crane flying over wetland greenseams property

GREENSEAMS®

Greenseams® Now Protecting 5,075 Acres

By storing and draining water into the ground naturally, Greenseams® helps prevent future flooding and water pollution while supporting and protecting MMSD's structural flood management projects - infrastructure investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Greenseams® is an innovative flood management program that permanently protects key lands containing water-absorbing soils.

The program makes voluntary purchases of undeveloped, privately owned properties in areas expected to have major growth in the next 20 years and open space along streams, shorelines, and wetlands.

Why are upper watershed wetlands so important?

"Since water flows downhill, what happens at the top of a watershed has a strong effect on conditions downstream. This means that wetlands in the upper portion of a watershed are particularly important for managing the timing, volume, and direction of surface and groundwater flow within the rest of the watershed." (Wisconsin Wetlands Association, 2017)

Totals to date for Greenseams®:

  • 126 properties permanently protected

  • $12.5+ million leveraged funds

  • Over 113,000+ trees planted

  • 797 acres restored

  • 5,075 acres of land preserved

  • Guests tour a Greenseams® property in the City of Milwaukee

    Guests tour a Greenseams® property in the City of Milwaukee

  • Water flows from a natural spring on Greenseams® Hoerig property

    Water flows from a natural spring on Greenseams® Hoerig property

  • Greenseams® - Victory Creek in Franklin, WI

    Greenseams® - Victory Creek in Franklin, WI

More than 113,000+ trees planted

All land acquired will remain undeveloped. Wetlands maintenance and restoration at these sites will provide further water storage. Greenseams® also preserves wildlife habitat and creates recreational opportunities for people living in the region. Where applicable, the properties can be used for hiking, bird watching, and other passive recreation.

The Conservation Fund 

MMSD hired The Conservation Fund to run Greenseams®. It is a national non-profit conservation organization that forges partnerships to protect America's legacy of land and water resources, performs high volume real estate transactions for local land trusts and government agencies throughout the country.

 

Take a virtual tour of the Greenseams® properties by selecting one of the counties listed below.

Milwaukee County

caterpillar on leaf

Ozaukee County

deer surrounded by trees and forestry

Washington County

Flying Eagle

Waukesha County

native flowers