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(S) The Wilderness Center: Winter Brush Blitz
Fri, Feb 7, 14, & 21 @ 11 a.m. in Wilmot, OH
Join The Wilderness Center for their Winter Brush Blitz, a hands-on volunteer series focused on clearing invasive woody plants and restoring native habitats on off-site, closed preserves not typically open to the public! Bundle up, grab your gloves, and help them tackle brush and brambles that threaten the health of these special ecosystems. Along the way, you'll learn to identify invasive plants in their winter form and gain valuable stewardship skills. Whether you’re an experienced land steward or a first-time volunteer, your efforts will make a big impact during the colder months when invasive species are easier to manage. Enjoy crisp winter air, teamwork, and the satisfaction of seeing cleared landscapes ready for renewal. Tools, training, and hot chocolate will be provided! Let’s restore the land—one brush pile at a time!
More Information Here
(S) Winter Hike through the East Branch of Euclid Creek with Roy Larick
Sat, Feb 8, 11 a.m. @ Upper Highland Picnic Area, Euclid Creek Reservation
Join the Friends of Euclid Creek as we explore the East Branch of Euclid Creek through a guided hike in Euclid Creek Reservation with our watershed expert Roy Larick. This hike is a great way to get out and enjoy our natural ecosystems during the winter months and great event for the whole family! We will have snacks and hot drinks afterwards for those interested in sticking around for conversation.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) EPA Tools & Resources Webinar: Alternative Water Sources to Augment Water Supplies
Wed, Feb 19, 3 - 4 p.m. @ Online
Meeting the demand for safe and adequate supplies of water, especially in regions undergoing hotter and drier weather conditions, requires addressing research gaps associated with water reuse and water storage, including enhanced or managed aquifer recharge. Sustainable and safe water supply is a common theme for states and communities across the nation. Key research needs include chemical and microbial risk assessments for fit for purpose reuse, treatment characterization and performance as well as reliable supplies and cost, which will assist communities in their water reuse and aquifer recharge decisions. This webinar will provide an overview of ongoing EPA ORD research related to alternative water sources including decentralized water reuse, protein processing plants, treated produced water from oil and gas activities, and enhanced/managed aquifer recharge, as well as collaborations with our partners.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Tinkers' Creek Winter Webinar: Wickedly Invasive: Why Invasives Aren’t So ‘Popular’ in Our Forests & Yards
Fri, Feb 21, 12 - 1 p.m. @ Online
Join Becah Troutman, Working Woods Hub Manager at Holden Forests and Gardens in this webinar to explore loathing of invasive species - how they disrupt ecosystems, outcompete native species, and wreak havoc on biodiversity. We'll uncover how to identify common invasives, what makes them a threat, and how to get rid of them for good.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Summit Metroparks: Skunk Cabbage Surprise
Sun, Feb 23, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ GYH/Pioneer Area
How’s that plant already blooming? Hike the 1.4-mile Alder trail to discover the first flower of the year and the clever tricks it employs to beat the spring season to the punch.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) EPA's Impacts of Micro and Nanoplastics on Marine Organisms
Wed, Feb 26, 2 - 3 p.m. @ Online
As the abundance of plastic increases in marine systems, the potential risks of adverse biological and ecological effects of plastics of various size classes (macro-, micro-, nano-) need to be evaluated. EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) has spearheaded methods development for extraction and characterization of microplastics (MPs) and works collaboratively with many agencies and organizations to better understand the sources, fate, and transport of MPs. Additionally, ORD research assesses ecological and human health impacts of MPs, supported by the development of analytical methods to detect MPs in a variety of environmental samples. This talk will cover three topics: 1) background information on MPs, including source and prevalence in the marine environment, 2) current research investigating the impacts of MPs on stony coral, and 3) recent studies assessing the impacts of nanoplastics to communities of benthic marine fauna.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Wonders of the Great Lakes with Jim McCormac
Thur, Feb 27, 7 p.m. @ The Huron Yacht Club
Join the Friends of Old Woman Creek for an engaging Great Lakes presentation by well-known photographer, naturalist, and author, Jim McCormac. Jim will share his snapshots and insights on the biodiversity of the Great Lakes, focusing on Lake Erie and Ohio's coastal ecosystems.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) 14th National Monitoring Conference
Mar 10-14 @ Green Bay, Wisconsin and virtual
The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) will host its 14th National Monitoring Conference from March 10 to 14, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. All federal, state, tribal and local water professionals, nonprofits, academia, water consultants and industry, and volunteer scientists are welcome at this important national forum on monitoring Great Lakes, groundwater, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and oceans. The conference will be offered in a hybrid format, primarily consisting of in-person presentations and events as well as some virtual components. What is the difference between in-person and limited virtual attendance?
Networking and opportunities to create new relationships will abound for attendees. Whether you seek to develop new skills, learn about the latest technologies, or simply exchange information on a wide variety of topics relevant to water resources, the National Monitoring Conference is for you. The conference is a destination conference for many in the field, attracting the highest quality professional presenters and posters.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Master Rain Gardener – Late Winter 2025
Mar 11- Apr 1, 2 - 4 p.m. @ Highland Heights Community Center
Train to be a Master Rain Gardener! Learn to design and install your own rain garden and become the rain garden expert in your neighborhood.
Class Details: The Master Rain Gardener (MRG) course includes four (4) classes over a four-week period. All classes will be held at the Highland Heights Community Center on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The end time may extend depending on the optional field trip location(s).
Registration Fee: $75
More Information and Registration Here
(S) River Network Community Science Solutions: Documenting the Impacts of Contamination in Land, Air, and Water
Thu, Mar 13, 1 - 2:30 p.m. @ Online
In this webinar, we’ll dive deep into case study examples of effective community science efforts around the country. Focus areas include air and water quality testing and monitoring contaminants in drinking water. Participants will learn how practitioners leverage funding sources and technical support to engage communities in data gathering and analysis, and work together to develop solutions that contribute to overall community health and well being by targeting nonpoint source pollution, informing land revitalization strategies, and more.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Pond Management Workshop
Thu, Mar 20, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. @ Centerville Mills Dining Hall
Join the Geauga and Portage Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) on the first day of spring for a unique opportunity to gain information and resources about managing and maintaining your pond. Eugene Braig – Aquatic Ecosystem Program Director with Ohio State University – will be presenting at this FREE event. Registration is required by March 19.
More Information and Registration Here
(S) Tinkers' Creek Winter Webinar: Majestic Native Plants
Wed, Mar 26, 6 - 7 p.m. @ Online
Join Jennifer White, Education and Outreach Manager for Portage Parks, as she shares her expertise on growing native plants in your yard.
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.
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