Current Information

Ways to protect land
along the river

Opportunities we support

Annual Earth Day
Celebration & Benefit
Annual National Trails Day

 

SOUTHBRANCH CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT  

 

The River Revitalization Foundation recently purchased 2.24 acres along the Southbranch Creek in the Village of Brown Deer at the intersection of Green Bay Road and Teutonia Avenue. The site was a former homestead within a floodplain that has been neglected for more than 50 years. Wildflowers are present but are now being overwhelmed by more aggressive invasive species, such as buckthorn and garlic mustard. Yet, the site shows promise for an opportunity to restore the original plant community. Significant improvement of the sites diversity will increase the visual appeal for humans and habitat for wildlife.

 

RRF staff strives to follow the “do no harm” philosophy. Every pre-caution will be used to complete invasive shrub removal beyond nesting season. Animal habitat present during the restoration stage will be relocated or left undisturbed.  

 

How you can help?  

• Volunteers are also needed to hand pull garlic mustard and cut buckthorn that is preventing the native wildflowers from flourishing. 

• Volunteers can help plant diverse native shrubs, trees and wildflowers that will increase the color and provide a diverse wildlife food source.  

 

As your neighbor, we look forward to working together to restore one of the last remaining natural places in the Village of Brown Deer for future generations.

For more information contact:

Andrew Kurth

Volunteer Coordinator

at 414-277-7927 x23

kurt0113@gmail.com

Andrew

Southbranch Creek needs YOU!

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Earth Day 2008

Check back for updates.

Earth Day 2007

Tree Planting

Co-sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee

Saturday April 21st and

Saturday April 28th, 2007

Gordon Park - Humboldt  Boulevard at Locust Street

(Parking Lot on Humboldt south of Locust)

Meet at 9 AM in Gordon Park parking lot

9 AM to 1 PM

414-271-8000

This is the kick off for a summer long RRF RESTORE campaign. RRF received a $70,000 National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grant to remove invasive species and plant native forbs, shrubs and trees last year to begin restoration. Thanks to the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, we will continue our work during the summer of 2007. Restoring and improving habitat is the goal of this effort.

More trees will be planted the following Saturday, April 28th on RRF land adjacent to Gordon Park. Meet at 9 AM in Gordon Park parking lot. Or.....

Milwaukee River Clean Up 2007

Earth Day, Saturday April 21st

Under North Avenue Bridge at the Milwaukee River

East and West Banks

9 AM to Noon

The area under the North Avenue bridge is in dire need of a clean up. Bags and gloves will be provided. This area will be the south terminus of the Beer Line Trail and the link to City trails downtown and the pedestrian bridge over the old dam to Ceasar's Park and the hiking trail we are building to Riverside park.

15th Annual National Trails Day

June 2, 2007

Meet At 10 AM to hike the trails

Gordon Park - Humboldt  Boulevard at Locust Street

(Parking Lot on Humboldt south of Locust)

Meet at 10 AM in Gordon Park parking lot

 

Earth Day  2005 at Lakefront Brewery welcomed over 500 participants at our 1st and 2nd annual fundraising event. The celebration highlighted the Foundations activities and funding needs, gained support from the community we impact, and recognized volunteers and donors who have been instrumental in our progress. The 1st annual theme was “Stake Your Claim”, the 2nd annual theme was “Benefit for the Beerline Trail”. In 2 years, this event raised over $3,500.

National Trails Day, celebrated on June 7, 2003, highlighted the beerline trail and loop from Locust to North and back. Over 25 hikers, led by Vince Bushell, walked the 2 mile trail and learned about native plants, the history of the area, and experienced first hand what improvements are planned in this area of the Milwaukee River on both the east and west banks. In 2004, we will be able to walk across the new pedestrian bridge over the North Avenue dam!

Annual River Clean Up. This community event brings together volunteers to clean up and preserve Milwaukee’s waterways, while learning the importance of watershed health and a good stewardship ethic. Hundred of volunteers, under the direction of Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers, helped in revitalizing and preserving the quality of the Milwaukee River and surrounding valley by picking up trash and discarded items along the banks of the river. What a difference a day makes!

EDUCATION PROGRAMS
“Take me to the River: Kids for Stewardship” project, funded in part by the Environmental Protection Agency education grants program, involved Milwaukee Public School students in field trips, art projects, and journal writing about environmental topics surrounding the Milwaukee River. The nine participating schools were: Elm Creative Arts, Fratney Elementary, Gaenslen, Hartford Avenue School, Hawley Environmental, Golda Meir, Milwaukee Education Center, Palmer Elementary and Pierce Elementary. The project impacted over 300 students during the 2002-03 school year. Volunteers served as a project review team at the culminating event and consisted of representatives from the National Park Service Rivers & Trails, Riverwest Neighborhood Association, MPS, and Milwaukee Urban Gardens. Students were provided with feedback from an authentic audience. Participation awards were distributed to the 5 final schools – a certificate of completion and a check for $100 to be used to enhance their environmental education programs.

Student outcomes achieved: a) students exposed to the river will have an appreciation and concern for its welfare as a natural resource, b) students will be able to express their vision of the river through words and art, c) students will become aware of the injustice of concentrated urban pollution and the location of their neighborhoods to those areas, d) students will be aware of the career options available to them through contact with professionals from the field by participation in this project.

"Best Environmental Considerations Utilizing a Waterway" award at the National Engineers Week Future City Competition. For the last 3 years, RRF has awarded a middle school with a $250 environmental education grant at this competition for 7th- and 8th-graders. Kewaskum Middle School won the award in 2002, St. Leonard School in Muskego won in 2003, and St. Eugene School in Fox Point won in 2004. Each school competed for the award based on their conservation policies and protection of natural resources (including a river or waterway) within their city design.