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Kirchner teaches \u201cBuilding Community\u201d at MIAD, one of the college\u2019s Service Learning courses. MIAD is located right along the Milwaukee River \u2013 the same river that flows past the trail on which Kirchner had recently been walking. Between these two points, however, the river changes dramatically. The view from MIAD is quite polluted. Seeing this connection as an opportunity to learn about the interaction between Milwaukee\u2019s natural and built environments, Kirchner integrated it with her course. Students this summer would be outside and engaged with the world.<\/p>\n
Once the class started up in early June, Kirchner led students on trips to the trail by the Milwaukee River, where they met with Milwaukee River Advocates representatives David and Petra Press. The Milwaukee River Advocates Cooperative arose to address issues surrounding the health and survival of the river environment. The area is a wildlife corridor and important green space that they are trying to protect from urban encroachment. Wildlife corridors connect sections of a habitat that have been fragmented by human activity. This allows for the movement of species, which cultivates diversity and reduces the odds of such species becoming endangered or extinct (\u201cCorridor Science,\u201d \u201cOur Work to Build Corridors for Wildlife\u201d).<\/p>\n
It goes without saying that when we degrade or overuse the environment we are destroying the natural resources on which we rely. There is also significant research, however, on the positive impact of natural or \u201cgreen\u201d landscapes on human health. Studies show that the proper green residential landscaping can actually reduce crime and strengthen communities, as well as promote their overall wellbeing. Research completed through the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, compared residential areas with trees and other greenery to those in a more or less barren landscape. The results have demonstrated that green environments have a relaxing effect on mood, they bring people together outdoors, and that a green and well-kept apartment exterior, for example, communicates to potential criminals that owners and residents care for and watch over the property and one another.<\/p>\n
Through the discussion of these and other ideas, as well as direct observation of the Milwaukee River and trail, the group came to a decision on plans to benefit the river environment. The main project was a boardwalk that would run the length of a portion of the unpaved trail that is particularly muddy due to natural springs. This would protect the high-traffic area from damage and at the same time keep hikers and bicyclists from getting stuck in the mud. Along with the construction of the boardwalk,\u00a0students also took photographs of animals, plants, and the river environment that will be used to update the Milwaukee River Advocates brochure and in other educational and publicity materials. One student did extensive work on updating and repairing their website, where some of the photographs will also be used. Although students were able to contribute knowledge and skills from their own respective areas of expertise (including, but not limited to Photography, Industrial Design, Communication Design, and Illustration), all students were able to participate in all aspects of the undertaking.<\/p>\n
After much hard work, the project has recently been brought to completion. The endeavor has allowed the students in this course to put their creative skillsets to work in a context outside of school, providing them crucial professional and life experience. With the emphasis on Kirchner\u2019s course topic of community building, the experience has also doubled as an embodied example of how members of a community can come together to achieve a common purpose.<\/p>\n
Kirchner explained that as citizens we have the \u201cconstitutional right to freedom of assembly, but what many people don\u2019t see is that we need public spaces in order to assemble\u2026 Green spaces such as parks are great for this,\u201d she says. \u201cFor example, you see people from all walks of life on the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n
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