Earth Day River Cleanup And Political Lessons In Milwaukee

Milwaukee Riverkeeper has another ambitious citizen-led waterway cleanup scheduled for Earth Day this coming Saturday - - details here and more below.

And by the way - - my observation here:

Interesting, isn't it, that while everyday folks - - kids, families and neighbors - - slog through chilly weather and a wet environment and volunteer to keep our rivers and streams cleaner, developers and builders were rewarded by Scott Walker and legislators with permissions to fill wetlands and build into flowing waters for personal and corporate gain.

And last year, Scott Walker snubbed Earth Day and the memory of founder Gaylord Nelson by declining any official proclamation or news release from the Governor's Office.

So this Saturday...and certainly for the last 15 months..who's been the true Friend of the Earth?

Milwaukee Riverkeeper - 17th Annual Spring River Cleanup

An estimated 4,000 volunteers will converge to clean up our rivers and adjacent parks in an effort to beautify Milwaukee area waterways.

50 site locations throughout Greater Milwaukee, from Kewaskum to Brookfield to South Milwaukee. A list and map of sites open to the public can be found at:

www.milwaukeeriverkeeper.org.

Saturday, April 21st, from 9 am – Noon.

Media are encouraged to come to the Kinnickinnic River location (2700 S. Chase Ave., MKE) for a river cleanup kick-off with Matt Howard, City of Milwaukee Environmental Sustainability Director. Press conference will begin promptly at 9 am.

400+ volunteers are expected at the Kinnickinnic River location. Milwaukee Riverkeeper will be providing a crane to lower a dumpbox in the river, which will be filled with trash by volunteers before being lifted for deposit in a dumpster on land.

Paul Schwarzkopf, Outreach Coordinator. Office: 414-287-0207 x1. Cell: 414- 531-9053. E-mail: pschwarzkopf@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org
(Press release to follow)