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Spend your afternoon immersed in nature, connection, and hands‑on learning at the Urban Ecology Center’s (UEC) Riverside Park location. The experience begins with an introduction to the UEC and its mission, followed by a service project getting your hands dirty in the community garden.
Start: Introductory Urban Ecology Center Tour (2:00 - 2:45 PM)Kick off the afternoon with a guided tour of the Urban Ecology Center. Learn how the UEC came to be and how its spaces are used by the community today. Participants will explore the Riverside Park branch from an insider perspective, discovering ecological design features, the four‑story viewing tower, and the many ways this space supports education, stewardship, and community connection.
🐌 Community Garden Bed Service Project (2:45-3:45 PM)Get your hands in the dirt and make a tangible impact in Riverside Park’s Community Garden. Volunteers will help prepare and expand more than 3,000 square feet of garden beds for the upcoming growing season. Activities may include pulling weeds, moving logs, adding nutrient‑rich soil, and repurposing natural materials. This hands‑on service project supports fresh food access, community connection, and long‑term sustainability.
UEC provides all tools, work gloves, staff guidance, and project coordination. 🔥 Closing Experience for All: Campfire & S’mores (3:45 - 4:30 PM)All afternoon experiences come together at the campfire for a shared closing gathering around the fire in one of Milwaukee’s favorite outdoor spaces. Connect with fellow participants, reflect on the afternoon, and enjoy simple snacks or gooey s’mores before heading into the evening program. This relaxed, welcoming campfire offers a warm and memorable close to the afternoon and an easy transition into your conference experience.
Key Info for Attendees:- Tour Location: Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park, 1500 E Park Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53211
- Timing: Official tour start time at UEC is 2:00pm. Meet at Hyatt Regency lobby at 1:30pm to depart by 1:45pm. Look for an individual holding a sign for the Urban Ecology Center. The excursion will end by 4:30pm.
- Waivers: The Urban Ecology Center requires a general liability waiver to be completed in advance. We’ll have those printed and ready for you at the meeting spot at Hyatt Regency. There will also be copies for when you arrive.
- Transportation: A Lyft code (UECCR26) is available for confirmed attendees. To help us make the most of these shared resources, we kindly encourage coordinating rides to and from the Hyatt with fellow attendees whenever possible.
- Dress code: Casual with layers, comfortable and sturdy walking shoes, and a hat/sunglasses.
- Accessibility: The surfaces we'll be traversing during experiences include: pavement, woodchipped trails, dirt trails, with hazards like uneven surfaces, tree roots, and possible branches to navigate around. There will be some inclines along the trail systems as well.
- What to Bring: Refillable water bottle