Walnut Way Conservation Corp. Celebrates new Headquarters for Blue Skies Landscaping in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood
Milwaukee, April 13, 2021 — Today, Walnut Way Conservation Corp., a neighborhood-based nonprofit known for its innovative work in economic and environmental health and wellness, “raised the flag” at their new headquarters for Blue Skies Landscaping located at 1414 North Fond Du Lac Avenue.
Blue Skies Landscaping is known as a “triple-bottom-line social enterprise” focused on jobs, revenue generation, and environmental impact which offers a full range of landscape, environmental and green infrastructure services in the greater Milwaukee area. The program provides job training and employment for individuals who have traditionally faced employment barriers and those seeking to build skills in a growing trade.
This project is a direct response to Blue Skies Landscaping’s tremendous growth, averaging 20% annually, of the program over the last eight years, and the increased need for equipment storage, training facilities, and offices. The project will also serve as a demonstration site and training site for green infrastructure and clean energy.
“Our vision for Blue Skies Landscaping is bold,” said Antonio Butts, Executive Director for Walnut Way. “We are investing in a community that has been systematically overlooked and ignored for far too long. When we work together to create intentional investment into our communities, the sky is truly the limit. Working collectively, we can create community resilience and reverse systemic disinvestment.”
The initial acquisition involves four blighted city-owned parcels, which will be rehabilitated to provide office space, garages, a training center, and green infrastructure features. The office building is two stories totaling 2600 square feet, the training center will be 1200 square feet, and the garages offer 2500 square feet of storage. Blue Skies moved operations to the property on April 1.
Walnut Way staff and board, including the Blue Skies Landscaping crew, and partners celebrated with brief remarks, music, and a ceremonial raising of the flag.
View the event in photos:
