Lake Michigan Rain Garden Initiative Grant Program

Native Wildflowers - $1.80 Each

Groups or individuals who reside in any community served by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) can now apply for reduced-cost plants to help increase the number of rain gardens in the area.

Rain gardens help protect the health of our rivers and Lake Michigan by capturing storm water and draining it into the ground instead of allowing it to flow into sewers or become polluted runoff.

Rain gardens are nature’s way of helping to correct man-made problems like sewer overflows and polluted runoff. We’re spending a ton of money to reduce sewer overflows. If we really want to improve our rivers and lakes, we need to do something to reduce the amount of storm water pollution that flows into waterways every time it rains.

Above and beyond the water quality benefits, rain gardens add beauty to neighborhoods and they attract birds, butterflies, and wildlife. More than 50 species of native plants that have deep roots to help the rain garden absorb much more water than your typical lawn are available.

Program Details

Interested parties must submit a short application form by January 14th, 2008. The form can be found on MMSD’s web site at www.mmsd.com/raingardens. Applications will also be mailed upon request. Individuals who need a hard copy may call 414-225-2070. A list of available plants and delivery information can be found on the MMSD web site.

Who Can Apply?

Residents, groups and units of government within Milwaukee County and the cities of Brookfield, Mequon, Muskego, and New Berlin and the villages of Butler, Elm Grove, Germantown, Menomonee Falls, Thiensville and Caledonia.

Plant Prices

For every 2.5 inch plant purchased at $3.60, eligible applicants will receive a second plant for free, about a 50% discount compared to retail prices.

Help Promote the Initiative

Contact MMSD at 414-225-2070 if you would like handouts to distribute or posters to put on display at your place of work or worship, school, neighborhood coffee shop, etc.  Pass this information along to interested friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors.

Click HERE to learn how you can apply for a grant.

Coastal Counties Beach Health Information Contacts:

Past topics:

Great Lakes Public Beach Health Hotline

Beach water is tested for the presence of bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli). While E. coli itself poses a minimal health threat to swimmers, it can indicate the presence of other dangerous bacteria and viruses that can cause diseases. Advisory signs are posted if the amount of E. coli exceeds standards recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Sources of disease causing microorganisms include sewage overflows, polluted stormwater runoff, sewage treatment plant malfunctions, illegal boat waste dumping and malfunctioning septic systems.

Recent water quality reports for public beaches along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are available at www.wibeaches.us

-Click here- to view a pdf version of the Wisconsin Beach Health Brochure with adobe acrobat reader. pdf ( 2.7 MB)

-Click here- for further info and instructions about adobe acrobat page reader.
-Click here- to download reader directly.

Cladophora

Cladophora is a filamentous green alga found naturally along most Great Lakes’ coastlines and nearby streams. It grows on submerged rocks, logs or other hard surfaces. Wind and wave action cause it to break free from the lake bottom and push the plants on shore where they decay and release a pungent septic odor that many people confuse with sewage. For more information visit the Great Lakes WATER Institute website at www.uwm.edu/Dept/GLWI/cladophora/. All questions can be directed to the WDNR office of the Great Lakes at (608) 267- 7630.

Rain Garden Educators' Kit

-Click here- to download the order form for a NEW SPRING 2007 EDITION of the Rain Garden Educators' Kit . ( 26 k )