Urban Ecology Center

Explore the wonders of the outdoors with our Early Learners Programs, PEEP (Preschool Environmental Education Project)! Perfect for little adventurers to connect with nature through hands-on fun, discovery, and joy. 🌳🦋

Community Kudos 🧡 ✨ Meet the Caminatas group: In every season, rain or shine, these four women make time for their “Caminatas” - Spanish for walks. “I feel very calm and relaxed when I come here for our walks,” shares Aurora. “I am comfortable because I have the freedom to speak and be listened to without judgment.” Read more about their inspiring story in the blog below: https://lnkd.in/gZHt5W-q

Community Kudos 🌳 🎉 Meet José, who has become a vital part of the UEC community, particularly through the ROOT (Restoring Our Outdoors Together) volunteer program, where he dedicates time to plant trees, restore green spaces, and support Milwaukee’s local habitat. “I love my trees,” he says passionately, noting how much he enjoys learning to care for them through each season. Read more about José's story in the blog below! https://lnkd.in/gQ9DtYfC

Meet Regina Miller, our Environmental Educator. 💚 Regina enjoys gardening, and freshwater aquarium keeping. 🌼 🐟 We sat down with Regina for an inside scoop! 🌿 Can you share a memorable experience in nature that influenced your environmental values? I was lucky enough to grow up in an area where I could be outside a lot as a kid. I spent many hours exploring natural areas with my parents, siblings and friends. During that exploring time I developed a love for the natural world and this led to a desire to protect and preserve it. As an adult I became interested in teaching children about nature and I now have the opportunity to help them develop their own relationship with and love for the natural world. 🌿 What do you love most about Milwaukee’s urban green spaces? I love the quality and number of urban green spaces in Milwaukee. We have many beautiful, diverse parks and green spaces here giving people access to nature throughout the city. I enjoy spending time in Milwaukee’s urban green spaces when I am not working and I find them to be places that rejuvenate and refresh me.

Hear Ramsey Renno, owner of Two Birds, and Jen (Feltz) Hense, Executive Director of the Urban Ecology Center, talk about our newfound partnership and eco-conscious event space - Prairie Springs on Park. 🌿 Thank you to The Morning Blend for hosting us! https://lnkd.in/gryyYc2U

🌍✨ Happy Wildlife Conservation Day: Protecting Nature, Right Here in Milwaukee ✨🌿 Did you know that the parks we manage—Washington Park, Riverside Park, and Three Bridges Park—are home to countless species of native wildlife? 🦉🦇 From fluttering monarch butterflies to shy painted turtles, these green spaces are thriving ecosystems in the heart of our city. Wildlife conservation isn’t just something that happens far away—it’s happening right here in Milwaukee, every single day. Thanks to your support, we’re able to restore habitats, protect native species, and educate future stewards of our natural world. 🌾🐾 Whether it’s through volunteering, visiting the parks, or simply appreciating the wildlife around you, you’re part of the movement to keep nature alive in our urban spaces. 💚

Learn about bird banding from our very own Amanda Tokuyama, the UEC's GIS & Field Data Manager! 🦆 🐦 https://lnkd.in/gTiCkzWP

At the Urban Ecology Center, we’ve seen how the smallest first steps can lead to transformative change. Ready to be inspired? Read our latest blog for a couple of stories that show the importance of firsts in nature. https://lnkd.in/guK-FDRX

At the Urban Ecology Center, our work is centered on our values of Caring for Nature, Nurturing Communities of Belonging, Practicing Kindness, Seeking Knowledge and Inspiring Learning, and Finding Fun and Sharing It—not just for our community, but for our staff too. This year, to provide our team the opportunity to fully live into these values in a way that is meaningful to them, we’ll be enjoying “Thankswellness Week”. We will take a collective deep breath from Sunday, November 24 through Sunday, December 1. We will set down our work, close our buildings, and take time to recharge, reflect, and enjoy the simple joys of nature. We’re excited to return re-energized and ready to continue our mission of connecting people in cities to nature and each other. Thank you for your understanding and support—we’ll see you soon! 💚

Giving First is a movement where nonprofits like the Urban Ecology Center encourage you to put philanthropy before the holiday rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. By Giving First to the UEC, you're growing Milwaukee's future, ensuring kids and nature come first. This year, your gift goes even further! Thanks to PNC, all donations made by midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 26th, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $15,000! By Giving First, you’re planting the seeds for a brighter future — cultivating a lifelong love for nature and fostering confidence in exploration. Your generosity today will inspire a lasting commitment to protecting our natural world for generations to come! https://lnkd.in/gtpa6bHY