VIDEO CLIPS FEATURE! Click this icon appearing in articles to view videos on the subject.

®

APRIL 2021

April Fools Peculiar nature finds

Ready for Spring Simple home & garden preparations

The Purrrrfect Trio Meet the Zoo’s newest residents

Three new tiger cubs at Metroparks Zoo A LETTER FROM BRIAN ZIMMERMAN CONTENTS

Sights and Sounds of Spring 2 Letter from Brian & Naturalist-Led Programs April is always a welcoming time in Cleveland Metroparks. After a long winter, warmer temperatures and hopefully many sunny days 3 Early Blooming Trees will reward adventurers across the Emerald Necklace! In this issue, our experts will help equip you with tips on natural 4 Naturalist’s Almanac & phenomena to look for during your next visit to the parks. While Sounds of Spring every month offers unique changes to our flora and fauna, the transition to spring in April offers terrific sights and sounds across 5 April Fools’ Animal Antics & our 24,000 acres. From the blooming of ephemeral wildflowers to the annual migration of Ask a Naturalist native amphibians to the arrival of tropical migrant birds on their way northward, there’s much to see and experience in the parks this time of year. 6 What Happened to the Forest City? While this issue has a few “tricks” native plants and animals use this April Fools, we also have plenty to share on two other important dates this month: Arbor Day and Earth Day! 7 Major Plant Communities Did you know that in the early 1900s, Cleveland was known as the Forest City due to its robust tree canopy? Unfortunately, the city has lost about half of its tree canopy since the 1950s. While Cleveland Metroparks has planted more than 31,000 trees over the past 8 Golf Courses & six years alone, there’s still a lot of work to be done! And our mission of conservation will Rental Venues hopefully empower future environmental stewards as we work to create a greener and healthier environment. 9 Zoo News For nature plans at home: we have advice for preparing your flower garden for spring and — with rainy April days ahead — steps towards adding a rain barrel. Rain barrels can 10 Nature Shops make gardening around your home easier, as well as mitigate flooding, help save on your & Pathfinder water bill, and prevent harmful runoff from entering our rivers and lake. 11 Spring Preparations & April is also a great time to get back into golf! With a record-breaking year last year, our Roll Out Your Rain Barrels eight golf courses saw many new golfers as well as those returning to the game after several years. We hope to see many returning faces again in 2021. 12 Directory & Map Please also stay connected to our free and low-cost naturalist led programs throughout the spring. Our programs are a great way to learn a new skill, exercise and visit a new gem Click or touch a section above to access in the Emerald Necklace. it directly. Click on the home button (example shown here) at the top corner Above all, stay connected to nature and enjoy all of the subtle but transformative ways of each page to return here. our natural world is rejuvenated in spring. See you out there! VIDEO FEATURE! Click this icon appearing in articles to view videos on the subject.

Brian Zimmerman Cleveland Metroparks CEO

Join a free naturalist-led program in April Spring has finally arrived, and Cleveland • Group size per program will be limited Metroparks Outdoor Experiences staff to less than 10 people following CDC are ready to get you and your family guidelines. out and about! This month’s schedule • Advance registration online is required. will be filled with wildflower hikes, bird No in-person or phone registrations at • Program registration will be programs, rock climbing, backpacking, this time. and so much more! Don’t forget to available for two weeks in advance • Facial coverings must be worn by all register as space is limited! and all updates will be available at participants six years of age and older. clevelandmetroparks.com/calendar.

2 Emerald Necklace April 2021 | Vol. 70 #4 FEATURE ARTICLE Top Early Blooming Trees 5 for Native Pollinators s spring approaches, temperatures Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Northeast has many native tree and rise, the sun shines brighter, and florida)can begin blooming as shrub species that benefit pollinators; Atthe ground begins to thaw. During ➜1 early as late-March. The tiny these are just a few. Willows, maples, this time of awakening, many important blooms are clustered together inside tulips, magnolias are larger trees that also animals emerge as well. Native bees four large white bracts (specialized leaf), benefits bees. As spring approaches, think surface from their cavities and actively start making it look like one large flower. about adding a native tree or shrub to your their search for pollen and nectar from Mason bees, which are smaller and yard. Our pollinators will thank you. nearby flowers. Native trees, which have cold-hardier than honeybees, are the Natalie Schroder, Naturalist coevolved with these bees, will flower at primary pollinator of this tree. CanalWay Center precisely the same time. The first woody Eastern Redbud (Cercis plants to bloom are smaller, understory canadensis) is one of the most trees and shrubs. Prior to leaf-out, the sun ➜2 beautiful understory trees in shines directly on them, allowing them early spring. Blooming in April, the tiny to gather the much-needed energy to purplish-pink flowers can be spotted all produce flowers. Once the canopy leaves over the tree, including the trunk. During unfurl later in spring, plants on the forest the blooming period, you can spot floor will lose that precious light, so timing numerous species of bees on this tree. is everything! Eastern redbud Native pollinators have had a rough go in Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the recent years due to habitat loss, pesticide oddball of this group because ➜3 it is not pollinated by bees. It is use and non-native competitors. Adding native trees to your spring planting list pollinated by flies. The flower has a smell can increase their abundance and help similar to rotting flesh (though people them succeed. Native trees are not only cannot smell it). The beautiful drooping beautiful, but they are able to withstand maroon shaped flowers are seen before our region’s cold winters and hot summers. the leaves pop out of the buds. After polli- nation, a delicious fruit will begin to grow. Listed are five understory native trees that Pawpaw will not only add beauty to your landscape Allegheny Serviceberry but benefit our pollinators. (Amelanchier arborea) displays ➜4 clusters of flowers throughout its leafless canopy in early April. Mason bees primarily pollinate these dainty white blossoms. The dark berries ripen in the fall and are favored by songbirds.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) Spicebush produces clusters of small, ➜5 cheerful yellow flowers in April. Male and female flowers are on separate plants, so two plants are needed for fruit. The flowers are pollinated primarily by mason bees, but other native solitary bees, flies and early butterflies also seek Flowering Dogwood its nectar and pollen. Allegheny Serviceberry

clevelandmetroparks.com 3 NATURALIST’S ALMANAC April Awakens Wildflowers & Wildlife he month of April is like a floor. Early in the month hepatica fireworks presentation, highlights the grey brown of the Tstarting slowly and forest floor with purple even building into a spectacular before new leaves appear. Soon finale. Colors begin with to bloom are the yellow of trout early blues and purples of lilies among the whites of squirrel hepaticas and are quickly corn and Dutchman’s breeches. joined by whites and By the end of the month the color yellows of spring beauties display will be at its peak and the and trout lilies returning long Hepaticas Dutchman’s trees will begin to shade the forest breeches lost color to the forest floor. Trout lily floor, shifting the wildflower’s energy to seed production and white and red trillium The first of several waves of neo­ Some champions of migration can be found come into bloom. tropical migrant birds arrive. Some will in April. Shorebirds that have spent the only rest briefly as they continue on their winter as far south as Argentina, briefly stop The early rush to vernal pools is now journey farther north. These colorful gems at local mudflats to refuel on invertebrates replaced with the slower and more bring their sweet songs to the developing before continuing to the tundra of Canada. prolonged breeding season of American spring. Riding southerly winds, the first Others like orioles, grosbeaks and tanagers toads, leopard and pickerel frogs. American waves of warblers, vireos, flycatchers return to local Ohio to begin their nesting toads are extreme egg layers; one female and thrushes arrive on the north coast cycle. can lay up to 15,000 eggs in a long-coiled stopping in Ohio only to refuel before string often extending over 10 meters in The race is on for wildflowers too. Ephemeral continuing their journey north. length. Their tadpoles will develop quickly spring wildflowers bloom and are pollinated to emerge as toadlets before the end of before the leaves of trees shade the forest summer. Sounds of Spring …Anything but Silent

magine are above 40 degrees. Salamanders to miss. It is amazing that these small hiking (Spotted, Jefferson, Small-mouth and amphibians can make such a loud sound. Ithrough the complexes of these species) travel en While they are most active at night they forest in spring masse to vernal pools to mate. These can sometimes be heard during the day. Wood frog and faintly begin to large salamanders belonging to the family Spring peepers are not as particular as hear the sound of bells Ambystomatidae are often referred to other species of amphibians. Some are or crickets. As you get closer, the sound as “mole salamanders” since they spend obligate to vernal pools while peepers gets louder, almost deafening, and all most of the year in underground burrows. will use a variety of wetlands and can of a sudden you find a small wetland. Wood frogs are explosive breeders and even be found in neighborhood ponds. These temporary wetlands are referred appear at the pools in large numbers While peepers are not the only frog you to as vernal pools. They fill up in the late early in the season and disappear within a can hear in the spring, they are definitely winter/early spring from melting snow week or two. Their chorus can be heard at the most abundant. Within Cleveland and rain. Vernal pools typically dry up these pools and sound like a group of Metroparks, there are nine species by mid-summer. These habitats are a turkeys or ducks. of frogs that can be seen and breeding ground for certain species of In April, the chorus coming heard in various wetland amphibians. from these wetlands often habitats. Each species with By April, many of these amphibians have comes from tiny treefrogs, their own distinctive call, already mated, laid eggs and dispersed called spring peepers. Their creating the wonderful back into the woodlands. They are small size, around one inch, sounds of spring. brought out by warming temperatures and coloration Kelly McGinnis , Naturalist and rainfall, sometimes as early as late makes them difficult to Brecksville Nature Center February, when evening temperatures see but their sound is hard Spring peeper

4 Emerald Necklace April 2021 INSIDE OUR PARKS

Polyphemus Gray moth April Fools’ treefrog ANIMALApril Fools’ ANTICS A N I M A L A N T I C S ome people spend April Fools’ Day Batesian , an evolutionary strategy conceals its body among rocks and logs embracing mischief, but animals use that makes them appear dangerous or and lays motionless underwater. An Stricks and deception every day. On undesirable. The spots on the moth’s unsuspecting fish that doesn’t see the the first day of April, take a moment to wings mimic the eyes of a large predator, turtle may get grabbed by its powerful salute the tricky critters who commit to making them too intimidating for some jaws. Ambush predators like snapping the joke like no other. animals to hunt. The eyespots also act turtles were nature’s first jump-scare. as automimicry, a biological plan that Some species survive by blending in The animal kingdom has countless ways disguises a non-vital part of their body with camouflage; a local example is the to help its members survive, and they as something important. Predators that gray treefrog. These stealthy amphibians don’t stop after April 1st. Whether you aren’t intimidated might attack the wings, darken their skin to resemble tree bark want to surprise someone like a snapper thinking they’re the moth’s head. If the and use the green patterns on their back or disappear like a treefrog, take some trick works, the moth may escape with to blend in with lichen. Gray treefrogs inspiration from the clever wildlife of nothing but an injured wing. are happiest when they’re never found, northeastern Ohio. content to be another bump on a log. We’ve talked about animal strategies to Peter Frank, Naturalist avoid danger, but not all the pranksters While some tricksters favor stealth, others Watershed Stewardship Center are prey. The common snapping turtle plan to be seen. Polyphemus moths use

Ask A Naturalist: Bark-stripping Squirrels

“Dear Naturalist, I’ve noticed that several trees like maple and locust, generally If the squirrels chew smaller trees in Big Creek Reservation are in spring through early summer. on the tree near missing sections of bark as if something has Biologists are challenged with its upper canopy, been peeling or eating the bark. Do you know determining the reason or purpose the chewing may what’s going on?” behind the bark stripping. Studies provide a beneficial — Befuddled by Bark are yet to conclude if the squirrels are pruning service. Dear Befuddled, receiving nutrition or other benefits Pruning can stimulate Keen observers such as yourself from the tree bark, such as sugar growth and improve may be noticing the recent water, calcium, or maintenance of their the tree’s overall health. dirty work of delinquent always-growing teeth. If you have However, too much bark squirrels. Eastern ever stumbled upon and inspected stripping can be a point of entry gray squirrels, fox deer bones and antlers on the forest for microscopic pests and pathogens, squirrels, and even floor, you may have discovered similar resulting in a reduction of the tree’s fitness. the adorable gnaw marks left by squirrels and other In the end, bark stripping is just another red squirrels are rodents. In this case, the animals are phenomenon of spring. Have you caught “stripping” the bark enjoying the calcium-rich parts of sight of any other natural oddities this from certain trees. the deerly departed — a presumed year? This occurrence is nutritional benefit. Marty Calabrese, Naturalist typically observed Nature Center on deciduous

Red squirrel

clevelandmetroparks.com 5 NATURAL RESOURCES What happened to The Forest City? Understanding the importance of our urban tree canopy

n the early 1900’s, Cleveland was known wildlife and migratory butterflies and birds 6,600 acres or a decline of 6% of its tree as The Forest City for the lush tree cover that need stop over shelter and food. canopy. This pattern of canopy loss (-1% Iprovided by street trees and urban to -19%) is consistent for all but 6 of the forests. Unfortunately, the city has lost Shifting Our Attitude About Trees 59 communities, which had no change or about half of its tree canopy since the Urban tree canopy provides enumerable minor increases in cover. The reason for 1950’s and continues to decline every services and several regional efforts canopy loss is variable and includes clear- year. The decline of the urban forest is have been implemented to enhance our cutting for development and devastating attributed to many factors: development understanding and guide better planning. impacts caused by Superstorm Sandy. and fragmentation, age and neglect, In 2013, the Cuyahoga County Planning budget cuts, pest and diseases, and Commission published the Urban Tree Mitigating Tree Loss in the Parks more. Whatever the reasons, there is now Canopy Assessment as a report card of Even Cleveland Metroparks experienced renewed awareness and appreciation for the urban tree canopy cover across the decline in our canopy cover of about 6%. urban trees and forests. county. This effort provided necessary However, unlike the losses experienced background data to support the Cleveland across the county, our losses were Tree Benefits at Various Scales: Tree Plan in 2015. The plan shifts the way significantly driven by emerald ash borer Home: Trees add aesthetic appeal that we think about trees and emphasizes their (EAB). Mortality of ash trees in our area enhance property value and help your role as critical infrastructure, coincided with the 6-year assessment home’s efficiency by providing shade and providing services that improve public period. Knowing the impacts of EAB, we insulation that reduces energy use. health and benefit the environment. began mitigating ash loss by significantly This roadmap establishes a series of increasing tree plantings. In the past 6 Neighborhood: Trees improve air quality action items to understand current tree years, Cleveland Metroparks has planted by filtering pollutants. Health benefits conditions, engage stakeholders, and over 31,000 trees. But there has not been include lower levels of respiratory develop a plan for rebuilding the urban sufficient time to grow the trees to a conditions and asthma. They improve forest. In 2017, the city of Cleveland “visible” height for data analysis. water quality by extracting pollutants, formalized one of the action items by reducing stormwater runoff, and To reap the benefits and contribute to establishing a canopy cover goal of 30% stabilizing stream banks. urban canopy cover, we must consider by 2040, a marked improvement from its planting trees in our own backyard. As City: Trees reduce heat island effect current cover of 17.8%. the ancient proverb goes, ‘The best time and heat stress by lowering ambient to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The air temperature. They mitigate climate Tree Loss Assessments second best time is now.’ change by removing carbon dioxide To track progress, the Cuyahoga County and storing carbon in woody tissue. And Urban Tree Canopy Assessment Update Constance E. Hausman, Ph.D. they’re important habitat for resident was published in December of 2019. This Senior Conservation Science Manager snapshot of canopy condition illustrates potential changes that have occurred over the 6-year assessment period. To understand differences between the 2013 and 2019 reports, the information presented comes from high-resolution land cover data collected in 2011 and 2017, respectively. For more information about your The current county tree canopy is 34.7% community’s data visit: but, individual communities range from 9.7% – 73.8%. Between the assessments, countyplanning.us/projects/ urban-tree-canopy-assessment-update/ Tree planting volunteers the county has experienced a net loss of

6 Emerald Necklace April 2021 NATURAL RESOURCES Major Plant Communities of Cleveland Metroparks

fter the cold and gray days of and Rocky Rivers as well as associated winter, spring emerges with bright tributaries and headwaters. In view of that, Asunshine and warmer tempera- a little over twenty percent of our natural Open meadow community tures. Hiking along one of the many areas are designated as floodplain forest. trails found in Cleveland Metroparks this Floodplain forests are the low lying areas briefly in the spring before trees leaf out. spring, we appreciate the return of green of forested land adjacent to a river that Common species include spring beauty, landscapes with unfurling leaves and is subject to periodic flooding. Species common blue violet, mayapple, cut-leaf blooming spring wildflowers. Different composition and community structure toothwort, wild geranium, yellow trout plants emerge as you traverse through vary and are influenced by flood frequency lily, large-flowered trillium, squirrel corn, open meadows, wetlands, and forests. and duration. Common floodplain trees wild ginger, and blue cohosh. Each of these areas represent a different such as sycamore, cottonwood, box elder, Another common upland forest type plant community. A plant community is a and black walnut help to stabilize the soil is the mixed hardwood forest. A mixed group of plant species that share a charac- and prevent erosion. Herbaceous cover hardwood forest is a diverse forest with teristic habitat and a similar vegetation fluctuates depending on the deposition of multiple tree species that display no growth form. sediment and woody debris from periodic clear dominant or co-dominant species. flooding. Forest floors may contain dense Most of Cleveland Metroparks is Some of the trees occurring in a mixed vegetation such as wingstem or wild rye or comprised of natural undeveloped hardwood forest include red oak, tulip can be very sparsely vegetated. land. Our parks harbor a wide range tree, and sugar maple. The shrub and of plant communities found along the herbaceous layer composition are variable landscape from floodplains to upland dependent on soil type and disturbance habitats. In order to appropriately history. protect and manage these natural areas, Former Farm Fields Natural Resources staff have conducted vegetation monitoring surveys Another familiar plant community in throughout the Park District to locate and Cleveland Metroparks are old fields, identify plant communities. Recognizing where old farm fields have reverted to theses plant assemblages as an important open meadows. The Natural Resources indicator for overall ecosystem health Division maintains these areas as open helps direct our management efforts. meadows with annual mowing and/ Beech-maple forest community or prescribed fire to discourage woody Floodplain Community species establishment. This community Upland Forest Areas Cleveland Metroparks contains over 200 type hosts a variety of sun-loving plants miles of river and stream with several Forested areas located at higher elevations such as joe-pye weed, ironweed, asters major rivers flowing through the Park are referred to as upland forests. These and goldenrods, which provide important District including the Cuyahoga, Chagrin, are areas where soils are not saturated for pollinator habitat. extended periods of time. Classification of The landscapes found within Cleveland upland forests are based on their common Metroparks support a variety of plant canopy tree species. An example is the communities. This diversity helps to beech-maple forest community that provide resilience to the overall park has American beech and sugar maple ecosystem and . As you as co-dominants. This upland forest explore this spring, pay attention to community is characterized by a dense the different plant communities and canopy of deciduous trees, a sparse shrub appreciate what these habitats provide. layer, and a well-developed ground layer of herbaceous plants. The herbaceous layer is Sarah R. Eysenbach Floodplain forest diverse with spring ephemerals that flower Vegetation Research Coordinator

clevelandmetroparks.com 7 GOLF COURSES

Book Your Tee Time Today! Upcoming May Events Big Met 440-331-1070 | Fairview Park Stroke Play Moonlight Golf Saturday, May 8 Saturday, May 15 Little Met Scratch event open to all players; Come play a round under the stars 216-941-9672 | Cleveland Cleveland Metroparks Player of the using glow-in-the-dark balls and Year Tournament Series. accessories! Manakiki 10 a.m. Bedford Reservation 8:45 p.m. Rocky River Reservation 440-942-2500 | Willoughby Hills Meet at Shawnee Hills Clubhouse Meet at Little Met Clubhouse Ages: adults Ages: 10 and over Mastick Woods Fee: $60 per team Fee: $30 216-267-5626 | Cleveland Junior Amateur FootGolf Kickoff Day Seneca Saturday, May 8 Sunday, May 16 440-526-0043 | Broadview Hts. Open to all junior golfers ages 18 and A good way to get your season under. Individual Stroke Play 18-hole started is to play in the FootGolf Shawnee Hills competition. Kickoff Day! 440-232-7184 | Bedford 12 p.m. Brecksville Reservation 2 p.m. Rocky River Reservation Meet at Seneca Clubhouse Meet at Mastick Woods Clubhouse Sleepy Hollow Ages: 10 – 18 Ages: all 440-526-4285 | Brecksville Fees: $60 Fee: $5 Washington Register online at clevelandmetroparks.com/golf for above events. 216-641-1864 | Newburgh Hts. Visit clevelandmetroparks.com/golf for more information and to register for classes or events.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Venues Treat your guests to something truly unique at . Locations are available year round. Professional event planning services are provided by Cleveland Metroparks staff. Additional options may be available to include animal encounters and Circle of Wildlife carousel rides. Stillwater Place • Capacity 300 guests maximum • Year-round use with indoor and outdoor spaces, outdoor patio included Stillwater Place features an exquisite ballroom with modern amenities. • Catering provided by the Zoo’s exclusive catering partner, Aramark • Professional event planning services by Cleveland Metroparks staff

Cleveland Metroparks Park Venues Shelter Rentals • Varying capacities up to 200 • Currently renting May 2021 – December 31, 2022 Outdoor Ceremonies • Squire’s Castle in North Chagrin Reservation, Bridal Veil Falls in Bedford Many park locations provide a perfect backdrop for Reservation, Stinchcomb Overlook in Rocky River Reservation, and more. gatherings or ceremonies. Call 216-635-3304 for rental information. 8 Emerald Necklace April 2021 ZOO NEWS RainForest Now Open To Public

he RainForest is now open improve lightning and energy efficiency after undergoing a complete over several animal habitats in the Orangutans on the exhibit for first time since Treplacement of its iconic geodesic RainForest. The multilayer ETFE roofing the new dome was installed at The RainForest. dome. Guests can enjoy more than materials allow for the transmission of 10,000 plants and over 600 animals ultraviolet light into the building, which To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and from the jungles of Asia, Africa and the benefits both the animals and the plants allow for social-distancing, building Americas. Guests can enjoy dining at inside the building. In addition, the new capacity will be reduced and guests will The RainForest Café and shopping at the dome allows enhancements to be made follow a one-way directional flow. Facial gift shop. to the vertical space and climbing areas coverings at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for orangutans — which is especially The new 40-foot-tall dome that sits and The RainForest are required for those 6 important for this species as they are the above the popular orangutan habitat years of age and older, with the exception largest tree-dwelling animals on Earth! uses state-of-the-art technology to of a qualifying medical condition. Zoo Welcomes Three Tiger Cubs leveland Metroparks Zoo’s “Socialization of tigers at an early age is SSP programs represent their species animal care team continues incredibly important and raising these regionally and internationally through Ccaring for three tiger cubs, cubs as part of a unique social group will husbandry, conservation efforts and following the December birth of male allow them to develop skills and behaviors scientific opportunities. and female Amur tiger cubs at the Zoo together,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo By donating to help combat illegal and the arrival of a female Malayan Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. wildlife trade, guests selected names tiger cub, Indrah, from the Tulsa Zoo. The decision to relocate the Malayan for the two Amur cubs — Luka and The decision to hand rear the cubs tiger cub was coordinated through the Anya for the male and female cub, was made after both first-time moms Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program. respectively. lacked the skills and instincts to The Tiger SSP administrates the highest Once the cubs are a few months old, properly support the cubs. Forming a standards of care and welfare for tigers by having gained adequate strength and social group of the two endangered working collaboratively across the over fitness, they will make their home subspecies will help support their 230 accredited zoos of the Association of together at the Zoo’s Rosebrough Tiger growth and development. Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Additionally, Passage. The cubs will have countless new experiences to look forward to, including exploring the habitats and its complexities, learning to climb structures, and exposure to water features. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will continue sharing updates of the three cubs and their development on social media. Visit FutureForWildlife.org for information.

clevelandmetroparks.com 9 Visit our website for a great selection of park apparel and general merchandise!

MARCH SPECIAL APRIL SPECIAL MAY SPECIAL 30% OFF Gardening Sets Pigment 3 Pc Gift Set Wash Cap Reg. $22 $20 Premium Mystery Bags Shears & $ Adventure Case 10 ea. Reg. $17 Each bag contains over $40 worth Skills Guides of merchandise. No returns $ or exchanges. 9.95 ea. Offer valid 5/1/21 – 5/31/21. Ladies Use code MOM21 at checkout. Offer valid 3/1/21 – 3/31/21. Offer valid 4/1/21 – 4/30/21. While supplies last. Shop online at While supplies last. Shop online at While supplies last. Shop online at Oxford Cap clevelandmetroparks.com/shop clevelandmetroparks.com/shop clevelandmetroparks.com/shop $20

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10 Emerald Necklace April 2021 IN YOUR BACKYARDS Spring Preparations for Your Flower Garden pril is here! The ground is warming 1. Know when the soil is just right. and we’re excited to see pops of A good trick is to try and roll a handful Acolor appear. Before we celebrate of soil into a ball. If the soil is moist a new growing season, let’s prepare our enough to form a ball, then walking on garden beds. Starting too early or waiting it and working in it may cause too much too long can affect a plant’s overall compaction. Wait a few more days for the success. soil to become light and loose, which will significantly improve plant growth. Timing is everything! If garden beds are planted too early, your good efforts may 2. Add soil amendments. If you did be susceptible to a late snowstorm or not add compost or organic matter last helpful with clay soils. frost. Patience is key. Being outside in autumn, you can do so in spring. Compost the sun on the first warm days sounds is decayed organic matter that nurtures 3. Spring is the best time to cut back delightful, but follow these smart steps the life in the soil and contains nutrients last year’s growth. Many species of native to ensure a healthy and vibrant garden: needed by the plants. This is particularly beneficial insects overwinter in the dead vegetation, like rolled leaves, hollow stems, ain and dried seed heads. A rule of thumb is to r Rain Bar put last year’s dead plants in a pile to the oll Out You rels! side of your garden until the temperature R has been at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit for a hile many Ohioans are The first step when considering a rain full week. This allows insects plenty of time looking forward to May’s barrel is to find a good location. The to emerge for the season—and ultimately Wflowers, others are dreading perfect spot is an easily accessible help your garden flourish. April’s showers. Northeast Ohio has downspout, near the garden, in the 4. Clean up leaf litter and weed the area no shortage of rain and snow as shade, and on flat ground. Next, a to make space for new plants. It is also Cleveland receives an average of 39 stand for the barrel will make it easier never too early to remove the competition. inches of precipitation a year! Spring to refill your watering cans. A full barrel By weeding unwanted vegetation early and storms don’t just flood your violets, can weigh hundreds of pounds, so we often, you allow the vital nutrients to remain they wash pollution from developed recommend using sturdy materials like in the soil and keep it available for your areas into our lakes and rivers. Rain cinder blocks. Another shortcut is to desired plants to thrive. barrels are downspout modifications purchase an installation kit. Advantages 5. If you skipped it in the fall, divide that divert the flow of water from your or restrictions vary from kit to kit, so and replant perennials as soon as green roof so that it ends up in a storage be certain that your model suits your stems emerge. This will help them stay receptacle instead of a storm drain. home and comply with your city’s healthy, continue growing, and expand your These simple devices also mitigate requirements. Don’t forget to decorate garden! flooding, help save on your water bill your newly installed barrel. It can be a and add personality to your home. fun family activity and create a beautiful With these simple steps out of the way, the garden feature. fun can truly begin. Add new native plants! Stop by one of our five nature centers’ April storms may be the norm, but gardens for inspiration or become a garden constant floods can turn a yard to mud. volunteer this spring. If you are looking for a creative way to improve your landscape, check out the Natalie Schroder, Naturalist rain barrels located outside several of our CanalWay Center nature centers. Keep an eye out for local rain barrel installation programs in the coming months and share your home setups with us on social media! Peter Frank, Naturalist Watershed Stewardship Center

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Emerald Necklace® Directory Published monthly by: Board of Park Commissioners Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Experiences and Cleveland Metroparks Dan T. Moore Bruce G. Rinker Administration Offices Education 216-635-3200 President Vice President 216-635-3200/24-hour info 216-954-3400 clevelandmetroparks.com Debra K. Berry Brian M. Zimmerman Vice President Chief Executive Officer 4101 Fulton Parkway clevelandmetroparks.com/ Cleveland, OH 44144 education clevelandmetroparks.com Nature Centers: Cleveland Metroparks Police Brecksville Nature Center Accidents or Emergencies 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive 440-333-4911 Brecksville, OH 44141 Brecksville Reservation Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & 440-526-1012 The RainForest 216-661-6500/24-hour info CanalWay Center 3900 Wildlife Way 4524 E. 49th Street Cleveland, OH 44109 Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125 FutureForWildlife.org Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation 216-206-1000 Cleveland Metroparks Golf Golf Services/440-232-7247 North Chagrin Nature Center (course info & inquiries) 401 Buttermilk Falls Parkway clevelandmetroparks.com/golf Mayfield Village, OH 44094 North Chagrin Reservation The Chalet Recreation Area 440-473-3370 16200 Valley Parkway Strongsville, OH 44136 Rocky River Nature Center Mill Stream Run Reservation 24000 Valley Parkway 440-572-9990 North Olmsted, OH 44070 Rocky River Reservation Volunteer Services 440-734-6660 440-331-8237 clevelandmetroparks.com/ Watershed Stewardship Center volunteer 2277 W. Ridgewood Drive Parma, OH 44134 Rental Facilities West Creek Reservation 216-635-3304 440-887-1968

Cleveland Metroparks does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, Cover photo: New tiger cubs at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo gender, religion, age or disability in employment, services or access to programs or Additional photos courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks photo archive, unless activities. otherwise noted. Emerald Necklace is also available online at clevelandmetroparks.com © Registered trademarks of Cleveland Metroparks.