Male Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)

Spotted during Scenic Rivers Monitoring, Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation 

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Dragonflies & Damselflies

WVP Watershed Stewards are familiar with dragonflies and damselflies in a way that most people aren't. The average person might be delighted to catch an elusive glimpse of these aerial acrobats on the wing. However, we might encounter them in our kick-nets, as an indicator of good water quality during our monitoring efforts. When we come across the aquatic stage, they bear little resemblance to the iridescent, flying insects of the order Odonata. While this water dwelling, juvenile stage is often termed "nymph", it may be more accurate to use the term naiad, when referring to the taxa Odonata, Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera. This term derives from the naiads of Greek mythology, a type of fresh water nymph that attended to rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, fountains and springs. In entomology, it helps to describe aquatic insects that undergo a partial metamorphosis to terrestrial adults with a great degree of morphological change. On September 10th, we'll join Cleveland Metropark's Aquatic Research Coordinator, Claire Weldon, for our last Scenic Rivers Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Session of the year. If we're lucky, we'll encounter some odonates and learn how to distinguish between juvenile anisoptera and zygoptera, but what if you're curious about how to tell the difference between adult dragonflies and damselflies?

Illustrating the difference between Dragonflies and Damselflies

[Image credit: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk]

There are some quick ways to identify whether you're looking at a dragonfly or a damselfly. Dragonflies have uneven wings with two narrower forewings and two broader hindwings that they hold out at rest. Damselflies' suborder, zygoptera, means "same wing" and derives from their four even wings, which they hold closed when at rest. Dragonflies are powerful fliers and have a larger thorax and stout form. Damselflies are more delicate, graceful fliers, with a slender body. Dragonflies generally have eyes that meet in the middle, whereas damselflies have eye that are widely separated. Of course, there are exceptions to these rules, such as the Gomphidae: a dragonfly with eyes on the side of its head or the flatwing damselflies: Lestidae, Heteragrionidae, Megapodagrionidae and Philogeniidae. There are also fascinating, unique characteristics such as wing venation and Pterostigma.

Want to know more? We've got you covered with a new lecture and outdoor monitoring program: The Lives of Dragonflies & Damselflies, designed and hosted by Cleveland Metropark's Natural Resources Coordinator, Jen "JB" Brumfield. We'll be offering the event on August 30th with a second session in early September.

You can also check out the Cleveland Metropark's Dragonfly Festival, listed in our (S)upplemental events below.

Kind regards,

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator

WVP Green Infrastructure Gardening Series, testing permeable pavers

Aug 4, 2024, Wildwood Marina, Euclid Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(R) Acacia Stewardship Activities

Fri, Aug 9, 5:30 - 8 p.m. @ Acacia Reservation Trailhead

(R) Work Session: Invasive Cattail Removal

Wed, Aug 14, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation

(R) Acacia Stewardship Activities

Tue, Aug 20, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Acacia Reservation Trailhead

(L) 2024 Midwest Beaver Summit

Wed, Aug 28, 12 - 4 p.m. @ Upland Classroom, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(L) Cuyahoga by Boat Certified Steward Tour - Registration Full, Waitlist Available

Thu, Aug 29, 6:30 - 9 p.m. @ Merwin's Wharf, Lakefront Reservation

(M) The Lives of Dragonflies & Damselflies

Fri, Aug 30, 5:30 - 8 p.m. @ Upland Classroom, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

(R) Work Session: Invasive Buckthorn

Fri, Sep 6, 10- 12 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation

(M) Work Session: Scenic Rivers Macro Monitoring

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

(M) The Lives of Dragonflies & Damselflies

TBA @ Upland Classroom, Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

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

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

WVP Green Infrastructure Gardening Series, testing permeable pavers

Aug 4, 2024, Wildwood Marina, Euclid Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

(S) Cuyahoga Soil & Water District: Master Rain Gardener

Thu, Aug 8, 15, 22, 29, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. @ Lyndhurst Community Center 

Train to be a Master Rain Gardener over a 4 week period! Learn to design and install your own rain garden and become the rain garden expert in your neighborhood.

Cost: $75 

More Details and Information Here

(S) National Park Service Invasive Plant Removal

Thu, Aug 8, 1 - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park by removing invasive plants in order to help improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) Ohio Sea Grant Lake Erie Awareness Day

Thu, Aug 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ Put-In-Bay

Spend the day touring South Bass island while learning about Ohio's greatest water resource and visiting education stations to learn about island history, native plants and animals, the dangers of plastic pollution, and boating safety.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Doan Brook Watershed Tree Planting and Invasive Species Removal

Sat, Aug 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Fairhill Rd

Join Doan Brook Partnership for a native tree planting and invasive plant removal to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

More Details and Registration Here

(S) National Park Service Invasive Plant Removal

Sat, Aug 17, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Must register for location)

Get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park by removing invasive plants in order to help improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Dragonfly Festival

Sat, Aug 17, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., North Chagrin Nature Center, North Chagrin Reservation

Join Cleveland Metroparks and the US Forest Service as we celebrate the annual migration of dragonflies! These wonderous little sky gems migrate from the Gulf of Mexico to Northern Ohio and into Canada each year. Join us at North Chagrin Nature Center to celebrate these aerial acrobats. This program will have something for everyone, including talks from local dragonfly experts, guided dragonfly walks, dragonfly tagging, and crafts for kids.                                                  

More Information

(S) National Park Service Stream Study

Sat, Aug 17, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Stretch your legs and mind through experiencing a mile long hike and information about the river. Come down to discover 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) Watershed Family Fun Day

Sat, Aug 17, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. @ Twinsburg

Join Tinkers Creek in guided interactive nature walks, hands-on displays, activities, and fun for the whole family.

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Friends of Euclid Creek: The History of Beachwood Park

Wed, Aug 21, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ Beachwood City Park West

Join Chris Vild, Environmental Manager for Beachwood, on a walk. Come explore and see what makes this park not only a natural wonder but an amazing center for relaxation and fun for the whole family.

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Doan Brook Kayak Instruction

Sat, Aug 24, 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. @ Lower Shaker Lake

Have you always wanted to try kayaking? Join Cleveland Metroparks to learn paddle techniques and basic boat fitting as you try the task of kayaking under the guidance of certified instructors! 

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Doan Brook Lower Lake Hike

Sat, Aug 24, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. @ Lower Shaker Lake

Join Dr. Roy Larick for a 90-minute interpretive hike. Gain insight and education of how Doan Brook became. 

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Water Quality Talk and Stream Sampling

Thu, Aug 29, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. @ Plum Creek

Learn about what makes a stream healthy with Cuyahoga SWCD. You will be using sampling equipment to test the water quality of Plum Creek in Olmsted Falls. 

More Information and Registration Here 

(S) Cuyahoga River by Boat

Tue & Thu, throughout the summer, 4-6pm and 7-9pm. @ 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.

More Details 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.

WVP Green Infrastructure Gardening Series

Aug 4, 2024, Wildwood Marina, Euclid Creek Reservation

[Photo credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Parma Just Lost a Lake! Well, sort of. | Read on and watch video here

A Cleaner Cuyahoga River Now Faces a Growing Threat from Stormwater Runoff | Read on or listen here

Ohio Receives $500,000 for Rare Turtle Research | Read on

Mount Everest’s Highest Camp Is Littered with Frozen Garbage, and Cleanup Is Likely to Take Years | Read on and watch video here

Why Are Orcas Ramming and Sinking Boats? | Read on

For approximately the last five years, killer whales have been ramming – and in some cases sinking – expensive yachts, fishing boats, and motorboats off the coast of Spain, Portugal, France, and Morocco. Why all of these attacks on various seaworthy vessels? Turns out the word attack might not be so accurate. The article directly above covers the subject in detail, including some recent research that was conducted and its findings.

[Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo]

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

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Inter-Fluve