Et cetera : NCCC Oak 2 rocks the river trails in Milwaukee

Jessica Rivas, supervisor Ellie and Justin Livergood eorking on the Kinnickinnic River trail.

Justin Livergood and Lois Glenn with supervisor Matt, receiving a lesson on dissembling a chainsaw.

By Jessica Rivas

AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) team Oak 2 is stationed Milwaukee, Wisconsin serving with various organizations such as River Revitalization Foundation, Milwaukee Parks and Recreation and Schlitz Audubon from August 10 to September 27. They are assisting on three site locations around the Milwaukee area clearing invasive species, performing trail maintenance and making park pathways for the community.

Oak 2 assisted the River Revitalization Foundation with making a social trail more stable and safe for Milwaukee residents to bike, hike and run through near the Kinnickinnic River. The team also made a trail at Root River for the Greendale, Wisconsin community to enjoy and use. They edged the dirt of the trail for the water to stay or stream down to the river, and also completed 60 percent of a mile of trail.

Serving with Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Oak 2 was trained on the mechanics of the chainsaw, tree identification and they cut down 50 overgrown buckthorn trees.

Oak 2 is also serving with Growing Power as their inclement weather plan. The team received a tour on the urban farm’s facility. Its purpose is to grow and give the community affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. The farm uses aquaponics, which is the method of growing crops and fish together in a re-circulating system. Growing Power has tilapia and yellow perch fish to help fertilize crops and herbs.   

Outside of their NCCC projects, Oak 2 helped at an arthritis walk in the registration booth, handing T-shirts and forms to runners and giving out maps to the starting line and the finish line. Another project was assisting the Alzheimer’s 5K walk, where the team handed out 60 fliers to make runners and the public aware of Alzheimer’s and its effects. They handed out stickers, took down over 16 billboards and 20 tables, and helped out on clean-up.