Milwaukee Neighborhoods Learn Environmental Health Risks

Community groups work to educate residents on local environmental hazards.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:09am

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A translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal infrastructure of a residential neighborhood, with glowing outlines highlighting potential environmental hazards like lead pipes, air vents, and contaminated soil.Community groups use data and education to shed light on hidden environmental health risks in Milwaukee neighborhoods.Today in Milwaukee

Mabel Lamb, executive director of the Sherman Park Community Association, and Yvonne McCaskill, who leads the Century City Triangle Neighborhood Association, are working to educate residents in their Milwaukee neighborhoods about environmental health risks in the area. Through data-driven workshops and community outreach, the groups aim to empower residents with knowledge to improve their health and living conditions.

Why it matters

Many low-income and minority communities face disproportionate environmental burdens, such as pollution, contaminated water, and other health hazards. By proactively educating residents, these community groups hope to address these disparities and give residents the tools to advocate for a healthier environment.

The details

Lamb and McCaskill's organizations have partnered with local universities and environmental groups to gather data on issues like lead exposure, air quality, and water contamination in their neighborhoods. They then host workshops and community events to share this information with residents, teaching them how to identify risks and access resources for mitigation and remediation.

  • The project launched in early 2026 and is ongoing.
  • The groups host monthly data workshops for residents.

The players

Mabel Lamb

Executive director of the Sherman Park Community Association.

Yvonne McCaskill

Leader of the Century City Triangle Neighborhood Association.

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What they’re saying

“We're not just saying, 'Here's the material, we had one data chat, that's it,'”

— Yvonne McCaskill, Leader, Century City Triangle Neighborhood Association

The takeaway

By empowering residents with data and knowledge, these community groups are taking proactive steps to address environmental health disparities and improve quality of life in Milwaukee's underserved neighborhoods.