Primary Events: These events are open to registered Cleveland Metroparks WVP volunteers. They count towards credit for Watershed Stewardship Certification. Some events are only open to WVP Certified Stewards. Types of primary events include:
(E)ducation: Broaden and share watershed knowledge at presentations, workshops, community events, and tours
(M)onitoring: Make observations and collect watershed data
(R)estoration: Restore and care for natural areas and green infrastructure
Public Events: These events are indicated by an (*) at the end of the title and are open to both the public and WVP volunteers. Public volunteers may register here.
(S)upplemental Events: These events are held by our partner and collaborating organizations but count towards WVP service hours. Hours for supplemental events should be logged in Volgistics as WVP (S) Watershed Partner Event.
We will be joined by Mark Warman, Extension Specialist Contaminants of Emerging Concern, from Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory to learn about contaminants in Lake Erie.

From Mulch to Maintenance! Learn how to take your native landscape from surviving to thriving by joining us for this FREE hands-on workshop where we’ll share tips on mulching, seed saving, plant ID, and more. Participants can receive: soil test kits, soil knives, pruners, and native plants.
More Information and Registration Here
Discover Ohio’s state native fruit, the pawpaw! Learn the history of this fruit, its benefits and how to grow it. After a presentation, you’ll take home recipes and seeds (while supplies last) and sample its delicious banana-like flavor.
More Information and Registration Here
Join us for a round of tree planting in Parma! Volunteers will help plant small, 3-gallon native trees to increase tree canopy coverage and create healthier, greener neighborhoods. No experience is necessary—we’ll provide instructions and tools. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Come ready to dig in and make a lasting impact!




Join us collecting native seeds for use in future restoration projects throughout Cleveland Metroparks. This event will focus primarily on collecting milkweed seeds. Dress in layers for wet soil and thorny vegetation; wear boots, long pants, and long sleeves.
Join us collecting native seeds to restore the site of a former golf course to its natural state. Dress in layers for wet soil and thorny vegetation; wear boots, long pants, and long sleeves.
We'll join Valerie Carter-Stone, Natural Resources Area Manager South, and Jen Brumfield, Natural Resources Coordinator, to help plant trees the "Metroparks way" at the Wendy Park with offers crucial habitat for nesting and migratory animals, including extraordinary monarch butterflies in the fall.
We'll join Jim Spetz, Natural Resources Area Manager West, and Elizabeth Hiser, Stream Restoration Ecologist, to plant trees at the Baldwin Dam removal site to aid restoration efforts restoring ecosystem function in adjacent habitats.
Public Volunteer Registration Link
We'll join Jim Spetz, Natural Resources Area Manager West, and Elizabeth Hiser, Stream Restoration Ecologist, to plant trees at the Baldwin Dam removal site to aid restoration efforts restoring ecosystem function in adjacent habitats.
We'll join Natural Resources Coordinator and noted birder, Jenn "JB" Brumfield to plant a recently acquired property, bringing it into harmony with the park.
Help us to restore a recently reclaimed section of Big Creek Reservation to native habitat. We'll join Natural Area Manager, Valerie Carter-Stone and her team to build deer fence exclosures. We will be planting native trees in the newly constructed exclosures at our next event.
Join Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga River Area of Concern to celebrate completion of the the Wood Creek Fish Passage restoration project. Their will be fish sampling and identification, native planting, food, and a project presentation.
Help us to restore a recently reclaimed section of Big Creek Reservation to native habitat. We'll join Natural Area Manager, Valerie Carter-Stone and her team to plant native trees in deer exclosures.
Join us collecting native seeds for use in future restoration projects throughout Cleveland Metroparks. Dress in layers for wet soil and thorny vegetation; wear boots, long pants, and long sleeves.
Join us planting native plants in the bioswale in at Brecksville Reservation.
Join us planting native plants in the bioretentions at Brookside Reservation.
Join us for monitoring Marine Debris at Euclid Creek.
Join Izaak Walton League's Abby Hileman to learn about Salt Watch and how monitoring efforts can make a difference. Receive training and monitoring strips to test chloride at designated sites. If you have previously participated in Salt Watch or are interested in participating in Salt Watch this year, we encourage you to attend this training and talk.
Join us collecting native seeds for use in future restoration projects throughout Cleveland Metroparks. Dress in layers for wet soil and thorny vegetation; wear boots, long pants, and long sleeves.








Join us for a round of tree planting in Parma! Volunteers will help plant small, 3-gallon native trees to increase tree canopy coverage and create healthier, greener neighborhoods. No experience is necessary—we’ll provide instructions and tools. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Come ready to dig in and make a lasting impact!
More Information and Registration Here
Help us grow the Native Seed Library by collecting local native wildflower seeds! Volunteers will join West Creek Conservancy staff to harvest seeds from native plant populations, helping provide free seeds to community members across Northeast Ohio. During this hands-on event, you’ll learn how to identify our native target species, recognize ripe seeds, and practice proper seed collection techniques that support healthy plant populations and local ecosystems. Collected seeds will be cleaned, packaged, and distributed through our Native Seed Library program, making native plants more accessible to gardeners throughout the region. No experience is necessary. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just curious about native plants, this is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, learn new skills, and contribute to habitat restoration and pollinator conservation.
More Information and Registration Here
Join Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District at our 3rd Annual Stormwater Run-Off 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk! On Sunday, October 4th, run or walk on the Towpath Trail and learn about stormwater and the different ways to slow it down, spread it out, and soak it in throughout the course.
More Information and Registration Here
Kate Chapel, Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator will lead us on a tour of the how's and why's of stream bank and flood plain restoration work at the Mayfield Country Club in South Euclid and Lyndhurst. This is a multi-faceted project that Kate has been successfully managing for several years.
More Information and Registration Here
Join us for a round of tree planting in Parma! Volunteers will help plant small, 3-gallon native trees to increase tree canopy coverage and create healthier, greener neighborhoods. No experience is necessary—we’ll provide instructions and tools. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Come ready to dig in and make a lasting impact!
More Information and Registration Here
Help us grow the Native Seed Library by collecting local native wildflower seeds! Volunteers will join West Creek Conservancy staff to harvest seeds from native plant populations, helping provide free seeds to community members across Northeast Ohio. During this hands-on event, you’ll learn how to identify our native target species, recognize ripe seeds, and practice proper seed collection techniques that support healthy plant populations and local ecosystems. Collected seeds will be cleaned, packaged, and distributed through our Native Seed Library program, making native plants more accessible to gardeners throughout the region. No experience is necessary. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just curious about native plants, this is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, learn new skills, and contribute to habitat restoration and pollinator conservation.
More Information and Registration Here
A rain barrel captures and stores water that would otherwise rush into storm drains untreated. By using this collected water on your lawn and garden, you conserve resources, support healthier waterways, and keep your plants happy. The workshop begins with a brief presentation and demonstration on assembling a rain barrel using the diverter kit. After the presentation, you’ll receive the rain barrel system(s) you purchased during registration. You’ll have everything you need to assemble your rain barrel system(s) at home using just a drill and a screwdriver.
More Information and Registration Here
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
Doan Brook Watershed Partnership (DBWP) has 100 native trees to give away to Cleveland residents. Cleveland residents are eligible for two free trees and must plant the trees on Cleveland private property. Additionally, all recipients are required to attend “Tree School 101,” a 15-minute presentation on caring for and maintaining trees. Several species are available, including Red Maple, Ohio Buckeye, Eastern Redbud, American plum, and Pawpaw. Requests for specific species of trees for your yard are unavailable due to unknown species availability. Most trees will be between three and six feet in height in three to five-gallon buckets. Interested individuals must fill out a form before receiving their trees.
More Information and Registration Here
Join us on Friday, October 16th for an unforgettable evening as Chagrin River Watershed Partners commemorates 30 years of collaboration, stewardship, and impact in protecting the health of our watersheds and communities. This special anniversary celebration will bring together partners, supporters, and friends to honor three decades of dedication to preserving and restoring the rivers, streams, and natural resources that sustain Northeast Ohio. The evening will feature live music, meaningful reflections on CRWP’s 30-year legacy of environmental leadership, and an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships and projects that have shaped our mission. Your ticket includes dinner and drinks, allowing you to connect with fellow supporters, and enjoy the celebration. We invite you to be part of this milestone occasion as we look back on our accomplishments and look forward to the future of protecting our waters for generations to come.
More Information and Registration Here
Learn how to plant a native tree! Participants will help us plant some trees at the Community Garden Association’s park and then get to take one home themselves. Limit one per person for the first 20 registrants. Anyone who receives a tree will also take home care instructions, deer protection, and a watering bag.
More Information and Registration Here
Join the Greater Akron Audubon Society and City of Akron Stormwater Superintendent Jessica Glowczewski to learn how the City of Akron manages the Upper Cuyahoga River watershed. We’ll discover where Akron’s water comes from, how it’s monitored and the many programs dedicated to keeping your drinking water clean and our watershed healthy.
More Information and Registration Here
The night will feature posters from some of our partners about exciting work going on in the watershed, presentations from DBWP staff on the state of the organization, this year’s accomplishments and next year’s goals, as well as award ceremonies for this year’s Watershed Hero and Impact Award recipients. We hope you will join us to celebrate another year of engagement and stewardship in the Doan Brook Watershed!
More Information and Registration Here
Are you a long-time fishing fanatic, or would you like to try to catch your first fish? Join Doan Brook Watershed Partnership and Cleveland Metroparks at Rockefeller Lagoon on Saturday, September 12th for a free fishing workshop! The lagoon will be stocked with rainbow trout, and we will have free fishing rods and bait for registered participants while supplies last!
More Information and Registration Here
A rain barrel captures and stores water that would otherwise rush into storm drains untreated. By using this collected water on your lawn and garden, you conserve resources, support healthier waterways, and keep your plants happy. The workshop begins with a brief presentation and demonstration on assembling a rain barrel using the diverter kit. After the presentation, you’ll receive the rain barrel system(s) you purchased during registration. You’ll have everything you need to assemble your rain barrel system(s) at home using just a drill and a screwdriver.
More Information and Registration Here
Learn how to plant a native tree! Participants will help us plant some trees near Euclid City Hall and then get to take one home themselves.
NOTE: This event is near the parking lot behind City Hall! Limit one per person for the first 20 registrants. Anyone who receives a tree will also take home care instructions, deer protection, and a watering bag.
More Information and Registration Here
Join us Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners for their Winter Webinar Series. Tawong Mabella Mukeng from Dreamers Hope Foundation, Cameroon to learn how local efforts in West Africa connect to actions we can take here at home to reduce plastic pollution and protect our waterways.
More Information and Registration Here
Join us for an evening of conservation, costumes, food, and fun! Celebrate another year of conservation success with Cuyahoga SWCD while enjoying great company, exciting raffle prizes, a native tree giveaway, and a Conservation Costume Contest.





















Join us collecting native seeds for use in future restoration projects throughout Cleveland Metroparks. Dress in layers for wet soil and thorny vegetation; wear boots, long pants, and long sleeves.
Join fellow WVP volunteers around the warm, cozy fireplace of the Watershed Stewardship Center to discuss our monthly book club book (title TBA soon). All are welcome, including avid readers who finish the book, the volunteers who started but weren't quite able to finish the book, and anyone who is interested in learning more about our watersheds through a lively, facilitated discussion.
Join WVP as we process and prepare the seeds that we collected during the fall that will be used for future restoration in the reservations.
Join Stream Restoration Ecologist, Elizabeth Hiser, to harvest live stakes from our browse nursery to help stabilize an eroding ravine in Hinckley Reservation. This site contains tall grasses so be prepared to wear long sleeves, pants, and apply bug spray.
Join us for monitoring Marine Debris at Euclid Creek.
Join us for a documentary screening of All Too Clear: Beneath the Surface of the Great Lakes. All Too Clear used cutting-edge underwater drones to explore how quadrillions of tiny invasive mussels, known as quaggas, are re-engineering the ecosystem of the Great Lakes at a scale not seen since the glaciers. To capture this epic change, the husband-and-wife filmmaking team of Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert spent more than 150 days filming underwater, making it the most ambitious underwater film ever made about the Great Lakes. Part scientific exploration, part natural history adventure, the film showcases freshwater wildlife and environments like never before.
Join Stream Restoration Ecologist, Elizabeth Hiser, to help stabilize an eroding gully that was formerly filled with farm debris. This site contains tall grasses so be prepared to wear long sleeves, pants, and apply bug spray.







Help us prepare native seeds for our Native Seed Library program and support biodiversity across Northeast Ohio! During this hands-on volunteer session, you’ll assist with cleaning and processing native seeds collected from local plants. Seed cleaning is an important step that removes chaff and debris, helping ensure that high-quality seeds are ready to be shared with the community. The seeds you help clean will eventually be distributed through our Native Seed Library network, giving residents free access to native plants that support pollinators, wildlife, and healthier local ecosystems. Every seed you process helps make a positive impact in our community.
More Information and Registration Here
Help us prepare native seeds for our Native Seed Library program and support biodiversity across Northeast Ohio! During this hands-on volunteer session, you’ll assist with cleaning and processing native seeds collected from local plants. Seed cleaning is an important step that removes chaff and debris, helping ensure that high-quality seeds are ready to be shared with the community. The seeds you help clean will eventually be distributed through our Native Seed Library network, giving residents free access to native plants that support pollinators, wildlife, and healthier local ecosystems. Every seed you process helps make a positive impact in our community.
More Information and Registration Here
The Honorable Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., is coming to Kent State University to give a public presentation about her career as an eminent aquatic scientist and national and global policy maker. She is a former NOAA Administrator and Deputy Director for Climate and the Environment in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She will give a presentation, followed by a Q&A moderated by Chris Winslow, Director of Ohio Sea Grant, and a catered reception.
Join TCWP's Matt Siefert for a FREE Webinar to discover how vegetative buffers around ponds, streams, and other wet areas can help improve water quality, reduce runoff, and support healthier habitats.
More Information and Registration Here
Join Tom Sampliner for an informative walk across boardwalks at two remarkable bog environments in Portage County. The walk at bog #1 will be from 10 am to noon. We will break for lunch that you brought with you or you can purchase from nearby restaurants. We will reassemble at the parking lot for bog#1 at 1 PM. Depending on how many are staying, we may do some carpooling to get to Bog #2, planning to complete our day at 2:30 PM. Expect to see both species of cranberries, the shrub and highbush cranberry, lowbush blueberries, carnivorous plants: sundew and Northern/purple pitcher plant (and learn how they operate). We will also see rare trees and shrubs: gray birch, tamarack, leatherleaf and a sedge the has leaves horizontal in three directions up and down the stem; see “catberry”. Learn to identify poison sumac. Learn about the under the boardwalk tunnels built.






Abbreviations you will find in Volgistics:
Have further questions about events or registering? Please contact WVP staff at [email protected].