Community Profile

Manitowoc

Manitowoc, WI

Justin Nickels

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Manitowoc is a historic, family-friendly city of approximately 35,000 residents on the western shore of Lake Michigan, widely known as Wisconsin's Maritime Capital. It boasts a rich industrial history in shipbuilding, particularly submarines during WWII, and now features the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, sandy beaches, a bustling marina, the S.S. Badger ferry, and attractions like the Rahr-West Art Museum. Key Features and Highlights: Location: Situated on Lake Michigan, about 40 minutes from Green Bay and 90 minutes from Milwaukee. Maritime Heritage: Known for building 28 submarines during World War II, it hosts the largest maritime museum in the Midwest, where visitors can tour the USS Cobia submarine. Attractions: Rahr-West Art Museum: Located in a Victorian mansion, featuring works by Picasso and Warhol. Mariners Trail: A 13-mile scenic walking/biking trail along Lake Michigan. S.S. Badger Lake Michigan Car Ferry: Connects Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan. Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center: An interactive agricultural education center. Recreation: Features 36 parks, including swimming beaches (Noda and Red Arrow) and fishing opportunities. Lifestyle: A small-town atmosphere with a growing downtown, riverfront development (River Point District), and active farmer's markets. Economy: A mix of manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. Name Origin: The name "Manitowoc" is derived from the Algonquian language, likely meaning "abode of the Great Spirit"

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2026

Communications and Convening ▸

Engage with community garden groups and urge them to plant native milkweeds and nectar-producing plants.
Engage with city parks and recreation, public works, sustainability, and other relevant staff to identify opportunities to revise and maintain mowing programs and milkweed / native nectar plant planting programs.
Engage with gardening leaders and partners (e.g., Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Nature Centers, Native Plant Society Chapters , other long-standing and influential community leaders) to support monarch butterfly conservation.

Program and Demonstration Gardens ▸

Launch or maintain an outdoor education program(s) (e.g., at schools, after-school programs, community centers and groups) that builds awareness and creates habitat by engaging students, educators, and the community in planting native milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants (i.e., National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats program and Monarch Mission curriculum).

Systems Change ▸

Change weed or mowing ordinances to allow for native prairie and plant habitats.
Increase the percentage of native plants, shrubs and trees that must be used in city landscaping ordinances and encourage use of milkweed, where appropriate.
Launch, expand, or continue an effort to change municipal planting ordinances and practices to include more native milkweed and native nectar producing plants at city properties.
Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Mayor Justin Nickels	2026	4/28/2026		View Pledge

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Action Item Report