Visiting Milwaukee?
Looking for a day outdoors?
Visit the Urban Ecology Center!
From an award-winning green building to two beautiful urban natural areas and watersheds there is much to do when visiting one of our Urban Ecology Center locations. Be sure to include a visit here when you plan a day trip to the city.
The Urban Ecology Center has two community centers adjacent to Milwaukee County parks (or, as we like to call them “outdoor classrooms”). These centers are a great place to begin your exploration of the parks. Borrow our field guides and take a nature walk in the woods beside the Milwaukee River or the Washington Park lagoon. Since these are public parks there is no fee.
On Milwaukee's east side:
If you're visiting downtown, you'll want to head a bit north and visit us in our Riverside Park location. Here you'll find our 20,000-sq.-ft. “teaching green” main building. Dedicated in September 2004, the building has won national awards for its use of recycled or renewable materials. Throughout the site you can learn about green options that you can incorporate into your own home and lifestyle. Click here for more information about our building.
But don't stop there, grab a map and head outside to our 15-acre natural area along the Milwaukee River. The area is a busy migratory route for birds so borrow our binoculars and look up!
On Milwaukee's west side:
Host to a large lagoon and natural area, Washington Park is a beautiful place to get outdoors. Visit our Center to find guided and self-led activities for families and kids. Borrow our fishing poles or ice skates. Watch for heron and other water fowl. Pick up a tree id guide from our Center and explore Washington Park!
Both Center's are home to native fish, frogs, toads and turtles that you can help feed on Saturdays at 1 p.m.
