I am always amazed when I find new and exciting places to visit here in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and Urban Ecology Center’s Riverside Park is one of those places. Made of 76% recycled material, the Urban Ecology Center “Green” building boast that it using rain water for all restroom purposes and is not connected to the Lake Michigan water filtration system, saving thousands of dollars a year. On the roof are solar panels that produce enough energy to sustain it for the summer months and get a rebate from Wisconsin Electric Energies (WE Energies). The hardwood maple floor is over 100 years old and was donated after the demolition of a nearby elementary school gym. The wraparound porch is made entirely of wood scraps of trees from Africa from the construction of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Although the building is amazing, the best feature of the Urban Ecology Center is its people.
Led by the unassuming Executive Director, Ken Leinbach, the Urban Ecology Center has grown year after year as one of the key organizations designed to connect urban areas with the beauty of the outdoors. In just 10 years the organization has grown from a $50,000.00 annual budget to over $3 million dollars as of the 2011. To ensure that all of the employees of the Urban Ecology Center share the vision of the organization, they are required to go on a 3 day camping retreat with no access to technology while being immersed in nature. This helps drive the purpose of the mission and the importance of what they look to accomplish; improving the relationship between nature and the urban community while promoting green energy alternatives.
If you are interested in learning more about what the Urban Ecology Center has to offer, please visit their website at: http://urbanecologycenter.org/ for more information.
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Published by Nkozi Knight
Nkozi Knight is recognized as one of the top community advocates in Wisconsin and has volunteered over 400 hours in the last two years to help rebuild his community using his business and finance acumen. His efforts were rewarded with several Volunteer of the Year Awards, Leadership Excellence Awards, and individual awards from the nonprofits he has served. His passion lies in helping others succeed both personally and professionally through leadership, financial, and professional development training.
Prior to his involvement in the community, Mr. Knight served in the United States Navy onboard LHD-5, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship used during Operation Enduring Freedom. Mr. Knight is also the grandson of George David (G.D.) Knight, a Vietnam Veteran who served in the United States Army as an enlisted soldier. Mr. Knight’s military roots date as far back as the Civil War.
A 2009 graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Mr. Knight earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology & Law Studies with a minor in Psychology. He is also a graduate of Marquette University’s Future Milwaukee Community Leadership Program which he completed in 2013. He is currently working on a Master’s in Leadership Studies from Marquette University as well. He is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, Alpha Sigma Lambda, National Honor Society, Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, Psi Chi, Fuel Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Urban League of Young Professionals.
Nkozi Knight currently serves on the board of Wells Fargo Veteran Team Member Network, Wells Fargo United Way Campaign for Giving, United Veterans Partnership, Inc., Marquette University EAA, Marquette University Scholarship Committee, and Above the Clouds, Inc. He previously served on the board of MULYP and still works with the organization to help with policy and politics along with professional development.
Nkozi currently serves as the Director of United Veterans Partnership and the Founder of KING, LLC.
View all posts by Nkozi Knight
I am always amazed when I find new and exciting places to visit here in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and Urban Ecology Center’s Riverside Park is one of those places. Made of 76% recycled material, the Urban Ecology Center “Green” building boast that it using rain water for all restroom purposes and is not connected to the Lake Michigan water filtration system, saving thousands of dollars a year. On the roof are solar panels that produce enough energy to sustain it for the summer months and get a rebate from Wisconsin Electric Energies (WE Energies). The hardwood maple floor is over 100 years old and was donated after the demolition of a nearby elementary school gym. The wraparound porch is made entirely of wood scraps of trees from Africa from the construction of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Although the building is amazing, the best feature of the Urban Ecology Center is its people.
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