Watershed Steward Bill Ferguson demonstrates how to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates at World Water Day. March 2023.

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Citizen Science Month

Greetings Watershed Stewards,

April is Citizen Science month. We are excited to be hosting three opportunities to learn about and engage with local community science in our watersheds. Please join us on Monday, April 10th for our Monday Meetup and learn about Rocky River Watershed Council and their long-term water chemistry monitoring program. On April 26th join our chemistry monitoring training with Tinker's Creek Watershed Program. And last but not least on April 29th our Aquatic Research Coordinator Claire Weldon will lead an aquatic macroinvertebrate monitoring session as part of the City Nature Challenge.

We hope you will take time this month to learn about community science efforts and perhaps participate!

April also marks an uptick in our restoration efforts. Spring flowers are blooming and Earth Day and Arbor Day are just around the corner. Invasive garlic mustard is also starting to grow and it is time to start pulling it before it goes to seed. Would you like to adopt a site or lead a group garlic mustard pull with a partner this spring? Email us your interest with the subject Garlic Mustard and we can connect you with a site.

We look forward to seeing you at an event soon! See event details here and below and sign up in volgistics! Note new April events have been added!

Gratefully,

The WVP Team

Happenings

WVP Highlights

Teaching Anglers about Water Quality Monitoring

WVP Volunteer and "retired" Ohio EPA staff member Greg Orr is no stranger to measuring the health of Ohio Streams. After a career of supporting the Surface Water Department Greg has continued to help monitor stream health as a consultant and volunteer and now has stepped up to the plate to share his experience with others. Greg helped to introduce members of the public to aquatic macroinvertebrates at World Water Day and he recently gave a presentation to the Firelands Flyfishers. When we asked Greg to share his experience he enthusiastically shared the following:

"Mike Durkalec, Aquatic Biologist for Cleveland Metroparks, asked me to give a presentation to the Firelands Flyfishers. Firelands Flyfishers is a Fly Fishing International (FFI) fishing club which is a group of men and women fly fishers, fly tiers, rod builders and educators. Their goals are to educate members, the public and kids on all aspects of fly fishing. The objectives of my presentation to the club members on March 8, 2023, were to: explain how Ohio EPA and others evaluate water quality; explain why macroinvertebrates are good indicators of water quality; to demonstrate some ways they are collected, identified, and categorized to assign a water quality index to a stream; and to give an overview of the water quality of the Rocky River Watershed..."

Finish the story here on our website.

Thank you Greg for sharing your experience with WVP and spreading the word!

Watershed Steward Greg Orr demonstrates how to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates at World Water Day. March 2023.

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

WVP Hosted Opportunities

City Nature Challenge Monitoring. April 2022.

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(L) Monday MeetUp: Rocky River Watershed Council*

Mon, Apr 10, 6 - 8 p.m. @ The Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation

NEW EVENT (R) Work Session: Shrub Transplanting

Fri, Apr 14, 1 - 4 p.m. @ Wendy Park

(R) Work Session: Tree Planting

Thu, Apr 20, 4 - 6:30 p.m. @ Washington Reservation

(M) Workshop: Water Chemistry Training with Tinkers Creek

Wed, Apr 26, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Bedford Reservation

NEW EVENT (R) Work Session: Tree Planting & Protection

Thu, Apr 27, 10 a.m. - noon @ Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation

(M) Work Session: City Nature Challenge

Sat, Apr 29, 10 a.m. - noon @ Brecksville Reservation

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

*Open to the public. Email us for the registration link.

View Event Details

Opportunities With Our Partners

Water Industry Career Panel*

Wed, Apr 6, 6 - 7 p.m. @ online

The Young Professionals (YP) Committee of the Ohio Section American Water Works Association (OAWWA) is hosting a virtual panel for students and young professionals to learn about different career paths in the water industry. Come join us and hear from four professionals in a range of roles around Ohio! Register with our partners here.

Amphibians of Ohio Workshop*

Sat, Apr 8, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Look-About-Lodge

This indoor/outdoor workshop geared toward teachers and higher-level learners takes a closer look at the frogs and salamanders of Ohio. Naturalist Jake Kudrna will explore all things amphibian, including identification, adaptations, and life cycles. Ohio Professional Development LPDC certificate provided for five contact hours. $15 Registration fee, which includes lunch, snacks, and a book to take home. Lunch orders taken after registering. Register by April 5. Event Details here.

Cleveland Metroparks Rain Barrel Workshops*

Sun, Apr 16 and 23, Noon - 1:30 p.m. @ South Chagrin and Ohio Erie Canal Reservations

Join naturalist Peter Frank and learn about the importance of slowing down and capturing runoff while putting together your own 55-gallon rain barrel to take home. Register here for Apr 16 or Register here for Apr 23. Cost $65

Cleveland's Ecology and the Community Garden Impact*

Wed, Apr 19, 6:30 p.m. @ Stonebrook-White Montessori Campus

Join Morning Robinson and Britiny Hubbard from the Ohio State University Extension to explore Cleveland’s ecology and the impact community gardens are having on both the city’s ecosystems and the health and well-being of the gardeners. People and place come together in this presentation celebrating how community action can create positive change. 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 April 30th. Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.