With the cooperation and assistance of many different project partners and communities, TCWP has helped improve the watershed through project implementation and grant assistance.

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 Barels 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

We’re currently looking for Summit County parks, businesses, and organizations interested in hosting one of these student-painted rain barrels. If you’d like to showcase a FREE painted barrel at your site, please contact Angela Brodie at [email protected].

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

[email protected]

330.963.6863 x5103

RESTORING DARROW ROAD PARK STREAM IN HUDSON

Existing ditch highlighting the straight and deepened channel pre-restoration.
Map of project area.

The City of Hudson was awarded a $250,000 Ohio EPA Section 319 grant, with matching funds from the City, to restore and permanently protect riparian habitat and wetlands in an important headwaters area of Tinker’s Creek. This project will treat invasive species, install native plants, and improve stormwater function, making the site more resilient and diverse for the future.

EnviroScience, Inc., alongside RiverReach Construction and GPD Group, is leading the Darrow Road Stream Restoration Project’s design-build team. Known locally as Darrow Road Park Ditch, this stream has long faced challenges due to its straight, deep channel—caused by historic dredging and sediment buildup—which has altered the natural flow and reduced its connection to the floodplain. Over time, these changes have led to increased erosion, reduced water quality, and loss of habitat for fish and wildlife.

The Darrow Road Stream Restoration Project will bring the stream back to life by:

  • Creating meanders and gentle bends to reconnect the stream to its floodplain
  • Restoring natural features such as riffles and pools to support aquatic life
  • Managing invasive plants and installing native species to stabilize streambanks and enhance wetlands
  • Improving stormwater filtering to protect water quality downstream

With construction nearly complete, Darrow Road Park is already beginning to showcase a healthier, more resilient stream and wetlands that will support thriving ecosystems and enhance the park’s natural beauty for the community to enjoy.

This project represents an important step forward in TCWP’s mission to restore habitats and water quality across the watershed. By protecting this headwaters site from development, we are ensuring it remains a valuable public resource for generations to come. We are excited about the opportunity to put this project on the ground with great partners in the City of Hudson, the Ohio EPA, and Friends of Hudson Parks.

Learn more about the project HERE and follow updates at EnviroScience Darrow Road Park Stream Restoration Blog.