Where nature is within
reach.

The rebuild of the Urban Ecology Center’s Washington Park location officially began in the fall of 2023. And it reached it's cumulation January of 2025. Here's the story of UEC 's Washington Park branch remodel and re-opening!.

When José first came to the Urban Ecology Center, he was planting a tree in Riverside Park. Since that day, José 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 habitats. Over the past year, José has planted more than 100 trees and nearly 500 plants, all while gaining new skills in environmental stewardship.

Imagine waking up early, before the day’s busyness begins, filled with excitement to meet your friends for a morning walk. For Lupita, Irene, Aurora, and Olivia, this is a weekly tradition they cherish at the Menomonee Valley branch of the Urban Ecology Center (UEC). Imagina despertarte temprano, antes de que comience el ajetreo del día, lleno de emoción por reunirte con tus amigas para una caminata matutina. Para Lupita, Irene, Aurora y Olivia, esta es una tradición semanal que atesoran en la sucursal de Menomonee Valley del Urban Ecology Center (UEC).

Christmas music is filling the store aisles, and the unmistakable scents of peppermint and clove are everywhere. The first snowfall of the season clings to the windows of a Colectivo coffee house as I sit here typing this. Winter has officially arrived in Milwaukee.

If I’m being honest, I couldn’t even visualize a sturgeon in my head prior to working at the Urban Ecology Center. So, when a coworker mentioned there’d be a sturgeon release at UW-Milwaukee’s Great Lakes Research Facility, I jumped at the chance. It sounded intriguing—plus, I’d never heard of a fish release before. Which got me thinking: What exactly do sturgeons do? What is their backstory? And why do they need releasing in the first place? I quickly realized I didn’t have the faintest idea.