Community Rivers Program Coming Together For Clean Water
events
Why Do we need CRP?
Pollution continues to be a serious concern in the Milwaukee River, with our friends at Milwaukee Riverkeeper recently giving the overall health of the river a “C-” on their 2021 report card, improving from the D+ grade in 2019.
The overall health grade of the Milwaukee River is increasing thanks to amazing efforts being made throughout the entire Basin to improve the health quality, but less attention has been paid to rural and suburban parts of the watershed where our Healthy River Communities are located.
We know making a river that is swimmable, fishable, and liveable for all requires the cooperation and effort of every community along its riverbanks, and we want to help do just that.
The Community Rivers Program takes a three-pronged approach to….
Inspire
We protect the things we care about. From kayaking programs to community-wide festivals to watershed tours, we want to make sure everyone sees and feels the incredible value of caring for our Milwaukee River and being a Healthy River Community.
Inform
Partnering communities are provided one-on-one property consultations, property owner workshops, family friendly programming and more that makes the problems (and more importantly, their solutions!) easy to understand and act on.
Engage
Working hand in hand with residents, land owners, elected officials, scientists, and stakeholder groups, we’ll coordinate programs, discussions, trainings, and resources aimed at empowering communities and their residents to implement best practices for keeping their river healthy and clean. This is bottom-up change emanating from community members working together to design a plan that best fits their own town, village, or city.
5 years
of partnering with rural communities to create healthier ecosystems and communities
5 Healthy River Communities
The Villages of Newburg, Saukville, Grafton, Kewaskum, and Fredonia
“I’ve never kayaked the Milwaukee River before and I was amazed with how beautiful it is. Getting in the river helped me appreciate the need to keep it clean and free of pollutants.”
– CRP Kayaking Participant
120+
programs offered (all communities, all years, combined)
3,100+
resident participants
“We are so grateful for the rain barrel we received, especially this year. It was very easy to install and it is hidden amongst our raspberry bushes!”
– CRP Rain Barrel Workshop Participant
45+
rain barrels installed
30+
stewardship projects completed in communities…everything from river clean-ups to water monitoring to prairie plantings!
50+
hours of land management consultations provided community residents
Upcoming CRP Events
Please note that residents from ALL of our CRP communities are welcome to attend any CRP event!
(Fredonia, Grafton, Kewaskum, Newburg, and Saukville)
Free Programming For All CRP COMMUNITIES:
What’s in Your River?
Monday, April 15th | 5-6:30pm @Fireman’s Park in Newburg- Meet at Kayak Launch
Monday, April 29th| 5-6:30pm @Lime Kiln Park in Grafton- Meet at Robert P. Zaun Pavilion
Monday, May 20th| 5-6:30pm @Peninsula Park in Saukville
Monday, June 3rd | 5-6:30pm @Waubedonia Park in Fredonia- Meet at Kayak Launch
Learn more about the science of water quality monitoring, identifying elusive microorganisms and understanding the delicate balance of river life. This experience promises to be both educational and exhilarating for all ages! Reserve your spot now by emailing bbateman@riveredge.us.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup
Saturday, April 20th | 9:30-11:30am
–Lime Kiln Park in Grafton
–Peninsula Park in Saukville
–Fireman’s Park in Newburg
This spring, join together in a community-wide effort across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties to remove over 100,000 pounds of trash from our river system during the 29th Annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup! Milwaukee Riverkeeper provides the gloves, trash bags and FREE T-SHIRTS, you provide the people power, and together we will restore our waterways! Registration is required. Sign up here:
Rain Barrel Workshop
Monday, April 22nd | 5:30-7:30pm
Join us at Riveredge Nature Center for a free Rain Barrel Workshop during Earth Week! Learn about the benefits of rain barrels for local watersheds and take one home for free. Make a sustainable impact and celebrate Earth Week with us! Workshop capped at first 20 registrants.
Please email bbateman@riveredge.us to register.
Kayaking The Milwaukee River
Newburg:
Sunday, May 5th | 2-6pm and Wednesday, June 5th | 4:30-8:30pm @Fireman’s Park in Newburg- Meet at Kayak Launch
Fredonia:
Wednesday, May 1st | 5-8pm and Wednesday, June 12th | 5-8pm @Waubedonia Park in Fredonia- Meet at Kayak Launch
Saukville:
Wednesday, May 15th | 5-8pm @Waubedonia Park in Fredonia- Meet at Kayak Launch
Kewaskum:
Wednesday, May 8th | 5-7pm @River Hill Park in Kewaskum above the dam
Kayak along the Milwaukee River with our Community Rivers Program! Residents of Fredonia, Newburg, Kewaskum, and Saukville can enjoy free kayaking sessions, immersing themselves in the beauty of their local waterways. Each paddle is limited to 12 participants aged 10 and up.
This program welcomes both beginners and experienced paddlers alike, providing a safe and supportive environment for all skill levels.
Residents can register for a paddle in their home community at any time until the paddle is filled. If spots are still available one week prior to a paddle, individuals from any of the four CRP communities may sign up. If you don’t see a paddle that works for you right away, don’t worry! There will be more paddles scheduled throughout the summer, providing ample opportunities to join in on the fun. Email bbateman@riveredge.us to sign up today!
Fireman’s Picnic Kids Fishing Derby
Saturday, June 1st | 1-3pm
Join us at Fireman’s Picnic for the 6th annual kid’s fishing derby! Ages up to 12 years old. No WI license required. Equipment provided. No registration needed.
Storm Drain Stenciling
Saukville: Wednesday, April 10th| 4:30-6:30PM @Grady Park Picnic Pavilion in Saukville
Grafton: Thursday, April 11th| 4:30-6:30PM @Centennial Park East Shelter in Grafton
Dive into the art of conservation! Round up your squad and join as we use spray paint to stencil storm drains, spreading awareness about runoff and its impact on our precious rivers. Register by emailing bbateman@riveredge.us.
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Our Impact
View the most recent Community Rivers Program Impact Report
Impact Report 2021-2022 -
Questions? Contact Briana Bateman!
bbateman@riveredge.us
Email Briana