Hike Milwaukee Now A Family Friendly Hike, Fundraiser

Press release from the Urban Ecology Center: Leaders with the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) announced that its 6th annual HKE MKE (Hike Milwaukee), presented by Rotary Club of Milwaukee, will transition to a week-long family-friendly hike and fundraising event from Sunday, September 27 through Saturday, October 3.

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in self-led or guided hikes through all three of the Urban Ecology Center’s branches: Riverside Park, Washington Park and Menomonee Valley. Participants will hike trails that highlight the unique features of each location. Participants will also be able to participate from the comfort of their homes through self-led virtual hikes.

“We are thrilled that HKE MKE is moving to a week-long celebration this year,” said Ken Leinbach, Executive Director of the Urban Ecology Center. “HKE MKE provides a great opportunity for outdoor recreation, while also supporting the ongoing work of the UEC. We are excited about this new model – which expands community access to the event while protecting each other during this pandemic.”

Participants will have the option to complete hikes on their own or led by a UEC team member as part of a small, socially distanced group. All routes are 2-3 miles and family-friendly; all ability levels are encouraged to participate. All hikers are asked to wear masks and can reserve a time slot for self-led and guided hikes by registering online to accommodate social distancing.

As the UEC’s largest public annual fundraiser, HKE MKE directly supports urban environmental education and the preservation of the natural areas at each of the Urban Ecology Center’s branches. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center’s mission of connecting people in cities to nature and each other has become especially essential. In lieu of traditional registration fees, participants are strongly encouraged to share their personal fundraising page with family and friends through word-of-mouth outreach, emails and social media posts in order to support the Urban Ecology Center’s mission.

“The Urban Ecology Center is connecting people to nature, and in a world of virtual learning and remote work, the tools and programming offered by the UEC are so important,” said Jen Hense, Director of Development at the Urban Ecology Center. “Our buildings are closed, but our parks and trails remain open, promoting necessary access to nature in our urban city. The commitment from our sponsors, members, donors and HKE MKE participants will allow the Urban Ecology Center to reopen stronger than ever.”

HKE MKE registration is now open. Registration for guided hikes is $25; there is no registration fee for self-led hikes, but sign-up is still required. Participants will receive access to their fundraising pages immediately upon registration in order to begin sharing and raising money in support of the UEC. For more information or to sign up, please visit urbanecologycenter.org/hkemke.

This press release was produced by Urban Ecology Center. The views expressed here are the author's own.