The Urban Ecology Center hosted our 7^th annual HKE MKE from September 25 through October 2, 2021! Hikers had over 30 hikes to choose from including a sunrise hike in the Menomonee Valley, a history hike in Washington Park and a hike and watercolor painting session in Riverside Park.

Through the combined efforts of all of our hikers and some generous matching donors, over $57,000 was raised! We are humbled by the generosity of our participants, and by the generosity of their friends and family. HKE MKE raised important funds to support the Urban Ecology Center's mission to connect people in cities to nature and each other.

Young children don’t grow up knowing inequities, they just know the world they see around them. One child may wake up to littered streets, a concrete playground, perhaps a few trees in the median. Another child may wake up on what appears nearly to be a different planet. A lawn and garden outside their door, a playground full of trees and squirrels, and access to safe green spaces just around the corner. Each child is unknowingly receiving messages from the environment about the value of beauty, the value of nature, and even self-worth. These two contrasting worlds exist in some cases less than half a mile apart! 

The thought of hiking 100 miles through the northern Maine wilderness was just an idea thrown around between my dad (Alan) and I (Erin) until one day at the end of 2016, we decided to book flights and make it happen. After months of training, it was finally time to get on a plane and go to Monson, Maine. We started our hike on Mt. Katahdin, the northern most point of the Appalachian Trail. Everything we would need for the next 11 days was on our backs and once we entered the 100 Mile Wilderness, there was no access to civilization until we reached the other side.

Here in Milwaukee we're lucky to enjoy a vast network of bike trails and routes throughout the city and beyond. Hitting 4 the Cycle is a bike ride hosted by the Brewers Community Foundation, and will take advantage of these routes while raising funds for four local non-profit organizations, including the Urban Ecology Center!

We are so grateful to all of our supporters who attended the Urban Ecology Center's 8th annual Summer Solstice Soiree last Saturday. The Riverside Park branch came to life as guests gathered to celebrate nature in an urban setting. We want to thank all of our guests, sponsors, board of directors, and friends who came to support our mission!