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December 12, 2008
Milwaukee Riverkeeper
participates in coalition calling for federal stimulus
dollars to invest in Wisconsin's green economy
Milwaukee Riverkeeper
joined a coalition of community-based organizations rallying
support for creating green job opportunities in Wisconsin.
Highlighting the green jobs component of Governor Doyle’s
proposal, the groups praised the Governor’s efforts to
invest in public transit, renewable energy, contaminated
site clean-ups, and repair of the State’s corroding water
infrastructure.
“In this time of economic hardship, a coalition of groups
has come together to support the creation of
family-supporting jobs in the green collar economy,”
according to Melissa Scanlan, Founder and Senior Counsel,
Midwest Environmental Advocates. “These will be jobs capable
of providing a life-line to Wisconsin families in need and,
at the same time, making Wisconsin a leader in building the
green economy.”
The coalition singled out for support the projects that
would actually increase the number of green jobs in
Wisconsin. They include:
• Building our energy independence through renewable energy
• Retrofitting existing homes, businesses, and government
buildings to make them energy efficient
• Building public transit infrastructure to efficiently
connect people to jobs
• Cleaning up contaminated land and water
• Fixing leaking sewage pipes and installing best practices
to reduce stormwater run-off
“These investments would create jobs that range from
construction and landscaping to research and engineering.
The jobs would lead to a healthier, cleaner and more
sustainable Wisconsin environment,” added Dale Olen of the
Sierra Club.
As a water-rich state, Wisconsin can support many green jobs
that protect and improve this critical resource. “Efforts to
clean up our State’s waterways will require innovative,
sustainable approaches,” commented Kevin Shafer, Executive
Director of Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
“Integrating these approaches with job creation will benefit
both the environment and the economy.”
Cheryl Nenn, Milwaukee Riverkeeper explained: “We need to
make significant investments in repairing our failing
wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. With new green
jobs we can clean our rivers and Great Lakes, protect the
drinking water supply, restore wildlife habitat, and improve
our quality of life”
The coalition has been gathering projects in the private and
public sector where federal funding could be a catalyst for
green job creation. “We are looking for a commitment from
the Governor and anyone that receives federal stimulus funds
to prioritize projects that generate green family-supporting
jobs, especially for those most in need of employment,” said
Pam Fendt, Executive Director of Good Jobs, Livable
Neighborhoods.
December 1, 2008
BROADDUS TO TAKE ON NEW ROLE
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Lynn E. Broaddus, Executive
Director for Milwaukee Riverkeeper, steps down to accept new
position
 Dr.
Lynn E. Broaddus, executive director of Milwaukee
Riverkeeper since May 2003, will be leaving the organization
to accept a leadership position at The Johnson Foundation in
Racine, WI. Broaddus has been involved with Milwaukee
Riverkeeper for seven years, five and one-half of which have
been as executive director. In her new role, she will help
The Johnson Foundation shape its environment and community
programming, with an initial emphasis on freshwater issues.
The Johnson Foundation operates Wingspread, where
conferences are convened to advance solutions to national
and regional environmental issues, as well as other concerns
focused on the Racine community.
“It’s not easy to leave an organization and a cause that I
have come to care about so deeply. But I know that I leave
Milwaukee Riverkeeper in the best of hands – we have a
phenomenal Board and staff who will ensure a smooth
transition into the new phase of the organization’s life.”
When asked why she’s leaving, Broaddus stated “I am
passionate about Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and had no intention
of leaving. However, the opportunity to bring about change
at a broader level through work at The Johnson Foundation
was the bait that caught my eye. It builds on everything
I’ve learned and the connections I’ve built while working on
river issues, but also ties back to my earlier work with
biodiversity and energy issues.”
“Lynn is a great addition to The Johnson Foundation,” said
Roger Dower, executive director of The Johnson Foundation.
“Her strong education background in environmental sciences
and energy conservation combined with her extensive
expertise gained while working at Milwaukee Riverkeeper will
support the Foundation’s efforts to convene diverse
individuals and organizations to discuss and implement
solutions to issues facing our environment and community.”
Broaddus earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental
science from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D. in botany
and genetics from Duke University and a master’s of business
administration from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
She also serves as Board president of the Milwaukee
Environmental Consortium, and Board treasurer for the River
Alliance of Wisconsin.
Cheryl Nenn, who has served in the staff position of
Milwaukee Riverkeeper for six years, has been named Interim
Executive Director while a search for a permanent
replacement is conducted. Ms. Nenn has extensive experience
in natural resource management in both the United States and
Latin America, and holds a Masters of Science in Natural
Resource Ecology and Management from the University of
Michigan. This change takes effect Friday, December 5th.
“We are really going to miss Lynn,” stated Tony Handzlik,
Board Chair, “but she has built such a strong program over
her tenure that we are not worried about the future of the
organization.” Handzlik went on to say that the Board is
working through the process of evaluating the organization’s
needs, and expects to begin the search for a new director
shortly after Thanksgiving.
Dec. 1, 2008
Milwaukee Riverkeeper posts
office manager position
Milwaukee Riverkeeper has
posted a part-time office manager position.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Position
description [PDF]
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