“They had horses that they would take down to the Schlitz family brewery.”

In a bustling city like Milwaukee, it’s hard to step away from the city atmosphere while staying local, so places like the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center help people escape from urban life for a few hours. With six miles of trails and 185 acres to explore, there is plenty to see. After taking a hike along the trails during Doors Open Milwaukee, Alex Mukka talked to Lesley Houchin-Miller, a staff member at Schlitz Audubon, to learn more about how the nature center came to be and what else is offered there.

Q-Alex Mukka: So I was hoping you could tell me about the history of Schlitz-Audubon

A-Lesley Houchin-Miller: Well it’s kind of a convoluted history. There are lots and lots of owners previously to this, but what we share with people is that it was once the Nine Mile Farm owned by the Uihlein family. It was named because it was nine miles from the beer district downtown and they had horses that they would take down to the Schlitz family brewery, and they would come back here at the end of the day to eat and relax. This was kind of their place.

Q: Could you tell me more about the pre-school education and classes you have here.

A: Yes, those are really rich. There’s a waiting list, I know that it’s really well known. My son went here as a preschooler.

Q: So it’s an actual preschool.

A: It’s an actual preschool and there are people brought in from all over the country to learn how to teach children to learn about nature, and spend time outdoors and to grow an appreciation for nature. They spend most of their days outside if the weather is not storming and thundering and lightning. Even during Covid they were always outside, so they set up a whole outdoor facility for the children.

Q: Having nature access in Milwaukee, I don’t think that’s a very common thing so having a big nature center like this is somewhat rare.

A: As far as I know this nature center is the only one that I know of that’s in Milwaukee County.

Q: When you think about a big city like this you don’t really picture something like this.

A: No, no. And being on the bluffs of Lake Michigan is really special.