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:
Winter Senses Hike along the Milwaukee River
Saturday, December 9th from 1:00-2:30 PM, Waubedonia Park
Meeting at the Marie Kraus Soccer Field
Join a Riveredge Educator on a wintry hike at Waubedonia Park! This is a free, family-friendly hike where we will look for patterns in the snow, listen to the winter “creak sounds”, search for animal tracks, and even play a game or two! Children must be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration is required. Depending on the weather and snow cover, this hike may include strapping on snowshoes or venturing out on your own feet, but either way we will practice our hiking and nature identification skills while on the trails! Space is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes at midnight on December 8th.
Registration
https://forms.gle/x2y3XwhJ71xqCij88
Winter Riverside Hike and Scavenger Hunt
December 16th 2:00-3:30pm at Riveredge Nature Center
Experience the enchanting beauty of winter at the Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville with our Winter Riverside Hike and Scavenger Hunt. Led by a Wisconsin Master Naturalist, you’ll explore the winter ecosystem, discovering how native flora and fauna adapt to the season. Armed with scavenger hunt lists and binoculars, search for elusive winter wildlife, marvel at frost formations, and uncover the secrets of cold-weather plants. Hosted by the Community Rivers Program, our hike will follow and pay special attention to the Milwaukee River. It’s the perfect family adventure and a great way to deepen your connection with nature in its serene, snow-covered glory. Join us for a memorable journey through the heart of winter’s wonderland at Riveredge Nature Center. Email bbateman@riveredge.us with questions! Pre-registration required. Registration closes at midnight on December 15th.
Registration link:
https://forms.gle/114RpDvowk7s7ty47
Winter Senses Hike along the Ice Age Trail
Saturday, December 9th from 10-11:30am at Ice Age Trail Parking Milwaukee River Segment – 3078 Cty Tk H, Kewaskum
Join a Riveredge Educator on a wintry hike at Waubedonia Park! This is a free, family-friendly hike where we will look for patterns in the snow, listen to the winter “creak sounds”, search for animal tracks, and even play a game or two! Children must be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration is required. Depending on the weather and snow cover, this hike may include strapping on snowshoes or venturing out on your own feet, but either way we will practice our hiking and nature identification skills while on the trails! Space is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes at midnight on December 8th.
Sign up link:
https://forms.gle/VVApGYPvWBcHj3Wn6
Winter Riverside Night Skies
Friday December 8th 6:00-7:30pm at Riveredge Nature Center
Join us for a free captivating winter astronomy night at Riveredge Nature Center, hosted by the Community Rivers Program. We’ll hike, sip cocoa or tea, and explore the beauty of the winter constellations and planets through telescopes while shedding light on the critical importance of preserving dark skies for wildlife and Milwaukee river health. Email bbateman@riveredge.us with questions! Pre-registration required. Registration closes at midnight on December 7th.
Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/uG9MUzkvajoY5LUQ7
Winter Senses Hike along the Milwaukee River
Robert P. Zaun Pavilion
2020 S Green Bay Rd, Grafton, WI 53024, USA
Sunday, January 28th 2024 from 10-11:30am
Join a Riveredge Educator on a wintry morning hike as we explore trails along the Milwaukee River! This is a free, family friendly hike where we will look for patterns in the snow, listen to the winter “creak sounds”, search for animal tracks, and even play a game or two! Children must be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration is required. Depending on the weather and snow cover, this hike may include strapping on snowshoes or venturing out on your own feet, but either way we will practice our hiking and nature identification skills while on the trails! Space is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes at midnight on January 27th.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/3xU5RnqgR4VDoJM58
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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