We regret to announce that the Nearby Nature Milwaukee board has decided to temporarily suspend most operations to conduct an internal audit and restructuring process. This followed the resignations of valuable staff that left us without the ability to carry out programming essential to our mission. Our remaining staff were placed on layoff as of May 2nd, 2025.
We are truly grateful for the tremendous work that Nearby Nature Milwaukee staff has done in the past year to build our work and advance our mission. We will be undertaking strategic planning to strengthen our foundation and ensure we can continue serving the community with greater impact and sustainability.
The board, with volunteers and community partners, are working to keep some of our critical planned programs in place in the very short term. Some of our important programs will continue, with support from partners and volunteers.
Nearby Nature has been anchoring the African American Environmental Pioneer Awards for 6 consecutive years. To date 62 Black environmentalists have been honored in this highly regarded program. This work will continue and planning has already begun for the 7th annual Awards in February of 2026.
The Lincoln Creek Greenway Workgroup, initiated and led by Nearby Nature Milwaukee, addresses the disparity between the highly developed Milwaukee River Greenway and neglect shown to similar green spaces along Lincoln Creek. Nearby Nature initiated the workgroup with a Summit in 2022. An annual celebration of Lincoln Creek will continue this year, June 21st to 28th, with a week of activities shared by 10 partner organizations. Information can be found at this link: www.bit.ly/CreekWeek25.
Our initiatives in Hopkins Hollow, preserving and restoring wildlife habitat will continue with volunteer support. Some wildlife research may need to pause but some will continue with volunteer and partner support.
When we are able, we will continue to lead recreational and educational outings in our target areas with volunteer and partner organizations. Getting environmental educators back into inner city schools and leading field trips will be a high priority when this work can resume.
The environmental justice issues that gave rise to Nearby Nature Milwaukee are still ever-present. Nearby Nature Milwaukee was and is a unique response to this need and we hope we can continue to be one of many organizations making a contribution in this space.
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