Springtime Guide
Spring into Action
This spring, find helpful tips on getting involved with neighborhood cleanups, improving your home, creating gardens and green spaces, being active outdoors, and staying prepared for fire and storm hazards. Take advantage of community resources and grant incentives to make improvements in your community.
Rock the Green Earth Day Celebration
Join us on Saturday, April 25, from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson Museum for Milwaukee’s (Free) zero-waste Earth Day celebration, presented by the City of Milwaukee's Environmental Collaboration Office and Milwaukee Riverkeeper, powered by music, community, and sustainability in action. Start your day early with Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s 31st Spring Cleanup (9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - pre-registration required) and help set a Guinness World Record for the largest river cleanup.
Neighborhood Improvement
May is Building Safety Month, and springtime offers the perfect opportunity to make improvements to your home and neighborhood. Get involved with cleaning up trash and unwanted items or learn about housing repair programs available through the city to help you save on the cost of improvements.
Project Clean and Green
A city-wide program designed to foster neighborhood pride and ownership through coordinated clean up. Collection crews will target one zone each week from April 20-June 1, 2026 and collect up to six (6) cubic yards per property of unwanted furniture, mattresses or household items, and garden/yard debris in paper yard waste bags.
Residents can also host a neighborhood cleanup to build community and raise awareness about litter. Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful supplies bags and loans tools to groups hosting cleanups.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper's Spring Cleanup
Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday April 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. - noon, and clean up litter through the Milwaukee Riverkeeper's Spring Cleanup at 80 locations around the Milwaukee area. Help restore our waterways by removing trash and debris during this one day community-wide cleanup. Together, we can make a positive impact on our rivers and wildlife that depend on them. Milwaukee Riverkeeper provides the gloves, trash bags, and a FREE T-SHIRTS. Register in advance.
Big Clean MKE
Big Clean MKE returns each year to beautify neighborhoods citywide. Volunteers, residents and local neighborhood organizations are teaming together in memory of Greg "Ziggy" Zyszkiewicz. All clean-up tools & supplies will be provided. Visit the Big Clean MKE webpage for a list of participating organizations for specific clean-up events and the appropriate contact person.
Clearing Waste and Debris
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Garbage and Recycling Collection: Carts and bins must be at the collection point (alley line or curb line) by 7 a.m. on designated pickup dates. Garbage must be bagged. Recyclables must be loose. Learn about what materials can and cannot be collected.
- To receive schedules by mail: request online or call 414-286-2489
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Drop Off Centers: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the summer season from April 12 to November 28, 2026.
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Brush Collection: Can be requested from April to November. Brush and branches include woody stalks from pruning and branches up to 6 inches in diameter. Place up to 2 cubic yards (size of a couch) between the curb and sidewalk or alley for collection. No branch should be longer than 4 feet or larger than 6 inches in diameter. Request a pickup online or call 414-286-2489
Stop Illegal Dumping - Report It Get Rewarded!
Illegal dumping is a burden to residents and a blight on our beautiful city. Don't let illegal dumping ruin your neighborhood. Report it and you could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Stop illegal dumping by reporting WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHEN.
If you see illegal dumping in progress, please do not confront the individual(s). Write down the details and the description of the suspect(s), vehicle make and model, license plate, the items dumped, address/location, and the date and time of the incident.
Home Improvements
Take advantage of warm weather to make necessary home improvements that keep you safe, save you money and help the environment.
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The Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program, Me2, helps Milwaukee homeowners make affordable, energy-saving upgrades to insulation, air sealing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and windows. Receive savings and rebate incentives from Focus on Energy or take out a low-interest loan through Summit Credit Union.
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Through the HomeSAFE educational program including in-person and digital presentations, the Department of Neighborhood Services is offering residents the chance to learn more about building code and neighborhood issues to make improvements.
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The City of Milwaukee offers a variety of resources and incentive programs to help current homeowners, homebuyers, investors, and non-profit organizations. Explore all your options to get the housing help you need.
Grow Solar Group Buy
Interested in solar panels to power your home or small business? ECO, is again partnering with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association on the annual “Grow Solar” group-buy program. Get access to affordable financing through the Milwaukee Shines solar loan in partnership with Summit Credit Union, and sign up to be notified about upcoming “Power Hour” education sessions to learn about special pricing and incentives.
Grants for Home Energy Saving Projects
The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided two key programs that are still available to help homeowners save money on energy-saving home renovations. The Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HOMES) provides rebates for whole-home energy improvements for homeowners of all income levels living in single-family and multifamily residences. The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR) supports low- and moderate-income households to install heat pumps and other energy-efficient electric equipment. ECO recently recorded this webinar with Focus On Energy to show single-family homeowners how to qualify for these benefits, and get started on saving energy!
In an effort to increase the supply of Milwaukee area contractors who can deliver these big savings to Milwaukee residents, ECO hosted an in-person session to get more local contractors enrolled as Focus on Energy “Trade Allies” to help deliver more energy-saving projects and incentives to Milwaukee families, houses of worship, and businesses. You can search for HVAC, insulation, and other contractors that can help you tap into incentives at FocusOnEnergy.com.
Helping the Environment
April is Earth Month and Wednesday,. April 22 is Earth Day. Get involved in your community to help build green spaces and gardens, plant trees and other plants, and compost organic waste.
Compost Bin Sale
A recent Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources study showed that 30% of material in Wisconsin landfills could have been composted. Home composting is a great way to divert waste from landfills and create a nutrient-rich soil additive from leaves and garden trimmings.
Start composting at home! Learn more about the DPW Compost Bin sale. This sale is not restricted to City of Milwaukee residents.
- Home Compost Bins - $68
- Kitchen Pails - $25
Learn more about composting at home, through drop-offs, and composting collection service providers.
Tree Planting
The City of Milwaukee has lost thousands of trees to the Dutch Elm epidemic and the Emerald Ash Borer. Help replace the city’s tree canopy.
Find affordable trees and seedlings, as well as planting and care guides and free landscape guides, through the Arbor Day Foundation. Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April (April 24, 2026) to encourage people to plant trees.
Big Plant SE Wisconsin
A goal of increasing the tree canopy in our area. Trees are distributed to residents through community partnerships, including municipalities and community-based organizations.
As a community-based organization, you can request trees to distribute through your free programs, outreach activities, or community connections. MMSD will provide the trees, and your organization will distribute them to residents.
No Mow May
No Mow May is an environmental campaign that encourages people to refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of May. The aim of the campaign is to promote biodiversity and provide a habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other insects. Learn more and register for the program.
Community Gardens
Grow fresh, healthy vegetables for your family and plant flowers to beautify your neighborhood. The Department of City Development offers garden permits for residents who would like to garden on a City-owned vacant lot near their home or create a community green space. Apply for a permit with DCD Real Estate, email [email protected] or call 414-283-5838.
Groundwork Milwaukee operates the MKE Grows Garden Network. Community gardeners on land owned by the City of Milwaukee or any other source are invited to join the MKE Grows Garden Network to connect with other gardeners, access support resources, and advocate for community gardening. Additionally, Groundwork Milwaukee is currently the only way to access community garden hydrant applications to use City of Milwaukee managed hydrants as a potential water source for your community garden. For more info email, [email protected]
Community Improvement Projects
CIPs offer reimbursable grants of up to $4,000 for neighborhood betterment projects that engage residents and improve areas throughout Milwaukee. Past projects have included additions such as green infrastructure, raised garden beds and murals.
Review the program guidelines and apply today to help improve your community
Healing Spaces Initiative
The Healing Spaces Initiative helps residents build relaxing natural environments on available city-owned vacant lots while, at the same time, eliminating blighted spaces and engaging residents. Amenities include: pathways, benches, perennial herb and flower gardens, shade sails, solar lights, meditation signposts, Little Free Libraries, and more. Learn more about guidelines and application information, as well as orientation sessions.
Great Milwaukee Victory Garden Blitz
April 25 - May 9, 2026
A team of dedicated volunteers will deliver, assemble and install garden beds in the designated areas by registrants (residencies, business corporations, schools, etc.). We anticipate installing 400 garden beds this next season!
Spring Programming at the Library
The Milwaukee Public Library offers a variety of events, programs and classes to the public. Sign up for the library’s weekly newsletter and get connected to news and updates. This spring, learn about topics like rain gardens and water management or stop by select branches for outdoor story time with children under 5.
Being Outdoors
Get outdoors, go exercise, and explore the city. Enjoy the warm weather by walking, biking or hiking with the following resources:
- Milwaukee Bike Map Hub - Central hub of all the City of Milwaukee's biking maps
- Trail Counter Dashboard - The City of Milwaukee maintains six trail continuous trail counters to quantify pedestrian and bicyclist use on trail networks throughout the city.
- Milwaukee County Parks and Trails - Milwaukee County has an interactive map of the all the parks and trails in the county.
- Milwaukee County - Wisconsin Bicycle Map - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) produces county maps of bicycling conditions within Wisconsin.
Safety Tips
April showers do bring May flowers, but increased storms can result in damage to property and increased risk to your health. Know what to do in the case of extreme rainfall, downed trees, or power lines. Also, be sure to keep your outdoor gatherings fire safe to prevent grass fires.
Storm Destruction
Springtime can mean thunderstorms that cause destruction to trees, power lines and other essential infrastructure. Contact the following numbers for help after storms.
In the event of downed power lines, keep your distance and do not touch the lines. Call 9-1-1 for assistance from the Milwaukee Fire Department. Avoid touching any metal objects a downed power line may have fallen onto, such as fences, to avoid electrocution.
- For downed trees, residents should contact 414-286-2489.
- To report Street Lighting or Traffic Signal outages, residents should contact the Electrical Services 24-Hour Line at 414-286-3015.
- For water emergencies, residents should call the 24-Hour Milwaukee Water Works Control Center at 414-286-3710.
Heavy Rains
During major storms and heavy rains, overflows can overwhelm the sewer system, resulting in basement flooding and water pollution. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District issues a Water Drop Alert during heavy rain to alert residents to use less water and prevent an overflow.
Sign up to receive a text message when a Water Drop Alert is issued.
Become a Fresh Coast Guardian
Fresh Coast Guardians are everyday people who love Lake Michigan and want to protect it. You can help us prevent polluted storm runoff from reaching our waterways by managing water better when it rains or snows.
Outdoor Fire Safety
If you are hosting an outdoor cookout or bonfire, take precautions when operating a grill or using a fire pit. You don’t want the flames to get out of control and start a ferocious grass fire. Consider the following tips to keep your gathering safe.
In a fire pit, hot embers may be blown away by the wind and dumped on a combustible material nearby like foliage or paper. If this happens, you will only have a couple of minutes to put out the flames before it grows and spreads. If you plan on starting a bonfire, it is wise to carry one or two fire extinguishers with you. Having a bucket of water close by will also go a long way in helping put out any flames.
When grilling, keep the grill a good distance away from your home and any overhanging branches. Remove grease build-up and other debris after using the grill. Finally, do not leave the grill unattended. If you must leave, turn the grill off before stepping away.
MKEALERT - Register to Stay Informed
MKEALERT is a free, emergency alert system designed to keep the residents and visitors of the City of Milwaukee informed during any potential hazards. We encourage residents to register for these alerts to stay informed.
- Missing Children or Persons
- Special Events / Road Closures
- Extreme Weather Conditions
- Shelter in Place
- Public Health Warnings
- Evacuation Orders
- Fires and more