- This program has passed.
Doors Open Milwaukee
Families, Free with Membership
We’re excited to participate in Historic Milwaukee’s Doors Open, which is free and open to all! Guests can explore our building and trails during all open hours. From 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, we’ll have 15-minute guided hikes available upon request. Our Environmental Educators will introduce you to various animal ambassadors in our Great Hall from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, plus enjoy a meet and greet style raptor encounter from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
Our Building & Trails:
The Dorothy K. Vallier Environmental Learning Center, designed by The Kubala Washatko Architects and built in 2003, is the portal to 185 acres of varied habitats. Features of the Gold LEED-certified building include extensive use of natural light with window systems that supply 10-20% of the building’s electricity. The building includes classrooms for Nature School through adult education. Located west of our Great Hall and viewable from inside, the Feeder Grove observation area recently underwent a breathtaking transformation, intentionally designed to attract and support both local and migrating birds.
Outdoors, six miles of trails take visitors through wetlands, restored prairies, forests, ravines, bluffs, and Lake Michigan shoreline. Our one-mile Central Wetlands Loop is fully accessible.
