Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners (TCWP) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) watershed organization officially established in 2006.  Our mission is to protect and restore water quality and habitats of the Tinker’s Creek watershed through community partnerships.  The Tinkers Creek watershed drains 96.4 square miles and is the largest tributary to the Cuyahoga River. The watershed area spans 24 communities in Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Geauga counties.

TCWP is governed by 15 dedicated volunteer Board of Members who bring a variety of expertise in the fields of stormwater management, environmental education, engineering, natural resources conservation, planning, and economic development.  TCWP is guided in their efforts to protect and restore the watershed and educate the public by the State-endorsed Tinkers Creek Watershed Action Plan (WAP). The group’s mission along with the WAP shaped the goals of TCWP.

The Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners goals are:

• Increase the understanding of community officials and the public regarding the natural and monetary value of protecting their water resources.
• Promote low-impact and conservation development practices that balance environmental integrity with human development
• Educate watershed communities about their daily activities and habits which negatively impact their environmental surroundings and provide alternative approaches to those practices.
• Encourage a no-net-loss wetland mitigation policy where mitigation remains localized within the watershed rather than outsourced to other watersheds.
• Lead a watershed-based approach to decision making that advances the concept of connectivity between the different political jurisdictions within the watershed.
• Increase recreational opportunities by connecting greenways, corridors, and bike paths between the different jurisdictions within the watershed.

What We Provide for Our Communities

We are working to achieve our goals by continually strengthening our relationships with the watershed communities. We are doing this by creating educational opportunities for residents, children, and elected officials.  We are also committed to creating model resource management examples through grant writing and community collaboration.

Providing services to our Community Members is extremely important.  Community Memberships are available for communities within the Tinkers Creek watershed which allow us to continue to provide them with watershed protection and planning services. The group assists communities with NPDES compliance, and education about with stormwater and flooding issues. We provide education and resources to elected officials about smart growth initiatives, best management practices, policies and ordinances that help protect our water resources.

The success of TCWP depends on the relationships and partnerships that we have made throughout the region. We continue to build lasting relationships that help support our goals and local communities.

Tinkers Creek Watershed Coordinator

The day to day functions of the organization are carried out by the Tinkers Creek Watershed Coordinator through support of the TCWP Board of Directors. The Watershed Coordinator and the Board of Directors work together to protect the watershed through educational outreach, advocating for water-wise policies and promoting partnerships with other organizations. This includes educational outreach to schools and public forums, and meeting with elected officials and community leaders. It is also the duty of the Watershed Coordinator to work with local businesses and organizations to build a strong network of support throughout the Tinkers Creek Watershed.

Help support Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners mission TODAY!

E-mail: info@tinkerscreekwatershed.org