Coastal Wetland Aviary Project
With our support, the Lincoln Park Zoological Society, in conjunction with the City of Manitowoc, seeks to turn an area of the Zoo on the Manitowoc River into a coastal wetland aviary to attract coastal and wetland birds and educate visitors on wild birdlife and the ecological Lake Michigan landscape. The Shorebird Exhibit will not […]
Manoomin Stewardship Program
Our grant would support the work of Tribal Nations in protecting and restoring Manoomin (wild rice) to Wisconsin waterways. Wild rice performs several important water quality functions. It absorbs nutrients and toxins and stabilizes shorelines by binding loose soils and slows wave action in shallow wetlands. This increases water clarity and reduces algae blooms. This […]
2024 Milwaukee Water Commons Water School
Each year, community members from five different organizations participate in Milwaukee Water Commons’ “Water School.” The school is a way to engage diverse community voices in water projects in the City of Milwaukee, and Water Commons hopes to expand the program this year. Each Water School team undertakes a water stewardship program in their respective […]
Transforming MPS Schools for Sustainability
Our funding would support the transformation of five asphalt schoolyards at high-need schools in the City of Milwaukee into vibrant green spaces. MPS staff and the team from Reflo will work with each school community (teachers, students, parents, neighbors, administrators, maintenance staff and non-profit partners) to create conceptual plans for replacing hardscape at MPS schoolyards […]
Restoring Urban Soil Health to Protect Lake Michigan Water Quality
Our funding will support the demonstration of a new green infrastructure practice known as “Suburban Subsoiling” at a site in West Allis where pavement is planned for removal. Suburban Subsoiling is a land development practice that “decompacts” and amends soil with compost to restore biologically active soil profiles that dramatically reduce polluted runoff. The practice […]
Polk Springs Stream Relocation
ur funding would support a quarter mile restoration on Polk Springs Creek in Washington County. The project will re-meander the stream which is currently channelized, pull back undercut streambanks and create a 75-foot buffer on each side of the stream. Polk Springs Creek has the potential to support cold water species but has faced significant […]
Restoring Stream Health & Fish Passage in Nichols Creek
Our funding would support the preliminary concept and design for the removal of the Mill Pond dam in the Village of Cascade. The 6.4-acre Mill Pond impoundment has experienced heavy siltation and nutrient loading since its construction in 1878. The shallow water and heavy nutrient load have created excessive weed growth and raised the downstream […]
Wetlands in our Community
Our funding would support a water quality monitoring, data collection and education program at the Heckrodt Wetland Reserve (HWR) in the City of Menasha. The HWR is located on the north shore of Lake Winnebago and was once part of a large, forested wetland. Today, it is one of the largest tracks of wetlands remaining […]
Little Lake Butte des Morts Comprehensive Planning
Our grant would support the development of a watershed restoration plan for Little Lake Butte des Morts (LLBDM). This project would be the first step in the municipalities of Menasha, Neenah and Fox Crossing working together to improve their shared water resources. Learning from similar collaborations on the Fox River, this initiative will build a […]
Brainard’s Bridge Shoreline Restoration Project
With our support, the city of Waupaca will stabilize streambank and restore habitat at Brainard’s Bridge Park. With assistance from local DNR staff, Park and Recreation staff have developed a low-cost restoration plan for this popular park along the Waupaca River. The project would remove invasive species, regrade stream banks and create new instream habitat […]