Chagrin River Watershed Partners

Chagrin River Watershed Partners is a nonprofit grassroots-level organization that works with communities, partners, and people to develop cutting-edge solutions to environmental challenges and advance sustainability. Using science-based, creative solutions to undo damage to the environment and preserve nature, our dedicated and highly skilled team works to enhance quality of life and solve costly flooding, erosion, and water quality problems. Focused on protecting delicate ecosystems that provide clean water and sustain life, we connect resources to produce real progress in restoring and protecting the Chagrin River, our great Lake Erie, and other Ohio watersheds.

We co-lead the Central Lake Erie Basin Collaborative, a unique network of organizations working together to accelerate progress toward healthy watersheds, communities, and Lake Erie. Through this collaboration, our team provides technical support to watershed organizations and communities across Ohio’s Central Lake Erie basin from the mouth of Sandusky Bay to the western Pennsylvania border.

Currently representing 36 member cities, villages, townships, counties, and park districts and over 91% of the land area in a 267-square mile watershed draining to Lake Erie east of Cleveland, Ohio, Chagrin River Watershed Partners’ approach involving community decision-makers and collaborative partnerships is key to our success. Founded in 1996 (over 26 years strong), we have protected and restored over 939 miles of streams and stream corridors, protected over 2,946 acres of land and 287 acres of wetlands, and planted over 48,000 trees.

Chagrin River Watershed Partners thanks you for your interest and hopes you’ll consider joining us in our mission to protect, restore and create a sustainable future within Ohio!

Goals

Protect high quality streams, wetlands and natural areas and restore those that have been degraded to sustain people and communities.

Reduce flooding, erosion and water pollution using nature-based solutions that support community resilience.

Enhance fishing, hiking, boating and recreation to support a high quality of life.

Regional planning to sustain healthy watersheds and communities.

Services

Develop strategic partnerships, leverage funds and work with partners to protect and restore nature, reduce flooding, and enhance parks.

Provide model codes, regional planning, and technical support to support community resilience and sustainable development.

Help communities comply with environmental regulations.

Research and test innovative solutions to environmental problems.

Engage and empower people and communities to steward streams and natural areas.