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Hemlock Branch with moderate Elongate Hemlock Scale

Feb 2, 2024 @ AB Williams Memorial Woods, North Chagrin Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Hemlock Hunting at Midwinter

On a day typically reserved for Marmota monax prognostication, a group of Cleveland Metroparks staff and WVP volunteers spent the day assessing the health of the Eastern Hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) in North Chagrin Reservation. This is part of an ongoing survey program that began parkwide in 2015 and then focused on the eastern parks beginning in 2022. Northeast Ohio lies at the southwest edge of the Hemlock's range and this keystone species faces threats from Elongate Hemlock Scale (EHS) and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA).


EHS is native to Japan. A tree infected with it can be expected to live 4-10 years without treatment. Aditional stressors can shorten its life even further. EHS was first detected in North Chagrin Reservation in 2018.


HWA is native to Asia and Western North America. It can kill a tree in 4-15 years or sooner with other stressors. It was first detected in 2022 in North Chagrin Reservation.


Properly tracking the trees and their condition has yielded good results. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Metroparks was able to effectively treat 403 trees in 2021 and 237 in 2022.


Individual WVP volunteers will continue to survey the Metropark's hemlocks for the remainder of the winter as part of their independent monitoring projects.



Warm regards,

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator

 

Happenings

Salt Watch in February

Salt Watch Month 3 Reminder

WVP Salt Watch volunteers may now take their samples for the month of February.


If you need more test strips, feel free to email us.

WVP Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series

December

"The Recovery of Fish Populations in the Cuyahoga River Over the Past 50 Years" with Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

January

Join Research and Database Manager, Dr. Nathan Byer for "The Adapted Hunt Drift Fence Technique (AHDriFT): passive monitoring opportunities for small and elusive animals".

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

February

Join Natural Resources Coordinator, Jen "JB" Brumfield for "The Secrets of Bird Migration", a deep dive into the astounding world of avian migration and Cleveland Metroparks' role in thousands of birds' survival. From death-defying flights over the ocean to following star patterns in the sky, to tracking birds with weather radar, we'll demystify birds' miraculous migrations and dig in to their local natural history.

Monday, February 12, 2024 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

*Lights Out team will be on hand to talk about bird survey volunteer opportunities*

March

Join Vegetation Research Coordinator, Sarah Eyesenbach for "Conservation Value Trees". Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Division is interested in preserving tree species that are under threat from a variety of forest pests and pathogens. Come learn more about the American Chestnut, American Elm, Ash, American Beech, and Eastern Hemlock along with our efforts to maintain and protect these species.  

Monday, March 4, 2024 from 6 - 7:30pm

WVP Opportunities

WVP Grapevine Cutting

Jan 26, 2024 @ Center Park, West Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

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.


(L) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: The Secrets of Bird Migration*

Mon, Feb 12, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

*Lights Out team will be on hand to talk about bird survey opportunities*


(M) Work Session: Winter Stonefly Survey

Sat, Feb 17, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @ Baldwin Creek


(R) Work Session: Seed Processing

Wed, Feb 21, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation


(R) Work Session: Invasive Grapevine Removal 

Sun, Feb 25, 2 - 4 p.m.*time change @ Big Creek Parkway Near Stumph Rd, Big Creek Reservation


(L) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: Conservation Value Trees*

Mon, Mar 4, 2024, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation


(M) Workshop: Macroinvertebrates ID 101*

Thu, Mar 14, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation


(O) World Water Day

Sat, Mar 23, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ The Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation


(R) Garlic Mustard Pulls

Garlic Mustard removal season will run from approximately March 25th through May 24th. Volunteers who are interested in completing independent restoration work during this time can email us to join the list.


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
 

WVP Seed Sorting

Jan 31, 2024 @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Opportunities With Our Partners

 


(S) Great Lakes Literacy: Dive into Freshwater Facts

Sat, Feb 10, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Online

How much do you know about the Great Lakes? In this fun and interactive discovery learning program, we will explore the Great Lakes as a commercial, ecological, and recreational resource. Using the Center for Great Lakes Literacy educational guidelines, participants will gain knowledge and understanding of the invaluable nature of our freshwater ecosystem.

More Details and Registration Here    


(S) Winter Salting Public Presentation

Fri, Feb 16, 5 - 6 p.m. @ Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Road Mayfield Village, OH 44143

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District is holding this event to talk about winter salting practices! You'll hear about the impact salt can have on our watersheds, and ways to use it most effectively to keep you safe and our waterways healthy.

More Details and Registration Here    

(S) Vernal Poolooza

Thu - Sat, Mar 7 - 9, @ Camp Oty'Okwa, Purcell Rd South Bloomington, OH 43152

A three day vernal pool-focused wetland science conference located in the Hocking Hills region.

More Details and Registration Here  

(S) Cuyahoga AOC Advisory Committee Symposium

Fri, Mar 15, time:TBA @ Happy Days Lodge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Cuyahoga AOC Advisory Committee will host its biannual symposium on Friday, March 15th, followed by an optional restoration event. 

Save the Date! Details to come


(S) Rain Barrel Workshop - South Euclid

Wed, Mar 20, 6 - 7 p.m. @ South Euclid Community Centre, 1370 Victory Drive South Euclid, OH 44121

Cuyahoga SWCD will host a rain barrel workshop and pick-up at the South Euclid Community Center on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. You'll learn how to harvest rainwater for all your garden needs and to combat storm water pollution in your community by constructing a rain barrel.

More Details and Registration Here  Cost $60 


(S) Rain Barrel Workshop - Newburgh Heights

Thu, Mar 21, 6 - 7.30 p.m. @ Village Hall Community Room, 3801 Harvard Ave. Newburgh Heights, OH 44105

This is a barrel and diverter kit pick up only. When you register, you will be sent a confirmation with instructions about how to make your barrel at home. All you need is your own drill. Pre-payment is required.

More Details and Registration Here  Cost $60



Cleveland Metroparks | Digital Emerald Necklace*

Read and Watch 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.

Recording Hours with WVP
 

Extras

News

The Lesser Scaup pictured here recently underwent rehabilitation at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center after being found on a local road. During winter, diving birds like this sometimes mistake icy-covered surfaces for open water while trying to land. Hey, we all have our moments of confusion. Right? But once standing on solid ground, these types of birds are unable to take flight again! The article directly below explains why; it also highlights the rehabilitation that often needs to occur for these 'stranded' individuals.

[Photo Credit: Lake Erie Nature & Science Center ]

'It’s Still My Favorite Part': Rescued Diving Duck Released into Lake Erie After Rehabilitation | Read on or watch video here


Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Gives Local Waterways the Google Street View Treatment | Read on

 

The Nature Conservancy in Ohio Celebrates the Creation of a Statewide Tree Nursery | Read on

 

What One State Found After Drug Testing the School’s Wastewater | Watch video here

 

Two Stoneflies Lead the Way for Conserving Other Uncharismatic Species | Read on

Jobs

 

Watershed Program Manager

Doan Brook Partners - Cleveland, OH | Apply Here


Environmental Scientist III

Kentucky Division of Water - Frankfort, KY | Apply Here


Conservation Job Fair February 13, 2023 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Sponsored by Hamilton County Conservation Dist. - Cincinnati, OH | Details Here


Stream Restoration Engineer

AECOM - Germantown, MD | Apply Here


Fisheries Technician (multiple positions available)

Midwest Biodiversity Institute - Ohio, Illinois, others | Apply Here


Stream Habitat/Water Chemistry Technician (multiple positions available)

Midwest Biodiversity Institute - Ohio, Illinois, others | Apply Here


Field Technician - Macroinvertebrates (1 position)

Midwest Biodiversity Institute - Ohio, Illinois, others | Apply Here


Field Technician - Water Chemistry/Macroinvertebrate (1 position)

Midwest Biodiversity Institute - Ohio, Illinois, others | Apply Here


Various Seasonal Natural Resources Positions

Cleveland Metroparks - Various Locations | Apply Here


Seasonal Aquatic Biology Field Technician

EnviroScience | Various Locations | Apply Here


Ecological Restoration Assessment and Survey Technician

EnviroScience - Stow, OH | Apply Here


Restoration Specialist

The Wetlands Initiative - Chicago, IL | Apply Here


NOAA Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

(APPLICATION DUE 2/15)

Washington, D.C. | Apply Here

 
 

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