Massive Tree Planting & Wetland Restoration Program Inaugural Event to Reduce Flooding Risks in the Region

(Milwaukee, WI) – The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and Ducks Unlimited are launching the Reforestation and Wetland Restoration program.  This innovative program will plant six million trees and restore/enhance 4,000 acres of wetlands in the 1,100 square mile Greater Milwaukee Watersheds to address climate change, reduce flood risks, and improve our communities.

This large-scale nature-based strategy aligns with MMSD’s 2035 vision for a healthier, more resilient Milwaukee region and a cleaner Lake Michigan. This program furthers the 2035 Vision goals that support an integrated watershed management approach and climate change mitigation initiatives to sequester carbon, attain zero overflows, achieve zero basement backups, and improve stormwater management. Furthermore, this approach complements and supports the District’s substantial investment in grey infrastructure and leverages the collective assets and strengths of numerous partners within the region.

Key Program Elements: Develop and implement a 10-year Reforestation and Wetland Restoration Program to:

• Plant 6 million trees
• Restore 4,000 acres of wetlands
• Capture 350 million gallons of stormwater with trees

In the first year we plan on planting 75,000 trees and restoring 10 acres of wetlands.

Inaugural Planting Event Details:

When:  October 4^th, 2022

3:00pm                Arrival

3:30pm                Remarks & Ceremonial Tree Planting

5:00pm                 Event Concludes

Where:                 Mequon Nature Preserve

8200 W County Line Rd, Mequon, WI 53097

Featuring Remarks From:

• Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
• Preston Cole, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin
• Jamie Rader, Ducks Unlimited, Director of Operations for Conservation for the Great Lakes Atlantic Region

Reforestation and Wetland Restoration Partners

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Ducks Unlimited, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, City of Milwaukee-Forestry, Milwaukee County Parks, US Forest Service, The Conservation Fund

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.