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Watershed
Volunteer
Program
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How to Start a Book Club
"For most people, what is so painful about reading is that you read something and you don't have anybody to share it with. In part what the book club opens up is that people can read a book and then have someone else to talk about it with. Then they see that a book can lead to the pleasure of conversation, that the solitary act of reading can actually be a part of the path to communion and community."
-- bell hooks, from All About Love: New Visions
If you're going to start a book club, there are a few things that you're going to need, the first is a good reason. You're also going to need eager people, a place, a time and someone to keep the conversation flowing. If you've got these things, the ultimate thing that you'll need are some great books on topics that are meaningful to those eager people.
Since we have all of these elements - our continued striving to learn more about all things watershed to apply to the work we do, our amazing WVP volunteer corps, around the fireplace at the Watershed Stewardship Center, once a month, and WVP volunteer facilitator and journalist, Ben Jackson - we've put together a list of our first three books.
November 9: The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
December 14: The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas by Jerry Dennis
January 11: Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
There's no pressure to finish the book, and there's no shame in an audiobook, if that's your thing. Even if you don't have time to read, you're welcome to come and eavesdrop on the conversation. Below, is a book review for our first book to help you see what inspired us to choose it as our inaugural selection.
Sara Corrigan
WVP Coordinator
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Why You Need to Read and Discuss The Death and Life of the Great Lakes
by Ben Jackson
When the idea of a Watershed book club came up, The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan was the first book I thought should be included.
All of our watershed work eventually flows into Lake Erie, and Egan shows us why this is important by combining elements of natural history, marine biology, shipping, and government policy.
Growing up, I learned about the five lakes – Ontario, Erie, Huron, Superior, and Michigan – as five separate bodies of water. While they all have their own personalities, which Egan richly describes, he also shows how they are also part of a larger whole that connects the region with the rest of world.
At the same time, the Great Lakes region is unique, and Egan highlights that by comparing it to the Aral Sea, a description that sticks in my mind whenever people start talking about how we might use the water.
One big theme of the book that sticks out to me is how much influence human beings can have over something as big as the Great Lakes. For example, Egan talks about the introduction of invasive species, attempts to eradicate them, and work to reintroduce native species.
Of course, the condition of the lakes shapes the lives of the people who live around them. Through skillful use of history, he shows how the changing conditions change the lives of the citizens of the region.
As a Watershed volunteer, you might be thinking that this all sounds obvious. After all, these things are why you are a part of the WVP in the first place.
But like the lakes themselves, all of these things are deeper than they seem. The book will give us a way to sound the depths of the lakes, how we influence them, and how they influence us.
I hope you can join us for the discussion!
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All <3s
(R) Tree Planting @ Baldwin Creek Restoration Project, Rocky River Watershed
October 12, 2026
[Image Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]
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Key
(E)ducation: These events include talks, workshops, and training sessions, as well as, community events used to spread awareness of the Watershed Volunteer Program and general watershed health.
(M)onitoring: These events include water quality testing through chemistry and macroinvertebrate monitoring; terrestrial surveys; and beach surveys.
(R)estoration: These events include bioretention clean-ups, tree plantings, invasive plant removal, etc.
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(R) Seed Collection @ South Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed
October 6, 2026
[Image Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]
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(R) Lake Isaac Deer Fence Building
Wed, Oct 14, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation in Rocky River Watershed
(E) Cuyahoga AOC Project Completion Celebration at Hemlock Picnic Area
Wed, Oct 14, 5 - 7 p.m. @ Hemlock Creek Picnic Area, Bedford Reservation in Tinkers Creek Watershed
(R) Lake Isaac Tree Planting
Wed, Oct 14, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation in Rocky River Watershed
(R) Chalet Seed Collection
Sun, Oct 18, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ The Chalet, Mill Stream Run Reservation in Rocky River Watershed
(R) Green Infrastructure Planting
Mon, Oct 19, 5:30 - 7 p.m. @ Brecksville Reservation in Chippewa Creek Watershed
(R) Green Infrastructure Planting
Wed, Oct 21, 5:30 - 7 p.m. @ Brookside Reservation in Big Creek Watershed
(M) Marine Debris Monitoring
Sun, Oct 25, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Euclid Beach in Euclid Creek Watershed
(E) Salt Watch Talk and Training with Izaak Walton League of America
Wed, Oct 28, 6-7:30 pm @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation in West Creek Watershed
(R) Scranton Flats Seed Collection
Fri, Oct 30, 5:30 - 7 pm @ Scranton Flats in Cuyahoga River Watershed
(R) Hinckley Seed Collection
Sat, Nov 7, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Hinckley Reservation in Rocky River Watershed
(E) Watershed Book Club
Mon, Nov 9, 6 - 8:00 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed
(R) Seed Processing
Wed, Nov 11, 6 - 8:00 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed
(R) Live Stake Harvest
Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Hinckley Reservation in East Branch Rocky River Watershed
(M) Marine Debris Monitoring
Sun, Nov 15, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Euclid Beach in Euclid Creek Watershed
(E) Watershed Wednesday: Documentary Screening of All Too Clear: Beneath the Surface of the Great Lakes
Wed, Nov 18, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Reservation
(R) Live Staking Event
Sat, Nov 21, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Hinckley Reservation in East Branch Rocky River Watershed
(R) Seed Processing
Tues, Dec 1, 6 - 8:00 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed
(E) WVP End of the Year Celebration
Mon, Dec 7, 6 - 8:00 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed
(M) Marine Debris Monitoring
Sun, Dec 13, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Euclid Beach in Euclid Creek Watershed
(E) Watershed Book Club
Mon, Dec 14, 6 - 8:00 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed
(R) Seed Processing
Wed, Dec 16, 6 - 8:00 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed
WVP volunteers, please log into Volgistics to register for primary events.
*Open to the public. Click Here or Email us for the registration link.
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(R) Seed Collection @ Huntington Reservation in Cahoon Creek-Frontal Lake Erie Watershed
October 3, 2026
[Image Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]
| | Opportunities With Our Partners | |
(S) CRWP's Cheers to 30 Years! Celebration
Fri, Oct 16, 5 p.m. @ The Hive, 8200 East Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, OH
Join us on Friday, October 16th for an unforgettable evening as Chagrin River Watershed Partners commemorates 30 years of collaboration, stewardship, and impact in protecting the health of our watersheds and communities. This special anniversary celebration will bring together partners, supporters, and friends to honor three decades of dedication to preserving and restoring the rivers, streams, and natural resources that sustain Northeast Ohio. The evening will feature live music, meaningful reflections on CRWP’s 30-year legacy of environmental leadership, and an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships and projects that have shaped our mission. Your ticket includes dinner and drinks, allowing you to connect with fellow supporters, and enjoy the celebration. We invite you to be part of this milestone occasion as we look back on our accomplishments and look forward to the future of protecting our waters for generations to come.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) CGA Tree Planting & Giveaway
Sun, Oct 18, 1 - 3 p.m. @ Community Garden Association Park, Beachwood
Learn how to plant a native tree! Participants will help us plant some trees at the Community Garden Association’s park and then get to take one home themselves. Limit one per person for the first 20 registrants. Anyone who receives a tree will also take home care instructions, deer protection, and a watering bag.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Summit Metro Parks Protecting Our Drinking Water
Wed, Oct 21, 7 - 8:30 p.m. @ GYH/Goodyear Heights Lodge
Join the Greater Akron Audubon Society and City of Akron Stormwater Superintendent Jessica Glowczewski to learn how the City of Akron manages the Upper Cuyahoga River watershed. We’ll discover where Akron’s water comes from, how it’s monitored and the many programs dedicated to keeping your drinking water clean and our watershed healthy.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Doan Brook Annual Watershed Symposium
Tues, Oct 22, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. @ Stonebrook Montessori Hub
The night will feature posters from some of our partners about exciting work going on in the watershed, presentations from DBWP staff on the state of the organization, this year’s accomplishments and next year’s goals, as well as award ceremonies for this year’s Watershed Hero and Impact Award recipients. We hope you will join us to celebrate another year of engagement and stewardship in the Doan Brook Watershed!
More Information and Registration Here
(S) CSWCD: Rain Barrel Workshop | East Cleveland Millionaires Row Neighborhood Association
Sat, Oct 24, 3 - 4 p.m. @ East Cleveland Public Library
A rain barrel captures and stores water that would otherwise rush into storm drains untreated. By using this collected water on your lawn and garden, you conserve resources, support healthier waterways, and keep your plants happy. The workshop begins with a brief presentation and demonstration on assembling a rain barrel using the diverter kit. After the presentation, you’ll receive the rain barrel system(s) you purchased during registration. You’ll have everything you need to assemble your rain barrel system(s) at home using just a drill and a screwdriver.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Euclid Tree Planting & Giveaway
Sat, Oct 24, 3 - 5:30 p.m. @ Euclid City Hall/Memorial Park
Learn how to plant a native tree! Participants will help us plant some trees near Euclid City Hall and then get to take one home themselves.
NOTE: This event is near the parking lot behind City Hall! Limit one per person for the first 20 registrants. Anyone who receives a tree will also take home care instructions, deer protection, and a watering bag.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) TCWP: Global Lessons, Local Actions: Grassroots Water & Climate Solutions from Cameroon
Thurs, Oct 29, 12 - 1 p.m. @ Webinar
Join us Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners for their Winter Webinar Series. Tawong Mabella Mukeng from Dreamers Hope Foundation, Cameroon to learn how local efforts in West Africa connect to actions we can take here at home to reduce plastic pollution and protect our waterways.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Cuyahoga SWCD 2026 Annual Meeting & Conservation Costume Contest
Thurs, Oct 29, 4:30 - 7 p.m. @ Centrovilla
Join us for an evening of conservation, costumes, food, and fun! Celebrate another year of conservation success with Cuyahoga SWCD while enjoying great company, exciting raffle prizes, a native tree giveaway, and a Conservation Costume Contest.
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.
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(R) Tree Planting @ Wendy Park, Lake Erie Coastal Watershed
October 8, 2026
[Image Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]
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New Norwegian Whale Museum Evokes a Gargantuan
...............Tail Rising Out of the Water | Read on
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[Photo Credit: The Whale AS] | |
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Talk About Form Following Function!
In June of 2027, a knowledge center dedicated to whales will be opening in northern Norway. But you might be able to tell just by looking at this picture of the building from a distance. Catch all of the details in the article directly above.
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Associate Project Restoration Engineer
SWCA Environmental Consultants - Charlotte, NC | Apply Here
Entry Level Water Resources Engineer
GPD Group - Ohio or Kentucky Locations (page down to Independence, OH)
| Apply Here
Civil Engineering - Water (2027 Internship)
Stantec - Columbus, OH | Apply Here
Senior Ecosystem Restoration Technician
Stantec - Cincinnati, OH | Apply Here
Watershed Volunteer Program Service-Learning Intern
Cleveland Metroparks - Cleveland, OH | Apply Here
Clean Water Fellow
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District - Cleveland, OH | Apply Here
Salt Watch Coordinator
Isaac Walton League of America - Gaithersburg, MD | Apply Here
Watershed Manager
Greenville Water - Travelers Rest, SC | Apply Here
Big Sky Watershed Corps (1/27-11/27)
Montana Conservation Corps - Multiple Montana Locations | Apply Here
Restoration Team Crew Lead
Western Reserve Land Conservancy - Moreland Hills, OH | Apply Here
Conservation Biologist, Ecologist
Holden Forests and Gardens - Kirtland, OH | Apply Here
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