PRESERVE THE VALLEY
We are a volunteer citizen action coalition. We are dedicated to engaging and amplifying
citizens' voices in protecting and planning for the future of the entire Cuyahoga Valley region.
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We envision the southern end of the Cuyahoga Valley as a National Park Gateway Community, a thriving place for tourists and residents alike because of its wide range of natural and recreational resources.
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Since being established in 2020, our work includes: ongoing advocacy for the preservation of Theiss Woods in Akron, leading Valley clean-up efforts, representing citizens in the Merriman Valley master planning process, advocating for the Gateway Community concept, and speaking out against greenspace development.
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About
DID YOU KNOW?
While City of Akron officials have agreed as of June 2023 to preserve Theiss Woods as part of the ACORN Project, this not a permanent solution. Our goal is to codify the protection of Theiss Woods.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park was the 7th most-visited National Park in 2020 with 2.8 million visitors, right behind Grand Canyon National Park.
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The Cuyahoga River was named the top urban kayak river in North America by USA Today in March 2021. American Rivers named the Cuyahoga River its 2019 River of the Year.
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The National Park Conservation Association has endorsed the conservation of Theiss Woods due to its proximity to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. NPCA is the voice of America’s national parks working to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for present and future generations.
Read the full NPCA Endorsement here
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How is Climate Change Affecting the Valley?
Global warming and development contribute to more frequent Northeast Ohio floods. "Cuyahoga River basin rain gauges show the area now gets 7 more inches of yearly rain than it did in the 1960s," says Paul Cocca, head of the hydraulics and hydrology team in the Army Corps region that includes Cleveland. Regional rainfall has increased an average of 0.12 inches every year, he says, attributing the increase to climate change.
Cleveland.com
September 9, 2020