UCC Acosta: Milwaukee's First Watermark!

UCC Acosta Middle School is the proud location of Milwaukee's first WaterMark, a physical marker that reminds us all how water connects and sustains city life and a symbol of our mutual commitment to take care of the precious resource. In spring 2018, Acosta students and community members came together to decide what letter will represent the school on the marker. Check out the video by Reflo's Michael Snowden to see what led to resounding support for the letter "A."

“A+ grade, aquatic, advantages, arts, agua, Acosta... 21 votes. I think “A” has it!”

— Ms. Shannon Olson, UCC Acosta teacher

In May 2018, students and community gathered at UCC Acosta Middle School to share perspectives of artists and scientists from three earlier neighborhood walks on water history, green infrastructure, and our urban relationship to water.

Agua = Familia + Comida + La Vida

Ms. Shannon Olson's students at UCC Acosta Middle School interviewed family members to discover and share how water connects and enriches our lives. Below enjoy six interviews from spring 2018.

Illustrated by Marianna Espinoza

in response to written response by Claudia Silveyra

Illustrated by Andrez Coronado

in response to Emely Flores’ written response

Illustrated by Daisy Montes

in response to written response by IImoni Garcia

Illustrated by Claudia Silveyra

in response to written response by Jocelyn Rivera

Illustrated by Teresa Padilla

in response to her own written response

Illustrated by Destiny Sosa

in response to Valarie Vincent's written response

Hidden water stories

In November 2017, engineer Justin Hegarty and artist Jill Sebastian led a walk through Walker's Square to the Burnham Canal. Photos by Dan Johnson, video by John Blandino, Marquette University

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Hidden Blue/Green infrastructure

In March 2018, scientist Carmen Aguilar and artist Melanie Ariens led a walk into the Harbor District to the School of Freshwater Sciences. Photos by Dan Johnson, Marquette University, Video by John Blandino, Marquette University

Stormwater management

In April 2018, engineer Paige Peters and artist Colin Matthes led a walk along National Avenue and to Paliafito Eco-Arts Park. Photos by Darren Hauck

Explore Water Stories Hidden Throughout Walker's Point

Click to download the Milwaukee Community Map in Google Earth and explore hidden Water Stories in the neighborhood.

Explore Nearby Green Luminaries - "Fresh Coast Guardians"

Freshwater Plaza in Milwaukee is a truly unique project that helps protect Lake Michigan. Constructed on a former foundry site, the plaza can manage more than 75,000 gallons of rain.

There's a street in Milwaukee that's all about water...Freshwater Way. It's home to the Global Water Center and Reed Street Yards, a City of Milwaukee water technology park. Oh, it also embraces numerous natural solutions to water pollution.

Explore stories beyond the mark on an app adventure

Click here to download the Water Story MKE app.

Take Action: How You Can Make a Difference Today

Support WaterMarks

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