Urban Ecology Center (UEC)

Background

The Urban Ecology Center was founded in 1992 following local efforts to address crime and environmental deterioration in Milwaukee’s Riverside Park. Early activities included neighborhood-led park cleanups and informal environmental education programs for local students. ²

The organization later expanded its operations beyond Riverside Park, opening additional locations in Washington Park in 2007 and in the Menomonee Valley in 2012. These expansions were tied to broader redevelopment efforts in those areas, including partnerships with local organizations involved in park restoration and urban planning. ²

Over time, the organization has grown from a neighborhood initiative into a multi-site nonprofit focused on environmental education and access to urban outdoor spaces. ²

Activities and Advocacy

The Urban Ecology Center conducts environmental education programs, recreational activities, and conservation efforts in Milwaukee parks. Its programming includes school-based science education, community outdoor activities, and environmental stewardship initiatives such as habitat restoration. ¹

In addition to programming, the organization engages in redevelopment and land-use activities connected to its mission. According to its 2024 tax return, UEC reported making a $5,584,000 grant to the UEC Supporting Land Organization for building redevelopment. It also reported a $33,081 grant to the UEC Land Corporation for operational support. ³

UEC also generates revenue through fundraising events. Its 2024 tax return reports that the Summer Solstice Soirée generated $214,211 in gross receipts, while HKE MKE generated $51,515 in gross receipts. ⁴

Leadership

As of 2024, Jennifer Hense was the executive director of the UEC. She previously held leadership roles with YMCA-affiliated organizations, including executive director of the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County and executive director of Camping Services for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. Her reported compensation in 2024 was $123,143.  ^{5  6}

As of 2024, Antoine McDuffie was president of the board of directors. He was director of financial risk management at Robert W. Baird & Co., an investment and wealth management firm. He has also held leadership roles in religious organizations, including chairman of the board of trustees at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church and participating in the finance committee of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin. ⁷

Other board members include Kent Lovern, Catherine Thisted, and Rebecca Mitich. As of 2024, Lovern was serving as chief deputy district attorney for Milwaukee County. ^{8  6}

Affiliations

The UEC has collaborated with local nonprofit and community organizations in Milwaukee on environmental and neighborhood development initiatives. Its Menomonee Valley branch was developed in partnership with Menomonee Valley Partners, a nonprofit organization focused on redevelopment and environmental restoration of the Menomonee Valley industrial corridor. ⁹

UEC has also participated in programming efforts involving organizations such as Groundwork Milwaukee, a local environmental nonprofit focused on urban land stewardship and workforce development, and Fathers Making Progress, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that provides employment, reentry support, and community programming. These collaborations have included shared participation in community engagement and environmental initiatives. ¹⁰

Financials

According to its 2024 tax return, the UEC reported $5,575,429 in revenue and $11,577,463 in expenses, with total assets of $41,515,848. ¹¹

In 2023, the UEC reported $11,058,638 in revenue, $6,041,100 in expenses, and $35,390,592 in total assets. ¹²

Funding

The UEC receives funding from foundations, government sources, and individual contributions. According to tax returns, the organization reported $43,018,028 in public support between 2019 and 2023, consisting of contributions, grants, and other charitable funding. ¹³

Among its major funders is the Burke Foundation, which provided $1,025,000 to UEC in 2024. The Burke Foundation is a Milwaukee-based private grantmaking foundation that funds programs related to youth development, education, and leadership development in the Milwaukee region. ¹⁴

UEC also received $552,036 from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2024 for environmental education programming in Washington Park. The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is a community foundation based in Milwaukee that provides grants to nonprofit organizations across southeastern Wisconsin. ¹⁵