By Midwest Environmental Justice Organization

The Northside-based Midwest Environmental Justice Organization has been awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant for its Starkweather Creek environmental justice project to engage low income residents and subsistence anglers on Madison’s northeast side in learning about stormwater pollution and to build their capacities to participate in community decisions about stormwater pollution prevention.

People might be surprised to learn that the Starkweather Creek drainage basin includes Sherman Village, Whitetail Ridge, Berkley Oaks and Sherman (partial) neighborhoods, as well as the airport, MATC, Truax neighborhood and a large part of the east and northeast sides. The full drainage basin can be seen on the MEJO website at mejo.us.

Partners include East Madison Community Center, Northside Planning Council and the UW-Madison Department of Geography (GIS Capstone program).

A kickoff community fish dinner will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, 3‒6 pm, at East Madison Community Center, 8 Straubel Court. This free fish dinner will include several multi-cultural fish dishes (prepared with tilapia, bluegill, crappie and catfish), side dishes and non-alcoholic beverages. Fish, vegetables and equipment will be provided by Willy Street Co-op-North, Troy Farm, East Madison Monona Rotary, Native Food Network, Kurt Welke and local community gardens.