Equity & Justice Issues

Great Waters Group & Environmental Equity

Nearby Nature LogoThis page is for news about the Great Waters Group's equity and justice work.  Scroll down to read recent articles.  This work is currently focused on two initiatives.  FIrst, the Nearby Nature Milwaukee project was an outgrowth of a 2017 grant from the Sierra Club Foundation.  In January of 2019, Nearby Nature Milwaukee came under the fiscal sponsorship of the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium. Nearby Nature's website can be found at www.nearbynaturemke.org. The second project is called "Building a Multiracial Environmental Community".  This is a project inviting environmentalists and environmental orgainizations to challenge white supremacy and change the character of our movement.  Individuals are encouraged to engage in study and reflection of the issue in a structured and organized way.  Organizations are invited to join a growing group of "Committed Partners" who "commit to dismantling white supremacy and racism in our community and in the environmental movement..." . go to www.hummingbirdmke.com/building-a-multiracial-environmental-community for more information.

Adopt-A-River Cleanup on Lincoln Creek is Sept. 30

September 13, 2023
Adopt-a-River Cleanup on Lincoln Creek The Great Waters Group, Nearby Nature and Northwest Side CDC are holding their fall cleanup along Lincoln Creek as part of the Adopt-a-River program of Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a....

Join us on Lincoln Creek for Riverkeeper cleanup April 22

April 16, 2023
The Great Waters Group will team up with Nearby Nature, Public Allies and Northwest Side CDC for the 28th annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 22. We'll work on Lincoln Creek between Congress and Hampton in Hopkins Hollow.

2022 African American Environmental Pioneer Awards

January 29, 2022
In recognition of Black History Month, the African American Environmental Pioneer Awards is in its third year, recognizing those in Milwaukee's African American community working for a better environment. Due to COVID-19, this will be an online...

Isiah Holmes named GWG Environmental Hero of the Year

January 9, 2022
The Sierra Club Great Waters Group has named journalist Isiah Holmes as the Environmental Hero of the Year for his outstanding reporting. The award will be presented online on Jan. 17 during the program featuring Professor Al Gedicks on “...

Learn about Building a Multiracial Environmental Community

November 3, 2021
The Great Waters Group is among 13 local environmental groups involved in Building a Multiracial Environmental Community. On November 15th we heard from Mandi McAlister of Hummingbird, who is among those working to transform the local...

GWG partners with Wisconsin Chapter on Equity Series

November 2, 2021
The Great Waters Group has partnered with the Sierra Club Wisconsin for an online Environmental Justice Event Series. We hope these events provide a chance to explore the inequities rooted within environmental impacts. The next two are Nov. 3 and 11...