Milwaukee: Gathering Place by the Waters

By Angela Becker-Bradley

Special thanks to the Co-Chairs: Ron Kuramoto and Kim Beck 

I can’t say for certain if any of us were truly aware of the unique natural resource—and lack thereof—Wisconsinites have at their disposal: The Great Lakes. We were fortunate to examine the issue by taking in various elements of the water issue to include the past, present, and future situations. 

The past included a wonderful walking tour of Milwaukee highlighting its history as well as a tour of the Milwaukee Historical Society. The historical highlights also included a talk by John Gurda titled, Milwaukee: A Region Built on Water. 

The present water situation consisted of understanding what is currently happening and our situation with the Great Lakes. Those of us unfamiliar with a reclamation facility were introduced to the sights, sounds, and various scents of the facility as well as the process in which Lake Michigan reclaims its water. It was quite an interesting tour thanks to Ms. Joyce Harms. 

The future of water was explored throughout our three days more so as a wakeup call, or warning, as to what may come. Several people who took time to speak to us stressed the need for water conservation and others in the state have already been making waves to support the notion. Colleges and Universities are embracing the movement and Rocky Marcoux from M7 and the Water Council shared with us the ideas to improve Milwaukee and foster growth for such a movement of water consciousness and conservation. 

There were several other highlights of our three day seminar however the water issue certainly took center stage and is guaranteed to make more waves as the future becomes the present.

  Thanks to We Energies our sponsors.