Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) Milwaukee Working Group on Climate Change Impacts and the Urban Coastal Environment
The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) is a joint effort between the Department of Natural Resources and the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This effort includes several working groups throughout the state of Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Working Group started in February 2008 as a multidisciplinary approach to address the impacts that climate change will have on the most urbanized area in the state of Wisconsin and Lake Michigan.
Green Roof
Special Feature: See the Green Roof Ducklings
Green Roof Webcam: See live images of the GLWI Green Roof.
Green Roof Project Concept: The University of Wisconsin Great Lakes WATER Institute (GLWI) building is situated on Milwaukee’s inner harbor. Surrounded by paved roadways and cement docks and walkways, the building itself supports 86,700 ft2 of horizontal asphalt and pea gravel rooftop. In 2003, a 7,600 ft2 first-floor section of the GLWI roof was converted to a vegetated ‘green’ roof in order to demonstrate an innovative and cost-effective stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) for the Milwaukee metro area and University of Wisconsin System. The installation and maintenance of the GLWI green roof offers a working model of an aesthetically-impressive stormwater mitigation strategy that is especially suited to dense urban development. In collaboration with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District through their Stormwater BMP Partnership Program, funding has been secured to make this pilot GLWI green roof a reality.
The Great Lakes WATER Institute Green Roof is a modular system, called Green Grid Roofs. To learn more about Green Grid Roofs visit, http://www.greengridroofs.com Various native, drought tolerant species of grass and sedums have been planted on the GLWI green roof.
Green Roof Plant Identification Key
Other Green Roofs in the Milwaukee Area:
For more information on Green Roofs, visit:
Rain Garden
Rain Garden Project Concept: In 2005, a 770 ft2 rain garden was built near the main parking lot through the help of volunteers. Various native, drought tolerant species were planted in the rain garden. Water from the roof the GLWI is diverted through a series of PVC pipes that run through the building and to the rain garden.
Rain Garden Plant Identification Key
For more information on Rain Gardens, visit:
What can you do to help?
Storm Drain Stenciling
Volunteers stencil or attach plaques that say “No Dumping, Drains to Lake Michigan (or rivers)” to educate the community about the connection to storm drains and water quality. To learn more or start an event in your community visit: www.mkeriverkeeper.org
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