WVP Events

Watershed Volunteer Program and Partner Event Details

Upcoming Event Details Below

Registered WVP Volunteers can sign up for events in Volgistics here
Public attendees can register for select events marked with an asterisk (*) here

Event Types

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.

April Events

(R) Garlic Mustard Removal*

Wed, Apr 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ Sulphur Springs Picnic Area, South Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed

Join Natural Area Manager, Josh Philipps, to help restore native habitat by removing garlic mustard. We will take care to identify garlic mustard and remove it to reduce seed spread. Come prepared to carefully go off trail.

Public Volunteers register here

(M) City Nature Challenge

Sat, Apr 25, 10 a.m. - Noon @ Chippewa Creek, Brecksville Reservation in Chippewa Creek Watershed

Take part in the City Nature Challenge! Join Cleveland Metroparks Aquatic Research Coordinator, Claire Weldon, to identify what is living in Chippewa Creek. Learn to seine (net) and identify the aquatic macroinvertebrates (insects) living in the river that are indicators of water quality. Prior to attending the event, volunteers should download the iNaturalist app from AppStore or Google Play on their phones and create an iNaturalist account. Waterproof boots or waders are recommended.

(R) Volunteer Led Garlic Mustard Removal

Mon, Apr 27, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Garfield Park Reservation in Mill Creek Watershed

Join Volunteer Leaders Erin Tilbert, Casey Binggeli, Alea Jones, and Margaret Rhynard to help restore native habitat by removing garlic mustard. We will take care to identify garlic mustard and remove it to reduce seed spread. Come prepared to carefully go off trail.

(R) Volunteer Led Garlic Mustard Removal

Thu, Apr 30, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Baldwin Lake in Rocky River Watershed

Join Volunteer Leader Dave LeBrun to help restore native habitat by removing garlic mustard. We will take care to identify garlic mustard and remove it to reduce seed spread. Come prepared to carefully go off trail.

April Supplemental Events

(S) Friends of Euclid Creek Annual Open House in conjunction with the National Parks Conservation Association

Tues, April 21, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. @ Rockefeller Lagoon

Crystal Davis, Senior Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, will open our event with a talk: Parks, People, and the Power to Protect What Matters. Our national parks tell the story of who we are and who we aspire to be. In this moment, protecting them requires more than policy; it requires people. Join us for a conversation about the challenges facing our parks today and the collective power we have to protect them for future generations. After the talk, we will proceed with our Open House so guests can explore how Friends of Euclid Creek serves the watershed, and how to help us advocate for this vital natural resource. Each of our committees will have interactive tables where guests can learn more about what we do.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Mushroom Hunting 101

Thurs, April 23,12:00 - 1:00 p.m. @ Webinar

Curious about foraging wild mushrooms in Ohio? Join Don King (the Mushroom Hunter) for a free webinar and learn how to forage safely. Learn the essentials of foraging for wild mushrooms in Ohio. Don King, aka The Mushroom Hunter, will share practical tips & tools to help you make your mushroom huts safer and enjoyable, as well as highlight some of the most prized and sought-after spring species you're likely to encounter. This webinar is perfect for beginners and anyone curious about responsible mushroom foraging.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Earth Day Invasive Plant Removal

April 23, 24, & 25,1 - 3:30 p.m. @ Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Looking for a way to get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join us for our invasive plant removal drop-in. Are you looking for a way to get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join us for our invasive plant removal drop-in on Thursday, April 23, to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife! Invasive species overcrowd native species, making it difficult for them to thrive, which in turn affects the wildlife in the ecosystem. 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 volunteers and veteran volunteers to get involved in their national park. You will use hand tools such as loppers and saws to remove invasive plants.

More Information and Registration Here April 23, April 24, April 25

(S) Free Trees For CLE

Thurs, April 23, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. @ Fairhill Partners

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

(S) Invasive Plant Control

Sat, April 25, 9 a.m. @ Dusty Goldenrod Preserve

Spring brings unwanted growth in the Dusty Goldenrod Preserve. The Conservation Committee under the leadership of Esther Trepal has scheduled opportunities for us all to get out and do our part to remove non-native invasive plants so that our native plants and animals can thrive. It will also be an opportunity to see the preserve up-close and personal. Each work day will begin at 9 AM and we usually work for a couple hours, but any amount of time you can provide would be appreciated. No experience or tools are necessary. Long sleeves and trousers and solid shoes/boots are recommended. Contact Esther at [email protected]

(S) Dugway Brook Stream Cleanup

Sat, April 25, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. @ Forest Hill Park

Every year, we host stream cleanups at parks across the watershed to clean up trash and debris to keep it out of our streams and away from Lake Erie. Join the Cleveland Heights Green Team, Bluestone Conservation, and Doan Brook Watershed Partnership for our Dugway Brook Stream Cleanup at Forest Hill Park!

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Solon Earth Day

Sat, April 25, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. @ Solon Community Garden

This event will feature mulch pick-up (bring your own containers), free tree saplings, and a free shuttle to a guided hike at the Solon Woods Nature Preserve, where you’ll learn about wildflowers and local animal life! Enjoy kids’ crafts, interactive activities, and informational tables from local organizations focused on sustainability and environmental awareness.

More Information and Registration Here

May Events

(M) Marine Debris Monitoring

Sun, May 3, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Euclid Beach in Euclid Creek Watershed

Join us for monitoring Marine Debris at Euclid Creek.

(R) Volunteer Led Garlic Mustard Removal

Fri, May 8, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Memphis Picnic Area in Big Creek Watershed

(E) Native Plant Sale WVP Table

Sat, May 9, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Watershed

Join us to help spread the word about WVP by staffing an information table at the Metroparks annual Native Plant Sale.

(R) Garlic Mustard Removal*

Mon, May 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ Wilson Mills Trailhead, North Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed

Public Volunteers register here

(R) Tree Planting

Wed, May 13, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Garfield Park in Mill Creek Watershed

We'll join Natural Area Manager, Valerie Carter-Stone and her team in planting bare-root trees and working on deer fence exclosures. You can try your hand at either activity or both! Help to reforest Garfield Park and keep the fledging trees safe as they grow.

(M) Scenic Rivers Macro Monitoring

Tue, May 19 (Rain Date: Fri May 22), 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed

Learn how to use macroinvertebrates to measure the water quality of the Chagrin River as part of the Ohio Wild and Scenic Rivers Program! Join Cleveland Metroparks Aquatic Research Coordinator, Claire Weldon, in seining (netting) and identifying biological life living in the river.

(R) Tree Planting & Deer Fence Build

Wed, May 20, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Big Creek Reservation in Big Creek Watershed

We'll join Natural Area Manager, Valerie Carter-Stone and her team, by planting bare-root trees and working on deer fence enclosures. We'll join Natural Area Manager, Valerie Carter-Stone and her team in planting bare-root trees and working on deer fence exclosures. You can try your hand at either activity or both! Help to reforest Big Creek and keep the fledging trees safe as they grow.

(R) Volunteer Led Dame's Rocket Removal

Thu, May 21, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Eastland Road Trailhead of the Lake to Lake Trail

Join Volunteer Leader Dave LeBrun to help restore native habitat by removing dame's rocket. We will take care to identify this beautiful but invasive species and remove it to reduce seed spread. Come prepared to carefully go off trail.

(R) Tree Planting

Wed, May 27, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Location TBD

Join Natural Area Manager, Valerie Carter-Stone, to help finish spring tree planting. We'll pivot to the location of greatest need, making sure to give the trees a head start before the warm summer weather becomes unsuitable for planting.

May Supplemental Events

(S) Nine Mile Gorge Escarpment Ravine Hike with Dr. Roy Larick

Sat, May 2, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. @ Quarry Park North, 669 S Belvoir Blvd, South Euclid 44121

The Nine Mile gorge is the ambitious ‘hike of hikes’ for the East Side escarpment. It will run for two hours in unimproved rugged terrain. Safety is paramount. The gorge entry and exit involves a very steep slope across a 60-ft elevation change. This hike requires hikers to be comfortable navigating steep, slippery and at times uneven surfaces. During the Hike, Dr. Roy Larick will share information about the ecology and natural history of the area, so come prepared to learn!

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Invasive Plant Control

Sat, May 9, 9 a.m. @ Dusty Goldenrod Preserve

(S) Cleveland Water Open House 2026

Sat, May 9, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ Crown Water Treatment Plant

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how water from Lake Erie is made safe to drink before being delivered to your home. Join Cleveland Water as they celebrate Drinking Water Week with free guided tours of the Crown Water Treatment Plant! Visitors will get a first-hand look at everything that goes into making water from Lake Erie safe to drink, including filtration, disinfection, and testing. Guests will also have the opportunity to engage in water-related experiments, demonstrations, and exhibits made for the whole family.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Rain Barrel Pick-up

Thurs, May 14, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. @ Shaker Heights Service Yard

Collect rainwater for outdoor use and help reduce stormwater pollution in your community by building your own rain barrel. A rain barrel captures and stores rainwater that would otherwise flow untreated into storm drains. You can use this collected water to nourish your lawn and garden, conserving resources and supporting a healthier environment. This event is a rain barrel system pick-up only! You’ll receive a barrel and a complete kit with all the parts needed to assemble your system at home using just a drill and a screwdriver. The $60 fee covers all materials, including a 60‑gallon barrel, drill bits, and a downspout diverter. If you’d like to create a two‑barrel setup, an additional barrel and linking kit are available for $40. Pre‑payment and workshop registration are required.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Rain Barrel Pick-up

Thurs, May 14, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. @ Veterans Plaza at the Garfield Heights Civic Center Complex behind Garfield Heights Historical Society Museum

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Summit Metroparks: Native Plant Festival

Sat, May 16, 10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. @ 521 S. River Rd Munroe Falls, OH 44262

Celebrate the start of summer at the 5th Annual Native Plant Festival, presented by Wayside Furniture! Discover how to create a thriving habitat for wildlife by incorporating beautiful, beneficial native plants into your landscape. Meet Summit Metro Parks staff, local nurseries, landscapers and community partners to learn about the vital role native plants play in our ecosystem. Shop a wide selection of native plants for sale or join an educational session for expert tips on native gardening. Visitors will receive a FREE seedling or seed packet, while supplies last.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Invasive Plant Control

Sat, May 23, 9 a.m. @ Dusty Goldenrod Preserve

(S) Spring Plant Sale

Sat, May 23, 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. @ Creekside Collaborative Partners

Join us as we welcome the new season with a vibrant selection of native wildflowers, hardy shrubs, and young trees, as well as a variety of culinary vegetables and herbs — perfect for enhancing your home landscape or starting a brand‑new garden project. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just discovering the joy of planting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Beyond the Summit: Summit Lake Fish Biodiversity

Wed, May 27, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. @ Summit Lake Nature Center

Beyond the Summit is a speaker series featuring environmental professionals discussing topics related to water in Northeast Ohio. From watershed health to fishing best practices, each talk offers community members the chance to learn from experts shaping the future of our water resources. This month’s guest joins us from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife to talk about Summit Lake fish biodiversity.

More Information and Registration Here