Urban Ecology Center 7th Annual HKE MKE Returns with a Week Full of Events

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Urban Ecology Center is kicking off their seventh annual HKE MKE week, a family-friendly, fundraising effort to support the Urban Ecology Center’s mission of connecting people to nature, from Sunday, September 25 through Saturday, October 2, presented by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

Scheduled hikes are happening at each of the Urban Ecology Center’s branches: Riverside Park, Washington Park and Menomonee Valley, but have limited capacities to keep group sizes small and COVID safe. Masks and physical distancing will be encouraged on all hikes. Participants are encouraged to learn more and sign up at urbanecologycenter.org/hkemke before the available hikes sell out.

“We’re ready for the best year of HKE MKE yet,” said Ken Leinbach, Executive Director at the Urban Ecology Center. “Our vision of inspiring generations to build environmental curiosity, understanding and respect is what keeps the Urban Ecology Center going, and we’re looking forward to sharing that with the community.”

The week of hikes will conclude with a celebratory event and hike at Riverside Park on Saturday, October 2.

“Nature has the ability to connect people in ways that other things can’t,” said Jen Hense, Director of Development at the Urban Ecology Center. “After a week full of hikes, this celebratory event will bring people together, safely, and in support of all that the Urban Ecology Center does for the community.”

Those participating in this year’s HKE MKE can become a fundraiser and have the opportunity to win a variety of fundraising prizes, including a 2021 HKE MKE t-shirt, a recycled coffee ground travel mug, a Bento Box, an insulated 20-can backpack cooler, or a folding stadium seat.

About the Urban Ecology Center:

The Urban Ecology Center has three locations in Milwaukee each serving their surrounding neighborhoods. Each branch is connected to a public green space with native ecosystems that are cared for by UEC staff and volunteers and are used as outdoor classrooms. Annually, 225,000 individuals visit the UEC’s three branches and parks. For over 25 years, the Urban Ecology Center has been committed to connecting people in cities to nature and each other. Our vision is to inspire generations to build environmental curiosity, understanding, and respect. We restore hope and heal our urban natural world, neighborhood by neighborhood. Visit us at urbanecologycenter.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.