Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

I am a person with a deep passion for the care of the environment. This is why I decided to start my journey in becoming a certified watershed steward so that I would be able to care for local watersheds and improve water quality for its surrounding citizens and the organisms that reside in these watersheds. Growing up near Lake Erie, I can recall numerous times during the summer I visited the beaches of Lake Erie. I enjoyed all the times I went boating, tubing, and paddle boarding on the lake, which I feel is something that I sometimes take for granted. By becoming a watershed steward, I now have the ability to ensure that future generations are able to benefit from Lake Erie just as I have and continue to benefit from. I first discovered the possibility of becoming a watershed steward through the Cleveland Metroparks system and immediately felt at home. I felt so happy that I could further my passion for protecting the environment and being able to make real change in my community.
My roles as a watershed steward are to monitor levels such as pH and salinity in local waterways, educate myself by attending seminars, and volunteering in restoration projects. To earn my certification I had to complete a series of volunteer and service projects through the Metroparks system. My favorite of these projects was the restoration of an inner city park. Growing up near a large inner city, natural parks are difficult to come by, and by being able to rehabilitate a plot of land, it can help benefit the whole community. The photo attached is from the rehabilitation of an inner city park. I was able to be a part of a group that helped give back to my city and allow everyone to reap the benefits of nature despite living in an inner city. Specifically, I worked to rehabilitate trees that were planted incorrectly by a contracting company. I had no previous experience working with the care of trees but by working with professionals I was able to learn and gain experience in tree care. My group and I walked around the park and analyzed the state of each tree planted. We rehabilitated the trees by uncovering the mulch from their roots, which I learned helps the tree roots breath and help with growth. We also removed plastic on the tree branches which was suffocating their growth. Through this project, I now have the knowledge to care for trees I see in my community and neighborhood that are affected by poor planting practices and was able to be a park of a rehabilitation process for a new park for an inner city community. These are skills that I feel have greatly benefited me and that is why this is one of my favorite volunteer projects I have done in my process of becoming a certified watershed steward.
In addition, for the certification, I had to attend an educational seminar. I had the opportunity to view a film regarding the effects of harmful algal blooms at a local university. This film really opened my eyes to how serious algal blooms can be for Lake Erie. The film, "The Erie Situation" features the film director interviewing locals who rely on Lake Erie for their income as fishermen. The interviewee explains how his business had suffered due to the lack of fish in Lake Erie caused by the introduction of harmful algal blooms. The director then went on to explain how these harmful algal blooms are created, the main reason being manure runoff from factory farms. Continuing, the manure released is not effectively regulated by the government which causes high levels of manure runoff to seep into Lake Erie which then causes the formation of harmful algae blooms. After watching this documentary and listening to a panel of those who worked on the film, I feel now I have a much better understanding of how important watershed health is in communities such as my own. I feel a majority of people are unaware of human impacts on watershed health which is why I am glad this film is spreading awareness of harmful algal blooms. After viewing the film, I am glad I have new insight into watershed health and feel even more passionate about caring for the watersheds in my community.
By achieving my certification as watershed steward, I am now able to further my passion for the environment through education and further help the environment in my community which is something that can benefit everyone. This opportunity has allowed me to learn more about how the environment functions and how I am able to help fight climate change through my actions with the Cleveland Metroparks system. I have taken this opportunity and the knowledge I have gained to push for protection of our watersheds, help give back to local communities, and help the environment which I am very thankful for and I advise others to look into their local parks systems for programs they can be a part of in order to help fight climate change.