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MMSD Green Luminary® Award | Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church

05/18/21 07:00:am

Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church is home to the Milwaukee area’s first church-based, semi-intensive agricultural rooftop.

The rooftop can manage up to 2,000 gallons of stormwater each time it rains. Additional water is collected in an underground cistern, earning the church a Green Luminary Award.

Located just southwest of Milwaukee’s Bay View Neighborhood, Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church is home to the Milwaukee area’s first church-based, semi-intensive agricultural rooftop.  The semi-intensive agricultural rooftop at Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church consists of layers that waterproof, facilitate drainage, and protect the roof from plant roots, topped with special blend of lightweight growing media used to grow produce. On its own, the rooftop can manage up to 2,000 gallons of stormwater each time it rains with additional excess water collected in an underground cistern for later irrigation use in the church’s 38 organic food garden beds.  

Produce from the roof, along with the raised-bed food gardens, supports the congregation’s robust food justice ministry. Food grown on-site is given to a local soup kitchen and food pantry.  The gardens are tended in part through a collaborative effort with the church’s Divine Intervention to the Homeless ministry.

In addition to MMSD, the roof was funded in part by Fund for Lake Michigan, American Rivers Foundation, and the Presbyterian Church USA.  To expand their environmental ministries, the church has plans for a future outside green classroom featuring a green roof and rain garden.

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What is a Green Luminary® Award?

MMSD gives Green Luminary® awards to businesses, organizations, and communities that implement exceptional green infrastructure design projects in the MMSD service area that benefit our lakes and rivers, as well as our communities.

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How You Can Help Protect Lake Michigan

Fresh Coast Guardians Resource Center

Fresh Coast Guardians

Are you a homeowner, organization, or business looking for help on installing green infrastructure? Contact the Fresh Coast Guardians Resource Center to get started today.

MMSD Water Drop Alert

Text: WATERDROP to 414-296-4422 for Española texto GOTADEAGUA a 414-296-4422

Receive Water Drop Alert text messages when heavy rain threatens the area. When a Water Drop Alert has been issued, a reminder is sent to use less water.

What do you do when an alert is issued?

  • Hold off on washing dishes and laundry
  • Take a shorter shower 
  • Empty your rain barrel
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Plant a Rain Garden

Rain gardens help reduce sewer overflows and water pollution by absorbing stormwater runoff from hard surfaces into the ground naturally. Learn how to plant a rain garden and help protect Lake Michigan.