Urban Ecology Center branch reopens after renovations

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The first day of February was back to nature day at Milwaukee's Washington Park.

The Urban Ecology Center opened its renovated branch facility at the park in Milwaukee's central city. It is a nonprofit created to educate Milwaukeeans about the environment.

The old Washington Park building was described as outdated and inefficient. That should not be the case anymore after today's reopening ceremony. 

"Seeing nature is one thing. But being knee deep in hip waders in a river is quite another. Or walking in the woods. It's an entirely different experience," said Senator Tammy Baldwin. 

"And the vision is connecting people to nature, connecting people throughout the city to nature. We're doubling, almost even tripling our programs that we have here at this branch. This building's gonna provide us," said Terry Evans, Washington Park branch director. 

Since this branch was established in 2007, the Ecology Center has engaged tens of thousands of people in a variety of programs, including early childhood education.