The Gift of Nature
2 011 Annual Report
Highlighting the accomplishments of contributions to Cleveland Metroparks
Dear Friends, Thank you for your gift of nature! Your volunteer service, financial support or both helped Cleveland Metroparks serve more than 48 million people in 201 1. As we celebrate Cleveland Metroparks 95th anniversary, we are pleased to share some of the Park District’s accomplishments during the past year directly connected to your support, and hope you will take a moment to reflect on the important role you played in Cleveland Metroparks success. Sincerely,
Angling for All “When I was younger, I always enjoyed the fishing derby and learned a lot. The volunteer efforts were always a great help when I was stuck. Now I am a bit older and I am returning the favor and helping young children, and sometimes parents, to learn how to fish. I look forward to this derby every year. Thank you for your support.” Ian, age 16 “For years I have gone to the fishing derbies and always had the best time. This past year while I was working the casting challenge a little boy had me teach him how to cast; wouldn’t you know it, he won 1st place! Seeing the smile and happiness on his face just made it all worthwhile. I think this is just the thing every kid needs to experience. I love it and so do all the kids. All the smiles and giggles make the long day worth it no matter what the weather is or time of day.” Brandy, age 14 Fishing has been one of the most popular recreation activities in Cleveland Metroparks, providing sustenance and sport since the Park District’s founding. Donations to the Fishing Fund help to ensure that Cleveland Metroparks provides quality fishing opportunities for the people of northeast Ohio. 2011 fishing fund donations supported fish stocking, habitat enhancements and the popular children’s fishing derbies offered each spring for young anglers.
Volunteers . . . of Service and More In 1917 Cleveland Metroparks was established by its first volunteer – William Stinchcomb. As it begins its 95th year, Cleveland Metroparks now benefits from more than 2,200 volunteers who contributed 57,000 hours to 29 programs in 2011 including outdoor education, trail monitors, golf and natural resources management. For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Heather Triplett, Manager of Volunteer Services, at 216-635-3258, or hat@clevelandmetroparks.com.
Forests of the Future To many people, trees are synonymous with Cleveland Metroparks. Whether it is the white pines of North Chagrin Reservation or the oak and hickory forests in Brecksville Reservation, trees welcome wildlife and visitors alike. Approximately 150 tree species can be found throughout Cleveland Metroparks more than 22,000 acres and significantly vary based on the unique natural attributes of each reservation. More than 140 new trees and 250 native plants and shrubs were planted throughout the Park District in 2011 with the support of Legacy fund donations. These trees and plants are truly the future forests of Cleveland Metroparks. The average life expectancy of street trees in urban areas is 10 to 15 years, but trees in Cleveland Metroparks live from 30 to over 100 years depending on their placement. Specific tree species planted in 2011 included American elm, American hornbeam, autumn brilliance viburnum, black gum, blue spruce, eastern redbud, honey locust, London plane, Norway Spruce, pin oak, Princeton elm, Red Jewel crabapple, red oak, river birch, Rocky Mountain maple, scarlet oak, silver maple, Sugar Tyme crabapple, sugar maple and tuliptree. 2011 Legacy funds also augmented an award from the US Forest Service of 400 American elm seedlings to assist with reforestation in Big Creek Reservation due to ash tree removal caused by emerald ash borer. The elm seedlings planted are a strain that is resistant to Dutch elm disease and expected to reach maturity in approximately 30 years. Legacy funds provided protective wildlife screening to allow the trees to fully mature.