Milwaukee Stormwater Tree Project

Project Overview

With our climate changing, Wisconsin can expect more intense rain, bigger storms, and changes in temperature. Stormwater trees are part of MMSD’s green infrastructure solutions to managing rainwater and improving water quality in our urban waterways.  We hope to increase community resilience through improved tree canopies. Trees soak up rainwater before it enters our pipes and rivers and lets the rain soak into the ground naturally. Trees also absorb the gases that are making climate change happen.

We will work with residents to plant over 300 trees in this neighborhood of Milwaukee. These trees can soak up over 18,500 gallons of water in any storm. That’s enough to fill two swimming pools! These trees will also help clean our air by removing 2.75 million pounds of carbon dioxide (the gas that causes climate change). As part of this project, residents in the project area will go on tree exploration hikes in Havenwoods State Forest, have input into what types of trees should be planted and where, and can get a rain barrel or small tree for their homes.

Project Locations

N 76th Street to N 35th Street, Milwaukee, WI. | W Villard Ave. to W Mill Rd, Milwaukee, WI.

Click the arrow on the top left hand side of the map to view project areas and tree canopy locations.

Partners

Partners with MMSD on the stormwater tree project include Havenswoods Economic Development Corporation, MKE Plays, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Great Lakes Restoration, Milwaukee's Choice Neighborhood Initiative and City of Milwaukee Housing Authority. 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Looking For Ways to Install Your Own Stormwater Tree?

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Install a Rain Garden

Rain gardens are gardens that are watered by collected or pooled stormwater runoff, slowly infiltrating it into the ground along root pathways.

Install a Rain Barrel

Get FREE water by the barrel from your roof and use it when it’s dry outside to use in your landscape.  Rain barrels help keep excess water out of the sewer system and help reduce water pollution. 

Sign Up for Water Drop Alerts

Get alerted when to use less water in your home during weather events to help prevent basement backups and sewer overflows.