Join us outdoors this spring! The Urban Ecology Center is excited to offer a variety of outdoor springtime activities. Check out our programs below. 

Biking

Biking the Hank Aaron State Trail

Welcome warmer weather with a bike ride along the Hank Aaron State Trail. Learn about the history of the trail and its role in Three Bridges Park. For intermediate to experienced riders.

For adults and accompanied children

Program Cost: $28 | Member Discount: $20 | Price Break: $14

Sat. May 4 | 10 a.m. to noon | Menomonee Valley | Register

Climbing

Climbing for Beginners

Breathe the fresh air while learning how to climb our three story open-air rock wall. All equipment is provided and trained belayers are on hand to assist.

For adults and accompanied children

Program Cost: $28 | Member Discount: $20 | Price Break: $14

Sun. May 12 | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Riverside Park | Register

Sun. May 19 | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Riverside Park | Register

Sun. May 26 | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Riverside Park | Register

Canoeing

Canoeing for Beginners

The Washington Park Lagoon is a beautiful, calm and spacious body of water – a great place to learn the basics of paddling! Learn how to choose the right equipment, boating safety and paddling technique, then practice with guidance from one of our trained educators. Perfect for those who are new to paddling or just want some more practice.

For adults and accompanied children

Program Cost: $28 | Member Discount: $20 | Price Break: $14

Wed. May 15 | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Washington Park | Register

Coffee & Canoe

What better way to enjoy your Sunday morning than to sip on coffee and canoe down the Milwaukee River? Meet us at the Rowing Club (1990 N. Commerce Street) and we’ll have morning beverages and treats to get you fueled up. See you on the river!

For adults and teens

Program Cost: $36 | Member Discount: $25 | Price Break: $17

Sun. May 12 | 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Register

Sun. May 26 | 9:00 - 11:30 p.m. | Register

Full Moon Canoe

Paddle down the Milwaukee River with UWM’s Planetarium Director, Jean Creighton. While enjoying the full moon above you’ll learn about our nearest celestial neighbor, other exotic moons in the solar system, and more intriguing objects scattered through space from an expert astronomer. Meet at the Milwaukee Rowing Club Boathouse (1990 N Commerce St.).

For adults and teens

Program Cost: $40 | Member Discount: $30 | Price Break: $20

Fri. May 17 | 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. | Register

Sat. May 18 | 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. | Register

 Remember, you can always create your own adventure this spring by borrowing our outdoor equipment! Become a UEC member for free access to canoes, kayaks, camping gear, and so much more.

My first month as an Urban Ecology Center intern is in the books, and while I already feel totally at home here, I still have a lot to learn about the everyday happenings at the Center.

Last week there was a brief lull in activity for myself and the other interns; our official training sessions had ended, and most of the interns were working on refining their lesson plans for the coming Summer Camps they would be assisting with. I used the quiet week to explore some of the activities that happen at the Center every day, all year long.

Acrophobia. That’s the Latin name for a fear of heights – but forget that for a second. Instead, let me introduce you to Abstentisfelixtriumphusphobia. Admittedly a word made up without any knowledge of Latin, but if you’ll allow it: “A fear of missing out on a really fun time and/or the opportunity to feel triumphant.” Or how about Ascendopetropariesiphilia, an “irrepressible love of climbing rock walls?” Well, with the opening of the rock wall for our 2014 climbing season, we’ve got a cure for all these conditions!

Along the East Side of Milwaukee’s Oak Leaf Trail, some 40 feet in the air, stories are being made. Stories of fear overcome, of goals achieved, and of limitations shattered. I’m not talking about some sort of theater of the birds; the protagonists of these stories are the victorious rock climbers on the Urban Ecology Center’s very own rock climbing wall! And now you can add your own story to the rock wall’s vaunted history for a greatly discounted rate. The Urban Ecology Center is now selling rock climbing passes that essentially allow you 5 climbs for the price of 4! The details of the climbing pass are below, but first a word about our wall.