Step back in time with the Urban Ecology Center as we explore the coast of Maine aboard the Lewis R. French, a two-masted schooner built in 1871 that is the oldest schooner in the country!  We’ll meander through Penobscot Bay, exploring islands, viewing wildlife (seals, puffins, dolphins) and eating delicious food including an island lobster-bake! Participants will enjoy the quiet and solitude that comes with wind-powered transportation and they can help sail the boat and jump in the ocean.

New this year! We will also explore Monhegan Island, designated a National Natural Landmark for its coastal and island wildlife and we will partake in whale and puffin watching cruises. Reserve your spot today!

Sail aboard the Lewis R. French, the oldest schooner in the US! 

When: Sunday, May 31st through Sunday, June 7th: 2020

Where: The trip begins and ends in Rockport/Camden Maine.

Cost:  $1,973 Double occupancy. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for single occupancy options.

Included:

• 4 nights aboard the Lewis R. French, the oldest schooner in the United States and a National Historic Landmark – the only remaining schooner of thousands built in Maine in the 19th Century.
• 3 nights in the quaint and historic Rockport/Camden area
• All meals including an island lobster bake
• All local transportation and lodging, including a ferry to Monhegan Island
• Two charming Urban Ecology Center employees who will worry about all the details for you so you can enjoy the creature comforts of the trip!

Not Included: Airfare/transportation costs to Camden (although we will help arrange logistics).

Explore the Maine coastline! Photo: Dan Doornbos

A $500 mostly refundable deposit reserves a spot on the trip.

Reserve your spot today!

The Center's own Mike Larson had a chance at the wheel!

Belize 2020: Exploring a Tropical Paradise

Belize is a beautiful tropical country with diverse ecosystems and cultures. It is home to 600 bird species and a diverse array of mammals (including 5 cat species), reptiles and amphibians. In addition to tropical forests and savannas, Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world, home to more than 500 species of fish, 110 species of coral and a variety of sponges. We will explore a number of these ecosystems and enjoy Belize’s beautiful flora and fauna, all the while appreciating the relaxed culture and “go slow” atmosphere.

The official language of Belize is English, but other languages include Spanish, Kriol (Creole), Maya and Garifuna and you will probably hear all of these spoken during your trip. The people are friendly and welcoming and the government and people recognize that their country’s forests, wildlands and reefs are national treasures that need to be preserved. As a result, 44% of the country is designated as national parks or protected areas. Wildlife corridors throughout the country are designed to allow wide-ranging animals including large cats and the white-lipped peccary to travel safely from North to South. Belize is bordered by Mexico on the north, the Caribbean Sea on the east and by Guatemala on the south and west.

Space is limited so sign up soon for this unique and exotic trip!

Eco-travel Details

When:

February 8 - 17, 2020

Highlights: 

We will explore some of Belize’s diverse habitats including tropical forests, pine savannas, forested Mayan ruins, caves and tropical islands.

• An amazing Director’s Tour of the Belize Zoo where we will meet some of the animals and learn about the Zoo’s wildlife conservation and education programs,
• A trek through the jungles of the Runaway Creek Nature Reserve and exploration of caves that have signs of use by animals, the ancient Maya and runaway slaves,
• Bird walks to observe both resident and migratory birds,
• Cave tubing which will allow us to see the beauty of the cave systems,
• A tour of Caracol Mayan ruin which was once the most powerful city in the entire Maya world,
• A tour of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, a large area of pine forest in the foothills of the Maya Mountains,
• A tour of the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) or Barton Creek caves which will allow us to enter into and learn about the Xibalba (the underworld of the ancient Maya), and
• Relaxing on a lovely tropical island. Activities include “hammock testing” (“Hammock testing is an activity” here.) Hammocks and lounge chairs can be found on your porch, on the beach and scattered throughout the island.
• Other activities include snorkeling the beautiful Belizean barrier reef and kayaking.

We have hired local guides and will stay at locally owned guesthouses and resorts. We will dine at local lodges/restaurants and enjoy delicious homemade Belizean food during our stay. This will allow us to truly experience Belize and also contribute to the local economy. 

Itinerary: 

You can download a draft of our itinerary here!

Cost: 

The fee for this 10-day excursion is $4240 per person based on double occupancy and includes all lodging, meals, group transportation and tours. Price does not include airfare, alcoholic beverages, and travel insurance.

A $500 deposit secures your spot on this adventure.

Resources: 

Photo credits: 

Top photo of toucan – Kelley Hopwood

Photo in cave with kayaks – Belize Nature Travel

Photos in slideshow: Belize Nature Travel & Kelley Hopwood

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

Nothing prepared me for the first time I went to Alaska. Mountains everywhere, turquoise blue rivers, friendly people and yes, a seemingly unending expanse of wilderness that captured my heart and changed the way I viewed the world. It is a true pleasure to be able to share the best of Alaska with all of you. My friends from Premier Alaska Tours and the Denali Education Center, both Alaska owned and operated, will be our hosts for the eight-night, nine-day experience. Our visit will include some of my favorite adventures including a trip from Anchorage to Seward on the iconic Alaska Railroad, a boat tour into magical Kenai Fjords National Park and a bus ride all the way to Eielson Visitor Center deep into the wilderness of Denali National Park.

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.

Join the Urban Ecology Center for an Eco-travel adventure focused on exploring the sunset side of one of our greatest freshwater resources – Lake Michigan!

Sunset at Sable Lighthouse in Ludington State Park. Photo: Dan Chrenka

View the sunrise from the deck of the Lake Express ferry as we travel to Muskegon, Michigan to tour the diverse ecosystems, industries, and communities of the state's northwest Lower Peninsula before returning to Wisconsin aboard the National Historic Landmark ferry, the S.S. Badger.

Sights on our jounrey will include:

• The industrial port city of Muskegon
• Ludington State Park's renowned coastal ecosystems
• Huron-Manistee National Forest and the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly habitat
• The motor vehicle-free Main Streets and Gilded Age living of Mackinac Island
• The steep sandy slopes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Discover the surreal, wind-swept topography of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Photo: Bailiwick Studios

When: Saturday, August 19th through Friday, August 25th, 2017

Cost:  $1,800 per person ($2,325 for single occupancy room)

Includes:

• 7 day trip exploring the sunset side of Lake Michigan
• 3 ferries on Lake Michigan (technically one is also on Lake Huron)
• 6 nights of hotel accommodations (double occupancy)
• 7 days of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (or Per Diem allowance)
• Entrance fees to State Park, National Forest, National Lakeshore, and museums
• Urban Ecology Center transportation throughout
• Charming Urban Ecology Center guides who will worry about planning all the details—from guided excursions to getting you to historic Main Streets with time to explore on your own
• Support for the Urban Ecology Center’s mission

Does not include: Alcohol and optional activities, such as during free time to explore Ludington State Park and Mackinac Island (e.g., carriage rides, bike rentals, high tea, additional tours).

A $500 mostly refundable deposit reserves a spot on the trip.

To learn more or to sign up, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Visit the habitat of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) in Huron-Manistee National Forest.

Explore the preserved Victorian architecture of Mackinac Island. Photo: Brandon Bartoszek

Tour Michigan's oldest winery, the Grand Chateau Traverse during our visit to Traverse City.

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!

Explore the crater at Poás Volcano National Park!

When

This 12-day excursion is scheduled from Wednesday, February 1st through Sunday, February 12th, 2017.

About the Trip

Our adventure begins with a visit to Poás Volcano National Park, followed by an exploration of the Sarapaqui region with opportunities for either white-water rafting or a leisurely wildlife-watching boat tour. We will spend time pumping up the adrenaline with a zip-line tour and then relaxing in the hot springs near Arenal Volcano. We will make our own chocolate using traditional methods and then of course sample our creations during the Rainforest Chocolate Tour!

Get your heart racing ziplining through the rainforest canopy... (Photo Micah MacAllen)

...then relax in the volcanic hot springs. (Photo: Steve Jurvetson)

The trip also takes us to the beautiful cloud forests of Monteverde, rife with orchids, hummingbirds and home of the Resplendant Quetzal and Three-wattled Bellbird. Monteverde is also home to a strong Quaker community who moved there from Alabama after World War II. Uncomfortable supporting war efforts at home, they preferred a  country with no military. We will get an in-depth look at bats with one of Costa Rica’s premier bat biologists and visit the Children’s Eternal Rain Forest.

The cloud forests of Monteverde stand in contrast... (Photo: Micah MacAllen)

...to the Tropical Dry Forests of Guanacaste. (Photo: Leland Jackson)

Then we head to the beautiful and historic Tropical Dry Forests of Guanacaste, home of peccaries, Howler and Capuchin monkeys, iguanas and five species of big cats! Guanacaste also offers a chance  to swim under some of the most picturesque waterfalls in the world! 

The last few days of the trip will be spent as it should, relaxing on the gorgeous beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Wind down on the lush beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. (Photo: Arturo Sotillo)

We will travel with Carlos Chavarria, the Director of Costa Rica Rainforest Experience. Carlos has lived his whole life in Costa Rica, was the Executive Director of La Tirimbina Rainforest Center, and is an avid Packers fan. Carlos is very intentional in creating an itinerary that supports local businesses and sustainable industries.

Cost

The price for this 12-day trip is $2,555 for double occupancy ($3,325 single), and is all-inclusive except for airfare.

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.

I've just returned from spending 18 days in Alaska visiting a variety of destinations including Denali National Park and Preserve. I'm really excited to lead another Great Alaska Adventure from September 4 through the 13th, 2014. The Urban Ecology Center has put together a wonderful opportunity for friends of the Center to experience Alaska unlike any other tourist can. The reason I love going on this trip is one, autumn is the most beautiful time of the year, and two, I am able to show you some of my favorite spots in the world. I hope you can join us for this amazing trip of a lifetime.

Our Washington Park branch manager, Willie Karidis is leading an eco-travel trip to Alaska in September. Since he is there visiting friends right now he created this little video inviting you to come with him in September. Doesn't it look great?

It was the kind of adventure that inspired unbridled cheers as well as quite moments of awestruck reflection. A week-long trip in Alaska has that effect on people.

The Urban Ecology Center led its second Great Alaska Adventure this past September and this year we’re doing it again. The camaraderie displayed by our participants was truly inspiring and we looked forward to each day and savored moments wishing they would never end.