Cheryl puts the mission simply. “We’re doing this work to protect the rivers, but we’re also doing this to protect ourselves, to protect the health of our communities.”
A biologist by training, when she was young Cheryl thought she would grow up to become a doctor. Young-Cheryl aimed to be a pediatrician and even enrolled in pre-med. A study-abroad experience in Australia opened Cheryl’s eyes to the wider world and made her realize that she could apply the same passion for healing to the biological world in which humans are naturally enmeshed. She returned from Australia with a refined focus on natural resource management and hasn’t looked back.
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago did not offer many opportunities for connecting with nature, but Cheryl’s family would take trips to a cottage on a lake in central Illinois. Exposure to wild and wet places here nurtured the curiosity of the budding scientist, who would explore fish and other critters. It also fostered a sense of self-reliance. “Growing up, the big thing was they would take us out to the middle of the lake and throw us off the boat, and if we could swim back then we were good enough to be down by the water on our own.”
Water remains a central part of Cheryl’s personal life. She loves to sail. She does boat races most Wednesday and Friday nights in the summer. She also kayaks, hikes, skis, and snowshoes. “My time off, generally I’m on the river, walking along a river, enjoying all the beautiful natural areas that we have in Wisconsin.”
Being a Riverkeeper means being the voice for the river, because the river obviously doesn’t have a voice,” says Cheryl Nenn. 🌊 Since 2003, she’s held the title of Riverkeeper for the Milwaukee River basin, advocating for its health and well-being. Cheryl’s role is diverse—senior scientist, policy advocate, educator, communicator—making her a crucial figure in local water conservation efforts.
In 2022, Cheryl collaborated with artist David Najib Kasir to bring the water’s perspective to a public walk along the Beerline Trail. Her dedication to protecting rivers extends beyond her role; it’s about safeguarding our communities’ health too. 💧
Meet Cheryl Nenn, Milwaukee’s Riverkeeper. 🌊 Since 2003, she’s been the voice for the waters of the Milwaukee River basin, including the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic River watersheds. Cheryl wears many hats—senior scientist, policy advocate, educator, communicator—making her a vital part of the local water nonprofit sphere. But beyond her credentials, Cheryl’s known for her humor and warm wit.
From collaborating with scientists to remove contaminants to advocating for water quality and patrolling waterways, Cheryl has shaped Milwaukee’s water story since 2002. Her passion for nature and healing led her to this path, starting from childhood trips to a lake in central Illinois.
Water isn’t just Cheryl’s work—it’s her passion. When she’s not advocating for rivers, she’s out sailing, kayaking, or exploring Wisconsin’s natural beauty. 🚣♀️💧#waterislife#milwaukeewaterstory#onewaterourwater
The tour was a wonderful connecting experience that brought residents to new neighborhoods that they would not typically visit on their own The tour also got residents thinking tangibly about what element(s) of developing a WaterMarks site are the most important to them for their participation in the NPT (equity, location, art, science, storytelling, programming, etc.) - which was our goal. Thank you all for attending — and an extra thanks to Haley Rohr, our WM team and partners for coordinating such a successful event!
Photo Credit: Haley Rohr
The tour was very well attended (we had around 22 residents and 8 WaterMarks/NSF members attend) and we traveled to Pulaski Park, Acosta Middle School, Harbor View Plaza, Kuumba Juice and Coffee, and Green Tech Station. At all but one site, each person was able to interact with the Marker, look at the art, all while an NSF member explained the history and development of that site.
Photo Credit: Michael Timm
On February 4th WaterMarks coordinated its first ever bus tour, sharing current and future WaterMarker locations — from Capitol Drive on the northwest to Greenfield Avenue on the Inner Harbor to 16th Street by the Kinnickinnic River to the Beerline Trail in Harambee, we got to see more in one afternoon than many see in weeks or even month — and following a brief presentation and discussion about WMs at Milwaukee’s North Ave Market, we began the tour.
Photo Credit: Michael Timm
Meet Ms. Kirsten Brown, the dedicated principal of Frederick J. Gaenslen School in Riverwest! With 29 years of experience in Milwaukee Public Schools, Ms. Brown’s passion for her students shines through.
Nearly half of Gaenslen’s students are special education students, and Ms. Brown finds inspiration in their determination and eager faces every day.
With 94% of its students facing economic challenges, Gaenslen welcomes community support. Interested volunteers can join in various activities, from playground assistance to sharing experiences with students. Let’s come together to make a difference at Gaenslen! 💚🏫
Contact Gaenslen to learn how you can get involved and help create a brighter future for all students.
#waterislife#milwaukeewaterstory#onewaterourwater
Meet Ms. Kirsten Brown, the dedicated principal of Frederick J. Gaenslen School in Riverwest! With 29 years of experience in Milwaukee Public Schools, Ms. Brown’s passion for her students shines through.
Nearly half of Gaenslen’s students are special education students, and Ms. Brown finds inspiration in their determination and eager faces every day.
With 94% of its students facing economic challenges, Gaenslen welcomes community support. Interested volunteers can join in various activities, from playground assistance to sharing experiences with students. Let’s come together to make a difference at Gaenslen! 💚🏫
Contact Gaenslen to learn how you can get involved and help create a brighter future for all students.
#waterislife#milwaukeewaterstory#onewaterourwater#watermarksmke
Meet Ms. Kirsten Brown, the dedicated principal of Frederick J. Gaenslen School in Riverwest! With 29 years of experience in Milwaukee Public Schools, Ms. Brown’s passion for her students shines through.
Nearly half of Gaenslen’s students are special education students, and Ms. Brown finds inspiration in their determination and eager faces every day.
With 94% of its students facing economic challenges, Gaenslen welcomes community support. Interested volunteers can join in various activities, from playground assistance to sharing experiences with students. Let’s come together to make a difference at Gaenslen! 💚🏫
Contact Gaenslen to learn how you can get involved and help create a brighter future for all students.
#waterislife#milwaukeewaterstory#onewaterourwater
Meet Alvin Middleton, a long-time resident of the neighborhood near Milwaukee’s Melvina Park, where he has lived for approximately a decade. Originally from Milwaukee, Alvin moved back to the city to purchase a home from his late brother. Now in his 70s, Alvin is a proud great-grandfather who has retired from a career in long-haul truck driving. After living with family friends in Kentucky, he returned to Milwaukee. While he describes himself as someone who doesn’t socialize much, Alvin values friendly relationships with neighbors like Yvonne McCaskill, whom he has known for half a century and considers “like my auntie.” McCaskill is actively involved in the Century City Triangle Neighborhood Association and plays a significant role in organizing community events and initiatives to enhance Melvina Park.
#waterislife#milwaukeewaterstory#onewaterourwater
Meet Alvin. Alvin Middleton has lived in the neighborhood near Milwaukee’s Melvina Park for some 10 years. A native Milwaukeean, he returned to the city to buy a nearby home from his brother when he passed away.
In his 70s, Alvin is a proud great-grandfather and now retired from driving truck across the country. He returned to Milwaukee after living with family friends in Kentucky. Though he says he is “not a co-mingler” Alvin appreciates friendly relations with neighbors including Yvonne McCaskill, “like my auntie,” whom he has known for 50 years. McCaskill organizes the Century City Triangle Neighborhood Association and is a driving force behind art, events, and enhancements for Melvina Park.
#waterislife#milwaukeewaterstory#onewaterourwater#watermarksmke
Meet Alvin Middleton, a proud great-grandfather and retired truck driver with a wealth of wisdom. Despite not being much of a mingler, he cherishes his longtime neighborly bonds, like with Yvonne McCaskill, who he sees as family.
Alvin advocates for respecting each individual and Mother Nature, emphasizing the importance of water and keeping plastics out. With age, he believes comes wisdom, urging for a return to respect and care for our environment. Alvin sees hope for the neighborhood’s future by attracting younger generations, aiming to create a vibrant community where children can connect with nature. His advice? Spend quality time with your kids before they grow up too fast. 🌳💧
#waterislife#milwaukeewaterstory#onewaterourwater
