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One of many adult Winter Stoneflies that we've encountered around Baldwin Creek

[Image Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Written in Stone(fly)


Ahhh spring, when a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of...larvae? That's right Watershed Stewards, we're thinking about macroinvertebrates. As the weather warms, we begin our Macro Monitoring efforts. We train folks to assess water quality by doing regular, independent monitoring of stream life. It was during an Independent Monitoring session that a volunteer came across something that ended up inspiring one of our winter programs. Here's his story:


What an interesting ride it has been! Stonefly hunting, I mean. Well, it didn’t actually start off as a hunt; it started off as a discovery. I discovered them while doing macroinvertebrate monitoring in Baldwin Creek. They weren’t supposed to be there. The aquatic specialists thought the water wasn’t clean enough. However, in December of 2020, two winter stonefly nymphs appeared in my net from a riffle underneath a bridge…and I’ve found them in that general section of the waterway every winter since.


As a result of this unexpected finding, WVP personnel and volunteers collaborated to form the Winter Stonefly Club – a group of people dedicated to surveying the land for the presence of winter stonefly adults during their unique, cold weather emergence. This organization existed elsewhere on two separate occasions in the distant past and now Cleveland Metroparks has its own version. For the last two years, the CM’s Winter Stonefly Club has conducted a series of searches each winter looking for adult winter stoneflies at several locations along Baldwin Creek. The first year didn’t yield a lot – only a few individuals in two locations on the final day. Maybe we were in a learning phase or maybe the population was small because the second year did yield a lot: many more individuals, on every search day, in all locations!


Consider joining the hunt!


Bob Bennett

WVP Volunteer Leader


If you'd like to get involved with biological monitoring, join us tonight at 6pm at the Watershed Stewardship Center for Macroinvertebrates 101 with Naturalist, Peter Frank. We'll also be heading out to the Chippewa Creek Watershed on Saturday, April 26th for the annual City Nature Challenge with Aquatic Research Coordinator, Claire Weldon.


Who knows what you'll discover!


Happenings

(R) Garlic Mustard Removal

April 15, 2025 @ South Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed

[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.

(M) Workshop: Macroinvertebrates ID 101

Wed, Apr 16, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed


(R) Garlic Mustard Removal 

Thu, Apr 17, 1 - 3 p.m. @ Holbrook Hollows in Geauga Park in Chagrin River Watershed


(R) Volunteer Led Garlic Mustard Removal

Mon, Apr 21, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Memphis Picnic Area in Big Creek Watershed


(L) Workshop: Best Practices for Successful Tree Planting

Wed, Apr 23, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed


(M) City Nature Challenge

Sat, Apr 26, 10 a.m. - Noon @ Chippewa Creek, Brecksville Reservation in Chippewa Creek Watershed


(R) Volunteer Led Garlic Mustard Removal

Mon, Apr 28, 6 - 8 p.m. @ West Creek Reservation in West Creek Watershed


(R) Deer Fence Construction

Wed, Apr 30, 1 - 3:30 p.m. @ Camp Corde in West Creek Watershed


(R) Native Tree Planting

Wed, Apr 30, 5:30 - 8 p.m. @ Camp Corde in West Creek Watershed


(R) Deer Fence Construction

Fri, May 2, 1 - 4 p.m. @ Garfield Park Reservation in Mill Creek Watershed


(R) Native Tree Planting

Mon, May 5, 5:30 - 8 p.m. @ North Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed


(R) Tree Planting Mentorship 

Thu, May 8, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Wendy Park in Lake Erie Watershed 

 

(R) Deer Fence Construction 

Fri, May 9, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. @ Garfield Park Reservation in Mill Creek Watershed 

 

(O) Native Plant Sale WVP Table 

Sat, May 10, 9 - 11:30 a.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed 

 

(M) Scenic Rivers Macro Monitoring 

Tue, May 13 (Rain Date: Fri May 16), 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed 

 

(R) Tree Planting Mentorship 

Thu, May 15, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. @ Garfield Park Reservation in Mill Creek Watershed 

 

(L) Watershed Wednesday w/ Chagrin Rivers Watershed Partners: Rain Gardens and Native Plants: Good for the Watershed and Good for You 

Wed, May 21, 6 - 7:30 pm @ North Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed 

 

(L) Green Infrastructure 101 Training* 

Fri, May 30, 6 - 7:30 pm @ 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.

View Event Details

(R) Live Stake Planting & Site Tour

April 12, 2025 @ Hinckley Reservation in Rocky River Watershed

[Photo Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Detection and Forecasting of Harmful Algal Blooms

Wed, April 16, 3 - 4 p.m. @ Online

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) produce great amounts of cyanotoxins, significantly threatening aquatic ecosystems and public health. Knowledge of the timing and location of cyanoHAB events and cyanotoxin production is important for water quality management of recreational and drinking water systems. This EPA webinar will go over two research efforts related to detecting and forecasting cyanoHABs. The first uses satellite data to predict weekly probabilities of cyanoHABs in over 2,000 US lakes. The team launched the public beta test forecast website for the 2024 active HAB season, and a newly updated forecasting website is planned for 2025. The forecasting has 91% overall accuracy, allowing local partners and states to prepare and quickly respond to cyanoHAB events, mitigate health risks, and protect public health. The second research effort uses cyanotoxin encoding genes as an early warning system to predict cyanoHABs in source and recreational waters throughout the US.

More Information and Registration Here


(S) Hudson Earth Day Celebration & Rain Barrel Workshop

Sat, April 19, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. @ Hudson Clocktower and Gazebo Greens

The Earth Day Celebration is the City of Hudson’s community event to kick off Earth Month. Join us for a full day of family fun activities, local sustainable vendors, live music, and more! Parking and admission are FREE.

More Information and Registration Here


(S) Earth Day Habitat Restoration

Thurs, April 24, 1 - 3:30 p.m. @ Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Are you looking for a way to get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join us for our Invasive Plant Removal Drop-in to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife. Invasive species overcrowd native species, making it difficult for them to thrive. Your efforts will help improve soil quality, restore native plants, and create better habitat for native wildlife. Drop-ins are a great opportunity for both first-time and veteran volunteers to get involved in their national park.

More Information and Registration Here


(S) Doan Brook Grow Not Mow

Sat, April 26, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Shaker Blvd & Warrensville Center Rd

Grow Not Mow is a community program powered by volunteers like you and championed by the City of Shaker Heights. With this program, we hope to restore and enhance biodiversity in the floodplain of the Doan Brook to make it a better habitat for pollinators, wildlife, and people while also reducing the land area that is mowed. Our plantings will also help to absorb, filter stormwater runoff and prevent soil erosion, and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with mowing.

More Information and Registration Here


(S) Learn to Fly into the Hobby of Birding: Session 1

Sat, April 26, 3 - 5 p.m. @ CPL-Memorial-Nottingham Branch

Join the Friends of Euclid Creek, Kirtland Bird Club, and the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland for a 2-session interactive Introduction to Birding!

First Session: Introduction to Birding by Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland’s own Matt Valencic at the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) Memorial-Nottingham Branch.

More Information and Registration Here


(S) Green Yards and Healthy Homes Workshop at The University Heights Sustainable Home Fair

Sun, April 27, 1 - 2 p.m. @ Wiley School Building

Our yards and homes have an enormous impact on the natural world and to our own health. Learn how to replace chemicals in your yard and home with a few inexpensive, all-natural, effective ingredients to create a healthy habitat for all. Workshop participants will learn how to reduce their environmental impact at home – both inside and out – and will have the opportunity to make one safe and environmentally-friendly indoor/outdoor recipes such as all-purpose cleaner and weed killer.

More Information and Registration Here


(S) Regenerative Gardening Workshop

Sun, April 27, 1:30 - 3 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center

Regenerative gardening is a great way to practice self-sufficiency and sustainability in your own backyard. In this free workshop, we will learn about what regenerative gardening is and how we can utilize this practice in everyday life. Registration for an optional rain barrel add-on will be available for a fee in limited quantities. 

More Information and Registration Here


(S) EPA ORD Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar - Lead Chemistry, Communication, and Local Engagement

Tues, April 29, 1:00 - 4 p.m. @ Online

This extended training webinar event includes talks given at the 21st Annual EPA Drinking Water Workshop held on September 17-19, 2024. Q&A sessions will follow each presentation. Certificates of attendance will be offered for this webinar. 

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.

(R) Garlic Mustard Removal

April 9, 2025 @ Big Creek Reservation in Big Creek Watershed

[Photo Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Extras

News

One of Ohio’s Most Abundant Snakes Is Ready to Mate, Usually Giving Birth to 20-25 Young | Read on

Here are some images of one of Ohio's most common snakes -- the Northern Watersnake. They can live in a variety of freshwater habitats; they're also very good at "fishing", as you might've noticed in the left picture. Individuals will sometimes stray from their aquatic homes, though; the juvenile in the right picture was discovered right next to the CanalWay Visitor Center by a volunteer after his FrogWatch session. Check out the article above if you're interested in learning a little more about this reptile.

[Photo Credit: ODNR (Left) and Bob Bennett (Right)]



Cleveland Startup Heading to the Market with a Filter That Removes Microplastics from the Washing Machine Cycle | Read on


Columbus Spent $140 Million on Rain Gardens to Address Stormwater Overflows | Read on and watch video here


Whooping Cranes Were Almost Extinct, Until a Canadian Ornithologist Learned to Dance with Them | Read on


Kentucky Restaurant Owner Floods His Own Building with Freshwater to Keep Out the Ohio River's Floodwaters | Read on and watch video here

Jobs

Natural Resources Administrative Coordinator

Cleveland Metroparks - Parma, OH | Apply Here


Michigan Stream Restoration Summer Technician

Trout Unlimited - Fully Remote | Apply Here


Northeast Ohio Water Economy Fellowship

Student Conservation Association - Northeast Ohio Locations | Apply Here


Lake Erie Islands Environmental Steward Intern

Appalachian Conservation Corps and Lake Erie Islands Conservancy (AmeriCorps)

Put-In-Bay, OH | Apply Here


Watershed Scientist (Closes 4/18)

ShoreRivers - Easton, Maryland | Apply Here


VA Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (VARTF) Restoration Monitoring Assistant

The Nature Conservancy - Virginia, USA | Apply Here


Water Resources Engineer

Biohabitats - Baltimore, MD | Apply Here


Natural Resources Research & Monitoring Intern (Seasonal)

Metroparks Toledo - Toledo, OH | Apply Here


North Carolina Wetland Operation Lead

EnviroScience - Hendersonville, NC | Apply Here


Conservation & Parks Technician (FT)

Great Parks of Hamilton County - Sharonville, OH | Apply Here


Aquatic Resources Field Technician (Multiple Vacancies - PT)

Trout Unlimited - Lower Peninsula, Michigan | Apply Here


Biologist/Wetland Ecologist

Power Engineers - Columbus, OH | Apply Here


Central Ohio Regional Director

Ohio Environmental Council - Columbus, OH | Apply Here

 

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