Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Annual Report
October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008
Dear friend of the rivers,
May 2009
Last year was an exciting one, full of hard work, success,
and a few notable changes. For many years we have been
known as both Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers and Milwaukee
Riverkeeper. But in the fall of 2008, we decided to simplify by
officially changing our name to Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Our
mission has remained the same and we continue to be the voice
of the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers.
In the past year we continued to grow and strengthen our
programs. In April 2008 we held our biggest river cleanup
ever, with over 2,200 volunteers participating. In May and June
we trained a new batch of volunteers to test water quality in streams and rivers
throughout the region. And in August we started a new program to test water
quality in storm outfalls on the Menomonee River in an effort to pinpoint and
resolve problems with failing sewer infrastructure.
Our efforts brought wonderful results. Many of you are aware that the Great
Lakes Compact has finally become law. After more than five years of work by
Riverkeeper and many other groups and individuals in all of the Great Lakes states
and beyond, the Great Lakes Compact was passed by congress and signed into law
by President Bush in October 2008.
On a more local level, we cheered when a sum of $24 million was committed to
clean up the Kinnickinnic River on Milwaukee’s south side. Our Riverkeeper,
Cheryl Nenn, worked for over two years to bring attention to the degradation on
the KK River. Finally, due in large part to her efforts, the river was named one
of America’s Ten Most Endangered Rivers. This designation brought support
and funds from the state and national level, as well as local businesses. In spring
of 2009 the Kinnickinnic will see major restoration, including dredging the
contaminated PCB-laden sediments and restoring navigability.
Along with all the hard work we’ve done and successes we’ve had, we have also
seen some big changes. In December Lynn Broaddus stepped down as Executive
Director in order to move to a position at another organization. She certainly
leaves big shoes to fill, but the staff and board are ready to welcome a new leader
who will continue taking us toward our goal of clean water and swimmable rivers.
Cheryl Nenn has stepped up to be the Interim Executive Director for the time
being, as well as continuing her Riverkeeper role.
To all of our members, friends and volunteers, thank you for your generous support
and your tireless commitment to our rivers.
Anthony Handzlik, Esq.
Board President
We envision a future in which people from all walks of life will be able to enjoy the
healthy waterways of the Milwaukee River Basin.
Our mission is to protect water quality and wildlife habitat in the river corridors and
to advocate for sound land use in the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River
Watersheds.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is a licensed member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, an
international coalition ensuring clean water and strong communities.
2007-2008 in Review
13th Annual Spring River Cleanup
Our 2008 River Cleanup was our biggest to date, with 2,200 volunteers
participating at 35 river cleanup sites. Volunteers cleaned over 100,000 pounds of
trash from rivers and streams ranging from Milwaukee to West Bend and beyond.
Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust
Milwaukee Riverkeeper joined public and private agencies to form the Southeastern
Wisconsin Watershed Trust (SWWT), a collaborative group working to increase
effectiveness of projects and programs aimed at improving water quality in
southeastern Wisconsin. As part of our work with SWWT we are testing storm
outfalls to detect bacterial pollution in local waterways, coordinating citizen
monitoring efforts and helping to create watershed restoration plans.
Cover images by Milwaukee Riverkeeper staff and volunteers.
Citizen-Based Water Quality Monitoring Program
Riverkeeper trained 27 new citizen volunteers to perform water quality testing on
rivers and streams throughout the region. The volunteers collect data that are used
by Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and other
agencies to evaluate the health of our rivers and to prioritize restoration and riverimprovement projects.
Milwaukee’s Central Park
The Milwaukee River Work Group worked to
create guidelines for Milwaukee’s “Central Park”,
an area of riverfront land along 8 miles of the
Milwaukee River in central Milwaukee. As this
report goes to print, the work group is urging
Milwaukee Common Council to create legislation
and zoning to protect the area from development.
Kinnickinnic River Activism
Board of Directors
2007-2008
Anthony Handzlik, Esq.
President
Dan Gray
Vice President
Eddee Daniel
Secretary
Milwaukee Riverkeeper brought recognition to the
polluted condition of the Kinnickinnic River on
the south side of Milwaukee. In 2008 Governor
Doyle committed much-needed matching funds
to clean and restore the Kinnickinnic River under
the federal Great Lakes Legacy Act Program.
Dredging and restoration will occur in 2009.
Kathryn Harrington
Treasurer
Water Advocacy Institute for Seniors
Jodi Habush Sinykin, Esq.
In 2008 Milwaukee Riverkeeper recruited and
trained 20 older adults who participated in our
second Water Advocacy Institute for Seniors. The
program taught participants about water quality
issues and gave them tools to become advocates for
local waterways.
Adam Kapusta
Urban Wilderness
Karen Schapiro, Esq.
Riverkeeper sponsored the publication of
Eddee Daniel’s Urban Wilderness, Exploring a
Metropolitan Watershed, a photographic journey
of the Menomonee River. The Urban Wilderness
project has grown in scope and impact during
the past year. Presentations have been made to
a wide variety of groups and agencies, including
meetings with officials in the Milwaukee Mayor’s
office, the Visitors Bureau, and the County Parks
Department.
Brian Adams
Nancy Aten, M.S., M.L.A.
Kathy DeCarlo
John Grunau
Annette Koerten
Francisco Martorell
Dale Olen, Ph.D.
Ginny Plumeau
Susan Winecki, D. Min.
Shirley Jeffrey
Honorary Board Member Emerita
Staff 2007-2008
Lynn E. Broaddus Ph.D., M.B.A.
Executive Director
Cheryl Nenn, M.S.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Laura Maker
Development Manager
Ann Brummitt, M.A.
Milwaukee River Work Group
Coordinator
Jason Schroeder
Water Quality Assistant
Paul Schwarzkopf
Outreach Assistant
Photograph by Eddee Daniel
Statement of Financial Position
ASSETS Sept. 30, 2008 Cash
Checking $1299 Money Market 104,491 Petty Cash
85 Certificates of Deposit
39,096 Assets held by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation 29,328 Grants and Pledges Receivable
93,458 Rent Security Deposit
1,816
Other 3,263 Fixed Assets, net 15,417 Sept. 30, 2007
Total Assets
$288,253 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Accounts Payable 9,549 Sales Tax Payable 40 Payroll Taxes Payable
720 Deferred Revenue
0
$350,951
6,283 11 35
935
Total Liabilities
$1182
165,930
200
37,605
19,599
103,304
1,816
3,351 17,964
10,309 7,264 NET ASSETS
Unrestricted
Temporarily Restricted Permanently Restricted
(5,040) 248,266 34,718 40,301 277,486
25,900
Total Net Assets
277,944 343,687
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $288,253 $350,951
2007-08 Source of Funding
Corporation
Foundation
Government
Individuals
Events
Other
Corporation
Foundation
Government
Individuals
Event Income
Other $18,950
238,460
10,000
67,660
9,302
65
Total $344,437
6%
69%
3%
20%
3%
0%
2007-08 Use of Funds
Program
Administration
Fundraising
Program
$346,460
Administration 33,600
Fundraising
30,120
Total $30,122
84%
8%
7%
2007-2008 Members and Donors
We are indebted to the many individuals and organizations who made donations in 2007/2008. Due to space limitations, we regret that we cannot list them all.
$10,000 and up
Anonymous
Brico Fund LLC
Constance P Godfrey Trust
Shirley & John Jeffrey
Joyce Foundation
Novo Foundation through Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources
$5,000 and up
Gilbane Co.
Interfaith Older Adult Programs
Lux Foundation, Inc.
National Wildlife Federation
Norcross Wildlife Foundation
Natural Resources Foundation of
Wisconsin through River Alliance
of Wisconsin
Susan Winecki & Richard Bergholz
$1,000 and up
American Transmission Co.
Antonia Foundation
Nancy Aten & Dan Collins
Lynn Broaddus & Marc Gorelick
Kapco Inc.
Michael Best & Friedrich
Milwaukee Community Service
Corps
Nonprofit Management Fund
Public Allies Milwaukee
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren
Jodi Habush Sinykin & Dan Sinykin
Tapco
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Paul Vandeveld
We Energies, through Wisconsin
Energy Corporation Foundation
Wisconsin Paperboard Corp.
$500 and up
Howard Caplan & Amy Kirkland
Audrey Gabrovic
Tony & Joan Handzlik
Adam Kapusta
Brian & Sue Lanser
Jason Leupold
Raymond & Janice Perry
Robert W. Baird & Co.
James and Marie Seder
Ann Terwilliger
John & Kine Torinus
Milwaukee Riverkeeper
$250 and up
Anonymous
Richard A. & Joan F. Abdoo
Ann Brummitt
Kathy & John DeCarlo
Foster Family Foundation
Bob Fuller
William & Idy Goodman
Herbert H. Kohl Charities
Demaris & Gontran Kenwood
Sally Kuzma
Robert Welker & Virginia Linabury
Francisco Martorell
Outpost Natural Foods
Susan & Thomas Slocum
Martha Stevens & Henry Schwartz
Kevin Stone
Anne & Fred Vogel in honor of
Cheryl Nenn
$100 and up
Anonymous (9)
Anonymous in honor of Lynn
Broaddus
Anonymous in honor of William
Elliott
Kathleen Adams
Brian Adams
Assurant Health Foundation
John Bahr
Teresa Barlow
Nadine Bergstrom
Doug Bower & Josie Cusma
Jacqueline Boynton & Peter McAvoy
Mark & Cheryl Brickman
Ike & Julie Broaddus
John & Sharon Brunhart
Sandy Byrne & David Rosenberg
David & Carol Cannon
Sharon & Rick Champeau
Del Clear
Daniel Conway
Lucy Cooper
Rebekka Curti
Eddee Daniel & Lynn Kapitan
Sarah Dean
Glenn Droegkamp
Gisela Zelenka-Drysdake & Doug
Drysdale
Carolyn Edwards
Karen Eng in honor of Chuck Varney
Robert & Kristin Fewel
Barbara Fuldner
Cordelia & Clement Gelly
Emmely Gideon
Dan Gray & Sara Vondrachek
Paul & Wendy Greeney
Rob Guilbert
Richard & Barbara Hansen
Paulette Harder
Scott & Lorrie Heins
Stacey Herzing
Bob Hinderholtz
Diane & Jim Holmes
Marie Houteff
Robert Howes
Harriet Iwamoto & Colin Rudolph
John Jansen & Annie Jurczyk
Craig & Noreen Jordan
Charles & Mary Kamps
William & Lee Ann Kingston
Helen Kittsley
Annette & Matthew Koerten
Janet Lew Carr
John & Kathryn Mann
Milwaukee Audubon Society
John Mulhern
Francis & Kathleen Mulvey
Chrysa Murphy
Christine & James O’Brien
John Paige
Lee & Maggie Palmer
Pamela Pletcher & Robert French
Miriam Reading
Lucille & Jack Rosenberg
Bill & Eva Rumpf
Tim & Jan Schafer
Karen Schapiro & Douglas Frazer
Sally Schuiling in honor of Lynn
Broaddus & Marc Gorlic
Beverly Schwabe
Scott Silet
Leonard Sobczak
Kevin Stalheim
Jeffrey Stapleton
Kevin Stone
Diane Strelow
Wendy Watson
Raymond Weiss
Christopher & Barbara White
Greg & Jean Wilde
Ted & Barbara Wiley
Susan Winans & Judy Krause
David & Dianne Wolfson
David Zalewski
a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance
1845 N. Farwell Avenue | Suite 100 | Milwaukee, WI 53202
www.milwaukeeriverkeeper.org