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The Urban Tree House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was initiated
in 2000. This project focuses on environmental education
and development of an environmental ethic for city youth.
Preserving 2.8 acres of open space in the center of
Milwaukee to emphasize outdoor education serves this
urban community's recreation needs and matches many
other projects that encompass larger tracts of land.
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Planting a new tree that will
grow with the Urban Tree House, WI.
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Rivers & Trails engages many diverse communities across
the country, in a variety of settings that respond to
each community's needs. The Urban Tree House takes this
a step further by introducing environmental education
to draw awareness of the natural community that surrounds
us; even in the heart of a city. Teaching future generations
about their environment plants a seed with benefits
blossoming long after Rivers & Trails has moved
on to help a new community based project.
When fully operational, the Urban Tree House will offer
regularly scheduled natural resource-related events,
programs, and outings to over 2,000 elementary and middle
school children in the Linden Hill neighborhood. People
from the community, along with partner and sponsor organizations,
will lead all the activities. The site, one of only
five Urban Tree Houses in the country, gives the community
autonomy for decisions on the planning and care of the
space - a unique occurrence in most urban parks.
The
Rivers & Trails program worked in cooperation with
the USDA Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management
as well as a wide array of State and local service agencies
and non-profit organizations. Rivers & Trails is
leading the Federal agency team in promoting the Urban
Tree House concept to all potential partners. Our staff
are developing informational brochures, conducting public
meetings and presentations, and coordinating the proposal
review process; we also helped plan the opening celebration
that drew over 400 volunteers. When completed, we will
evaluate the success of the project, and use the lessons
learned to assist other communities with their conservation
and recreations goals.
Contact: Mark Weaver,National Park
Service, Rivers & Trails Program, Milwaukee,Wisconsin,
(414) 297-3617
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