The Urban Ecology Center, founded in 1991, is a nonprofit group funded by private members. Twelve schools within a one-mile radius visit the center on field trips. Besides inviting the public to feed its animals, the center offers many other activities for community members. “Our first goal is education,” Darrell Smith, the Community Program Coordinator, explains. “During the week, people come in regularly, with or without classes. We have classes in ecology, and science, as well as the Neighborhood Environmental Education Project, or NEEP.” One of the classes offered is Science Saturdays, where kids can learn about earth and other sciences in an entertaining way. During the week, there are Wednesday Walks with Ken, the Urban Ecology Center’s director. See the Community Calendar on page 22-23 or at riverwestcurrents.org for a more complete listing of all Urban Ecology Center activities.