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.
Join us for monitoring Marine Debris at Euclid Creek.
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.
Start off your Sunday by joining the WVP team and fellow volunteers for a morning snack and refreshing beverage before we set foot into the Green Infrastructure. In part 4 of this series, we will remove invasive plant species, add mulch to barren areas, perform other routine maintenance ensuring proper functionality and provide a natural space for wildlife in stormwater control measures.
Public Volunteers register here
We will be joined by Kate Chapel, Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator, from Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District to learn about restoration efforts on Euclid Creek, both on site and right downstream. We will help remove trash from the creek/floodplains and remove some invasive species as well. Past tree plantings will be inspected and tree cages assessed to see if any ought to be removed. Any tools and supplies will be provided by Cuyahoga SWCD. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes and bring your own water.
Start off your Sunday by joining the WVP team and fellow volunteers for a morning snack and refreshing beverage before we set foot into the Green Infrastructure. In part 5 of this series, we will remove invasive plant species, add mulch to barren areas, perform other routine maintenance ensuring proper functionality and provide a natural space for wildlife in stormwater control measures.
Public Volunteers register here
Help restore the native vegetation of this wetland complex. Join CMP Natural Resources Manager Val Carter-Stone to remove non-native, invasive cattail. This will release the native wetland plants within the Fowles Marsh wetland complex.








Learn to design and install your own rain garden and become the rain garden expert in your neighborhood. This course will provide you with the information and experience to build your own rain garden and become a Certified Master Rain Gardener. We recognize that not everyone can build a rain garden on their own property though, so you can also become certified by participating in a public rain garden building, volunteering at a public rain garden, or passing along your new expertise to the public (i.e. presenting to your garden club, at a public library, etc.)
Upon certification, you’ll receive a Master Rain Gardener t-shirt, sign, and certificate (included in the cost of registration).
More Information and Registration Here
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 workshop includes a rain barrel system pickup along with a brief presentation and demonstration at the beginning. 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
Are you looking for a way to get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join CVNP 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, 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.
More Information and Registration Here
Join the Cuyahoga River AOC's Advisory Committee at the next quarterly meeting to discuss pertinent items related to the overall goal of delisting the river by completing all Management Action Projects and all Beneficial Use Impairment's are restored. Please email [email protected] for an agenda and additional information.
The 8th Annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest is Ohio's 2nd largest paddling event for kayaks, canoes, standups, and surf skis on the Cuyahoga River, a historic body of water that's risen like a Phoenix since the June 22, 1969 fire sparked the global environmental movement and clean water protections. After your paddle, enjoy the Blazing Paddles Paddlefest Riverfront Expo with food, beverage and live Reggae music at Music Box Supper Club and other Flats West Bank hospitality partners.
More Information and Registration Here
Are you looking for a way to get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join CVNP 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, 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.
More Information and Registration Here
Explore nature from a river’s point of view. We will get wet as we hike down the middle of West Creek heading south from the Watershed Stewardship Center. West Creek Conservancy in partnership with Cleveland Metroparks has worked hard to protect, restore, and connect riparian green spaces, one parcel at a time, to create West Creek Reservation. The hike will highlight how humans have altered the stream valley through urban growth. Participants will observe the stream in action, as we compare a section of more natural stream valley to a highly altered section of stream valley. It will be over moderate to rough terrain (rocky riverbeds) so a walking stick and waterproof rubber knee-high boots, or sturdy tennis shoes that can get wet, are recommended. Along the hike we will talk about problems created by urban modifications of a natural stream and see firsthand the need to protect and restore these important blue-green corridors. Registration: Call or email Kelly Eppink at 330-801-5446 | [email protected]
Did you know there are dunes as part of a Lake Erie beach in Northeast Ohio? Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve, located in Mentor Headlands, is a must see! Join Tom Sampliner as he walks us through this Lake Erie jewel. Tom recommends those in attendance bring a picnic or sack lunch to enjoy afterwards at the Mentor Headlands State Park facilities. There are public picnic tables, grills, rest rooms, and change houses available at the beach. Mentor Headlands State Park is adjacent to the nature preserve. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with FOEC members and friends.
More Information and Registration Here
We’ll use two recently-installed put-ins for this paddle: Summit Metro Parks's Cascade Valley put-in, and the new Northampton Point access point. This section of the Cuyahoga shows mixed use: wooded parkland with intrusions from agriculture, recreation, and commercial and residential development. Akron's wastewater treatment plant discharges into the river just upstream of a large, active heron rookery. A lively current adds interest, and strainers demand caution. Only for paddlers who can control a boat in moving water.
More Information and Registration Here
This year, the Friends of Doan Brook Gorge will be hosting 6 Community Stewardship Days at the Doan Brook Gorge to remove invasive species, plant native trees, shrubs and pollinator plants, expand and maintain “no mow” areas by replenishing woodchips, and more!
More Information and Registration Here
Nitrate Pollution Awareness Week is a new initiative of the Izaak Walton League of America, aimed at amplifying education, monitoring, and advocacy surrounding nitrate pollution in water. But what is nitrate pollution? Why does it matter? And what can we do about it? Join the League’s Clean Water Program Director, Samantha Puckett and Grassroots Advocacy Manager, Jessica Gordon to learn the answers to these questions, and more. Plus, find out how you can enter to win prizes just by getting involved this week!
More Information and Registration Here
In communities across the country, nitrate pollution is a tasteless, odorless, invisible contaminant posing serious harm to public health. Join Dr. David Cwiertny, Director of the University of Iowa’s Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, for an in-depth exploration of how nitrate contamination in our water systems is a public health concern. This session will distill complex data into clear takeaways, highlighting the latest scientific links between nitrate exposure and adverse health outcomes including cancers, thyroid disease, birth defects, and more.
More Information and Registration Here
Environmental stewardship and farm profitability are not mutually exclusive. Join Dr. Matt Liebman, Iowa State University Professor Emeritus, as he draws from decades of groundbreaking research to describe actionable strategies to cultivate resilience on agricultural landscapes to improve water quality. We’ll explore how regenerative practices can significantly reduce nitrate pollution and restore soil health without sacrificing the bottom line.
More Information and Registration Here
Each summer, the Gulf of Mexico develops a hypoxic “dead zone,” an area of low to no oxygen spanning thousands of square miles where aquatic life is scarce. Join Dr. Cassandra Glaspie of Louisiana State University for an exploration of the Gulf dead zone and its connection to nitrate pollution within the Mississippi River Basin. Drawing on her firsthand experience leading hypoxia cruises, Dr. Glaspie will share insights into the data collection process and what long-term nutrient dynamics reveal about the health of our coastal waters.















The Cleveland Metroparks Bug Bonanza is an annual, free, family-friendly summer event celebrating insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Join us to help spread the word about WVP by staffing an information table or an educational, interactive macroinvertebrates station at the Metroparks annual Bug Bonanza.
Start off your Sunday by joining the WVP team and fellow volunteers for a morning snack and refreshing beverage before we set foot into the Green Infrastructure. In part 6 of this series, we will remove invasive plant species, add mulch to barren areas, perform other routine maintenance ensuring proper functionality and provide a natural space for wildlife in stormwater control measures.
Public Volunteers register here
This is a special event for Watershed Stewards who've achieved their certification. We'll join Cleveland Metropark's Historical Interpreter Doug Kusak on this WVP only, 2-hour Cuyahoga River boat ride aboard the eLCee2. 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. We’ll look at what was, what is, and what’s to come.
Registration will open on Thursday 7/23/26 at 6pm.
Start off your Sunday by joining the WVP team and fellow volunteers for a morning snack and refreshing beverage before we set foot into the Green Infrastructure. In part 7 of this series, we will remove invasive plant species, add mulch to barren areas, perform other routine maintenance ensuring proper functionality and provide a natural space for wildlife in stormwater control measures.
Public Volunteers register here
We will be joined by Kevin Saracino from Chagrin River Watershed Partners to learn about the Beecher's Brook Restoration that Chagrin River Watershed Partners assisted with back in 2021. We will tour the site, talk about the restoration, and learn about fish passage barriers that were a big part of the project.
Join us in celebrating all our hard work and accomplishments during the 7 events of the Green Infrastructure Gardening Series this year.
Help restore the native vegetation of this wetland complex. Join CMP Natural Resources Manager Val Carter-Stone to remove non-native, invasive cattail. This will release the native wetland plants within the Fowles Marsh wetland complex.
Join us for monitoring Marine Debris at Euclid Creek.








Get outside and give back to your watershed! Join Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners in Solon for a stream cleanup at Hawthorne Creek.
More Information and Registration Here
Collect rainwater, cut down on stormwater pollution, and give your garden a boost by building your own rain barrel. 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. 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
Learn to design and install your own rain garden and become the rain garden expert in your neighborhood. This course will provide you with the information and experience to build your own rain garden and become a Certified Master Rain Gardener. We recognize that not everyone can build a rain garden on their own property though, so you can also become certified by participating in a public rain garden building, volunteering at a public rain garden, or passing along your new expertise to the public (i.e. presenting to your garden club, at a public library, etc.)
Upon certification, you’ll receive a Master Rain Gardener t-shirt, sign, and certificate (included in the cost of registration).
More Information and Registration Here
Lake Erie Awareness Day brings the magic of Lake Erie’s history, culture, and natural resources to 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. Fun giveaways and a great day in nature awaits! Go to all the stations and be entered to win a fabulous island themed prize.
More Information and Registration Here
River Rally, sponsored by Cargill, is a free community festival celebrating the renewal of the Cuyahoga River with free walking, biking and boat tours at Hart Crane Park. The festival village opens at 11 a.m. offering kids’ crafts, water-themed experiences, free rides on the Holiday Boat, live music, a beer garden and more!
More Information and Registration Here
Join a Summit Metroparks district staff as we explore life in the river. Discover how these surveys help measure the river’s health and get an up-close look at the fish we catch before they’re safely released back into the water.
More Information and Registration Here
Are you looking for a way to get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join CVNP 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, 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.
More Information and Registration Here
Walk with Dr. David Saja and several local naturalists through the recently acquired and yet-to-be open northern section of Thompson Ledges. Learn about the uniqueness of the northern most Sharon-conglomerate sandstone rock outcropping in Ohio. Expect to see distinctive trails, caves, old growth forest and several listed species along the way. Meet up after the hike for comradery and wine-tasting at a Grand River Winery. Exact location to be determined closer to hike. Registration: Call or email Kelly Eppink at 330-801-5446 | [email protected]
Challenge yourself with a 1-mile, 2-mile, 6-mile, or Kids’ stand up paddleboard or kayak race during the 12th annual Whiskey Island Paddlefest, or enjoy a paddle at your own pace during the Capture the Swag Fun Paddle! Whiskey Island Paddlefest is perfect for both beginners and advanced paddlers.
More Information and Registration Here
Get ready for a day full of fun outdoor activities for the whole family! Explore nature, learn about watersheds, and enjoy games, crafts, and tasty treats. Perfect for all ages, this in-person event promises a great time connecting with nature and your community. Don't miss out on the laughs, learning, and lasting memories at the Tinker's Creek Family Fun Day!
More Information and Registration Here
This year, the Friends of Doan Brook Gorge will be hosting 6 Community Stewardship Days at the Doan Brook Gorge to remove invasive species, plant native trees, shrubs and pollinator plants, expand and maintain “no mow” areas by replenishing woodchips, and more!
More Information and Registration Here
Creekside Collaborative Partners: A historic homestead, a stream restoration site, and a collaborative hub where conservation partners come together. Join us for a guided hike as we explore the land’s past, celebrate its purpose today, and share the vision ahead. This will be a leisurely, one‑mile hike around the site, offering a closer look at how this urban greenspace is being thoughtfully used and cared for. Along the way, we’ll visit a preserved upland forest, a restored urban stream valley, a culinary outdoor classroom, and a native plant nursery. After the hike, stay for an open‑house‑style gathering—chat with staff, ask questions, and explore the space at your own pace. Registration: Call or email Kelly Eppink at 330-801-5446 | [email protected]
Doan Brook Watershed Partnership has been hosting our annual event Take to the Lake which was started in 2013 as a memorial to Lester Stumpe, an avid paddler and early DBWP board member. We typically host the event on the last Saturday in August and this years event details can be found below. Canoeing on the Shaker Lakes was a popular pastime in the first half of the 20th century, but public boating on the lakes is now less common. Take to the Lake gives participants a chance to resurrect this recreational opportunity for a day, and gain a new perspective on the lakes and their place in our watershed community. We hope you will join us for an afternoon of paddling, guided hikes, yoga, along the banks of historic Lower Shaker Lake.
More Information and Registration Here
CRWP’s board and staff invite you to join our 30th Anniversary Bus Tours. Meet our team and partners, learn more about our sites, and educate on the importance of watershed protection and water funding! Lunch will be provided to all tour participants. TWO TOUR OPTIONS - Regional Partnership Highlights Tour & Chagrin River Headwaters to Mainstream Tour (see itineraries and follow the associated link to register). Free to attend, but space is limited, so registration is required.














Gather with your fellow WVP volunteers to join in the Cleveland Metroparks monthlong monitoring celebration of our park's pollinators.
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.
A day all about water with games, education, tours, and more! Help spread the word about WVP and share your knowledge of watershed health. Breakfast or lunch will be provided to WVP table volunteers.
Cleveland Metroparks, in partnership with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, is hosting the second annual Sturgeon Fest. The event celebrates the historic stocking of juvenile lake sturgeon into the Cuyahoga River to support the species' recovery. The event will include educational activities and volunteers will assist with the release of lake sturgeon.
Gather with your fellow WVP volunteers to join in the Cleveland Metroparks monthlong monitoring celebration of our park's pollinators.
The Steelhead Expo is a great way to kick off the steelhead season. This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to usher in the fall steelhead season. Join us to help spread the word about WVP.
Join us for monitoring Marine Debris at Euclid Creek.
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.





Discover how to conserve water and save on your utility bills by joining our Rain Barrel Workshop—your first step towards sustainable living! In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to install and maintain a rain barrel, turning rainwater into a resource for your garden while reducing runoff and protecting our local watersheds.
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 bluegill and catfish, and we will have free fishing rods and bait for registered participants while supplies last! Rockefeller Lagoon (7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Cleveland, OH) is wheelchair accessible, and you do not need a fishing license to fish there!
More Information and Registration Here
Join a certified instructor on the Ohio Erie Canal for a guided, round-trip paddle south from Summit Lake. Learn about the canal’s history and how it put Akron on the map. Minimum age is 13; ages 13 to 17 must be with an adult participant. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and be able to swim. All equipment will be provided. Location subject to change based on water conditions. Cost: $15/person. Registration is required and begins 8/1.
More Information and Registration Here
Join us as we celebrate the return of lake sturgeon to the Cuyahoga River! Once a familiar part of Ohio’s waterways, these ancient fish disappeared from the river for decades. Thanks to years of restoration work and improving river health, lake sturgeon are making their way back. Help us mark this exciting moment and send the next generation of sturgeon on their journey into the Cuyahoga River. Small visitor groups will have the opportunity to take turns releasing one young sturgeon into the river and learn about the ongoing efforts to restore the Cuyahoga River watershed. On the same date, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland Metroparks will be hosting their own sturgeon release events. Throughout these events, discover how collaboration and stewardship are helping transform the Cuyahoga River and create a healthier future for wildlife and people alike.
More Information and Registration Here
This year, the Friends of Doan Brook Gorge will be hosting 6 Community Stewardship Days at the Doan Brook Gorge to remove invasive species, plant native trees, shrubs and pollinator plants, expand and maintain “no mow” areas by replenishing woodchips, and more!
More Information and Registration Here
West Creek Conservancy invites you to celebrate and support 29 years of land conservation in Northern Ohio. Mark your calendars for our annual fundraising benefit, Up! A Creek on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Windows on the River. Enjoy food stations, spirits, games, raffle baskets, TWO live bands, dancing, auction, late-night snack courtesy of Boom’s Pizza, and the Greater Cleveland Aquarium!









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