Custom Learning Opportunities
Tailored Group Education & Experiences
Free Lessons & Activities for Schools, Orgs, Businesses, & More!
One of the best ways to help restore and protect our waterways is through education! We love connecting with our communities and helping ignite a passion for water conservation and recreation at any age.
Who Can Request a Program Or Presentation?
Our programs and presentations are adaptable based on your group’s interests and needs! We offer programming for all kinds of groups including:
- Schools
- Local Businesses
- Community Organizations
- Scout Troops
- Nonprofits
If you’re interested in learning more about the Milwaukee River Basin, its wildlife and aquatic animals, and how we can better conserve and protect these resources, let’s connect!
What are the Benefits of Hosting an MRK Program or Presentation?
There are many reasons to host an MRK program or presentation at your school, business, or organization. Our proven activities and lessons can help people of all ages better understand their relationship to our natural environment and their role in protecting our waterways for new generations!
Our Group Education Opportunities:
Hands-On Learning
Community Connections
Stewardship Experiences
Fresh Water Action
Our Classroom Education Opportunities
Let Us Bring the River to Your School
We proudly provide free, customizable, in-classroom lessons and activities for 4th-12th graders.
Our classroom program empower students to:
- Safely explore rivers through hands-on activities
- Build STEM skills
- Experience professional monitoring equipment
- Consider real-world environmental challenges
- Make a positive impact in their community
- Collaborate and work effectively in teams
- Develop a connection with local waterways & the living things that rely on them.
Help Your Students Become Scientists in Their Own Classroom
We are deeply committed to ensuring our waterways are healthy and can be enjoyed by all. We bring years of experience in water quality monitoring, research, and collaboration with academic and community partners into the classroom. This expertise uniquely positions us to deliver impactful STEM education that connects students to real-world challenges and solutions. We prioritize schools that lack access to off-campus field trips, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to engage with science in meaningful ways.
We understand that igniting change means helping future generations find their personal connection to our shared waters. Through fun engaging lessons, we help foster an understanding and appreciation of local freshwater resources, to not only inspire interest in STEM careers but also to empower youth to see themselves as agents of change. Most importantly, we equip students with the knowledge and tools to take action, helping them understand how their personal choices and efforts can make a difference in protecting our waterways and creating a healthier environment for all.
Classroom Program Topics Include
An Introduction to Water:
How much water is there? Why is water important? What makes the city of Milwaukee special? Who is affected by water quality? What does Milwaukee Riverkeeper do?
Watersheds 101:
What is a watershed? What are rivers’ role in a watershed? What watershed do you live in?
Riverkeeper for a Day:
What indicators and characteristics do Milwaukee Riverkeeper scientists and volunteers look for when testing water in the field? Why? What equipment do they use? Why is dissolved oxygen so important? How about pH or turbidity? What happens if too much salt gets into our rivers? Too much phosphorus?
Living Things in our Streams:
What kinds of species live in our local waterways and how do they interact? In this program, students will become familiar with all of the creepy-crawly bugs that are living in our waterways.
Hidden Harms: Emerging Contaminants in Our Waters:
What is polluting our waters and how? In this session, students will explore the chemicals in everyday products that are polluting our rivers.
Plastics: An Audit:
Is your group interested in learning about the increasingly plastic world around them?
Looking for more information?
Contact our Education Coordinator at education@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org for more information.
Our Group Education Opportunities
Lunch and Learns, Talks, & Presentations Designed to Drive Action
Are you looking for new ways to engage with your business or organizational team? Whether you’re looking to expand your community involvement and volunteer opportunities, or you want to expose your team to new ideas on water conservation, we’re here to help!
Joining Your Team On-Site
Our knowledgeable staff will come to your place of business to speak to your team on a topic of your choice. Together, we’ll identify the topics and information most relevant to your goals and then develop a talk or presentation to drive engagement.
Group Education Topics Include:
State of the Waterways:
Is your group interested in learning more about the Milwaukee River Basin and why it’s so important to our local and regional communities?
Restoration & Research:
Get more information on local water monitoring, the health of the Milwaukee River Basin, and the issues affecting our area.
Sustainability:
Help empower your group to make sustainable change with new information on the use of plastics, how to capture rain, and the importance of conservation.
Coalition Building:
Learn about our work building, leading, and supporting collaborative efforts and gain clear insights on how to leverage these skills for your own initiatives.
Looking to Get More Hands-On?
Explore Our Group Volunteer Opportunities
Ready to get out of the office and into the fresh air? You can plan an exclusive volunteer program as a group and make real change in real time. Our staff will help facilitate your initiative, sharing guidance and resources to ensure success. While these group volunteer opportunities are free of charge, they do require event staff and materials, and as a mission-focused nonprofit, donations are appreciated and reinvested in the local community. We’ve included recommended donation amounts to help you plan your impact!
Our Group Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Host a Cleanup
Milwaukee Riverkeeper will provide guidance on location, trash logistics, and can offer disposable supplies. Documents and guidance on best practices on hosting your own cleanup will also be provided.
Host an Invasive Removal Event
Milwaukee Riverkeeper will manage partnerships, choose the location and provide guidance on removing invasive species. Tools and supplies will also be provided, along with a staff member present to lead the event.
Host a Tree Planting Event
Milwaukee Riverkeeper will manage partnerships, choose the location and provide the trees. Tools and supplies will be provided, and an MRK staff member will lead the event.
Looking for more information?
Contact our Events Specialist, Allie Mendez, at allie@milwaukeeriverkeeper.org for more information.
Ready to Get Your Feet Wet?
Sign Up to Host a Program or Presentation Today!
Please fill out our online form to share your goals and ideas, then one of our team members will reach out to gather more information!
