River Revitalization Foundation

Woolly Bear Winter Fest is on it's Way!!!

2012-01-05T14:51:00.024-06:00

Join us Saturday February 4th, Noon-4p.m. for our Woolly Bear Winter Fest!

Meet us at Gateway Park (The Wheelhouse Property)

on Riverboat Road, off of Commerce Street

*Snowshoe Demonstrations from our friends at Laacke & Joys!

*Meet & enjoy riding with the Door County Sled Dogs!

*Winter Hikes along the Beerline Trail!

*Spend time with our very own Woolly Bear Friend, Ellie!

*Fun for all in the snow!

"Why Woolly Bear?" You Ask? Well,...

Woolly Bear Caterpillars are the larva of Tiger Moth & are a common sight along the Milwaukee River. People see them on warm days in fall as they move to find shelter in debris in the woods & fields.

Legend says that if the golden center of the Woolly Bear is large the winter will be mild, if the caterpillar is mostly black, then winter will be freezing! Is it true? Who cares! It's fun to watch Woolly Bears; they can withstand winter temperatures of 35 degrees below zero! They come to life with the warm days of Spring when they come to form cocoons & become moths then start the cycle again.

Why Woolly Bear?! Because they are apart of our environment here in the city, along with the Milwaukee River lands.

Meet & Greet with The Door County Sled Dogs!

Don' miss this event as the sled dogs arrive in their little custom bus to provide a great winter experience!

These extra special dogs are a recreational mushing team made up of 10 rescued Siberian Huskies, 2 very special Alaskan Huskies and their two mushers Bonnie Ulrich & Rick Desotelle.

Cuddle up the pups, learn about good pet care, obedience training tips & the sport of dog sledding with plenty of time for questions, and photos!

Hope to see you there!!!

2011-10-18T14:45:00.002-05:00

New Faces at RRF

2011-10-04T14:51:00.005-05:00

RRF is excited to introduce 2 new staff...Bill Nimke and Marisa Hernandez. Read on to learn a little bit more about them.

We are so excited to have Bill Nimke as our Interpretation and Education Specialist. His first project over the coming months will be to expand and market the Quest Hiking program in the Milwaukee River Valley. This will include the development of a curriculum and activities to encourage groups, families, and individuals to explore the trail loops on the east and west banks of the river.

Before joining RRF, Bill was the Founder and Executive Director of Learn the Seas – America, Inc., a Wisconsin non-profit educational community established for the academic and character development of urban youth through freshwater and marine education activities. LSA’s primary programs included a charter high school, the Inland Seas School of Expeditionary Learning and RAFT (Real Apprenticeships For Teens), an after-school and summer jobs readiness program. "I am excited to be working for the River Revitalization Foundation, a great organization with an important mission to steward our city's river corridors," says Bill.

Another wonderful addition to our RRF team is Marisa Hernandez! Marisa is a Public Alley in Milwaukee and will be spending the next 10 months with us, splitting her time between Gathering Waters Conservancy and RRF.

Marisa was born and raised in Milwaukee where she attended and graduated from Milwaukee High School of the Arts with a specialty in Creative Writing/Journalism. While in high school she was involved with many youth leadership programs including the ACLU of WI and the Urban Ecology Center. Through her work with UEC she traveled to Wyoming and spent time in the Tetons researching the ecosystem and creating a bond with the outdoors. She also started volunteering every summer at a youth diversity camp administered by the Youth and Womens Center of America, Camp Everytown, where she is now head camp counselor. After graduating she traveled and studied abroad in Argentina for one year where she studied Political Science and developed a passion for speaking Spanish and discovering new paths and cultures.

"I am very excited and hopeful for my opportunity to be working with River Revitalization Foundation; the service and exposure they give to youth and community members of Milwaukee is exactly what I love doing. This is a great chance to learn, interact, grow and discover new ways of exploring and educating myself on the city I love and am proud to represent. I am so happy to help an organization create leaders and help them have a long life here in Milwaukee as a staple of youth services and environmental awareness."

Public Allies’ mission is to advance new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic participation.Public Allies is changing the face and practice of leadership in communities across the country by demonstrating our conviction that everyone can lead, and that lasting social change results when citizens of all backgrounds step up, take responsibility, and work together.

Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee Pledges $100,000 to RRF's Greenway Gateway Project!

2011-09-28T14:43:00.007-05:00

Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee recently presented a check to RRF in the amount of $100,000 for the naming of the soon-to-be improved canoe launch, Kiwanis Landing, on the Greenway Gateway property. The $100,000 will go towards the acquisition of the property. RRF continues to restore the property, which provides public access to additional greenspace in the heart of Milwaukee.

The Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee, a "flagship club", in a worldwide service organization is committed to improve the Greater Milwaukee community, especially for youth, through volunteer resources and action. Their commitment to projects, such as the Greenway Gateway, is key to creating a healthy, vibrant community for Milwaukee residents.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Kiwanis Club for your generous support of the Greenway Gateway restoration project.

Thank You MillerCoors Volunteers!

2011-09-16T12:29:00.008-05:00

A huge THANK YOU goes out to the MillerCoors volunteers who came out not once, but TWICE, to help RRF staff install a pollinator garden on the Greenway Gateway Property earlier this week!

It was a beautiful fall afternoon to plant some native flowers, grasses, and trees in the Greenway Gateway. Site prep, materials, and plants were paid for using the funds we received as part of the MillerCoors River Network grant. The garden will help reduce stormwater run-off, improve soil conditions, and improve the aesthetics of the area. Check out more pics from the afternoon below.......

TA-DA!!!!

UWM Service Learning Info

2011-09-07T09:53:00.001-05:00

UWM Service Learning – Fall2011

River Revitalization Foundation (RRF)

Office: 1845 N. Farwell Ave. in MEC (Milwaukee EnvironmentalConsortium) Offices

Suite 100, Milwaukee WI 53202 (but we don’t meet here!)

www.milwaukeerrf.org 414-271-8000 (office phone)

Agency contacts:

Vince Bushell, Program Manager/Land Steward

vbushell@gmail.com

cell: 414-588-7281

Ellie Kirkwood, Field Assistant/Intern

kirkwoo2@uwm.edu

cell: 414-630-6311

Theresa Morgan, Conservation Specialist

Kimberly Gleffe, Executive Director

Our Mission:

The mission of the RRF is to establish a parkway for publicaccess, walkways, recreation and education, bordering the Milwaukee, Menomoneeand Kinnickinnic Rivers; to use the rivers to revitalize surroundingneighborhoods; and to improve water quality.

From the past to the future, we are committed to the returnof this vital natural resource for all as Milwaukee’s urban rivers land trust.

Our Vision:

The RRF advocates environmental conservation, public accessand sensitive recreation in metro Milwaukee’s river watersheds.

To address critical land use issues and further the greenwayconcept, our primary focus includes ensuring:

Public Access
Preservation of the river valley
Preservation of green space in a dense urban environment
Riparian buffers against encroaching development
Links with neighborhoods on both sides of the river
Conservation of critical habitat and wildlife areas

By convening partners with shared vision, values andmission, we can influence planning decisions made along this corridor.

Our Organizational Goals:

Our long-term goal is to recreate the urban landscape usingthe river as a focal point. As a land trust, we will impact the quality of lifethrough neighborhood restoration, economic vitality, conservation of naturalareas, and creation of public access to these natural areas and open spaces.“Green infrastructure” addresses this concept; by incorporating open space inurban planning, we have relief, through access to these spaces, from theintensity and pace of a dense urban environment. The community would beenhanced in many ways.

Partner/Course: UWMCES 210 or GEOG 125

Project Details:

Introductory Hike = 2 hours

Each student is required to take an introductory hike led by Vince and/or Ellie through the Milwaukee River valley. Meet at Riverview dorms. This hike must be completed by Oct. 16.

Invasive Species Removal

The remainder of your hours may be spent removing invasive species like buckthorn and Japanese knotweed. This work is somewhat labor intensive – be ready to get dirty.

Other Project

If you have a creative idea (you like writing, drawing, making movies, etc) please do not hesitate to tell Vince and Ellie. Artistic promotion is desirable for us.

Major Events – throughout the semester there are a few large volunteer events that you can help supervise. Below are a few in September – look for email updates with new potential opportunities.

Fri 9/16 – Wild and Scenic Film Festival at Bayshore (at dusk)
Tues 9/20 – Days of Caring at Gateway Park (1-4pm)
Sat 9/24 – National Public Lands Day at Gordon Park (9am-12pm)

Important Info: READ THIS

You are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer work with RRF. 2 hours will be the intro hike, 8 hours will be your other projects.
You must have your intro hike done by Sunday October 16. Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the program
You must have at least 6 hours (intro hike + 4hrs) completed by Sunday November 6. Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the program.
You can contact Vince by phone call and email. You can contact Ellie by phone call, text, and email. Please be specific and brief when leaving messages.
YOU tell US when you can work. Messages with “When can I work?…” will not be responded to.
Please schedule days to work in advance – don’t expect to be able to schedule and work that same day.
If you must cancel a time you have scheduled, do so ASAP (at least 3 hours in advance).

If youwill be late to a time you have scheduled, just call! Have our numbers on handand let us know you will be running late. Don’t leave us waiting around.

Gathering Waters Conservancy Highlights RRF Wheelhouse Project

2011-08-29T11:23:00.003-05:00

Gathering Waters Conservancy , Wisconsin's statewide service center for the land trust community, is highlighting RRF's Greenway Gateway restoration project as part of their "Land Trust Stories" series. Check out the story here!

Thank you to all the GWC folks who put this together!

Quest Clues #7 to #12

2011-08-28T13:24:00.001-05:00

Click on Quest Clue Then Click on Image

Quest Clues #1 to #6

2011-08-28T11:59:00.000-05:00

Click #1

then click on images.

Read About RRF's Updates in Our Spring Newsletter

2011-03-15T11:59:00.000-05:00

Spring 2011 News

Greenway Gateway Update

2011-03-14T10:04:00.001-05:00

Updates on the Greenway Gateway

Demolition at the Wheelhouse has Begun!!!

DAY 1 (11/03/2010)

Demolition of the Wheelhouse has finally started and, WOW, are we excited! Over the next 2 weeks you'll see the building and parking lots slowly disappear in order to get the space ready for transformation to a new park. Stay tuned for daily posts on our Facebook page! Thanks to everyone who has helped us get to this point in the project! And if you want to help RRF complete the restoration please consider a donation to help with seeding, plants, and trail work.

Day 2 of Demolition

DAY 2 (11/4/2010)

It's amazing how little time it takes to dismantle a building. By noon yesterday the demolition crew had almost the entire building down, and you could easily visualize the greenspace that will soon replace this paved parking lot. Parking lots come out tomorrow. Stay tuned!

And then there was greenspace...

DAY 3 (11/5/2010)

...Well, not quite greenspace yet. But it will be! The Wheelhouse building and parking lots are officially gone. The 2.8 acre parcel will be graded and seeded with a winter cover crop until we can get in there this spring to start restoration work. If you have a chance stop by the site and check out the new, unobstructed view of the Milwaukee River.

What's Next?

Thanks to a DNR Capacity Grant, RRF is in the process of completing site plans for the restoration of the wheelhouse into the "Greenway Gateway". In December of 2010, RRF hosted the first of three stakeholder meetings to present preliminary conceptual designs to local neighbors, businesses, and agency employees. The meeting was a great success, and we are working to incorporate the feedback we received from the meeting.

Press Coverage:

Property Map

Greenway Gateway Property Map

RRF Biennial Report

2009-12-04T15:59:00.001-06:00

RRF Biennial Report 2008

"Take a Hike!" & the Milwaukee River Quest

2009-12-04T14:34:00.000-06:00

In the summer of 2008 and 2009 RRF joined with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s Earn and Learn Program.The result was the opportunity for city youth to be employed 20 hours a week, for seven weeks over the last two summers.The program, run by Milwaukee Area Work Force Investment Board, strives to teach the basics of having a job as well as providing work experience, an opportunity not had by many youth.

Working in conjunction with job skills training, RRF’s goal is to expose workers to the natural world. The goal is to teach workers about native and non-native plant species so that they can assist RRF in natural landscape restoration as well as transfer conservation knowledge and skills to a new generation.

Throughout the seven weeks, the workers learn to identify plants, remove non-natives and plant native species. To complement their restoration work in the valley, the workers are challenged to create and lead their own trail hikes to demonstrate what they have learned not only about the natural species of the valley but the history of human interaction and use of the land in the past. Photography, drawing, map creation and graphic layout are also tasks associated with their summer work.

This connection of the natural environment with learning the history of the valley is vital for our summer workers. It encourages the workers to develop not only a sense of place in our public lands, but encourages stewardship in their futures. This outcome and this publication (the cover featured above) is the direct result of their efforts.

Take a Hike Publication
The "Take a Hike!" publication is an eight-page tabloid sized document that will be distributed in the area surrounding the Milwaukee River in Spring of 2010. Within the newspaper style document are the trail guides, stories and hand-drawn plant species guides, trail maps, and diagrams of RRF's summer Earn & Learn Crew.

Milwaukee River Quest
The Milwaukee River Quest is outdoor hike based on the trail guides written by our summer work crews. Written in to the trail guides are is information regarding the placement of 12 informational signs within the Milwaukee River corridor from Locust Street to North Avenue on both banks of the river. The quest is designed for all who enjoy hiking, learning something new about the river, its adjacent lands and their history. It is recommended for grade school aged children in groups of 4-6 with the assistance of an adult to help interpret directions.

As you follow the trail guide it leads you on a quest to find the 12 signs as well as the plant species and "quest clues" that are written on them. (see example sign) Collect the "quest clues" and write them in the spaces provided in the publication. Once the quest is completed, the hiker may visit the River Quest section of our website to discover more information about the clues they collected. After verification of the the correct quest clues via an online quiz, the hiker will have the opportunity to submit their quest results for a free pass to a local museum or an embroidered patch.

New Park and Trail Developing On Wheelhouse Site

2009-12-03T15:10:00.000-06:00

On December 17th, after almost 10 years of negotiation, RRF closed on the Wheelhouse Property. To find out more information please read our press release below or visit the following links to articles from the local press. If you would be interested in donating, please visit our Donation page.

Press Coverage:

12/18/2009 - Business Journal of Milwaukee: Wheelhouse Restaurant Property Sold to Land Trust

12/18/2009 - JSOnline:Abandoned Wheelhouse Property to Become Riverfront Park

9/27/2009 - JSOnline: Funding Sought to turn Melanec's Wheelhouse Site into Riverfront Park

Press Release:

August 13, 2010

Visit the Wheelhouse site to see the progress on trail construction. New trails have been added by RRF Earn and Learn Summer crew. Pause a moment on the benches built by our crew.

The Beerline Bike trail will be pass by the wheelhouse by the end of September. We will be having events soon!!!

December 17th, 2009

The River Revitalization Foundation, Milwaukee's urban rivers land trust, has purchased 2.8 acres of land located along the Milwaukee River on the east side of the City of Milwaukee. The project will restore blighted urban riverfront land to preserved green space, increase shoreline stabilization and floodplain protection, provide a public access linkage to adjacent Milwaukee County parks and trails, protect Butler 's Garter Snake habitat and provide multiple recreational opportunities. The Foundation received a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Stewardship grant award in the amount of $700,000 for the acquisition. An additional $400,000 easement purchase through the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's Greenseams program is a partial match to the DNR grant.

The site's approximately 642 feet of frontage along the Milwaukee River will connect to the planned “Beerline” segment of the Milwaukee County Park 's Oak Leaf Trail System and the North Avenue pedestrian bridge extending over the river to Caesar's Park and the East Bank Trail. The property is primarily a developed site that includes an abandoned building (formerly the Melanec's Wheelhouse restaurant) and impervious parking lots, both of which will be removed by the Foundation as part of the restoration. The finished product will include improved public access for low impact recreational activities including fishing, hiking, and access to adjoining trails that will also provide biking and cross-country skiing. Proposed plans also include a non-motorized boat launch.

The River Revitalization Foundation will retain ownership but will manage the property in a manner consistent with the park management policies of Milwaukee County . Public information meetings will be scheduled in 2010 inviting comment for site planning for the new park.

“We and our partners are excited and proud to have secured this property for Milwaukee and Wisconsin 's future,” said Foundation President Chris Jaekels. “Its strategic location and natural attributes will enable the Foundation to help improve water quality, add scenic beauty to the neighborhood, and provide recreational and educational opportunities for the community,” he added. With this acquisition, the foundation has protected 10 acres within Milwaukee 's environmental corridor.

Donations are being sought and accepted for the remaining $300,000 in acquisition costs and for additional expenses including demolition and habitat restoration. Visit www.riverrevitalizationfoundation.org for more details.

The Beerline Trail is Open!

2009-12-03T09:44:00.000-06:00

It's finally complete! RRF celebrated the opening of the Beerline Trail this week with Milwaukee County Parks, UWM, and community members at Stubby's Pub and Grub on Humboldt Ave. Check out the link below to see some great photos of the evening, thanks to Jeff Baudry of County Parks.

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d546b314e546b784d7a4e384d5459784e4445314f544d3d0d0a&sb=1

And then there was greenspace...

2009-12-01T13:05:00.000-06:00

...Well, not quite greenspace yet. But it will be soon! The Wheelhouse building and parking lots are officially gone. The 2.8 acre parcel will be graded and seeded with a winter cover crop. If you have a chance stop by the site and check out the new, unobstructed view of the Milwaukee River.

DAY 2

It's amazing how little time it takes to dismantle a building. By noon yesterday the demolition crew had almost the entire building down, and you could easily visualize the greenspace that will soon replace this paved parking lot. Parking lots come out tomorrow. Stay tuned!

DAY 1

Demolition of the Wheelhouse has finally started and, WOW, are we excited! Over the next 2 weeks you'll see the building and parking lots slowly disappear in order to get the space ready for transformation to a new park. Stay tuned for daily posts on our Facebook page! Thanks to everyone who has helped us get to this point in the project! And if you want to help RRF complete the restoration please consider a donation to help with seeding, plants, and trail work.

North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge

2009-10-14T11:53:00.001-05:00

Pedestrian Bridge over the remnants of the North Avenue dam linking Caesar’s Park and the west bank of the river at the dam.

Map of Location:

View North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge in a larger map

East Bank Trail

2009-10-14T11:49:00.000-05:00

Overview:
On Wednesday, July 26, RRF and partners dedicated a new ADA-accessible walking trail that will allow better access to the Milwaukee River in one of the most densely populated areas of the city. The East Bank Trail is a soft pedestrian trail on the East bank of the Milwaukee River, linking Caesar's Park on the South to Riverside Park and the Urban Ecology Center on the North. It is part of a larger loop of pedestrian and paved trails called the 'Beerline Loop' that extends from Commerce Street up to Locust Street on both sides of the river and will create alternative transportation options and recreational opportunities for neighborhood residents and visitors.

"By creating this new East Bank Trail with our partners, we are protecting the environmentally sensitive wetland area along the river that people were previously accessing on an unmanaged, unauthorized path," says Kimberly Gleffe, Executive Director of River Revitalization Foundation. "Also, neighbors and visitors can now enjoy an easier and more reliable walking path that won't flood out every time it rains."

The Milwaukee River is a nationally recognized environmental jewel that River Revitalization Foundation is working to preserve and protect for future generations to enjoy. A new public art installation of two, Native American-inspired turtles constructed in concrete, tile, and steel designed by Marina Lee and Chris Leslie, two Riverwest artists, are featured at each end of the trail, commemorating the completion of the trail and recognition of donors to the trail project.

Partners in the project:
Wisconsin Coastal Management Program; Milwaukee County Parks;
City of Milwaukee; National Park Service Rivers & Trails; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; private landowners; youth from the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program; Washington High School students placed through United Water’s Internship Program; and additional crew hired through a grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

Map of Area:

View Milwaukee River Valley in a larger map

EVENTS (Scroll down the page for a complete list)

2009-10-14T11:34:00.022-05:00

RRF is excited to be hosting the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival for the 2nd year! Thanks to the generous support of the Bayshore Community Foundation, RRF will be hosting an evening of environmental films at the outdoor square in the Bayshore Town Center on Friday, September 16th, 2011 @7pm.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged--$5 for kids and $10 for adults. Those who donate will be entered in raffle drawing for great prizes from stores in the Bayshore Town Center!

We hope you'll join us for an great evening of inspiring films, raffle prizes, and fabulous company!

Click on the links below to preview some of the films we'll be showing!

Animals Save the Planet
Water Loving Doggies
Sarcastic Fringeheads
Witness
Incident at Tower 37
Bag It

National Public Lands Day
September 24th
9am-12pm @ the Greenway Gateway site (formerly the Wheelhouse site)

Join us for a morning of restoration work at the Greenway Gateway. We'll be planting trees, removing invasives, and repairing the old staircase. Wear comfortable clothes that you can get a little dirty and sturdy shoes. Call Vince with questions or to RSVP at 414-588-7281 or vbushell@gmail.com.

Save the Date: Land Trust Alliance Rally in Milwaukee this October!

October 13-16 at the Frontier Center
Nearly 2,000 land trust practitioners, board members, and funders will attend the Land Trust Alliance National Conference here inMilwaukee! RRF staff is participating on the Host Committee, the Planning Committee, and the Presentation review Committee. We will be giving presentations on our urban conservation work, as well as leading a field trip! Join us! More information and registration available at www.landtrustalliance.org/training/rally

Beer Line Trail Loop

2009-10-14T11:28:00.000-05:00

Overview:
Milwaukee County Parks Department was awarded $320,000 from DOT federal highway funds toward a $400,000 conversion of the Beerline right-of-way to a bike trail. The River Revitalization Foundation raised the 20% matching funds as the local sponsor, or $80,000. Milwaukee County will work with RRF and local property owners to build this trail linking Gordon Park and Riverwest to Commerce Street, connecting under the North Avenue bridge. This trail will help preserve the invaluable natural area along the Milwaukee River north of North Avenue while providing links to the adjacent neighborhoods, to the newly developing residential area south of North Avenue, and to downtown.

Historical Perspective
Historically, this section of 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 because it was severely polluted. The recent removal of the dam at North Avenue combined with water quality improvement efforts throughout the river basin, has resulted in improved water quality and changing attitudes. The river’s edge is now a desirable real estate location and its vegetated buffer is threatened with residential and commercial development as housing moves up the Milwaukee River from downtown. Building this trail will help preserve the invaluable natural area along the Milwaukee River north of North Avenue while providing links to the adjacent neighborhoods, to the newly developing residential area south of North Avenue, and to downtown.

Trail Benefits
The trail will contribute to improving the neighborhood’s overall quality of life. Neighbors will have a public open space in which to meet, chat, and enjoy the quiet. Residents will gain pleasant and safe access to downtown for commuting to work and to recreational activities; students will gain safe access to schools and parks.

Community health will improve
The proximity of the trail to the high density Riverwest Neighborhood will encourage residents to increase their physical activity; this can result in improved individual and community health as well as a reduced public health burden. Fewer people will rely on their cars, so the air will be cleaner.

The local economy will improve
Visitors from other neighborhoods and tourists are likely to visit the area as they explore downtown and Milwaukee River environs, opting to visit shops and restaurants on Center Street. Property values near the trail will likely increase as the bike path becomes a desirable public asset.

Natural and historical areas will be preserved and interpreted
The trail will contribute to the community’s overall goal of preserving the natural area buffering the Milwaukee River, an excellent area for birding and nature study. The trail will also be a good place to learn about the rich history of the Milwaukee River. We’ll creatively incorporate history and nature into trailside amenities.

Trail Basics

Location:
The proposed trail will be located on an abandoned railroad right-of-way formerly known as the “Beerline” in the City of Milwaukee. The project is bounded by Locust Street on the north, Humboldt Boulevard on the west, North Avenue on the south, and the Milwaukee River corridor on the east.

Length: 4,000’
Width: 10’
Surface Materials: asphalt

Connections:
The segment of the Beerline to be converted to bike trail is situated at the crossroads between the Riverwest and UWM/North Shore suburban neighborhoods and the City of Milwaukee Downtown area. The proposed trail will facilitate non-motorized travel between those destinations by connecting with:

Existing City of Milwaukee bike routes on Humboldt Boulevard, Locust Street and North Avenue
Planned City of Milwaukee off-street paths in the railroad corridor to the northwest of the subject trail and extending into the Downtown area at the southern end of the trail
Milwaukee County’s Oak Leaf Trail, which is located on the east side of the Milwaukee River and connects numerous parkways and park sites.

Current Status and Links
Milwaukee County received $320,000 from federal highway funds for a $400,000 conversion of the Beerline right-of-way to a bike trail. The River Revitalization Foundation (RRF) has raised the 20% matching funds as the local sponsor, or $80,000. Milwaukee County will work with RRF and local property owners to build this trail linking Gordon Park and Riverwest to Commerce Street. The DNR awarded RRF with a Stewardship grant of $200,000 to cost share in the land acquisition along the Milwaukee River from Gordon Park to Wright Street. RRF purchased a section of the rail corridor and will transfer this land to the County Parks Department. Acquiring and preserving this nearly 5-acre property for public access and trails will also help protect the river valley. A land swap will complete the contiguous corridor needed to develop the trail.

How You Can Support this effort
Collectively these benefits create an overwhelming reason to support the Beerline Trail. To add your support, contact the Kimberely Gleffe at kgleffe@riverrevitalizationfoundation.org or 414.271.8000

Earn and Learn Program

2009-10-14T11:25:00.001-05:00

Overview:
Over the last two years, RRF has partnered to bring Washington High School interns and young workers with the City Earn & Learn program into river valley to teach them about ecological restoration. Students were mentored by RRF staff and United Water employees giving them exposure to environmental careers at their early age.

Accomplishments:
Thanks to students enrolled in the Earn & Learn program and Inland Seas School of Expeditionary Learning , the Milwaukee River valley has a different look. Many invasive species were removed and native species planted in their place. Restoration occurred along the Beerline corridor, East Bank Trail, and at our Brown Deer site.

Acknowledgments: Thank you to our summer work crews and our generous donors:

Helen Bader Foundation
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

2009-10-13T15:03:00.001-05:00

Grant revenue is critical to our mission and directly supports the implementation of RRF's mission through:

Conservation – costs associated with land purchase, land protection planning as Milwaukee’s urban rivers land trust
Restoration – removal of harmful invasive plant species and planting of native trees and plants on our conserved properties, improving habitat and water quality
Education - Ecological Restoration summer crew – “Earn & Learn” program participants, River Quests and volunteer engagement
Public Access – trails and plans to connect communities and people to the river valley

Grants awarded to support our urban conservation, river protection efforts include:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources $75,000
Helen Bader Foundation $20,000
Wisconsin Energy Corporation Foundation $10,000
Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation $7,000

Recent Grant News:

Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust and its Environmental Partners Get Boost to Improve Water Quality in the Milwaukee River Basin
$1.9 million Joyce Foundation grant awarded over 3 years!
River Revitalization Foundation receives $70,000 allocation as Urban Rivers Land Trust partner

MILWAUKEE -- The Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust (SWWT)- also known as the “ Sweet Water Trust” - received a major boost in its campaign to improve water quality in the Milwaukee River Basin with a three year $1.9 million grant from the Joyce Foundation. SWWT is an umbrella organization that was formed to improve the region’s water resources through collaborative efforts.

The grant supports seven state and local environmental groups and the Trust to develop projects that will produce measurable improvements in water quality and habitat starting with the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. This is a unique collaborative effort among nonprofits, governments, universities and other entities working to use waters natural boundaries, or watersheds, in making improvements in water quality and habitat. The Joyce Foundation grant will help build the collaborative effort to establish project priorities, support sound science and analyze complex policy issues, all toward improving water quality and habitat and the health and economic strength of communities in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds.

“This investment provides enormous momentum toward making measurable improvements in our water quality,” stated Pat Marchese, Chairman of the Sweet Water Trust Executive Steering Council. “The grant will enable the Trust and its environmental partners to work collaboratively to build community support for implementing cost effective water quality improvement projects in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds.”

In addition to the Trust, the environmental partners receiving funding are: 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Milwaukee RiverKeeper, River Alliance of Wisconsin, River Revitalization Foundation, and Sixteenth Street Community Health Center. Each group brings a particular function and expertise to this water quality improvement effort including the following activities:

Engage businesses, municipalities and the people who live in the watershed in the watershed planning process and ensure that innovative, cost effective approaches are taken to improve water resources.
Improve the quality and quantity of data collected by both citizens and agencies to ensure that watershed restoration plans are developed and implemented based on sound science.
Identify and advance innovative policies and legal tools best suited to bring about the improved water quality and water resources goals of the Trust.
Raise the awareness of the Trust in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds and recruit and involve a broad constituency engaged in water quality and habitat improvements and coordinated watershed restoration.
Create an integrated and long lasting structure that supports watershed restoration through collaborative efforts throughout the entire Greater Milwaukee Watersheds and nearshore Lake Michigan.

This grant represents the Joyce Foundation’s second substantial commitment to watershed restoration. The first was a three year, $5 million effort in the Maumee River basin in Northeast Indiana, Northwest Ohio, and Southeast Michigan. This effort focused on urban stormwater pollution, agricultural runoff, wetland protection and restoration, and contaminated sediment clean up.

Sweet Water Trust is a collaborative effort to achieve healthy and sustainable water resources throughout the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds. It is a non-governmental, non-taxing, voluntary organization. Members of the Trust include representatives of local, county and state governments, non-governmental organizations, university academics and business and community leaders.

Based in Chicago, the Joyce Foundation supports efforts to protect the Great Lakes, to reduce poverty and violence in the region, and to ensure its residents have good schools, decent jobs, a strong democracy, and a diverse and thriving culture.

RRF Offers to Purchase "Wheelhouse" Property

2009-10-13T14:29:00.000-05:00

Funding Sought to Turn Melanec's Wheelhouse Site into Riverfront Park
by By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel
The final mystery to be played out at the former Melanec's Wheelhouse restaurant and dinner theater on the Milwaukee River: Who will contribute to its demolition and transformation to a public park?
The River Revitalization Foundation has offered to buy the boat-shaped building and 2.8 acres - with 650 feet of frontage on the west bank of the river - for $1.4 million, foundation Executive Director Kimberly Gleffe said. The restaurant closed, and stopped hosting murder mysteries and other dinner-theater performances, in late 2005.
If the Milwaukee-based land trust can raise the money and close the deal by December, it intends to demolish the restaurant and remove two blacktop parking lots, Gleffe said.
A park there would provide public access to the west shore of the river north of downtown for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife watching, exploring and relaxing, Gleffe said.
The foundation is seeking a state stewardship fund grant that would pay up to 50% of the property's appraised value.
On Monday, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's commission will act on a proposal to buy a conservation easement to the property at an estimated cost of $400,000. The easement would become a permanent deed restriction, prohibiting residential or commercial development.
District funds to pay for the easement would come from its Greenseams flood-management program, said Steve Jacquart, the district's intergovernmental coordinator. The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission had targeted the property for protection in an environmental corridor study - a greenway connection plan - done for MMSD.
The land trust is seeking private donations to cover remaining costs of the purchase, said Christopher Jaekels, a Milwaukee attorney and chairman of the River Revitalization Foundation's board of directors. John Chowanec of Milwaukee is the current owner of the property at 2178 N. Riverboat Road.
The unnamed park would be linked to Caesar's and Riverside parks, the Urban Ecology Center and proposed Rotary Centennial Arboretum - all on the river's east shore - by an existing pedestrian bridge and the East Bank and Oak Leaf recreational trails, Gleffe said. The pedestrian bridge is located at the site of a former dam on the river.
To Read Full Article at JSOnline.com, Click Here

Outdoor Outfitters Make Public Lands a Success

2009-10-13T13:36:00.000-05:00

On Saturday September 26, Under the direction of RRF seventy-five volunteers planted over 120 native tress in the west section of the Milwaukee River Valley between North Avenue and Locust Street.
The tree planting was in celebration of National Public Lands Day (NPLD). NPLD is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy

The trees were purchased with a grant by the outdoor equipment and apparel manufacturer Patagonia. The grant was only able to be secured by help of Milwaukee's oldest outfitter, Laacke & Joys.

Wheelhouse Restoration on the West Bank of the Milwaukee

2009-10-13T13:22:00.001-05:00

Demolition at the Wheelhouse has Begun!!!

DAY 1

Demolition of the Wheelhouse has finally started and, WOW, are we excited! Over the next 2 weeks you'll see the building and parking lots slowly disappear in order to get the space ready for transformation to a new park. Stay tuned for daily posts on our Facebook page! Thanks to everyone who has helped us get to this point in the project! And if you want to help RRF complete the restoration please consider a donation to help with seeding, plants, and trail work.

Day 2 of Demolition

DAY 2

It's amazing how little time it takes to dismantle a building. By noon yesterday the demolition crew had almost the entire building down, and you could easily visualize the greenspace that will soon replace this paved parking lot. Parking lots come out tomorrow. Stay tuned!

And then there was greenspace...

...Well, not quite greenspace yet. But it will be soon! The Wheelhouse building and parking lots are officially gone. The 2.8 acre parcel will be graded and seeded with a winter cover crop until we can get in there this spring to start restoration work. If you have a chance stop by the site and check out the new, unobstructed view of the Milwaukee River.

Southbranch Creek Restoration Project

2009-10-13T13:13:00.000-05:00

Overview:
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 with funds from the WDNR Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. 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.

Several governmental and business entities assisted with the completion of the project.
Natural Resource Technology in Pewaukee donated environmental surveying services for the acquisition, and legal guidance from Cook & Franke saved RRF thousands of dollars in legal fees. With funding assistance from the Village of Brown Deer, the Coastal Management Program and several partners including: We Energies, WDNR,Wis DOT, Milwaukee County, Mead & Hunt, Badger Meter and others, the creek and the unique 2.24 acre wooded lot at the junction of Teutonia and Green Bay Avenue was restored. In addition, Milwaukee County Parks will be extending the off-street Oak Leaf Trail through this property in 2008-09.

How You Helped:
Community members from all walks of life volunteered to hand pull garlic the mustard as well as cut the buckthorn that prevent native wildflowers from flourishing. After the invasive species were rooted out, native shrubs, trees, and wildflowers were planted. These native species increase the natural beauty of the land as well as provide a vital habitat and food source for widlife. With the help of the Village of Brown Deer and its community, we were able to restore one of the last remaining natural places in the Village of Brown Deer for future generations.

Map of Area:

View Southbranch Creek in a larger map

2009-10-13T12:54:00.002-05:00

Kimberly A. Gleffe

Executive Director
email: kgleffe@riverrevitalizationfoundation.org
phone: 414.271.8000 Ext: 3

Vince Bushell
Project Manager/Land Steward
email: vince@riverwestcurrents.org
phone: 414.588.7281

Theresa Morgan
Conservation Specialist
email: tmorgan@riverrevitalizationfoundation.org
phone: 414.271.8000 Ext:2

Ellie Kirkwood
Intern/ Field Assistant
email: kirkwoo2@uwm.edu

About Milwaukee

2009-10-13T12:34:00.000-05:00

Milwaukee, the city with the Native American name meaning "Gathering Place by the Waters," is located at the confluence of three rivers (the Milwaukee, the Menomonee, and the Kinnickinnic) which drain into Lake Michigan. The rivers come together in downtown Milwaukee to form a freshwater estuary.

Five hundred miles of streams and more than one hundred lakes form the life blood of the drainage area called the Milwaukee River Basin, which encompasses nearly 900 square miles. The drainage basin -includes 6 watersheds, 7 counties, 31 townships, 12 cities and 23 villages. It is home to more than 1.5 million people.

The area varies geographically along the River from rural, to suburban, to urban. Socio-economic characteristics also vary and can be discerned by zip code. In this focus area over 200,000 people live within one mile of the river.

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 stainability and economic vitality for the city.

2009-10-13T12:19:00.001-05:00

Phone & Fax:
Phone: 414.271.8000
Fax: 414.273.7293

Office:
Our offices are housed within the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium, located at:

1845 N. Farwell Avenue Suite
Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53202

View Larger Map

Individual Staff:
Kimberly A. Gleffe
Executive Director
email: kgleffe@riverrevitalizationfoundation.org
phone: 414.271.8000 Ext: 3

Vince Bushell
Project Manager/Land Steward
email: vince@riverwestcurrents.org
phone: 414.588.7281

Theresa Morgan
Conservation Specialist
email: tmorgan@riverrevitalizationfoundation.org
phone: 414.271.8000 Ext: 2

2009-10-13T11:58:00.003-05:00

Land Trusts are established to protect land and water resources for the public benefit. River Revitalization Foundation is serving as the urban rivers land trust in Milwaukee, caring for the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers. We focus on conservation and protection of riparian corridors. This is done through land acquisition, easements, connecting green space, creating a parkway which provides public access to the river valley, and landowner education.

Ways to Protect Land Along the River:
As Milwaukee's urban land trust, here are several ways we can assist you in protecting the land along Milwaukee's rivers:

Conservation Easements
Land Donation
Donating a Remainder Interest in Land
Donating Land by Will
Land Donations that Establish a Life Income
Bargain Sale of Land
Your Next Step

Conservation Easements
A conservation easement (or conservation restriction) is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. It allows you to continue to own and use your land and to sell it or pass it on to heirs.

When you donate a conservation easement to a land trust, you give up some of the rights associated with the land. Future owners also will be bound by the easement's terms. The land trust is responsible for making sure the easement's terms are followed.

Conservation easements offer great flexibility. An easement on property containing rare wildlife habitat might prohibit any development, for example, while one on a farm might allow continued farming and the building of additional agricultural structures. An easement may apply to just a portion of the property, and need not require public access.

A landowner sometimes sells a conservation easement, but usually easements are donated. If the donation benefits the public by permanently protecting important conservation resources and meets other federal tax code requirements--it can qualify as a tax-deductible charitable donation. The amount of the donation is the difference between the land's value with the easement and its value without the easement.

Placing an easement on your property may also result in property tax savings. Perhaps most important, a conservation easement can be essential for passing land on to the next generation. By removing the land's development potential, the easement lowers its market value, which in turn lowers estate tax. Whether the easement is donated during life or by will, it can make a critical difference in the heirs' ability to keep the land intact.

Land Donation
Donating land for conservation purposes is truly one of the finest legacies a person can leave to future generations. It may be the best conservation strategy for you if you do not wish to pass the land on to heirs; own property you no longer use; own highly appreciated property; have substantial real estate holdings and wish to reduce estate tax burdens; or would like to be relieved of the responsibility of managing and caring for land.

Donating land releases you from the responsibility of managing the land and can provide substantial income tax deductions and estate tax benefits (while avoiding any capital gains taxes that would have resulted from selling the property). Most important, if the land is donated because of its conservation value, it will be protected. (Although our focus here is on conservation land, commercial and residential properties can also be donated to a land trust, with the understanding that the organization will sell the land to support its conservation work.)

Donating A Remainder Interest in Land
An outright donation is not the only way to give land. You can continue to live on the land by donating a remainder interest and retaining a reserved life estate. In this arrangement, you donate the property during your lifetime, but continue to live on and use the property. When you die (or sooner if you choose), the land trust gains full title and control over the property.

By donating a remainder interest, you can continue to enjoy your land and may be eligible for an income tax deduction when the gift is made. The deduction is based on the fair market value of the donated property less the expected value of the reserved life estate.

Donating Land by Will
If you want to own and control your land during your lifetime, but assure its protection after your death, you can donate it by will. You should make sure the chosen recipient is willing and able to receive the gift.

Land Donations that Establish a Life Income

If you have land you would like to protect by donating it to a land trust, but need to receive income during your lifetime, you might use a charitable gift annuity. In a charitable gift annuity, you agree to transfer certain property to a charity, and the charity agrees to make regular annuity payments to one or two beneficiaries you specify for life.

Your gift of land usually qualifies for a charitable income tax deduction at the time of the gift, based on the value of the land less the expected value of the annuity payments. Another option for donating property and receiving regular income is a charitable remainder unitrust. You place the land in a trust, first putting a conservation easement on it if it is to be protected. Then the trustee sells the land and invests the net proceeds from the sale. One or more beneficiaries you specify receive payments each year for a fixed term or for life, then the trustee turns the remaining funds in the trust over to the land trust.

The gift qualifies for a charitable income tax deduction when the land is put in the trust, based on the value of the land less the expected value of the payments. Charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder unitrusts are most useful for highly appreciated land, the sale of which would incur high capital gains tax.

Bargain Sale of Land
If you need to realize some immediate income from selling your land, yet would like the property to go to a land trust, a bargain sale might be the answer. In a bargain sale, you sell the land to a land trust for less than its fair market value. This not only makes it more affordable for the land trust, but offers several benefits to you: it provides cash, avoids some capital gains tax, and entitles you to a charitable income tax deduction based on the difference between the land's fair market value and its sale price.

Your Next Step
A land trust can help you arrive at a conservation plan that makes the most sense for you, and can put you in touch with attorneys, appraisers, accountants, and land planners familiar with conservation techniques. We also suggest that you talk with your own legal and financial advisers.

2009-10-13T11:58:00.002-05:00

RRF is often in need of volunteers to work both in the field and the office on scheduled occasions. If you are looking to volunteer at one of our annual events such as National Public Lands Day or Earth Day please visit our Events page.

Office Volunteer Opportunities
Office volunteers support administrative activities within our office at the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium. Activities include but are not limited to mailings, data entry and website maintenance. Office Volunteer Opportunities are open to all interested parties although we have only a sporadic need for office volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

Field Volunteer Opportunities
Field volunteers support our habitat restoration projects by removing invasive species such as buck thorn and garlic mustard, as well as planting native trees and plants. Individuals must be able to work comfortably outside and have proper attire for hiking on dirt and gravel terrain. Work gloves and tools will be provided. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

Service Learning Opportunities
Currently service learning opportunities are only open to students from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. If you would like to speak to us about working with RRF to satisfy your service learning hours please contact the service learning department and your appropriate university before contacting our Volunteer Coordinator. If you are a university and looking for additional service learning partners for your students please contact us!

2009-10-13T11:54:00.005-05:00

The River Revitalization Foundation has fostered projects regarding Land Acquisition, Beer Line Trail development, City bridge redesign over the North Avenue dam, and the East Bank Trail development from Caesar's Park to Riverside Park. Click the links below is further information about our projects that are ongoing as well as completed.

Land and Restoration Projects:

Purchase and Restoration of the Greenway Gateway
Southbranch Creek Restoration
Beerline Trail Loop
East Bank Trail
West Bank Acquisition & Restoration
North Avenue Dam Pedestrian Bridge

Education and Workforce Development:

West Bank Aquisition and Restoration

2009-10-12T11:33:00.000-05:00

On May 10, 2002, RRF acquired its first property, a nearly 5-acre parcel along the west bank of the Milwaukee River. This parcel, an abandoned railroad right-of-way, connects to the south end of Gordon Park and continues to Wright Street. The WDNR awarded the Foundation with a Knowles Nelson Stewardship grant in the amount of $200,000 to cost share in this acquisition. Acquiring and preserving this property for public access and trails will help protect the river valley and create links between existing green space and County parks from Locust Street to North Avenue. Additional properties, identified in a land protection plan, will be sought to continue the greenway along the river to the Ozaukee County line.

Student Stewards Partnership

2009-10-09T13:14:00.000-05:00

RRF is developing a Student Stewards program that will engage in-coming freshman at the new University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee RiverView Residence Hall and a crew of diverse high school students living within the City of Milwaukee. Participants will experience hands-on restoration and stewardship activities in the Milwaukee River valley. Removal of invasive plant species and planting of native plants and trees will occur.

In addition, college students will be paired with and mentor high school students during the summer internship program. The goal of this project is to increase the number of minority urban students within the project area involved in environmental protection and conservation issues. The outcomes expected are increased awareness and appreciation for the river and its habitat, understanding of river systems and our impact on water quality. Exposure to college students and the university will also strengthen ideas about pursuing a college education and associated careers. This program will also encourage ongoing management of the Milwaukee River valley, a primary goal of the Foundation, and the Milwaukee River Work Group.

RRF Celebrates Fifteen Years!

2009-10-08T14:33:00.000-05:00

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Hubbard Park Lodge
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

$50 per ticket: music, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar – silent auction

Program keynote to feature Mr. Thomas Boelter, Potawatomi Nation

For tickets, more information, or to sponsor, contact the RRF office or visit our website at www.riverrevitalizationfoundation.org

Kimberly 414-271-8000 kgleffe@riverrevitalizationfoundation.org

Thanks to our event sponsors:
Frank Thometz, Morgan Stanley $2,500
Brian Dettmering, CPA, Riverwest Accounting $2,500
Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee $1,500
Rotary Club of Milwaukee $1,500
Village of Shorewood
Nonprofit Management Fund

2009-10-08T14:24:00.001-05:00

The River Revitalization Board of Directors consists of members from the Milwaukee Rotary Club, members from the Milwaukee Kiwanis Club and members from the community "at large." We thank our board for their dedication and service to the organization.

President: Steve Mech
Vice President: Kevin Shafer
Secretary:Christopher Jaekels
Treasurer: Brian Dettmering

Rotary Club of Milwaukee:

Michelle Mason
Christopher Jaekels*
Dean Schultzbank, P.E.
Jan van den Kieboom
Don Daugherty

Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee:

Robo Brumder
Ron Clayton
TJ Estabrook
Jim Pittelkow
Frank Thometz

Members at Large:

Chris Abele*
Rebecca Abraham
Brian Dettmering
Robert Karnauskas
Raymond Krueger*
Carolynn Leaman
Steve Mech
Kevin Shafer

* Denotes Past President

2009-10-08T14:14:00.000-05:00

Our Mission:

The mission of the River Revitalization Foundation is to establish a parkway for public access, walkways, recreation and education, bordering the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers; to use the rivers to revitalize surrounding neighborhoods; and to improve water quality.

From the past to the future, we are committed to the return of this vital natural resource for all as Milwaukee's urban rivers land trust.

Our Vision:
The River Revitalization Foundation advocates environmental conservation, public access and sensitive recreation in metro Milwaukee’s river watersheds.

To address critical land use issues and further the greenway concept, our primary focus includes ensuring:

Public access
Preservation of the River Valley
Preservation of green space in a dense urban area
Riparian buffers against encroaching development
Links with neighborhoods on both sides of the river
Conservation of critical habitat and wildlife areas

By convening partners with shared vision, values and mission, we can influence planning decisions made along this corridor.

Our Organizational Goals:
Our long-term goal is to recreate the urban landscape using the river as a focal point. As a land trust, we will impact the quality of life through neighborhood restoration, economic vitality, conservation of natural areas, and creation of public access to these natural areas and open spaces. “Green infrastructure” addresses this concept; by incorporating open space in urban planning, we have relief, through access to these spaces, from the intensity and pace of a dense urban environment. The community would be enhanced in many ways.

The indicators are:

Greenway established
Areas for passive recreation and fitness as well as environmental study
Protection of a linear corridor for wildlife habitat and migration, and aesthetic appreciation
Enhancement of the quality of life and pride in the nearby neighborhoods as well as for the Milwaukee community at large by protecting natural areas from encroaching development
Links created with the existing Oak Leaf Trail, connecting east side to northern communities with a trail to downtown, and to the lake front
Connection with other efforts bringing pedestrians and cyclists to the Milwaukee River such as the proposed pedestrian bridge over the North Avenue dam and the “marsupial bridge” under the Holton Street viaduct
Opportunities for tourists to explore the natural river environment.

2009-10-08T14:12:00.000-05:00

RRF as a Land Trust
Land Trusts are established to protect land and water resources for the public benefit. River Revitalization Foundation is serving as the urban rivers land trust in Milwaukee, caring for the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers. We focus on conservation and protection of riparian corridors. This is done through land acquisition, easements, connecting green space, creating a parkway which provides public access to the river valley, and landowner education.

We currently own land two parcels; nearly 5 acres in Riverwest just south of Gordon Park, and a 2.34 acre parcel along Southbranch Creek, a tributary to the Milwaukee River, in the Village of Brown Deer. RRF is a partner organization with the Milwaukee River Work Group (MRWG) working to protect the Milwaukee River (see home page Milwaukee Central Park link). Our guiding document, The Riverway Plan (1991), contains goals, priority recommendations and strategies to implement the plan’s main objective: to create a continuous environmental corridor, or greenway, along the Milwaukee River and address issues affecting water quality. As a land trust, we can position ourselves to accept donations of land, and can further these goals to permanently protect additional lands along the Milwaukee, Kinnickinnic and Menomonee Rivers.

This direction, approved by the board of directors in December 2003, requires increased capacity and formulation of a land protection plan, in conjunction with our land acquisition goals already defined:

Increase and improve public access to the river and to existing green space (utilizing the Green Infrastructure for Tomorrow “GIFT” plan among others)
Identify new public green spaces and trails connecting existing parks, (utilizing existing plans such as SEWRPC’s Natural Areas Plan and MMSD’s Conservation Plan among others)
Expand recreational opportunities (especially passive recreation)
Add to public enjoyment of scenic beauty, wildlife and plant species,
Preserve and protect wildlife habitat in these natural areas,
Promote sound land use and smart growth policies.

The Milwaukee River and its adjoining lands form an extensive and highly valuable natural resource providing both a huge potential and challenge for environmental and habitat protection, water quality improvement, and human enjoyment and recreation. The River Revitalization Foundation along with our partners will continue its focus on environmental protection as a steward of the entire Milwaukee River Basin. Wisconsin’s largest metropolitan area, Milwaukee County, with a population of over 950,000, will benefit from the protection of this resource. Once it is lost, it can never be recovered.

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:

State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Milwaukee County
City of Milwaukee
Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (Greenseams program administered by The Conservation Fund),
National Park Service
Gathering Waters Conservancy
Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee
Rotary Club of Milwaukee
Milwaukee River Revitalization Council
and private landowners along the Milwaukee River.

Charitable Status

The River Revitalization Foundation is a certified non-profit 501(c)(3) conservation organization

2009-01-06T13:03:00.001-06:00

Below you will find links to various articles about River Revitalization Foundation's activities as well as projects we are involved with.

2010

2009

2008

2007

2003

04/01 - Vital Source: Rivers, Railways and a Greener Milwaukee

2002

2008-12-04T10:23:00.000-06:00

Help The River Revitalization Foundation Chart a Course to Success!

River Revitalization Foundation was founded to establish a parkway for public access, walkways, recreation and education, bordering the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers; to use the rivers to revitalize surrounding neighborhoods; and to improve water quality.

BECOME A RIVER ALLY, DONATE TODAY!

Thanks to our event sponsors!

Frank Thometz, Morgan Stanley $2,500
Brian Dettmering, CPA, Riverwest Accounting $2,500
Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee $1,500
Rotary Club of Milwaukee $1,500
Village of Shorewood
Nonprofit Management Fund

To make a mail-in donation, please Download the PDF form.