Brew City Birding Festival

Are you in your thirties? Do you like the idea of spotting a good bird? Join us for a casual birding meet up. If you're a pro or if you just turned 30 and got hit with a desire to point at a red tailed hawk flying overhead, this should be a darn good time.We'll wander about 1 or so miles. All experience levels welcome. Free, drop-in event.

Guided by UEC staff, this tour takes you through the marsh’s most scenic and wildlife-rich areas, where every turn offers a chance for discovery.
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You’ll learn about the marsh’s rich natural and human history, from prehistoric use to its role as a vital stopover for migrating birds today.

Bring your binoculars and your curiosity; dozens of bird species can be spotted along the way. Keep an eye out for warblers, waterfowl, and shorebirds. With some luck, you might glimpse a Whooping Crane, Sora, Yellow-Headed Blackbird, Bobolink, Meadowlark, or the rare Glossy Ibis! Each sighting is a moment of wonder, perfect for photography or simply soaking in the beauty of the wild.

Get exercise, enjoy fresh air and let's see how many birds we can find in one morning! Spring migration is the BEST! Binoculars available to borrow. Registration required.

Perfect for beginners, families, or anyone looking to connect with nature in a new way, this guided paddling tour takes you along the scenic Washington Park Lagoon to spot local birds up close.
Families will be seated together in canoes, while individuals can choose a kayak or canoe (canoe partners may be paired). We provide the boats, paddles, life jackets, and binoculars—just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!

Get exercise, enjoy fresh air and let's see how many birds we can find in one morning! Spring migration is the BEST! Binoculars available to borrow. Registration required.

Join Dr. Medhavi Ambardar, Chief Scientist at the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory, to learn about how to support birds through native habitat and other actions. She will discuss some of the birds you might attract to your yard throughout the year, and will share preliminary findings from the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory's research on cavity-nesting bird reproductive success and vegetation characteristics.

$5 per person suggested donation at the door accepted - all donations will be split between the Urban Ecology Center and the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory.

Get exercise, enjoy fresh air and let's see how many birds we can find in one morning! Spring migration is the BEST! Binoculars available to borrow. Registration required.

Calling all intermediate kayakers! Glide along the scenic Menomonee River at Three Bridges Park on a guided bird-watching tour via water! Feel the gentle current beneath your paddle as you scan the riverbanks for herons, kingfishers, and other feathered friends.

We’ll provide the kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and binoculars—you just bring your curiosity and love of the outdoors!

Through Boswell Books Author Talk series, Urban Ecology Center welcomes James H. McCommons. Author of "The Feather Wars: And the Great Crusade to Save America's Birds". James H. McCommons is a professor emeritus at Northern Michigan University and a veteran journalist; specializing in ecology along with environmental and travel topics.

Join us for readings from the author and a book signing to follow!

Pack up the family and join us for a springtime Birding Adventure on the Ice Age Trail at Lapham Peak!

Guided by friendly educators from the Urban Ecology Center and the Ice Age Trail Alliance, families will explore the trail together, binoculars in hand, as we search for colorful spring birds and listen closely for their songs along the way.

This gentle hike will cover about 2 miles, with plenty of pauses to look, listen, and wonder.