Groundwork Milwaukee, Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action, The New School Urban Systems Lab, Data You Can Use, Medical College of Wisconsin, December 8th, 2022
Our most current report, Milwaukee Flood Health-Vulnerability Assessment, and the storymap that accompanies it, tell the history of housing discrimination in Milwaukee, and the impacts of climate change in one neighborhood, Metcalfe Park. We’ve spent the last year assisting neighbors developing and installing green solutions in areas which are vulnerable to flood and extreme heat.
Hey everyone! It’s the June newsletter! Early summer is one of the most exciting times of year for Groundwork. Last month we welcomed our Green Team and have already been out learning, building and growing in the neighborhood. We’re grateful for the good energy this crew has brought. Read what Green Team has been working on along with other program updates here, in the June edition of the Groundwork newsletter.
The Weather Channel, June 28th, 2022
Groundwork Milwaukee’s Outreach and Organizing Director, Jess Haven, is interviewed on the The Weather Channel about the upcoming Milwaukee Heat Watch Mapping Campaign. Watch the video at the link below or sign-up to volunteer to participate in the mapping campaign. Watch. Volunteer.
Groundwork Supporters! The May newsletter is here. We’ve been outside with our network of inspired gardeners and volunteers growing things, planting trees, planning for a climate safe future, and partying! Keep scrolling to learn more about what we’ve been up to. Watch for opportunities to get involved!
Hey Groundwork Supporters! Here’s the April newsletter! It hasn’t felt quite like spring yet, but we know the growing season is just around the corner. We’ve been busy prepping and building new gardens, cleaning waterways, planting trees and connecting with residents. Keep reading to learn more!
Alexander Kostal and James Wieland, WXRW, May 24th, 2022
What is 'environmental justice?' Milwaukee practitioner Dr. Rene Settle-Robinson sat down with Alex and James of Riverwest Radio’s Left-Turn production and discussed impacts of climate change and pollution on our most vulnerable neighborhoods. They discuss the political will it will require to address the greatest impacts and prioritize equity. Listen.
John Davis, WPR, May 9th, 2022
This piece on Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) discusses extreme heat events in Milwaukee. This summer the Wisconsin DNR is leading a NOAA funding campaign to map heat in Milwaukee using a method that involves enlisting volunteers to drive traverses across the city collecting data points at three times on a hot summer day. The data is hoped to provide detailed insight into places that are most exposed to heat. Groundwork’s Outreach and Organizing Director Jess Haven talks about the issue and the mapping campaign in the context of the Climate Safe Neighborhoods initiative. View article.
Corrinne Hess, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 3rd, 2022
This article summarizes a press conference held by the Sierra Clubs’ Wisconsin Chapter. At the event residents and local social organizations advocated for the State of Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program to be extended to renters to relieve energy burden in Black and Latinx communities. Groundwork Milwaukee’s Climate Safe Neighborhoods Organizing Associate, Keviea Guiden, spoke at the event in support of expanding the program. View full article.
Lina Tran, Grist, April 28th, 2022
City’s like to plant trees, but don’t always set aside resources to care for them after they are planted. This article in Grist explores the gap between planting trees and caring for them. Groundwork Milwaukee’s Greenspace Actions Coordinator, Samson Srok, provides valuable insight from his experience in the field.
Groundwork Supporters! The newsletter is back! It’s been a minute, but we weren’t hibernating. We were working behind the scenes to prepare ourselves for the 2022 season. We’ve got open positions. We’ve got new Ground Corps members. We’ve got spring clean-ups planned. Kilbourn registration is open. Read all about it below!
How is it possible that October is already ending?! I guess time flies when you’re working hard. Last month we continued work on the Healing Spaces Initiative, prepared gardens for winter, and harvested more than 1,000 lbs. of fresh produce. We were also emboldened by the good energy that our neighbors brought to our first series of Garden Markets. We’re definitely doing more of those! Last but not least, we welcomed a new Executive Director to our team. Welcome, Young! Read more about what we’ve been up to below.
Another eventful month for Groundwork Milwaukee. We harvested 500lbs of fruit, taught high school students how to monitor water quality and completed major construction at multiple sites for the Healing Spaces Initiative. We’re moving towards the off-season and have been doing a lot of harvesting and winterizing with our gardeners. Thanks to all of our dedicated volunteers who make our work possible! Read more about what we’ve been up to below.
On North Hackett Avenue, between Belleview and Park Place sits St. Mark's Episcopal Church. In the back corner, past the parking lot, sits a small but lush garden space. Gardeners, Meg Edwards, Jane Shero, and Deacon Michelle Mooney are giving a tour of the space. “The space is about 20 years old. We took the turf out, brought sand in – it’s very clay-y here. Every year we would lay down mulch and compost, and now it grows a little bit of everything.”
Susan Bence, WUWM 89.7 FM, August 31st, 2021
Local environmental reporter, Susan Bence, reports on the Milwaukee City-County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity’s most resent forum. The meeting aimed to address the economic opportunity green jobs present as efforts to improve local climate resiliency increase. Groundwork Milwaukee’s Ground Corps Crew Leader, Bree Jackson, speaks up with an important question for the task force. Listen.
TMJ4, August 28th, 2021
TMJ4 featured the Healing Spaces Initiative in their Positively Milwaukee segment. The clip covers the construction of a sculpture garden at the intersection of Richards Street and Locus Street. Groundwork Milwaukee played a significant role in the construction of this space. View clip.
Sarah Volpenhein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 28th, 2021
This article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discusses a sculpture garden that was installed on Locus Street and North Richards as part of the City of Milwaukee’s Healing Spaces Initiative. Groundwork Milwaukee played a large role in facilitating the build out of this space. View full article.
Tyler Nelson, Shepherd Express, August 27th, 2021
The Shepherd Express interviews Groundwork Milwaukee’s Community Programs Manager, Matt Vogt about Fresh Food Connect. If you have extra garden produce in your backyard garden. Sign up for Fresh Food Connect and Groundwork staff and volunteers will pick it up from your doorstep and donate it to a local food pantry. Just download and install the Fresh Food Connect app on your mobile device and, if you live in one of our activated zip codes, you’ll be able to post your donations. View full article.
June was another busy month for the Groundwork Milwaukee crew. We provided direct support through infrastructure improvement, programming and volunteer workdays to more than 14 of our garden locations and so much more. Thank you to all the supportive community members and volunteers that have made invaluable contributions! Scroll down to learn more. Watch for opportunities to get involved! Click the tiles below for program-specific updates or just scroll down to read it all.
Joe Purtell, Undark, August 16th, 2021
Undark magazine explores the relationship between urban green space and the legacy of redlining. The article focuses on Richmond, CA and features interviews with members of Groundwork Richmond. To aid the conversation, Climate Safe Neighborhoods maps prepared by Groundwork Milwaukee were included. View full article.
Elaine Rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 9th, 2021
This article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel mentions Groundwork Milwaukee’s Shared Harvest programming. If you’d like to donate your excess garden produce to local food pantries, sign up for Fresh Food Connect in one of our qualifying zip codes and we’ll come pick up your produce right from your front door step. View full article.
Jean C. Bikomeye, et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, August, 8th, 2021
Jean Bikomeye of Medical College of Wisconsin, alongside a team of researchers and community partners, recently had this article approved for publication by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The article includes an exhaustive literature review that indicates the importance of equitable expansion and improvement of public greenspaces in urban settings. A more thorough argument for Groundwork MIlwaukee’s mission has probably never been written. We’re proud to have had the opportunity to review and contribute. View full article.
