Nature Within Reach
for your next adventure
"I just want to thank you for having an evening hike, that my whole family enjoyed. Seeing the moon through the telescope was mind blowing for my seven year old as well as for me. Thank you for making special memories."
- Winter Solstice Walk Attendee
- Winter Solstice Walk Attendee
On this Page:
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Adventure starts close to home
Explore rivers, forests, prairies, and wildlife without leaving Milwaukee. Every visit is a chance to discover something new.
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Play in every season
Enjoy year-round programming, including snowshoeing in the winter, bird-watching in the spring, or survival challenges in the fall.
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Learning disguised as fun
You don't need to be an expert to get curious.Learn to identify dragonflies. Try out paddling. Discover the plants growing around you. Join a naturalist, researcher, or fellow curious Milwaukeean and leave knowing a little more than you did when you arrived.
Together in Nature
Little moments become lifelong memories
The best family adventures don't have to be far from home
- Paddle the Milwaukee River
- Hike through an urban forest
- Bike the Hank Aaron State Trail
- Catch butterflies
- Discover your neighborhood in a whole new way
"I found my roots here and feel so whole seeing my great grand daughters laugh and smile in my park."
- Shelby Connor, age 97
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Get outside all year long
There isn't a bad time to explore
- Paddle in summer
- Watch birds nesting in spring
- Build snow forts in winter
- Discover colorful leaves in fall
No matter the season, there's always something happening outside!
Explore upcoming family programsRight where you are
No need to travel far. Explore forests, rivers, hiking trails, and nature play spaces, all in the heart of Milwaukee. Pick one of our three locations:
Riverside Park - 3 minutes from downtown
Washington Park - 9 minutes from Mitchell Park Domes
Menomonee Valley - 5 minutes from American Family Field
Why Milwaukee families choose the Urban Ecology Center
- Three locations across Milwaukee
- Free and low-cost programs
- Activities for toddlers through teens
- Canoeing, hiking, crafts, birding, campfires, sledding & more
- Friendly educators who make learning fun
- Adventure Days for schools out
- Affordable and scholarship based summer camps
Don't take our word for it
What some of our past groups have to say
I found my roots here and feel so whole seeing my great grand daughters laugh and smile in my park." Four generations of their family come in to enjoy the Urban Ecology Center and park. The matriarch shared with me that she had volunteered and attended potlucks, her daughter then volunteered and published research of her work in the park, her daughter's daughter attended school field trips for years, and now she brought her daughter's daughter's daughters to play here for the first time.
Shelby Connor (age 97)
Shelby Connor (age 97)
After talking about the Canada wildfires in school, Maxwell - a budding 6 year old environmental activist - gave a presentation to his family.
“Right now, the Earth is sad and sick. But if we help out, it will eventually turn into a happy, healthy Earth again.”
Maxwell’s concern for the Earth inspired his mother, Jamie. This brought Jamie and Maxwell to the UEC seeking volunteer opportunities to do good together.
“Right now, the Earth is sad and sick. But if we help out, it will eventually turn into a happy, healthy Earth again.”
Maxwell’s concern for the Earth inspired his mother, Jamie. This brought Jamie and Maxwell to the UEC seeking volunteer opportunities to do good together.
My child was part of Outdoor Explorers Cub this winter. We knew signing up for this, we would be struggling with some separation anxiety. My child was really reserved at first then by last session they were fully engaged and part of the group! My child is experiencing a lot of challenges in the school setting, but being in nature and with other children is really therapeutic and my child appears to be really doing well. Your staff has been really excellent with how they communicate with parents and early childhood audiences.
