Wehr Nature Center is a place where everyone belongs. Open year-round, we offer accessible buildings, trails, and park features designed for visitors of all ages and abilities. Wander our more than five-miles of trails traversing five distinct habitats all within a five-minute walk. Enjoy universally designed exhibits, comfortable restrooms, and hands-on unique programs that bring people together through nature all year round.
Save the Date!
July 26 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Join us for an inclusive Open House celebrating Wehr Nature Center’s commitment to equitable access to the outdoors for people of all ages and abilities. This free community event invites everyone to explore nature through accessible experiences, adaptive recreation, and meaningful connections with local accessibility partners.
August 22 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Discover the plants behind your favorite beverages at this leisurely, fun, and educational evening at Wehr featuring local coffee, tea, craft beer, and other purveyors. Live music, food trucks, and more!
All Ages and Abilities
10:30 am – 11:30 am
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Featured Program
Join us for a monthly ecology walk at various Milwaukee County Natural Areas, where we’ll learn, observe, and ID native flowers! On our walk, you’ll also learn about the characteristics of the native plant community that we will explore.
Wehr Nature Center inspires all generations to explore and value the plants and animals of our natural world through experiential education, accessible trails, native landscapes and natural areas.
July – September Newsletter
Happy Summer! Wehr’s trails are overflowing with an abundance of green, flowers, interesting insects, and wildlife. In nature the delight is in the details – slow down and see for yourself during your next hike at Wehr.
In the summer issue of Wehr Words, we hope you’ll enjoy learning about Wehr’s efforts to support the next generation of environmental leaders, spotlight the amazing Wehr Astronomical Society, highlight the 16,000+ volunteer hours, and more!
One bird’s mess is another bird’s meal! Wehr’s Wild Turkeys will gladly clean up the stray seed thrown to the ground by busy birds at the feeders. It’s quite a sight to find cardinals, doves, and sparrows eating right alongside these giant turkeys.
See why Wehr Nature Center is “a place for all seasons, a place for everyone.” Explore more than five miles of nature trails through woodland, wetland, prairie and oak savanna on 220-acres of protected land in Whitnall Park at Wehr Nature Center.
This is without a doubt, the best place to birdwatch and see wildlife in the Milwaukee metro area. The nature center is fantastic. The staff is welcoming and the trails are extremely well-maintained. Always something exciting to see!
June Volunteer Spotlight: Judy! Judy is the easiest person to celebrate. We are so beyond thankful for the sunshine she brings to the center. We asked Judy, "Why Wehr?" & here's what she said: “I have volunteered at Wehr almost as long as I've lived in Milwaukee – 27 years. I began after noticing a man leading children on a hike and pointing out to them the animals and plants they saw. It looked like he and the kids were having fun, and I said to myself," hey, I could do that."During my time at Wehr, I've made good friends, friends I walk with, eat lunch with, play cribbage with and "puzzle" with. We share the same values, that the natural world is precious and needs to be tended, by us and the generations that follow.When life is challenging, I can walk in the door and be greeted with a hug by a staff member. I recall crying with naturalist, Bev when the news became overwhelming, such as the Sandy Hook school shooting, and when Howard insisted that Frank and I apply for the financial aid the VA PACT ACT made available to veterans harmed by Agent Orange.And finally, it's the kids who keep me coming back It's a joy and a wonder to see the world through their eyes. I remember the middle school boy who walked into the woods with me and stopped in wonder "Who planted all these trees?" he asked. They get excited when they see a deer, and, they get excited when they see an ant.Wehr has enriched my life beyond measure, and I'm glad I can still give back in some small way.” Hear from our staff about Judy: “Judy Brooks-Levar is always ready to pitch in and keeps us laughing with her stories and insight! We wouldn't be as successful without teaching volunteers like Miss Judy. Thank you!” “Judy brightens my day every time I see her. We are so lucky to have her on our volunteer team”Thank you Judy!
We still have space for our Friday Afield at Warnimont Park on July 10 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Join us at Warnimont Park (Warnimont Dog Exercise Area – 6100 S Lake Dr, Cudahy, WI 53110) for an ecology walk where we’ll learn, observe, and ID native flowers! On our walk, you’ll also learn about the characteristics of the native plant community that we will explore. You can sign up here: www.wehrnaturecenter.com/event/friday-afield-warnimont-park/Native plants are important in parks and neighborhoods as they help to provide food, shelter, space, and water for the beings that live around us. In particular native plants are the best at providing food for creatures such as this Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar. Entomologist Doug Tallamy asserts that caterpillars are the foundational engine of terrestrial food webs. Because they are soft, highly digestible, packed with protein, and rich in carotenoids, nearly all songbirds rely on them to feed their young. A single chickadee nest requires 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to successfully raise a brood.One way we can help our local ecosystems is to learn about the plants grow in our local spaces and even grow them in our own spaces whether it is in a yard or even in a container prairie.
Enjoy member perks like free parking, discounts on select programs and events, and more!
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