It was a blustery April afternoon, but hundreds of local volunteers came together with Urban Ecology Center staff to show the Earth a little love. Large groups of volunteers gave their time and energy at each of the Urban Ecology Center's three branches, helping to beautify and improve our shared urban green space. Here's how volunteers impacted each site:
Getting ready to go out into Washington Park. Photo: Lori Belli
What an awesome turn out at Washington Park! About 100 volunteers came to help with projects ranging from pulling invasive garlic mustard to picking up trash around the park.
People of all ages participated, including a group of toddlers aged 1 and 3-years old who helped pick up garbage!
Weighing the waste we collected in the Menomonee Valley. Photo: Chris von Briesen
Roughly 115 people participated in Earth Day of Service projects in the Menomonee Valley, including groups of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and small groups from companies like Rockwell, The Reinvestment Fund, GRAEF, and Layton Boulevard West Neighbors.
At the end of the day, 181 pounds of garlic mustard were removed from the Hank Aaron State Trail, 288 pounds of trash were removed from around the neighborhood, and 70 pounds of trash was removed from Three Bridges Park.
One highlight for an Urban Ecology Center staff member was getting to work with the Boy Scouts and seeing their excitement as they explored a park that they didn't even know existed!
Maintaining the land along the banks of the Milwaukee River in the Arboretum.
At Riverside Park, about 200 tiny trees of various native species (oak, birch, maple, sycamore) were planted along the river in the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum.
Volunteers also mitigated and restored one large area of eroded hillside, helping to prevent sedimentation of our waterways.
Thanks again to all who shared their time, hard work, and compassion with us during last month's Earth Day of Service! You can see more photos from the day on Facebook by clicking the link below.
Many thanks to our Earth Month sponsors!
