Camper Noah Hammouri caught his first fish ever at Fishing Camp. Trivial... or not!

So, you’re deciding which season is best for your wedding and I’m here to advocate for Winter.

A crucial time of year for nonprofit organizations, including the Urban Ecology Center

When I began working at the Urban Ecology Center this summer, I knew spending time in nature made me happy. What I did not expect was how energized I felt after my morning commute through the Oak Leaf Trail, or the sustained focus I had after taking my lunch break outdoors. Was it just in my head, or was this time in nature improving my mental health?

10 years ago during Doors Open Milwaukee, my five kids and I happened upon this unusual place in the Silver City District’s Menomonee Valley and were a bit confused by what we found. While we thought the building was beautiful and the people kind, we didn’t quite understand how it all worked.

When Cai applied to the Urban Ecology Center’s (UEC’s) Outdoor Leader Program, she didn’t expect it to change her entire perspective. She reflected: “I didn’t feel like myself alone could make a difference. It just felt really big, too big to pursue on my own.”

Our highlighted native plant is Prairie Alumroot, Heuchera richardsonii. Prairie Alumroot is a low growing plant which forms a one foot tall mound-like rosette of evergreen leaves.

After talking about the Canada wildfires in school, Maxwell - a budding 6 year old environmental activist - gave a presentation to his family. His grandma, grandpa, mom, dad and brother listened as Maxwell shared, “Right now, the Earth is sad and sick. But if we help out, it will eventually turn into a happy, healthy Earth again.”

Have you ever found yourself engaging in wishcycling? Wishcycling occurs when we toss an item into the recycling bin, hoping it will magically be recycled, even without proper confirmation of its recyclability.

I had the pleasure of joining the Galápagos and Mindo Ecuador Eco-Travel trip through the Urban Ecology Center in April of 2023. For me personally, it was a trip of a lifetime. For me professionally, it was a profound experience filled with fascinating natural wonders.