Contact Us

Riverside Park

1500 E. Park Pl
Milwaukee, WI 53211

(414) 964-8505

Tues - Thurs: Noon - 6pm
Fri: Noon - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 3pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

Washington Park

1859 N 40 St
Milwaukee, WI 53208

(414) 344-5460

Washington Park branch will be closed until February 1, 2025.

Join us on Saturday, February 1, 2025 to celebrate the Grand Reopening of the Urban Ecology Center's Washington Park Branch and enjoy the activities of our Winterfest Community Celebration all in one day!

Programming will still take place in mid-January, but we will not have public hours until February.

Menomonee Valley

3700 W Pierce St
Milwaukee, WI 53215

(414) 431-2940

Tues - Thurs: Noon - 6pm
Fri: Noon - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 3pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

All Three Branches

Urban Ecology Center Staff

The UEC's staff is a creative mix of educational backgrounds and work experience.

Staff Directory

Latest from our Blog

Rooted In Community

By
Olivia
Polony
on
December 11, 2024
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.

Healing Steps: Finding Peace in Caminatas

By
Olivia
Polony
on
December 11, 2024
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).

Give First, Grow Milwaukee’s Future

By
Olivia
Polony
on
November 22, 2024
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.

Returning Home: A Sturgeon Release Story

By
Olivia
Polony
on
September 17, 2024
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.

Artist Highlight: Richard Knight

By
Urban Ecology
Center
on
September 10, 2024
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. 
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