The Great Waters Group's free monthly programs resume in September. Please join us! Drop-ins are welcome at the programs, normally the third Monday, but registrants will get a reminder email and any updates on location and time.
Indi
an Community School Connections to Mother Earth
Milwaukee Indian Community School, 10405 W. St. Martins Road, Franklin
Monday, Sept. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Come experience the Milwaukee Indian Community School’s oak savannah, prairie, and wetlands and hear how the school creates learning experiences for Native students rooted in indigenous values and connection to all of creation. The presentation by Head of School Jason Dropik will include a walk around the school grounds.
Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge Nature Preserve
Location: County Administration Center, 121 W. Main St., Port Washington, and on Zoom
Monday, Oct. 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Ozaukee County Planning & Parks Department, in partnership with Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, has been raising funds for years to buy undisturbed Lake Michigan shoreline and natural areas known as Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge. The project hit a snag when an anonymous lawmaker blocked Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds. But there is good news now. Director of Planning and Parks Andrew Struck will give an update on this preservation project as well as his 1,000-mile bicycle ride for Lake Michigan to raise funds for this and other projects.
Environmental Justice Matters III – A National and Local Focus
Central United Methodist Church, 639 N. 25th St. at Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
Monday, Nov. 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“Think Globally – Act Locally” is an activist’s mantra, so we’ve invited local activists to share what other national environmental organizations (The Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society) are doing in Milwaukee. Both are 2022 honorees of the African American Environmental Pioneer Awards.
We’ll also provide updates on other local and state initiatives on environmental justice. The third in a series, this follows two previous GWG programs on this topic in 2018 and 2019.
Confirmed speakers:
Lamont Smith, The Nature Conservancy
Hired by TNC in July of 2021, Milwaukee native Lamont Smith has nearly 15 years of experience serving in key roles that convened public, private and philanthropic partners to achieve shared goals. Lamont's energy and personal commitment to social justice, scholarship, advocating for youth, and love of the outdoors have spanned nearly his entire life.
Milton Byers III, Audubon Great Lakes – Wild Indigo
Though still young, Milton Beyers is a seasoned environmental youth educator who manages the Milwaukee part of the Audubon Great Lakes – Wild Indigo program, which focuses on “building lasting relationships between urban communities of color and their local natural areas." Milton mentors a group of teen interns and offers them meaningful outdoor experiences.