Urban Ecology Center

We wanted to give a huge shoutout to our sponsors for the 10th Annual HKE MKE presented by Rotary Club of Milwaukee 🎉 💚 Eaton, Empower Credit Union, CG Schmidt, and Quad

Nature truly makes the best classroom 🌿 💚

Meet Jeff McAvoy, our Vice President of Marketing and Communications. 💚 Jeff loves all things creative, and finding ways to improves systems and processes. 🧠 🖥️ We sat down with Jeff for an inside scoop! 🌿Who has influenced you most in your life? Jeff: Probably my wife, Jill. She's the so smart, hilarious, and kind. An amazing partner! I'd also say that my colleagues at UEC have influenced me a lot over the 15 years I've worked here. They're always learning, sharing knowledge, having fun and making a difference in the lives of the kids and communities they work with. It's pretty inspiring! 🌿What’s a hobby or passion you have outside of your work at UEC? Jeff: I really love spending time with my son, Everett. And, when I have the time, I enjoy making games and interactive animations. When I get to make them for Everett, that's the best!

Meet Olivia Raasch, our Green Career Pathways Manager. 💚 Olivia coaches competitive cheerleading in her free time and loves anything Beyoncé! 📣 🎤 We sat down with Olivia to learn more about what makes her an Eco - Enthusiast! 🌿 Do you have a place in nature where you go to feel grounded? Where is it and why is it special to you? Olivia: Harrington State Park! The beach in particular has always been a space where I feel most calm. It’s like I’m transported far away even though we are only about 30 minutes from the city. This is a special magical place in nature I love to share with my mom and brother. 🌿 What’s your favorite childhood memory in nature? Olivia: When I was in high school, I worked in the UEC, Outdoor Leader internship at Riverside Park. My first task on Thursday nights was to walk out into the park and flip these black mats that had earth worms under it to collect for our animal feedings. I would get to see the park look different as the fall colors changed and even would have small mindfulness moments while in the park. I remember feeling like I had the coolest job ever.

🌊 Returning Home: The Story of a Sturgeon Release 🌊 Have you ever witnessed the release of a species that has been around for millions of years? At the Urban Ecology Center, we had the privilege of helping guide a sturgeon back home to its natural habitat. Our latest blog shares the beauty of this moment and highlights the conservation efforts working to protect Wisconsin’s ancient sturgeon population. 📖 Dive into the full story: https://lnkd.in/gy6pVMQH

🌟 Celebrating Our Amazing Team! 🌟 At the Urban Ecology Center, we take pride in living out our core values every single day. Every few months we nominate team members who embody these principles in their work. At our annual staff retreat last week, we recognized our teammates for reminding us of the impact we can have when we live our values. 🏅💚 We are so proud of their dedication and commitment to making the world a better place—for people and for nature. Please join us in congratulating them! 👏 Urban Ecology Center Values: ✨ Practice Kindness – Leading with care, openness, and warmth in every interaction. 🌍 Nurture Communities of Belonging – Working with our communities to ensure our programs are inclusive and accessible to all. 🌱 Care for Nature – Honoring the history of the land and prioritizing ecological stewardship. 📚 Seek Knowledge & Inspire Learning – Constantly learning and sharing our knowledge with others. 🎉 Find Fun & Share It – Bringing joy, playfulness, and passion to all we do!

Applications are open for our High School Outdoor Leaders! 📣 Know any high school students who are looking for a great job opportunity? We are excited to offer a fun, experiential learning, paid work opportunity for high school students through our Green Career Pathway. During this 7 month internship (October - May) the Outdoor Leaders will gain knowledge and experience in professional and leadership skills, ecological and environmental justice understanding, all while engaging with the community and other youth. Learn more and apply through the link below: https://lnkd.in/gq42ueKY

We are so proud of each and every one of our 19 stellar interns this summer. 💚From running around with kiddos at summer camp, to venturing around the Grand Tetons, this year had no shortage of fun. But enough of what we think, let's hear from them: "I found a rekindled sense of community and passion for a shared goal that aligns with the type of impact I want to have in a career." "I see different ways to help the planet and how I should not be wary as a woman in this field. I see restoration ecology as a meaningful choice for employment and hope to look for something related to this field after I graduate next spring." "Even knowing there is a million things I don't know, I feel confident I can learn on the job quickly and adapt when needed." "I am now more focused on a career in environmental education and I am thrilled to have had this experience as I felt very lost at the beginning of the summer, with my goals and next life steps."

Learn something fun and new! 🤔 🦊 Over 8 classes, we will learn about mammal evolution, structure, function, diversity, ecology, behavior, and conservation. Course participants will also gain hands-on experience identifying mammals via track and sign and in field methods used for surveying and researching mammals. 🧠 By the end of this course, participants should be able to: ~Identify mammals living in WI. and describe their ecology, behavior, and habitat requirements ~Summarize key characteristics of mammals ~Describe current research techniques used to study mammals ~Understand conservation issues mammals face Snag your spot through the link below: https://lnkd.in/g_czeQrX

🌿 We cherish our green and wild spaces here in Milwaukee, so we understand the profound impact that access to national parks, lands, and waters can have on children. Parks aren't just places of beauty; they are classrooms that inspire curiosity, stewardship, and a lifelong connection to nature. By ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore these incredible landscapes, we are investing in the future of our environment and our communities. 🌍 Support the movement. Together, we can foster the next generation of environmental leaders. 🌲 🔗 Join the cause and share your support through the link below! #GetOutdoors #SupportOurParks #Milwaukee #EnvironmentalEducation #FutureLeaders https://lnkd.in/eYxxBK-U.