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!
message from the executive director
open positions
green space action
Kilbourn garden
CLIMATE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS
GREEN TEAM
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Staked out garden plots at 26th and Clybourn.
Those of you who have lived in Milwaukee for a bit probably remember Marty Stein, the noted businessman, philanthropist, and community leader who passed away in 2008. 19 years ago, I had the fortune to work with him, and I'll never forget one of the pieces of wisdom that he passed onto me: "Young, never make anyone do something that you're not willing to do yourself."
And so, with Marty's admonition echoing in my head, last week I laid out the plots at our garden at 26th and Clybourn. What I thought would be a 90 minute job took me four hours. Each garden plot corner required a wooden stake, and my right forearm was not prepared to hammer 78 of them into the ground. Then there was the twine that had to be stretched between the stakes to mark out each plot, and this office worker body of mine was not ready to bend over as many times as it did. But when I was done, I took a photo of the laid out plots, and it felt good. And I have a new appreciation for how hard our garden leaders work.
And so to all of the volunteers who make our garden network go, I give you my heartfelt (and backfelt) thanks.
-Young
OPEN POSITIONS
Check out these open positions! Come work with us!
GREEN SPACE ACTION
One Tree Planted
As of the end of May, we have collaborated with numerous gardens, and industrious volunteers to plant 47 of the 50 fruit trees we acquired through a One Tree Planted grant. We are so grateful to the many volunteers and community members that have given their time to this initiative.
Great Groundwork Grill Out
Last week, we held our latest Great Groundwork Get Together - Grill Out Edition! Over 75 gardeners, volunteers, organizational partners, friends and family came together at Kilbourn Garden for a spread of food, prizes, games, community and the natural beauty of the garden in the backdrop. Thank you for coming out to celebrate all that we accomplish together. We couldn’t do it without you.
We couldn’t have orchestrated such a lovely evening without a group of generous local businesses who supported the event! We had plenty of food and drinks thanks to the generosity of Newaukee. We appreciate their support of our mighty but humble organization and the hundreds of volunteers and garden leaders who pour their hearts into our city. Special thanks also to the following businesses and organizations who donated awesome and fun items for our drawing:
Volunteer
We’re proud to support our inspiring gardeners and look forward to working together as the season continues. There are a lot of volunteer opportunities in the next month. Keep an eye out for weekly opportunities on our Volunteer Sign-Up page and social media.
KILBOURN GARDEN
BAIRD Volunteer Day
Huge thanks to BAIRD for their day of service cleaning and weeding at Kilbourn Garden! It’s because of support like this that were able to keep the garden looking fresh.
One Bed Left for the 2022 Season!
As of May 31st, there is still one garden bed available at Kilbourn for the 2022 season (#132). If you’re still looking for somewhere to grow, come join us! Reserve the last bed below.
Volunteer
Throughout the growing season we’ll be hosting regular volunteer workdays at Kilbourn on Wednesday evenings from 5-7pm. Stop by and help us keep the space beautiful!
Climate Safe Neighborhoods
Organizing work for Milwaukee Climate Safe Neighborhoods (CSN) continues. We are canvassing neighborhoods, holding information sessions, and gathering insights and feedback from residents. We hosted an information table at the recent COLE (Coalition on Lead Emergency) Block Party at Hephatha Church and had a really good time meeting with residents, lots of kiddos, and partners from other organizations. We also helped support the work of the Milwaukee Climate and Equity Plan at the Milwaukee River Greenway Public Stakeholder Meeting. We’re grateful that the Milwaukee community offers many opportunities to get involved and weigh in on climate and green initiatives.
Energy Burden
In last month’s newsletter, we provided a brief on the issue of energy burden in Milwaukee. Energy burden is the comparison of household income to energy expenses (residential gas and electric). Data shows that Black, Latinx and Hispanic households in Milwaukee, and those who live in formerly redlined areas, are paying the most of their income toward energy bills, compared to other Milwaukee residents. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel followed up with Groundwork’s Keviea Guiden who is advocating around this equity issue.
Heat Mapping Campaign
Jess Haven, outreach and organizing director for Groundwork Milwaukee, got to talk with Wisconsin Public Radio about an urban heat mapping campaign we are partnering on with the Wisconsin DNR, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action, and several other local organizations. Read about the campaign and why the resulting data will be so important to understanding the impacts of summer heat in Milwaukee so we can work to address it in ways that residents determine.
Heat Mapping Volunteers Needed!
Did we mention a heat mapping campaign? We did! We’re inviting enthusiastic volunteers to join us for a day of people-powered climate action. The project to capture data on ambient air temperature throughout Milwaukee on one of our hottest summer days means that several volunteers are needed to drive throughout the city, along predetermined routes, with air temperature sensors attached to their vehicles. It will be an energetic collective effort and a great way to help residents in areas of the city that are most severely impacted by sweltering heat when those temperatures and humidity are at their worst. We will use this information to identify and call for an equitable response by city leaders and organizations, to ensure the health and safety of our most vulnerable neighbors - especially as our hottest days become even hotter due to climate change.
What will volunteers do? Volunteers are needed to drive along predetermined routes in the City of Milwaukee over three separate one-hour periods during a hot day. Volunteers will use a simple data-collection device attached to the vehicle. You can also volunteer as a navigator and help direct drivers’ turns along their route.
Are there any requirements to volunteer? Drivers will need a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a vehicle. In addition to the three hours of data collection, volunteers will first be asked to attend a virtual one-hour Volunteer Training Session, complete a short knowledge quiz, and sign a liability waiver. Based on previous campaigns, volunteers will spend a total of about 5 to 6 hours on the project, though the majority of time (~4 hours) will occur on the selected campaign day.
On what day will the heat mapping campaign occur? That will depend on the weather forecast. Heat mapping is best done on a hot and clear-skied day. Using historical weather patterns, and support from the National Weather Service, we are looking at a July or August date. While weather does change, this selected campaign date will be confirmed about one week prior, as forecasts become more reliable.
Because we must wait for the heat—and the fact that summer is such a busy time—we need to assemble an “on-call” roster of volunteers -- which means that we’ll want more people signing up than we need. We will confirm your participation about one week prior to the campaign once we finalize the date.
Please note that signing up does not commit you to the project. Rather the process will begin by building out a roster of potential volunteers, and confirmation will occur about one week in advance.
If you are interested in participating in this opportunity, or would like to learn more, please respond to this Volunteer Interest Form.
Left Turn with Dr. Rene Settle-Robinson
What is 'environmental justice?' Milwaukee practitioner Dr. René 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.
Green Team
Henry David Thoreau Elementary School
Groundwork team members Elena and Marissa helped Henry David Thoreau Elementary build TWO new garden beds for their inaugural growing season! Students learned how to use power tools and were able to get creative by decorating blocks to border the outside of the garden beds. When the bed was built, the students took a nap inside. As you can tell from the pictures, this was a lot of fun.
Craig Montessori School
In addition to the garden build at Thoreau, Elena and Marissa provided trainings on soil and compost at Craig Montessori. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share time with all these budding young minds. See you again, soon!
