SWAN - Senior Water Advocacy Network

SWAN is a network of adults aged 50+ who are advocates for Lake Michigan and Milwaukee's rivers.  We offer training and workshops for those who want to speak out on behalf of area rivers.  The next SWAN workshop is scheduled for September 21st.  For more info please see below

Photos of 2009 SWAN Institute
Photos of 2008 SWAN institute
Photos of 2007 SWAN institute

Waukesha Tour & Talk

Tuesday, September 21, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, September 22, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

You have heard a lot about Waukesha’s water: radium, diversion from Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Compact, DNR’s review of application, seven other governors approving the deal or not, Underwood Creek as point of return flow, straddling county, sub-continental divide, water conservation program, and so on.

SWAN (The Senior Water Advocates Network) invites you on a touring workshop to learn the full story regarding Waukesha’s water problems and the Lake Michigan solution.  You will see Waukesha’s water geography including the sub-continental divide and the Vernon Marsh, as well as the Underwood Creek, where the water may be returned to Lake Michigan.  All the major stakeholders will talk with you about their positions on taking water from Lake Michigan to meet Waukesha’s water needs.   By the end of this workshop, you will have a clear understanding of this controversial issue and some good ideas on advocating for the sustainable water management.

For more information see the attached flyer below, or check it out on our events page here:
http://www.milwaukeeriverkeeper.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=79

Project History

The Water Advocacy Institute for Seniors began August 21, 2007 with a three-day training program attended by 24 participants.  Through speakers, tours of water-related facilities and projects, and instruction on becoming water advocates, participants learned the critical water problems and ways to get involved in helping solve these problems.  Each water advocate wrote a “plan of action” indicating what he/she intended to do in the months ahead to work actively on specific issues. A Reunion Meeting was held on March 19, 2008, where participants heard a talk concerning the effects of global warming on water.

The second Water Advocacy Institute for Seniors took place on August 12 – 14, 2008 with 21 participants.  A Reunion Meeting was held March 23, 2009 for participants from both 2007 and 2008.  Sharon Cook, from the Alliance for the Great Lakes talked about the legislative agenda for the Great Lakes at the federal and state levels.

About ten water advocates took part in one or two Earth Lobby Days held in Madison in January of 2008 and 2009.  It was significant that on Lobby Day 2008, all the senior water advocates from the Milwaukee area showed up on one of the coldest days of the winter, while many younger people who intended to come did not show up.  A couple of advocates have become water quality monitors.   About four advocates have joined the educational program of Milwaukee Riverkeeper and have given talks on various water topics to groups of adults and children.  One advocate is working with the owner of her apartment building to install water meters for each unit, so renters can see how much water they are using.  Most of the advocates have committed to make behavioral and technological changes in their personal lives toward conserving water and energy.  Also, the majority of advocates committed themselves to continue learning more about specific water issues and to join organizations that are working on those issues.