DNR’s Green Tier Initiative Builds Local Partnerships, Healthier Environments

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrated the environmental leadership of Green Tier participants and Legacy Communities with the third of four regional Green Tier Connections events geared at highlighting partners and their participation in the program.

On Oct. 17, representatives from Green Tier businesses, local governments and partners joined DNR staff to celebrate the achievements of those in the program. It was also another opportunity to take steps in transforming traditional regulatory relationships into collaborative partnerships that achieve better environmental results than the individual participants could alone.

Green Tier is a voluntary program for businesses, local governments and organizations who are already on the path to sustainability and want support achieving even more. Participants get help assessing their environmental performance, assistance tracking their progress, recognition for their efforts and the opportunity to learn from other organizations what works and what doesn’t.

This southeast Wisconsin regional gathering spotlighted businesses and local governments that are reaping the benefits of green infrastructure like bio-retention ponds, prairies, green roofs and green alleys to help manage storm water, improve water quality, cool urban surfaces and enhance the economic and aesthetic value of their properties. Green infrastructure incorporates both the natural environment and engineered systems to protect, restore, and mimic the natural water cycle.

Serigraph Inc, who joined Green Tier in 2005 and is our longest-standing Tier II participant, created and maintained a two-acre pond and a four-acre prairie during its time in the program. They are happy to move forward working in conjunction with local high schools to continue turning parking lot areas into additional prairies, gardens and storm water retention ponds.

“Not only does our green infrastructure help manage the water that runs off our property, it serves as an oasis for our employees as well as for local wildlife,” said Justin Reichert, Director of Environmental, Health and Safety for Serigraph.

The Village of Bayside has been a Legacy Community since 2013. When the village or residents identify water pooling in undesirable places or other storm water issues, they use a tool called flow path mapping to track the flow of water over the landscape. The tool helps the village work with residents to find areas well suited for green infrastructure.

“It is an engineering, planning and public communication technique all in one,” said Shane Albers, Department of Public Works Operations Superintendent for the Village of Bayside. “Flow path modelling helped us form public-private partnerships to create green infrastructure systems, benefitting both village infrastructure and private property.”

The event also served as an opportunity to highlight the area participants celebrating milestone anniversaries with the program.

Area participants celebrating 15+ year anniversaries in the program:

• Veolia ES Technical Solutions LLC
• Lucas-Milhaupt, Inc.
• ABB, Inc
• Rockwell Automation – Mequon
• Rockwell Automation – Milwaukee
• Roundy’s Distribution Facility

Area participants celebrating 10+ year anniversaries in the program:

• Fredman Bag
• Lauterbach Group, Inc.
• Village of Bayside
• W. Purpero, Inc.
• Kikkoman Foods, Inc.
• SC Johnson & Son, Inc.
• Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp.

Area participants celebrating 5+ year anniversaries in the program:

• Arandell Corporation
• Yunker Industries, Inc.
• Racine
• Sheboygan
• Wauwatosa
• STRATTEC Security Corporation
• Inpro World Headquarters

Learn more about Green Tier on the DNR’s website. Those interested in learning more about the Green Tier program and what it takes to become a member can email DNRGreenTier@wisconsin.gov.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.