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.

They say that you don’t know the true value of what you have until it’s gone. I grew up in Milwaukee, and while I spent lots of time in the parks, I never fully appreciated the uniqueness of our city’s urban natural spaces. Now, as I begin my summer working with the Urban Ecology Center, I'm excited to explore these recently rediscovered hidden outdoor gems!