Seed Collection Instruction

Oct 20, 2023, Johnson's Creek, Hinckley Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

How Do You Know When a Seed Is Ready for Harvest?

In the springtime, when we plant seeds, there's a certain degree of nervousness and anticipation. Will it germinate; how long should it take; are the conditions right? The same can be true on the other side of the plant lifecycle, when it's time to harvest seeds. Luckily, WVP has three upcoming seed collection events, where we can learn from experts about proper techniques.

On Thursday, September 26th we'll be at Nathan & Esther Rzepka Park, South Chagrin Reservation. This is the site of the former Hawthorne Valley Country Club. We'll join Natural Area Manager, Josh Philipps, as we work to collect seeds to restore the site of a former golf course to its natural state. We'll collect the milkweed that existed in the seed soil bank and is already growing there, in order to aid native plant populations and create pollinator friendly spaces. Speaking of which, it will also be a great time to take some photos of plants and pollinators for our Parks for Pollinators 2024: Cleveland Metroparks project. If you haven't signed up already, you can take a look at our last Enews here for details on how to register and get started.

Our next two events will be with Dr. Connie Hausman, Senior Conservation Manager for the Cleveland Metroparks on Wednesday, October 9th and Saturday, October 26th. You'll notice that the location for these events is TBA or "to be announced". When it comes to seed collection, it's a very weather dependent activity. Plants can speed up or slow down their lifecycle processes, depending on how the climate and particular season are progressing. It's also site specific, where the conditions of each location's unique microclimate can affect exactly when the seeds can be harvested. As we get closer to the date, we'll update the location. Stay tuned and if you're up for an adventure that may take you anywhere in the Emerald Necklace, you can register now in volgistics.

Kindly,

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator

Scenic Rivers Macroinvertebrate Monitoring

Sep 10, 2024, Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Sci Fri Outside Beech Tree Lecture and Survey

Science Friday has designed a nature experience all about a well-loved species of the northeast: Beech trees! Join the popular radio program's SCI FRI Outside event at the North Chagrin Nature Center to learn about these local wonders, and how you can help forestry researchers with a bit of your time and keen observation skills. If you've ever wondered how the trees in your neighborhood are doing—or even what kind of trees they are to begin with—and how you might be able to help them, this event is for you!

WVP Volunteers will not register for this event through volgistics, please register here for free tickets. We will record your attendance on the day of the event.

(O) NEORSD Clean Water Fest

Sat, Sep 21, Three Shifts: 8-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2-5 p.m., 

Registration is full for WVP volunteer shifts. Please join us for the event and log your hours under (S)upplemental

4747 E. 49th St., Cleveland 

(M) Talk and Training: Salt Watch

Tues, Sep 24, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Milkweed Seed Collection

Thu, Sep 26,1 - 3 p.m. @ Nathan & Esther Rzepka Park (formerly Hawthorne Golf Course), South Chagrin Reservation

(M) SCI FRI Beech Tree Survey*

Sat, Sep 28,10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ North Chagrin Nature Center, North Chagrin Reservation - register here through Science Friday's website

(M) WVP "Parks for Pollinators" Bioblitz*

Sun, Sep 29,1:30 -3:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Shrub Planting

Thu, Oct 3,1 - 3 p.m. @ Garfield Park Reservation

(R) Seed Collection

Wed, Oct 9, 5 - 6:30 p.m. @ Location TBA

(M) Overview and Training: Salt Watch

Sat, Oct 19, 10 - 11:30 a.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(L)  A Look at Big Creek and its Past and Future Forest Ecology with Dr. Roy Larick

Mon, Oct 21, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ Windows on the World, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

(R) Seed Collection

Sat, Oct 26,10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Location TBA

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

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

Repairing Protective Tree Cages

Sep 6, 2024, Camp Corde, Westcreek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(S) Cuyahoga River by Boat

Tue & Thu, through Sep 26, 3-5pm and 6-8pm. @ Merwin's Wharf

Historical Interpreter Doug Kusak or Historian/Archivist Judy MacKeigan will be your guide on a 2-hour Cuyahoga River boat ride. Enjoy a river view while we discuss famous fires on the river, bridges, cargo ships, area geography, history, watersheds, trails, industry, reclamation, and so much more. Cost: $20

More Details and Registration Here

(S) National Park Service Native Planting

Wed, Sep 18, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Join Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the planting of native species such as grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees in order to improve habitats plants and wildlife. 

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Olmsted Township Pollinator Planting

Thu, Sep 19 6:00 pm @ Olmsted Township Hall, 26900 Cook Rd., Olmsted Township (NW corner of Cook Rd. and Fitch Rd.) 

Join Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District in Olmsted Township to plant a pollinator garden at Olmsted Township Hall. You'll also learn about the benefits of native plants!

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) NEORSD Clean Water Fest

Sat, Sep 21, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.,  4747 E. 49th St., Cleveland 

A day all about water with games, education, tours, and more!

More Information

(S) Stream Study

Sat, Sep 21, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Come explore and find what is living in the tributaries of the Cuyahoga and what they tell us about the health of the river.

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) National Park Service Native Planting

Wed, Sep 25, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Join Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the planting of native species such as grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees in order to improve habitats plants and wildlife.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) National Park Service Invasive Plant Removal

Thu, Sep 26, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Join Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the removal of Invasive species. These efforts will help improve soil quality, restore native plants, and create better habitat for native wildlife.

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Friends of Euclid Creek Dusty Goldenrod Preserve Guided Walk

Sat & Sun, Sep 28 & 29, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. @ Highland Heights Community Park

Join Brian Gilbert for a tour of the plant life in the preserve. Come explore and learn about the different types of flora and fungi that make Dusty Goldenrod their home and how important they are to their ecosystem.  

More Details and Information 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.

Up Close and Personal with a Dragonfly Nymph during

Scenic Rivers Macroinvertebrate Monitoring

Sep 10, 2024, Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

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Rural Cincinnati Community Close to Running Out of Water Due to Worst Drought in 130 Years | Read on and watch video here

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The Giant Smiley Face of Trees That Greets Drivers in Polk County, Oregon Every Fall

A giant smile returns to a forest in Oregon every year thanks to a lumber company's creativity. Hampton Lumber of Portland planted a mix of Douglas Fir and Larch during a reforestation event back in 2011. Larch trees are conifers with needles that yellow and drop in autumn, and they make up the body of the face. Douglas Fir trees make up the eyes and mouth. The image should return each fall for the next 30-50 years, until the trees are ready to be harvested for lumber.

[Photo Credit: Hampton Lumber]

NOWCorps Watershed Specialist (Half-time)

Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners | Apply Here

*All openings for 2024-2025 NOWCorps positions can be found if you page down at the above link

City of Columbus Water Protection Specialist I - Exam

Columbus, OH | Apply Here

Senior Design Engineer in Water Resources/Stream Restoration

Davey Resource Group – Kent, OH | Apply Here

Ohio State University Post Doctoral Positions

Watershed and Water Quality Modeling, Data Analytics

Columbus, Ohio | Apply Here

Environmental Specialist I, II, or III

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Cleveland, OH | Apply Here

Great Lakes Project Coordinator

Trout Unlimited - Ashland, WI | Apply Here

PT Administrative Support

Ohio Stormwater Association - Central Ohio Location | Apply Here

Environmental Designer

Wildlands Engineering - Charlotte, NC | Apply Here

Environmental Scientist - Entry Level

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Biologist - Richmond, VA | Apply Here

Field Ecologist III (Pennsylvania or Ohio) | Apply Here

Engineering Project Manager Ohio, New York or Pennsylvania | Apply Here

EDR - Environmental Design and Engineering

Drainage Engineer

Lorain County Conservation District - Elyria, OH | Apply Here

Director of Green and Blue Infrastructure

Environmental Design Group - Columbus, OH or Akron, OH | Apply Here

As Summer Comes to a Close, the WVP Staff Would Like to Wish You a

Happy Autumn

And Thanks for Being a Volunteer!