Community Engagement

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the River Revitalization Foundation!
Fostering Our Riparian Biodiversity (F.O.R.B.) is River Revitalization Foundation’s volunteer opportunity! Participate in land restoration activities with RRF Stewardship Director and other RRF staff. Meet and work alongside individuals passionate about the natural world and preserving its integrity.
We also have a longstanding relationship with UW-Milwaukee to provide service learning opportunities to students in environmental courses.
NOTE: An orientation is required prior to volunteering with RRF. Orientations take place twice a month on Zoom. Sign up for an orientation, and we will email you the Zoom link prior to the orientation.
Orientation Dates (April – November 2022)
- The second Tuesday of the month from 4:00-4:30pm
- The last Thursday of the month from 12:00-12:30pm
- No orientation on 11/24/22 (Thanksgiving)
safety protocols
- There will be a max of 8 people per volunteer day. Online signup required. (The signup link will be provided to you during orientation).
- We recommend you bring your own work gloves, otherwise RRF will provide some for you.
- All tools will be sanitized after each use.
- Volunteers will maintain a safe distance from others. Masks are optional while working outside.
- RRF requires masks for all visitors when entering the building to use the facilities (use restroom, fill up water)
FORB details
- Mondays 2-4pm
- Fridays 1-4pm
- 1st & 2nd Saturdays 9am-12pm (April-November 2022)
Please note these are blocks of time and the start and end times are listed. If you need to leave early, that’s OK but make sure to let our staff know.
There will be no FORB on the following days in 2022: 5/14, 5/27, 5/30, 7/1, 7/2, 7/4, 9/2, 9/3, 9/5, 11/25, 12/19, 12/23, 12/26, 12/30
Activities could include, but are not limited to: Removing invasive species, establishing native plants and trees, maintaining trails, seed collecting and cleaning, controlling erosion.
All activities are important for improving the quality and access of the habitat surrounding Milwaukee’s river basin.
Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (we recommend layers) and close-toed shoes.
Other items to consider bringing with you: water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent.
We can accommodate larger groups (max of ~20 for 2-3 hours of work) for your work, school/youth group or club, fraternity or sorority, etc. and are happy to assist you in scheduling a volunteer day. Please email us for more information.
Safety protocols like breaking into smaller groups, social distancing, and masks will be put in place for larger groups.
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New to volunteering with RRF? Please complete our online volunteer waiver form

UWM Service Learning
The River Revitalization Foundation has worked with UW-Milwaukee and its environmentally focused classes as partners in its service learning program for 15 years. This program engages students in six to 10 hours of land stewardship efforts as part of a class requirement. We lead them on an introductory hike before working in the field, and the students enjoy the hands-on working and learning that we provide in our outdoor classroom.
Thousands of native plants, trees, and herbs have been planted by UWM students over the years in addition to the thousands of pounds of invasive species removed from river lands. We are thankful for this partnership with UWM and hope that all service learners will become regular volunteers!
Service Learning Schedule Spring 2022
If you are a UWM student completing your service learning with RRF please sign up by clicking the button below.
Remember that you need a total of 8 hours!