Department of Interior Grant: Enhancing Conservation at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The objective of this project is to create a stewardship partnership with a nationally recognized conservation organization to improve habitat within the Cuyahoga River Watershed with particular focus on projects within the boundaries of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) in Cuyahoga and Summit Counties, Ohio.  Through mutual assistance, the NPS and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will identify restoration opportunities; develop goals, objectives and designs to restore habitat; seek and obtain funding to implement restoration activities; and monitor restoration success. 

The goal of establishing this partnership is to improve the overall health of the Cuyahoga River Watershed by enhancing water quality; reducing erosion and sedimentation; improving habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species; and expanding populations of native fish, wildlife and plants by engaging TNC, communities, youth, other partners, and/or park visitors in shared stewardship of the environment.  This project also will promote greater public and private participation in conservation programs and activities and build an ethic of resource stewardship among project participants.  In addition, this project will promote and improve the public’s understanding of nature and ecology at CVNP and throughout the Cuyahoga River Watershed.

The public purposes of this project include engaging park visitors and the local community in shared environmental stewardship; completing conservation projects; providing an opportunity for youth to learn about National Parks through hands-on experience provided through restoration projects identified by The Nature Conservancy; and creating, promoting, and improving the public’s understanding of natural areas at the park.