WVP Earth Day & Arbor Day Tree Planting

April 24, 2024, Memphis Rd Sledding Hill, Big Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Green Belts and Emerald Necklaces

In 1977, Professor Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement (GBM) under the auspices of the National Council of Women of Kenya. The program was pragmatic in its efforts to use the simple act of planting trees to combat various ills that affected impovershed rural women, ranging from land degradation to the lack of firewood for cooking.

The movement was seen as a largely innocuous conservation effort, allowing it to be a clever catalyst instead of a cudgel for change. This was key to its success in the political climate of 1970s Kenya, where the government was suspicious of anything that seemed even remotely like a threat. Women were paid a small stipend and instructed to draw on their farming experience. Saplings were originally planted in rows to maximize efficiency and ease, creating the epoymous "green belts". Over time, GBM's work evolved into Pan-African restoration projects protecting and enhancing the forests of the Congo Basin. What started as tree planting ceremonies and practical projects have helped counterpoise deforestation in Africa by adding millions of trees.

This leads us to what WVP was doing on the Wednesday between Earth Day and Arbor Day at the bottom of the Memphis Road Sled Riding Hill in Big Creek Reservation. Volunteers planted six varieties of trees in a former mowed field. As one of our central parks, Memphis Picnic Area is surrounded by land that has had a decrease in tree canopy density of 4.1%, over the last decade, as assessed by the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. The work that was done will help increase the concentration of trees in a park that helps to offset urban heat island effect. It will also improve watershed health in the urban, downstream portion of Big Creek. Planting trees isn't a cure-all but it is a simple act that yields a variety of positive results. Join us as we continue to plant trees this spring and later in the fall.

Kind regards,

Sara Corrigan

Happenings

WVP Earth Day & Arbor Day Tree Planting

April 24, 2024, Memphis Rd Sledding Hill, Big Creek Reservation

Species: Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

[Photo 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: Tree Planting

Wed, May 1, 6 -8 p.m. @ Polo Fields, South Chagrin Reservation

(R) Work Session: Tree Planting

Fri, May 3, 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. @ Engle Rd Sledding Hill, Big Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Garlic Mustard Removal

Tue, May 7, 10 a.m. -12 p.m. @ Sulpher Springs Picnic Area, South Chagrin Reservation

(M) Training: Water Chemistry Monitoring *

Wed, May 8, 6 - 7 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(M) Work Session: Scenic Rivers Macro Monitoring

Tue, May 14 (Rain Date: Fri May 17), 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation

(R) Volunteer Led Work Session: Garlic Mustard Removal

Wed, May 15, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ Baldwin Lake, Mill Stream Run Reservation

(M) Training Session: Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI)

Mon, May 20, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(L) Lecture: Stream Studies and Ecological Response Following the February 2023 Train Derailment in East Palestine with the EPA's Bill Zawiski *

Wed, May 22, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, 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

WVP Earth Day & Arbor Day Tree Planting

April 24, 2024, Memphis Rd Sledding Hill, Big Creek Reservation

Species: American Elm (Ulmus americana)

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Klusner Rain Garden Maintenance

Sat, May 11, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. @ Klusner Ave, Parma, OH 44134

Let's work to slow the flow of stormwater! Join West Creek Conservancy as they clean up the rain gardens along Klusner Ave. to get them ready for another year of capturing runoff! Sign up, dress for the weather and stop out as your schedule permits!

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Homegrown Conservation: Creating Climate and Wildlife-Friendly Yards

Wed, May 15, 5:30 - 8 p.m. @ Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works

Climate change and biodiversity loss are creating existential threats to people and nature. But we can help. In this presentation, you’ll learn about how traditional landscape management is contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss and discover small steps we can all take in our own backyards and communities to steward our landscapes for nature and wildlife.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Westlake Rain Barrel Workshop

Wed, May 22, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Market Square at Crocker Park , 239 Market Street Westlake, OH 44145

Participants will learn how to assemble and install their rain barrels at this event. Alternatively, participants can pick up their rain barrel and construct at home with provided online instructional video. The $60 fee includes instruction and all materials, including a 60-gallon barrel, drill bits, and a downspout diverter. If you would like to create a two-barrel system, a second barrel and connector kit is available for an additional $40. Register before May 15.

More Details and Registration Here Fee: $60 for kit and barrel

(S) Guided Walk through Acacia Reservation, Transforming a Golf Course into a Natural Area

Thu, May 30, 6:30 - 8 p.m. @ Cedar Road parking lot, 26899 Cedar Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122W

Join Chris Vild, Environmental Manager for Beachwood, and Jennifer Grieser, Director of Natural Resources for Cleveland Metroparks on a walk through Metropark's Acacia Reservation. The guided walk will cover the history of the space since the Cleveland Metroparks took ownership of the property and what it takes to transform a golf course back into a natural area.

More Details and Registration Here

Cleveland Metroparks | Digital Emerald Necklace*

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

WVP Live Stake Event at Old Station Road Restoration Project

April 23, 2024, Chippewa Creek, Brecksville Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Extras

News

Wood Frogs Are Evolving and Getting Weirdly Stronger | Read on

Improved Testing for ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Cleveland Water Will Begin in September | Read on or watch video here

Akron Kids Get Stuck in a Ravine Trying to Help a Turtle | Read on

Ohio Organization Uses Border Collies to Encourage Geese to Move to Wetlands | Read on and watch video here

Will Smith Helps Discover the World’s Biggest Snake. And It's a New Species. And Yes.......We Mean That Will Smith! | Read on and watch video here

Anacondas are rather large, semi-aquatic snakes found in tropical South America. Recently, a new species of anaconda was accidentally discovered during filming of an upcoming National Geographic series called Pole to Pole with Will Smith. Check out the article above for all of the interesting details.

[Photo Credit: Jam Press/iHeart/Bob Bennett]