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.

What do you hope people leave with after engaging with your work? I like being a part of the whole UEC experience. For me it’s so much about seeing something for the first time as well as seeing something familiar but in a different way. I hope people come away with a shared awareness of my studio efforts and UEC’s mission. 

Interning at the Urban Ecology Center has been nothing short of amazing. Working with other team members who have the same goal has been a refreshing breath of fresh air. Not to mention all the actual fresh air I enjoyed as I worked outside all summer!

Is that tree ok? It looks like its bark is falling off. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is a native deciduous tree found across the eastern half of the United States. This species is characterized by its “shaggy” bark, which peels away from the trunk in curving plates. Despite its unusual looks, shagbarks are great eco-neighbors.

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is a shrub or small tree native to much of the northern US and Canada. In Wisconsin’s forests, the chokecherry is a keystone species, supporting a whopping 340 caterpillar species. It's a choice host plant for butterflies like the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, as well as for large, showy moth species, like the Cecropia and Polyphemus moths. The shrubby, shorter structure of the chokecherry creates ideal hiding places for birds and other animals. This tree’s berries are also consumed by birds, insects, and mammals, including humans.

The Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is a native Wisconsin tree that generates a lot of conversation. It’s a fast-growing deciduous tree, and at maturity, it is large, spreading, and impressive, sometimes reaching 150 ft tall. However, many people, especially in urban settings, shy away from planting cottonwoods because of their proliferate seeding in the early summer. They produce catkins that release thousands of puffy white seeds into the air.

We are thrilled to introduce you to Urban Ecology Center’s enthusiastic 2024 Summer Interns and Seasonal Staff members! Be sure to visit our branches to meet and get to know these new folks who are ready to help you have your best UEC experience.