TCWP works with schools and communities to turn watershed education into action—helping people of all ages make a difference.

SUPPORTING NATIVE BEES THROUGH HANDS-ON CONSERVATION

Thanks to funding through an Enbridge/Western Reserve Land Conservancy grant, Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners launched a new project designed to raise awareness about the critical role of native bees and to provide community members with simple, meaningful ways to help protect them.

Native bee populations are facing serious challenges from habitat loss and pesticide use, putting many of the plants that rely on them for pollination at risk. Unlike honeybees, most native bees in North America are solitary nesters, often using hollow stems or small cavities as their homes. To support these vital pollinators, conservationists have developed “bee boxes”, small structures filled with hollow tubes that mimic natural nesting sites and provide much-needed habitat.

Through a series of grant-funded workshops, residents participate in hands-on conservation by building and installing their own bee houses and planting small pollinator gardens at home. These activities not only provide immediate habitat for native bees but also inspire long-term stewardship. Participants receive resources for maintaining their bee houses, including replacement reeds after the first season, to help ensure their conservation efforts continue year after year.

Beyond individual action, the project aims to spark wider community interest in pollinator protection, laying the groundwork for ongoing workshops and expanding conservation opportunities across the watershed. Together, these efforts will create lasting benefits for both native bees and the ecosystems that depend on them.

For more information, contact:
Matt Siefert, Watershed Coordinator, TCWP

[email protected]

330.963.6863 x5102

Turning Rain BarRels into Public art with RB Chamberlin Middle School

Thanks to an ArtsForward Arts Now grant, Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners (TCWP) partnered with RB Chamberlin Middle School art teacher Wendy Neto and her students to transform everyday rain barrels into vibrant works of art. With guidance from a TCWP NOWCorps AmeriCorps member, students designed and painted barrels that will soon be installed in community spaces throughout Summit County.

This project blends environmental education with public art, highlighting the value of rain barrels in capturing and reusing stormwater while bringing colorful student artwork into shared spaces. By connecting creativity with conservation, the initiative shows how simple tools like rain barrels can play a big role in protecting our waterways.

Beyond their visual impact, the barrels also support broader community goals. TCWP is pairing installations with educational sessions on watershed science and sustainable practices, helping residents learn more about water conservation. The effort also complements the Summit County Cultural Plan by combining art and environmental education to enrich outdoor spaces across the region.

Key project goals include:

  • Raising awareness about water conservation and the role of rain barrels

  • Encouraging community collaboration through art and environmental action

  • Enhancing public spaces with student creativity

  • Expanding access to environmental projects across diverse locations in Summit County

For more information about the ArtsNow project, contact:
Dr. Erica Matheny, Executive Director, TCWP

[email protected]

330.963.6863 x5103

TCWP’s Storywalks in Glenwillow and Twinsburg

Glenwillow Storywalk
Twinsburg librarian guided storymap walk

Take learning outside with TCWP’s Storywalks in Glenwillow and Twinsburg, where storytelling meets the trail. These interactive exhibits invite families to walk, read, and discover how everyday actions impact the health of Tinker’s Creek.

Installed along the Tinker’s Creek Trail in Glenwillow and at Center Valley Park in Twinsburg, the Storywalks feature a series of interpretive signs following two young heroes as they take on Stormy, a fictional villain threatening local waterways. Along the way, readers learn about stormwater runoff, nonpoint source pollution, and habitat protection – all presented in an accessible, age-appropriate format.

Visitors are encouraged to join the heroes as members of the “Watershed Defense League” by making a pledge to protect clean water. These Storywalks were supported by the Ohio EPA’s Environmental Education Fund in partnership with the City of Twinsburg and Village of Glenwillow.

Can’t make it to the trail? Follow along as a Twinsburg librarian leads a virtual StoryWalk on our YouTube channel: [Watch the Storywalk read aloud]

Request a Program

Are you interested in partnering with us for a program in your school or community? Complete the Request a Program form to share more details and we’ll follow up.