Supporting Our Communities

August 5, 2023 – The MD team spent a warm August Friday morning volunteering with the Cleveland Metroparks, removing invasive plants from the bioswales at Wildwood Park and Marina. Working with a seasonal team of trained Metroparks employees, we learned key differences between native and invasive plants and the importance of removing the invasive species to promote the growth and health of native plantings.

Increased storm water run-off moves silt and pollutants (including sewage) into our lakes, streams, and rivers not only affecting the fish and invertebrates living there, but also increasing the cost to produce drinking water. The bioswales and native plantings in the parking lot at Wildwood play a key role in managing this storm water run off. The Wildwood parking lot is also situated on a meadow where monarch migration occurs in the fall, with the native plantings supporting this important benefit to our ecosystem. Our attorneys often work with clients to incorporate innovative storm water management tools into consent decrees and other legal tools – this was a great opportunity to see our work in action.

A special thanks to the Cleveland Metroparks volunteer department for arranging an amazing experience for our team! You can explore more of MD’s work with storm water here.