Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
5:30 - 7pm
Washington Park
Registration required

Event Description
(For adults & teens) Discover the fascinating ways life adapts, copes, and even thrives in the cold during this 4-week course.

Through a mix of indoor learning and outdoor exploration in Washington Park, you’ll uncover the secrets of winter ecology—from how animals survive the freeze to the unique beauty of frozen ecosystems.

Join us and see how the stories of winter come alive! 

In week 1 we will look at how snow affects the landscape, creating a temporary community we call the subnivian.  Prior to the creation of snowpack, organisms are faced with three options - run away (migrate), hunker down (hibernate) or stay and face the elements (remain active).

In week 2 we will look at how the 2 most well-known groups - plants and animals - adapt to winter in Milwaukee.

In week 3 we will explore how plants and animals interact with each other, sometimes in symbiosis and sometimes to the peril of one or the other.  We will also explore the hidden world beneath the ice in lakes, rivers and the Washington Park lagoon.

In week 4 we will wrap up with examples of how some groups of organisms have become very successful in the winter.  We will also explore how  the most impactful organism around, the human being, has both adapted to living in winter conditions and how we are impacting these conditions.

For questions about this program please contact Director of Research, Tim Vargo, at tvargo@urbanecologycenter.org. 

For help with the registration process, please contact Program Systems Manager, Augie Rodenbeck, at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org or (414) 626-8518.

Registration is required for this event.

Pick your price
Personal financial situations vary widely so we provide multiple pricing options to make our programs accessible. The highest listed price fully covers the cost of the program. Lower prices reflect the generosity of our supporters who help us ensure programs are available to everyone. Please choose the option that best fits you, your family, and your guests.

Confirmation/Cancellation Policy:
If you sign up for a program and your plans change, we kindly request that you let us know at least 10 business days in advance so we have the opportunity to offer a program to others. We will provide refunds as follows: 10 business days or more: full refund, 5-9 business days: 50% refund, 0-4 business days: no refund.