Costa Rica 2019: Charismatic Megafauna!

We are excited to offer an eco-travel expedition to explore the amazing biodiversity and unique cultural history of the Republic of Costa Rica! With the largest percentage of protected areas of any country and plans to become the first carbon-neutral country by 2021, the New Economics Foundation rated Costa Rica as the greenest country in the world. The wildlife in Costa Rica is also extraordinary - did you know that Costa Rica is home to as many as 225 mammals and 913 species of birds?

Speaking of wildlife, this is the Urban Ecology Center’s first time leading a trip to Costa Rica in the summer to take advantage of two magical wildlife spectacles:

First, we will be witness to the breeding grounds of Humpback Whales that spent the winter near Antarctica and are now returning to tropical waters to give birth to the calves that have been developing inside them all year.

Second, we will be present along the Caribbean Coast during the sea turtle nesting season as they return to their natal beaches to give birth. These are two natural events you will not want to miss!

And when we’re not looking for these two wonders, we’ll explore the amazing natural areas and biodiversity that bring visitors from around the world, while also looking into social and economic forces that contribute to some of the best examples of sustainability on a national level.

Reserve your spot today!

Can you spot the crocodile in this shot? Photo: Global Water Forum

When

August 1-12, 2019 (12 days, 11 nights)

Highlights

• Tortuguero National Park during turtle nesting season: a unique area where the primary avenues of exploring are the many naturally-formed canals through primary rainforest. This area was preserved primarily to protect sea turtles and jaguars.
• Tirimbina, an 850-acre, mid-elevation rainforest with a strong focus on environmental education.
• Visiting Arenal: volcano, hot springs, and a chocolate tour (what more could you want?!)
• Whale watching tour at Marino Ballena National Park
• Wilson Botanical Garden, to see one of the largest plant collections on the world
• Visiting the Paramo, the highest elevation tropical ecosystem

Itinerary

• Click here for a sample of our itinerary!

Arenal Volcano, where you'll relax in hot springs, enjoy a chocolate tour, and more!

Cost

The price for this 12-day trip is (all-inclusive except for airfare):

$3375 for single occupancy

$2,595 for double occupancy 

$1600 for children sharing a room with an adult

Click here to pay your deposit and reserve a spot

If you are interested in this trip, have questions, or would like more information, contact Tim Vargo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (414) 964-8505

The Urban Ecology Center Eco-travel program offers a unique way to explore local and international destinations while exploring issues around sustainability. Your participation supports the Urban Ecology Center’s mission.

Top photo by Carlos Roberto Chavarría

Your support helps the Urban Ecology Center’s Green Career Pipeline program develop urban leaders with the commitment and the capability to move our community towards a more sustainable future.

Our Green Career Pipeline program starts with school field trips and our Young Scientist Club after-school program, then leads to our High School Outdoor Leader program, which provides two years of job training and paid positions throughout the UEC. Afterwards, students can continue along the path with our paid summer intern programs.

This pathway prepares young people for future employment at organizations with an environmental focus, or even here at the UEC!

Your support allows the Urban Ecology Center’s Land Stewardship team to improve habitat on over 70 acres of urban land, vastly expanding opportunities for outdoor science and recreation.

The UEC is restoring ecosystems which support more wildlife and create healthy outdoor classrooms where urban children, families, and residents can learn about their natural environment. Here’s how!

At the Urban Ecology Center, we work towards making nutritious, healthy food accessible to everyone in our communities. Thanks to your support, our food programs have made a huge impact in helping hundreds of people in Milwaukee learn about and experience real, sustainable food. Here’s how!

You did it! Thank you for your tremendous support during our Fall Fund Drive. Your support means we’ll be able to continue providing hands-on environmental education to children and communities in Milwaukee while taking care of the land we all stand on. Thank you for supporting the UEC during our Fall Fund Drive, Giving Tuesday, and every day!

In our December 2017 Weekly Guide emails we introduced our supporters and friends to some people they helped connect to the outdoors. We think their stories are pretty awesome so we put them together in case you missed any of the updates. Experience the Urban Ecology Center through the videos below. You'll find a determined teen, a budding butterfly scientist, a Menomonee Valley family, and one of our monthly donors.

Thank you for your support! You are helping teach kids and adults the mysteries of nature, tranform acres of urban land into beautiful green spaces and provide healthy habitats for plants and animals. After all, we're all in this together!

Iceland’s scenery is breathtaking – the result of glacial and volcanic processes. The country has a unique social and political history and its location just below the Arctic Circle will likely result in large impacts from climate change over the coming years.

Goðafoss, the "waterfall of the gods," just one of the extraordinary stops on our Eco-travel trip to Iceland! Photo: Ævar Guðmundsson

The lava fields of Dimmuborgir make for an otherworldly landscape. Photo: Sander Hoogendoorn

When

August 23 – September 1, 2018 (10 days, 9 nights)

Highlights

• 3 hour whale watching cruise from Húsavík
• Climbing an extinct volcanic crater
• Waterfalls exploration including Hraunfossar, which drains from under vast lava fields into the river Hvítá, Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Gullfoss, a beautiful double waterfall and Goðafoss, "the waterfall of the gods"
• Visiting Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier
• Touring amazing geothermal sites including geysers, lava fields and hot springs.
• Boat ride among the floating icebergs on the glacial lagoon at Jökulsárlón.
• Discover thousands of years of Nordic history

Cost

$5975.00 plus airfare (double occupancy)

This trip is already filled! If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Tim Vargo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (414) 964-8505 

The glacier-fed Dettifoss, in Vatnajökull National Park, is reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe! Photo: Neil D'Cruze

The Urban Ecology Center Eco-travel program offers a unique way to explore local and international destinations while exploring issues around sustainability. Your participation supports the Urban Ecology Center’s mission.

HKE MKE registration is now open! Join us on Sunday, September 17th for the Urban Ecology Center’s 3rd annual HKE MKE. Enjoy a beautiful 2.5 mile family-friendly hike through the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum and along the Milwaukee River. Funds raised by participants help to preserve amazing urban natural areas and support the Center's mission of connecting people to nature.

Summer camp season is in full swing here at the Center, and our branches are echoing with the sounds of happy children having adventures! If you’re feeling a little jealous of all the fun our campers are having, then we have the perfect event for you – our Grown-Up Summer Camp, brought to you by our friends at New Belgium Brewing and hosted at our Riverside Park branch.