Volunteer Service Project
Saturday, September 24 | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Price: Free, but registration is required

Register for the 2016 IEDC Annual Conference and give back to the host community by joining up to 50 of your economic development peers to assist restoration efforts in one of Cleveland Metroparks' largest conservation efforts of an urban watershed. Acacia Reservation is a 155-acre green space oasis among a significantly congested area of the City of Lyndhurst.

You'll participate in an information meeting highlighting the transformation of this unique area from a former golf course to a nature preserve over the next few years. You'll get to use basic hand tools to restore and increase native habitat. Tasks include installing plants and trees, providing plant care with enclosures to minimize animal browse, and other restoration activities as needed. Participants will be trained and be given a project overview prior to the start of work. If you plan to participate, bring clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and, perhaps, a bit wet. The project will take place even in light rain. We will only cancel in the event of severe weather.

And while you're working, you'll certainly spot some of Cleveland area's many birds.

You're destined to see many amazing bird species - September is an exciting month in the Reservation

Spot a scarlet tanager, common to the northern Ohio area, or a warbler, which has become a frequent visitor to the region.

According to Cleveland Metroparks, September is one of the most exciting months for birding. You'll witness fall migration in full gear. Some of the species you may see include warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers and thrushes. You may also spot birds of prey such as hawks or eagles, and shorebirds such as teals, sandpipers and plovers. See bird activities for the full year - you'll agree that September offers a real treat.

Transportation from the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland will be provided. The bus will leave at 11:15 a.m. from the convention center and will return participants to the convention center after the event.

Pitch in. Lend a hand. Join us for this special volunteer service project as we kick-start the 2016 IEDC Annual Conference. This event is free, but only open to conference registrants. See more details about this special Volunteer Restoration project, and check out other special events. So much to do this year at Annual Conference - get started now!

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,700 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban and local to international, IEDC's members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.

Stay connected to IEDC on our social sites: