WHAT'S
NEW AT THE FOUNDATION
Check out our events and volunteer pages for involvement opportunities!
Including our summer restoration project funded by the National
Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the Foundations' involvement with
the Milwaukee's
Central Park and to see
a virtual walk of the Beerline Trail loop (1.5 minutes).
OUR BEGINNINGS
The River Revitalization Foundation was established in 1994 by two
of the larger service clubs in Wisconsin: Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee,
and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, in response to recommendations
made by the Milwaukee River Revitalization Council to improve the
environmental quality of the Milwaukee River Basin. These recommendations
are found in the Riverway Plan (1991), our guiding document.
OUR
PARTNERS
The River Revitalization Foundation works in cooperation with the
State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Milwaukee County,
the City of Milwaukee, Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District
(Greenseams program administered by The Conservation Fund), the
National Park Service, Gathering Waters Conservancy, Kiwanis and
Rotary Clubs of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee River Revitalization Council,
and private landowners along the Milwaukee River.
CHARITABLE
STATUS
The River Revitalization Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) conservation
organization. Historically, the Milwaukee River Valley was a focal
point of commerce and recreation with swimming, boating and ice-skating
as major uses. For the last half century, the city turned away from
the river. The river became a symbol of division in the neighborhoods
bordering the valley. The recent removal of the dam at North Avenue
– also the site of a new City pedestrian bridge, combined
with water quality improvement efforts throughout the river basin
has resulted in improved water quality and changing attitudes. These
lands are threatened with residential and commercial development
as housing moves up the Milwaukee River from downtown. Balance between
the built and natural environment will ensure sustainability and
economic vitality for the city.
