07/14/26 08:15:am

Graphic of MMSD's Blue Notes from Executive Director

25 Years of Greenseams®: Building a More Resilient Region

The Greenseams® program turns 25 years old this year. Watching this program go from one that started with great skepticism to one that is a national model is extremely gratifying.

In the early 2000’s, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) started to develop 100-year flood management plans for the entire region. These plans are focused on Milwaukee County. Many successful flood reduction projects have been implemented based on these plans, and in August 2025, the projects helped to reduce flooding.

We knew in the early 2000’s that the entire watersheds were not considered in these plans due to jurisdictional restrictions. Realizing this limitation, MMSD initiated the Greenseams® Program with the thought that certain upstream lands must be preserved to allow flood water to be slowed down and infiltrated, thereby reducing the flood risk for downstream properties.

Greenseams® is a flood management and land purchasing program targeting properties in the floodplain or properties that exhibit features, like hydric soils, where wetlands once existed. The original goal was to preserve 10,000 acres. In 2001, the planning work was initiated, and, in 2002, the first purchase was made.

Most of the acquisitions are outside MMSD’s jurisdictional sewer service area. I commend all MMSD Commissioners over the last 25 years who understood that water flows downhill and does not stop at municipal limits. They realize that we must manage flood water at the watershed scale to make a difference.

The first Greenseams acquisition is a conservation easement purchased in August 2002 in partnership with the City of Brookfield. Referred to as the Knull site, Underwood Creek flows through the wooded wetland.

Kurt and Sarah Gruetzmacher of Grafton, WI

"Land has been in our family for six generations and holds deep meaning for the entire family. It is a good feeling to know that the land will never become a parking lot or large subdivision." - Kurt and Sarah Gruetzmacher of Grafton, WI

Greenseams® was originally called the Conservation Easement Program. In 2001, I visited Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist and explained the program to him. He loved the approach but said it needed a new name. As we looked at the watershed maps, it reminded me of my grandma’s patchwork quilts. I told the Mayor that the rivers looked like green stitches seaming the municipalities together. I came from that meeting and told my coworkers we were going to rename the program to Greenseams®.

Greenseams® also brought controversy. Many thought that MMSD would use eminent domain to force the property purchases; this was not the case. All the purchases have been through voluntary acquisitions, but some early public meetings were very controversial. At one meeting, the crowd thought that MMSD was going to use eminent domain, and I had to be escorted to my car by local police to make sure that I made it there safely.

Today, Greenseams® is a national model for how to use collaborative land management as a means of reducing downstream flooding. Greenseams® properties are being returned to natural vegetation, reducing flooding, reducing pollution, and providing habitat. Not only do these actions assist with floods, but they are also increasing the region’s resilience.

Beyond all of this, Greenseams® has released a collaborative spirit throughout the watersheds targeted at making this a cleaner, safer place to live. Today over 6,100 acres have been preserved, because so many passionate people cared. This passion is so important! Now, it’s on to the next 25 years!

Kevin L. Shafer Signature

Kevin L. Shafer, P.E.
Executive Director - Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

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