2026 Events

Primary  Events

(R) Seed Processing (cancelled)

Fri, Feb 6, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @  Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation in West Creek Watershed

Join WVP as we process and prepare the seed that we collected during the fall.

(R) Edgewater Invasive Vine Cutting

Wed, Feb 4,10 a.m. - 12p.m. @  Edgewater Park, Lake Front Reservation in Lake Erie Watershed

Join Natural Area Manager Valerie Carter-Stone to help eliminate invasive vines that are choking the wooded hillsides of Edgewater Park.

(Restoration: 3)

(E) Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series: Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Origin Story

Wed, Jan 21, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @  Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation in West Creek Watershed

Cleveland Metroparks Director of Natural Resources, Jennifer Grieser, will kick of 2026's Natural Resources Winter Lecture Series. Like any good superhero tale, there's always a great backstory. She'll take us back to the pre-WVP days, its founding, and the mission to enhance and protect our urban watersheds through scientific discovery, education, and sustainable action.

(Education: 48)

(M) Winter Stonefly Survey

Sat, Jan 17, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. @  Baldwin Creek in Baldwin Creek Watershed

Join volunteer leader Bob Bennett for the first of a three part stonefly monitoring work session. Learn about the first discoveries of stoneflies in Baldwin Creek, search on-land for two species of stoneflies at three Baldwin Creek sites, and submit photo data to iNaturalist. Data collected during these surveys will be utilized to estimate the presence and abundance of stonefly families within Baldwin Creek.

(Monitoring: 14)

(R) Seed Processing

Wed, Jan 14, 6 - 7:30 p.m. @  Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation in West Creek Watershed

Join WVP as we process and prepare the seed that we collected during the fall.

(Restoration: 11)

(E) Great Lakes Cargo Ships Lecture 

Sat, Jan 10, 11 a. m. - 1 p.m. @  CanalWay Center in Cuyahoga River Watershed

Cleveland is a port city and ships are vital to our economy. Since before William Gordon (of Gordon Park and Gordon Square Arts District fame) orchestrated the first shipment of iron ore from Lake Superior to Cleveland, we’ve been receiving raw materials by bulk cargo ship. Historical Interpreter Doug Kusak will help you understand how these behemoths of transportation work and where you can go to see them in action. Bonus Edmund Fitzgerald material!: In honor of the recent 50th anniversary of its sinking, Doug will incorporate what's known about the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy. He will cover the major (plausible) theories, provide a definitive (probably unsatisfactory) answer, and conduct a stark examination of some of Gordon Lightfoot's lyrics.

(Education: 30)

Supplemental  Events

(S) CSWCD: Winter Sowing Workshop & Seed Swap

Sat, Jan 31, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. @ South Euclid City Hall

Winter sowing native seeds is a simple and cost-effective way to grow your own native plants! Growing native plants in mini greenhouses using transparent milk jugs (or another similar plastic container) is easy and effective. This method emulates the cold winter conditions many plants need to germinate and also protects them from predators. Cuyahoga SWCD will provide seeds, potting soil, instruction, and other supplies. We ask each attendee to bring their OWN milk jug to create a mini greenhouse. Feel free to bring an extra for yourself or a friend, we’ll provide soil until we run out. If you have native seeds to share, please bring them!

More Information and Registration Here

(S) CSWCD: Winter Sowing Workshop

Sat, Jan 31, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. @ Moreland Hills Village Hall

Winter sowing native seeds is a simple and cost-effective way to grow your own native plants! Growing native plants in mini greenhouses using transparent milk jugs (or another similar plastic container) is easy and effective. This method emulates the cold winter conditions many plants need to germinate and also protects them from predators. Cuyahoga SWCD will provide seeds, potting soil, instruction, and other supplies. We ask each attendee to bring their OWN milk jug to create a mini greenhouse. Feel free to bring an extra for yourself or a friend, we’ll provide soil until we run out. If you have native seeds to share, please bring them!

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Winter Salt Week: Salt Monitoring 101

Fri, Jan 30, 1:00 p.m. @ Livestream

Monitors will share their monitoring experiences on the Farmington River in Connecticut and the Rouge River in Michigan before fielding participant questions and discussion topics.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Winter Salt Week: Advocating for Change

Fri, Jan 30, 12:00 p.m. @ Livestream

Want to make a difference? Let's talk practical ways to mobilize your community, collaborate with local leaders, and champion policies that support smarter winter maintenance.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Winter Salt Week: Engineering Solutions

Thurs, Jan 29, 1:30 p.m. @ Livestream

Discover how innovative engineering can dramatically reduce the need for winter salt. This webinar will highlight design approaches—such as optimized grading, drainage, and material choices—that set the stage for safer, more efficient winter maintenance. We’ll also explore the growing role of smart sensors and connected infrastructure in tracking conditions in real time. Finally, learn how AI-driven storm management tools can support crews in making faster, more precise decisions that keep surfaces safe while minimizing salt use.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Winter Sowing Workshop

Wed, Jan 28, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. @ Virtual

Join West Creek Conservancy for an engaging online workshop about the power of native plants and how small changes in your yard can make a big impact on biodiversity and watershed health. In this interactive session, you’ll learn: Why native plants matter in Northeastern Ohio, practical tips to shrink your lawn and create pollinator-friendly spaces, and step-by-step guidance on seed stratification and winter sowing using milk jugs. Whether you’re new to native gardening or looking for fresh ideas, this virtual event will give you the tools and confidence to start making a difference right in your own yard. 

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Winter Salt Week: Smart Salting Contracts

Wed, Jan 28, 1:30 p.m. @ Livestream

Knowing how to ask for best practices can be difficult. If you aren’t an industry professional, you likely feel out of your league when deciphering terms like deicing vs anti-icing, pre-treatment vs pre-wet. What chemical deicers should you ask for or steer away from? Learn the basics about industry best practices and valuable resources that are available to support you to get the services you need and reduce liability at your property.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Winter Salt Week: Salt Wise Stories

Tues, Jan 27, 1:30 p.m. @ Livestream

Hear directly from winter maintenance practitioners who have made the shift to smarter salting. In this webinar, they’ll share how they built the business case for change—reducing costs, improving efficiency, and protecting local waters. You’ll learn how they retooled their operations, from equipment upgrades to staff training, and what results they’ve seen on the ground. These leaders now pay it forward by educating peers, supporting contractors, and inspiring communities to adopt Salt Wise practices of their own.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Winter Salt Week: Freshwater Salinization

Mon, Jan 26, 1:30 p.m. @ Livestream

Get the big-picture view of freshwater salinization and why it’s emerging as a critical water-quality challenge across the country. We’ll break down the major drivers, the ecological and infrastructure impacts, and the trends scientists are tracking in rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Then we’ll zoom in on a real-world case study from the Occoquan Reservoir, where researchers and managers are grappling with the complex mix of land use, weather patterns, and human behavior that fuels rising chloride levels. This case will illustrate both the challenges and the practical management strategies communities can use to protect their drinking water supplies.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Wild Winter Wonderland Walk at Historic Snake Hill

Mon, Jan 19, 2 - 3:30 p.m. @ Snake Hill Trail, 3800 Muriel Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44109

Nestled in the historic Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland with very close proximity to the Cleveland Metropark Zoo, join Wild Ones for an amazing, fun-filled day of walking, connections, nature, and history amidst the dreamy NE OH winter landscapes. This independent nature preserve - interestingly not in the Metropark system - was created and managed by community grassroot efforts through engaging neighbors, friends, activists, and fellow lovers of nature to preserve a very important component to our neighborhoods and cities: untouched nature and greenspace for all! We'll learn of the former streets that used to weave through this surprisingly-expansive and pretty-well-hidden neighborhood gem; Streets now reclaimed by nature that used to be used by the neighborhood factory workers on their walking commutes to the factories that use to occupy the land where the Cleveland Metroparks now sit. We'll also see an amazing tree canopy, native restoration in action, an array of birds and other animals should they come out to say hello, and the gorgeous winter interest we're always so fortunate to enjoy this time of year. 

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Native Seed Swap and Seed Packing

Sat, Jan 17, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Beachwood Branch Cuyahoga County Library

Wild Ones Greater Cleveland is hosting a native SEED SWAP on Saturday January 17th.  This event is FREE and open to the public so be sure to invite friends and family!

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Friends of Euclid Creek: Winter Hike at Redstone Run Preserve: Pick Your Adventure

Sat, Jan 17, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ 25309 Highland Road, Richmond Heights, OH

Once again, Roy Larick has agreed to lead us on an invigorating hike. Who can forget the thrill of wading across Euclid Creek at the Greenwood Farm property during a vigorous snowfall (not quite a blizzard) a couple years ago? We can only hope for an equally enjoyable time this year.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Fireside Chat with Author Tara Lohan

Thurs, Jan 15, 4 p.m. @ virtual

Join American Rivers for a special virtual fireside chat with journalist Tara Lohan as we celebrate the release of her new book, Undammed: Freeing Rivers and Bringing Communities to Life. The book charts the rise of the dam removal and river restoration movement and shares the remarkable benefits of undamming waterways to benefit people and wildlife. Tara’s reporting spans the country, capturing the passion and persistence of the advocates, scientists, Tribal leaders, and local residents working to free America’s waterways from outdated and harmful dams. Through compelling narrative and clear-eyed hope, Tara demonstrates that undamming is not just an environmental intervention—it’s a community-led transformation that is reshaping landscapes and lives. This conversation is ideal for anyone interested in conservation, community health and public safety, cultural revitalization, and the power of local action to spark meaningful change. 

More Information and Registration Here

(S) West Creek Conservancy: Seed Packing

Thurs, Jan 15, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ West Creek Office (7381 Camelot Dr Parma, OH, OH 44134)

Be part of our Native Seed Library project and help us build a resource that will support biodiversity throughout Northeast Ohio. During this seated, hands-on volunteer session, you’ll assemble seed packets filled with our freshly cleaned native seeds. These packets will be placed at local seed libraries for community members to use in reducing lawn and creating pollinator gardens—so every seed you package plays a role in strengthening local ecosystems.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) West Creek Conservancy: Seed Packing

Wed, Jan 14, 5:30 - 7 p.m. @ West Creek Office (7381 Camelot Dr Parma, OH, OH 44134)

Be part of our Native Seed Library project and help us build a resource that will support biodiversity throughout Northeast Ohio. During this seated, hands-on volunteer session, you’ll assemble seed packets filled with our freshly cleaned native seeds. These packets will be placed at local seed libraries for community members to use in reducing lawn and creating pollinator gardens—so every seed you package plays a role in strengthening local ecosystems.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) West Creek Conservancy: Seed Packing

Tues, Jan 13, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ West Creek Office (7381 Camelot Dr Parma, OH, OH 44134)

Be part of our Native Seed Library project and help us build a resource that will support biodiversity throughout Northeast Ohio. During this seated, hands-on volunteer session, you’ll assemble seed packets filled with our freshly cleaned native seeds. These packets will be placed at local seed libraries for community members to use in reducing lawn and creating pollinator gardens—so every seed you package plays a role in strengthening local ecosystems.

More Information and Registration Here