Eastern Red-Spotted Newt, living amongst the leaf litter on the forest floor

April 11, 2024, Big Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Jonah Gray]

Leave the Leaves

As the vibrant colors of autumn begin to appear and fall to the ground, it's tempting to rake, pile, and bag the leaves covering our lawns that ultimately end up in landfills. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 12.1% of municipal solid waste is from yard trimmings (grass, leaves, tree, and brush trimmings). However, leaving the leaves where they land, or using them wisely, can have a significant positive impact on our local ecosystems and watersheds. "Leave the Leaves" is a growing environmental movement that encourages allowing leaves to decompose naturally, providing essential benefits to soil, water, and wildlife.

Leaves can be a mulch that suppresses weeds and also act as a natural fertilizer as they break down, enriching the soil and helping it retain moisture. This process reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, which often contribute to water pollution when washed away by rain. Leaves also help prevent soil erosion by creating a protective layer over the ground, which is important in our watersheds where runoff can carry harmful sediments and pollutants into nearby streams and rivers. In addition, when leaves are piled by the street, they can easily be blown or washed into storm drains, where they clog the storm systems and disrupt proper drainage, increasing the risk of flooding. By leaving the leaves, you’re supporting a healthier watershed by keeping harmful runoff at bay.

Additionally, leaf litter provides critical habitat for insects, pollinators, and small wildlife. Many birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates depend on leaves for shelter and as a food source. Leaves can also provide an insulation layer to plants to protect from harsh winter weather and extreme frosts. By leaving the leaves, you're also supporting local biodiversity. This fall, consider mulching leaves in place or using them in garden beds as insulation. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference for your watershed and the environment as a whole.

Michele Mumaw, PhD

WVP Assistant

Stream selfie break while performing stream function assessments

May 1, 2024, Brecksville Reservation.

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Hydrology Team Update

We asked our hydrology technician seasonals to reflect and share on their summer efforts with Cleveland Metroparks as their time with us is winding down. We are impressed with and grateful for their efforts and happy to share part of their season summaries with you below (Full season summary available on our website):

My experience this summer with the Metroparks has been invaluable... I have always known I wanted to pursue a career that would have a purpose and would make a difference. Luckily, this summer I have had the opportunity to be a Hydrology Technician...We have done multiple stream function assessments (which include large woody debris index, pebble count, BEHI, riparian vegetation assessments, cross sections, and longitudinal profiles), land acquisition assessments, stream crossing assessments, worked with volunteers, connected with professionals through presentations and even completed a grant funding course offered by the Chagrin River Watershed Partners and ODNR...This experience has been one of a kind and I am so thankful for the opportunity. - Brooke Nekich (photo right)

Overall, my time as a hydrology technician seasonal was amazing. It grew my experience that will allow me to continue in my career, but also strengthened my love for streams. Streams and their ecosystems are amazing and urbanizing them makes the work interesting while also challenging, as what would normally be is not. Using the stream function survey and the quantification tools provide insight into what is happening and what possible solutions could be performed, which made this my favorite thing to do all summer...Working for the Metroparks was amazing, and it will be a season I’ll never forget! - Allyson (Ally) Allen (photo left)

Talk and Training: Salt Watch

Sep 24, 2024, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(R) Shrub Planting

Thu, Oct 3, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Garfield Park Reservation

(R) Seed Collection

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

(R) Milkweed Seed Collection - New Event

Join us as we learn about the transformation of this park from golf course to new Metroparks Reservation. The seeds we collect here will be used in the restoration project.

Fri, Oct 11, 10 - 11:30 a.m. @ Nathan & Esther Rzepka Park, South Chagrin Reservation

(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) Shrub Planting

Wed, Oct 23, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Camp Corde, West Creek Reservation

(R) Seed Collection

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

(O) Spooky Center

Sat, Oct 26,11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Shrub Cutting

Thur, Nov 7,10 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.

NEORSD Clean Water Fest

Sep 21, 2024, 4747 E. 49th St. Cleveland

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(S) Volunteer Native Planting

Wed, Oct 2, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Join Cuyahoga Valley National Park in planting native species of plants in order to improve habitats and wildlife.

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Volunteer Native Planting

Wed, Oct 9, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Join Cuyahoga Valley National Park in planting native species of plants in order to improve habitats and wildlife.

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Volunteer Native Planting

Thu, Oct 10, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Join Cuyahoga Valley National Park in  the removal of Invasive Species in order to improve native plants habitat .

More Information and Registration Here

(S) BUI Removal Celebration & Champion of the River

Thurs, Oct 17, 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Join Cuyahoga River AOC's beach clean up and celebrate their 2024 Champion of the River, the City of Cuyahoga Falls.

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.

The Lives of Dragonflies & Damselflies

Sep 12, 2024, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Ohio’s River Otter Revival: A Conservation Triumph from Extinction to Recovery | Read on

Cleveland Winery Dealing with Spotted Lanternfly Infestation | Read on and watch video here

New York City Tap Water Contains Microscopic Crustaceans | Read on

Why Farmers Are Bringing Back ‘Prairie Potholes’ | Read on

Featured Article

Get Ready for Some Water News That's

Literally Out of This World!!

Read on

Mars Pictured in Its Natural Color (2007)

[Photo Credit: Wikipedia]

Wetland Project Manager

Enviroscience - Stow, OH or Remote PA | Apply Here

Co-Op Student - Water Resources

Environmental Design Group - Akron, OH | Apply Here

Water Resources Engineer

Wetland Studies and Solutions (a Davey Co.) - Louisville, KY | Apply Here

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

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