Camper Noah Hammouri caught his first fish ever at Fishing Camp. Trivial... or not! When Noah reeled in his first fish on the first day of camp, he shouted my name and ran for joy toward me for a double high five as if he had just won the NBA finals. I had hardly known him for a few hours, and until that moment, he had been on the quiet side. I celebrated his success with equal or even higher enthusiasm as if he was my younger sibling. Monday, 06 March 2023 ..read more

It is with great pride and genuine excitement for the Urban Ecology Center (UEC), that I announce a very positive leadership transition at the Urban Ecology Center. In June, I will be stepping down from the Executive Director position and the organization will welcome new leadership. This is a change I have been working on with the UEC Board and staff for the past several years and I am happy to share that Jen Hense will become the UEC’s next Executive Director.  Wednesday, 22 March 2023 ..read more

This spring the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) will be conducting prescribed burns at our Menomonee Valley, Riverside Park, and Washington Park locations. The burn will occur in partnership with The Prairie Enthusiasts and UEC Land Stewardship staff.  The natural areas proposed for burning have become dependent on prescribed fires in order to survive and prosper. These prairie and woodland ecosystems need fire in order to return necessary nutrients to the soil, combat invasive species, and remove dead, built-up organic matter. Ideally, lands are burned on a consistent schedule. Land Stewards ..read more

We are so fortunate to have had Kim Forbeck as the Manager of Land Stewardship for 22 years! Today she is officially retiring and we wish her the very best on her new adventures. Kim has guided our Land Stewardship department as a tireless advocate for green spaces in Milwaukee. Due to her leadership, the UEC has provided a variety of ecologically diverse and resilient spaces for all to enjoy. The biodiversity and access to three distinct public greenspaces within the city of Milwaukee have been genuinely transformed, including two conversions from brownfield rubble, the enhancement of a degra ..read more

When her son’s Boy Scouts troop announced that they’d be hosting a camping trip at the Milwaukee County Zoo in early June of this year, Riverwest resident Tanya Wiedenhoeft took some time to warm up to the idea. After all, it felt like it had taken her days to thaw out after her last camping trip a couple of decades earlier. She went with a friend from college, and “we had no gear,” she recalled. “It was so cold. I thought, ‘Oh my god, I never want to do this again.’” Tuesday, 13 September 2022 ..read more

Traditionally, one of the most popular days of charitable giving, Giving Tuesday falls after Black Friday and Cyber-Monday. Giving First Day flips that script. Before the hustle and bustle of the traditional shopping weekend, we invite you to reflect on the needs of our community and invest in shared values. In 2021, a collaboration of over 40 non-profits was formed in Milwaukee, WI.  This idea, originally set into motion by the Urban Ecology Center, started in part with a need for more collaboration between area nonprofits. By working together, we have the opportunity to strengthen the c ..read more

Cameron Flynn is a Photographer, Videographer, and Editor. He recently started volunteering with the Urban Ecology Center taking beautiful video footage of the parks we manage! Read on to learn about his journey and connection to nature and also learn how to volunteer at the UEC! Thursday, 20 October 2022 ..read more

Since the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) Washington Park branch opened in 2007, we have had the privilege to work in partnership with Milwaukee County Parks, Washington Park Partners, Washington Park Senior Center patrons, our neighborhood schools, numerous student and corporate volunteer groups, community neighbors, and a variety of workforce development partners to help care for and activate Washington Park. Wednesday, 02 November 2022 ..read more

What do you want to be when you grow up? In high school this question quickly becomes a daunting task to figure out. Luckily for Milwaukee students, the Urban Ecology Center is on a mission to keep this question full of hope and wonder.  The Urban Ecology Center High School Outdoor Leadership program is a unique paid internship that helps teens build a wide range of skills including leadership, studies of ecology, environmental justice, and job-readiness. After completing an 8-week summer internship, high school students have the opportunity to apply for an academic year position (Se ..read more

“I guess I don't have a real understanding of how helpful $100 is - I think your budget is much bigger.” An Urban Ecology Center supporter recently expressed worry that his gifts weren't impactful. His concern stemmed from the realization that there are those who give significantly more to the UEC than he does.  A gift is not meaningful because of its size - a gift is meaningful simply because it was given. Every single gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Here’s why: Thursday, 01 December 2022 ..read more