OUR MISSION

The mission of Groundwork Milwaukee is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.

OUR ROLE

Groundwork Milwaukee is part of the Groundwork USA network of independent, not-for-profit, environmental businesses called Groundwork Trusts. Locally organized and controlled, Groundwork Trusts provide cost effective project development services focused on improving their communities’ environment, economy, and quality of life.

Each Trust represents a strong partnership between government, business, foundations, community groups, and residents. Projects serve a common agenda and are designed to accomplish other goals, such as job training and environmental education. All projects and activities of Groundwork are carried out through a creative mix of staff and volunteers to leverage resources and engage businesses and residents in the transformation of their own communities.

OUR HISTORY

As an outgrowth of a program developed by the National Park Service, Groundwork Trusts in the U.S. evolved from a model developed in the U.K. The first Groundwork Trust was founded in 1982 in England to meet the needs to revitalize abandoned industrial sites in northern England. Since then, the Groundwork UK organization has grown into a network of fifty-two locally based groups. This committed network became a highly successful private-public-community partnership that combined all resources necessary to take abandoned, run-down areas and reclaim them as open spaces with an emphasis on recreation, beautification, and economic development.

In 1996, the National Park Service imported this successful program into three pilot communities, Bridgeport, CT, Lawrence, MA, and Providence, RI. Since that point in time, the program has expanded to cities all over the US.

In November of 2002, Milwaukee Community Service Corps, the Wisconsin Field Office of the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program along with a number of other local organizations, agencies, and individuals formed a small committee to discuss the possibility of establishing a Groundwork Trust in Milwaukee. In September 2003, Milwaukee, WI was designated a Groundwork USA Pilot Community. With this designation, the Groundwork Milwaukee Steering Committee received funds and technical assistance from the NPS and EPA to prepare a Feasibility Study and Strategic Plan assessing whether or not Groundwork was appropriate for our community. The strategic plan was approved in late 2005 and an Executive Director was hired in January of 2006. In March of 2007, Groundwork Milwaukee received its official 501(c)(3) status.

Since 2007, Groundwork Milwaukee has been working on a variety of different projects throughout the City of Milwaukee. We have played a major role in the redevelopment of the Kinnickinnic watershed since it was named one of the top ten most endangered rivers in the country. Groundwork collaborated with community and municipal groups to revitalize the watershed. Groundwork has also been leading the way in youth employment programs in the city focused on green infrastructure projects as well as maintaining and building community gardens. 

In 2013, Groundwork Milwaukee merged with Milwaukee Urban Gardens, a non-profit organization that had managed dozens of community gardens throughout the city. We have continued to grow the Garden Network since the merger. There are now more than 80 community gardens in the Milwaukee Grows Garden Network, all started and operated by community leaders and volunteers.