscape managers often invest substantial time and effort in sensitive species monitoring and research. While this often involves manually capturing and studying species of interest, it can also include wildlife camera traps and acoustic detection equipment that provide opportunities to study animals without directly disturbing species of interest. Regardless of the approach used, however, there are some groups of animals that are either too small, too rare or too secretive to easily detect. AHDriFT is a way to reconfigure wildlife cameras to monitor many species that would never be picked up by traditional camera traps, including two sensitive wildlife management targets: the state-endangered smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) and weasels (family Mustelidae). Dr. Byer will talk about the genesis of this idea and how they create these clever "traps" that give us a window into the world of diminutive creatures from newts to voles to minks.

We’ll also continue our hunt for Winter Stoneflies (Plecoptera) with two upcoming events on January 13th and February 17th, as we attempt to document the emergence of this tiny but important insect. We'll be on the lookout for two species who are active at this time of year: the small winter stonefly (Capniidae) and the winter stonefly, also known as the willowfly (Taeniopterygidae).

For those looking for a meditative volunteer experience, you can join us on January 31st to process seeds that will be used in projects throughout the park. This will include a variety of seeds that were collected during the 2023 field season. We'll have Senior Conservation Manager, Dr. Constance Hausman on hand to guide us in proper methodology.

Warm regards,

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator

Happenings

WVP Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series

December

"The Recovery of Fish Populations in the Cuyahoga River Over the Past 50 Years" with Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

January

Join Research and Database Manager, Dr. Nathan Byer for "The Adapted Hunt Drift Fence Technique (AHDriFT): passive monitoring opportunities for small and elusive animals". A look at his AHDriFT work and how these efforts have improved our understanding of sensitive reptile and mammal communities in our parks

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

February

Join Natural Resources Coordinator, Jen Brumfield for "The Secrets of Bird Migration", a deep dive into the astounding world of avian migration and Cleveland Metroparks' role in thousands of birds' survival. From death-defying flights over the ocean to following star patterns in the sky, to tracking birds with weather radar, we'll demystify birds' miraculous migrations and dig in to their local natural history.

Monday, February 12, 2024 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

March

Join Vegetation Research Coordinator, Sarah Eyesenbach for "Conservation Value Trees". Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Division is interested in preserving tree species that are under threat from a variety of forest pests and pathogens. Come learn more about the American Chestnut, American Elm, Ash, American Beech, and Eastern Hemlock along with our efforts to maintain and protect these species.

Monday, March 4, 2024 from 6 - 7:30pm

WVP Opportunities

Invasive Vine Cutting at Edgewater Beach, Lakefront Reservation

December 19, 2023

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

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.

(M) Work Session: Winter Stonefly Survey

Sat, Jan 13, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Baldwin Creek

(L) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: The Adapted Hunt Drift Fence Technique (AHDriFT): Passive Monitoring Opportunities for Small and Elusive Animals *

Wed, Jan 17, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Grapevine Removal

Fri, Jan 26, 12 - 2 p.m. @ Center Park, West Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Seed Processing

Wed, Jan 31, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(L) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: The Secrets of Bird Migration*

Mon, Feb 12, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(M) Work Session: Winter Stonefly Survey

Sat, Feb 17, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Baldwin Creek

(R) Work Session: Seed Processing

Wed, Feb 21, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Grapevine Removal

Sun, Feb 25, 3 - 5 p.m. @ Big Creek Parkway Near Stumph Rd, Big 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

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Cleveland Metroparks Waterfall Hikes

Join Cleveland Metroparks naturalists for various hikes to waterfalls throughout the park.

LowHead Falls - Wed, Jan 10, 10 - 11 a.m. @Bedford Reservation More Details Here

Friday Hike to the Falls - Fri, Jan 12, 2:30- 4:30 p.m. @ Bedford Reservation More Details Here

Bedford Glens - Sat, Jan 13, 10 - 12 p.m. @ Bedford Reservation More Details and Registration Here

Double Decker Falls - Sun, Jan 14, 10 - 11:30 a.m.@ South Chagrin Reservaion More Details Here

(S) Winter Birding

Virtual event - Thu, Jan 18, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Winter Birding with the Cleveland Metropark's Jen "JB" Brumfield.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Rocky River Watershed Council 2024 Annual Meeting

Thu, Jan 25, 6 - 8 p.m. @The Rocky River Nature Center

Join them to learn more about the importance of tree canopy on watershed health, how to plan for changing climate predictions, and what efforts are being made in your area to enhance biodiversity.

More Details and Registration Here

(S)Natural Channel Design Review Checklist

Registration opens Mon, Jan 29, 8AM

Apr 15-19, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

You can join Cleveland Metroparks for this 5 day workshop offered by StreamMechanics. This workshop provides participants with training on how to use the Natural Channel Design Review Checklist. The checklist was co-developed by Will Harman and Rich Starr.

More Details and Registration Here Cost: $1,750

(S) Winter Salting Public Presentation

Fri, Feb 16, 2024, 5 - 6 p.m. @ Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Road Mayfield Village, OH 44143

Cuyahoga Soi l& Water Conservation District is holding this event to talk about winter salting practices! You'll hear about the impact salt can have on our watersheds, and ways to use it most effectively to keep you safe and our waterways healthy.

More Details and Registration Here

Cleveland Metroparks | Digital Emerald Necklace*

Read and Watch 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.

Recording Hours with WVP

Extras

News

Sunrise Over Lake Erie at Edgewater Beach

Just as a new day is beginning in this picture, a new year is beginning for all of us. This new year will bring a lot of new volunteer opportunities -- new activites, new challenges, new discoveries, new bonds, and new learning. Speaking of learning, thanks for reading the news section. And, of course, see you in the watershed during 2024!

[Photo Credit: Jay Kossman (digital504); Photo Graphics: Bob Bennett]

An ODNR Post-Holidays Message: Christmas Trees Can Serve as Wildlife Habitat Building Blocks | Read on

Here's a Time-Lapse Video Showing the Dramatic Impact of Strongsville's Bonnie Park Dam Removal | Read on and watch Instagram video here

Enter the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp Competition | Read on

A Pennsylvania Author and Retired Biologist Finds Hidden Worlds While Snorkeling in Streams Year-Round | Read on

It sounds like science fiction, but we can now sample water to find the DNA of every species living there! | Read on