A Long History of Service to the Community – A Brief Review
When Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson called citizens to action for solving the nation’s environmental problems, a handful of New Berlin residents answered the call. Gaylord Nelson established the first nationwide Earth Day in 1970. Exactly one year later this small group formally organized themselves as the Ecology Association of New Berlin. Today this organization is still at work promoting awareness of environmental issues and improving the quality of the community we live in.
Here are a few highlights from the EANB archives as examples of actions taken since 1971:
EANB Leads New Berlin into Recycling
 | The first EANB newspaper collection was conducted in May, 1971. |
| Cans and glass were added using 55 Gallon drums at church and store parking lots. |
| By 1976 all EANB recycling was moved to the Barrett land fill site. |
| EANB purchased a large scrap lugger and a 40 ft. trailer for collecting recyclables. |
| In 1985 Waukesha County became involved with about 14 groups taking turns at recycling. |
| In 1988 there were 16 different groups in New Berlin taking turns at the recycling location in the bank parking lot at National Ave & Moorland Road. Waukesha County provided special recycling trailers which were moved to different communities every weekend. The profits from selling the newspapers were divided among the groups in proportion to the number of turns they took during each year. |
| In 1987 Senate Bill 531 – solid waste separation and recycling – was introduced. The EANB actively campaigned for this legislation. It became law in 1990. Every community had to develop a recycling program. |
| EANB members volunteered for the City Ad Hoc Recycling Committee which formulated the ordinance requiring trash haulers to pick up recyclable materials and bring them to the County recycling center, and which also recommended the construction of the City Recycling Center. |
EANB Gives New Berlin a Demonstration Prairie Restoration
| The EANB received permission in 1976 to plant a prairie demonstration plot to the west of the City Library at Lion’s Park. A 25 by 18 foot area was staked out in the fall of 1976. |
| On May 7, 1977 the first planting was done in the prairie plot |
| In 1978 the EANB convinced the City to let a much larger area to the south and west of the original site revert back to old field. |
| Over the years hundreds of dollars in plants and seed were started in the prairie. Many more donated plants were transplanted to the prairie. |
| An educational pamphlet was printed (1986) and special displays installed in the Library lobby. |
| An Aldo Leopold type bench was constructed and installed overlooking the pond (June 30, 1992) as a memorial to Maxine Franz, who worked tirelessly in the prairie since the beginning. |
| Tours of the prairie have been given for school groups, scout groups, teachers, environmental groups and the interested public. |
| About 2 dozen bird houses were built and installed around the prairie and are maintained by the EANB. |
| An inventory of plants taken in 1994 recorded about 120 species. |
| Today the prairie has become largely self-sustaining and there are an estimated 150 species of native plants species available for viewing. |
EANB Promotes Bike Trails in New Berlin
| Starting in 1973, members of the EANB organized an effort to build a bike trail along the Wisconsin Electric Power Company maintenance road which parallels the railroad tracks. It would run between the Milwaukee County "76" bike trail system (now called the "Oak Leaf Trail") in Greenfield Park on the East, and Springdale Road on the West. |
| The EANB held a public meeting on November 13, 1974 to discuss the bike trail. Waukesha County Park & Planning, WEPCO, and University of Wisconsin experts were present to discuss the plan and listen to public opinion. |
| The EANB organized additional public meetings and formed a Bicycling Committee reporting the City Council. The EANB also corresponded regularly with WEPCO, Waukesha County, the State DNR, and City officials. |
| Construction on the New Berlin Bike Trail began in the fall of 1983 and was officially opened at a dedication ceremony on May 19, 1984. EANB members ran a "bikethon" and drawing for prizes. |
| EANB members continue to play key roles in planning and developing New Berlin recreation trails. |
Other Activities Focus on New Berlin’s Ecology
Since 1971 the EANB has
| Sponsored public meetings & candidate’s forums. |
| Helped the Kelly Lakes residents stop illegal filling by the City. |
| Raised money for the Hagar vs. New Berlin defense fund, leading to a landmark decision on weed ordinances, allowing the use of natural landscaping. |
| Organized canoe trips, bike trips, nature walks. |
| Presented "Environmentalist of the Year" awards and yard beautification awards. |
| Donated $50 to the N.B. Historical Society to help move Meidenbauer’s log cabin to Historical Park. |
| Made display panels, printed brochures, handed out information at N.B. high schools, Carroll College and other special events. |
| Organized spring clean-ups in city parks for many years. |
| Stimulated the public interest leading to acquisition of the Deer Creek Sanctuary property. |
| Coordinated work days in the Deer Creek Sanctuary and Lion’s Park Prairie. |
The Ecology Association of New Berlin maintains resource files and contacts for help with environmental issues, composting, starting prairie plantings, urban development, and other related topics. If you are interested in activities such as these, please contact Paul Gihring at (262) 786-2246.