Plant A Tree • National Public Lands Day

For more information and to RSVP:  Vince Bushell • 414-588-7281 • vbushell@gmail.com National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. In past years 120,000 volunteers worked in over 1,800 locations and in every state. Now, eight federal agencies and many state and local lands participate in this annual day of caring for shared lands. National Public Lands Day keeps the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the “tree army” that worked from 1933-42 to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage. River Revitalization Foundation (RRF) has spearheaded trail improvements and landscape restoration for over six years along the Beerline trail, from ordon Park to the new gateway park RRF is developing at the wheelhouse site near the pedestrian bridge over the old dam. This wild space so near to downtown is unusual for a large metropolitan area. With the addition of the Beerline railroad corridor and the wheelhouse site, over a mile of river corridor is now in public hands, reaching from the river edge to the bluff on the west bank of the Milwaukee River. Most of this environmental corridor is now owned by Milwaukee County Parks. The wheelhouse site on Riverboat Road will remain owned by River Revitalization Foundation with public access guaranteed. Come join RRF on  Saturday September 25 as we plant  native trees after taking a short hike along the trails. After many years of land acquisition and planning the proposed bicycle trail is finally being built from Gordon Park to Riverboat Road. With the trail construction the edges need some care to establish native plants after the paving is finished. This planting  day is being sponsored by Laacke & Joys, the local retailer famous for its outdoor products and services for 165 years, through a grant from Patagonia, the outdoor clothing and equipment company. Thanks to Patagonia and to Laacke & Joys and an early thanks to you if you join us. Plant a tree then go see the Art Cart race at Center Street Daze starting about noon.