There’s no better way to start off an Earth Day celebration than with a lively reading of "The Lorax," Dr. Seuss’s classic tale of businesses "biggering and biggering" at the expense of the whimsical Truffula trees.

And so began a magical morning for the Urban Ecology Center’s littlest participants.

Mr. Flower (that’s his real name) is the Environment Educator at the UEC. He knows a thing or two about leading big groups of small people. After a rousing story time and clever puppet show, it was time for a nature hike through Riverside Park.

We were led through a dim hallway towards the back entrance of the UEC, lined with perfectly hung skis, snowshoes, kayaks and binoculars. Mr. Flower informed us that members of the UEC get to use this equipment for free.

Outside, we followed the Oak Leaf Trail towards Riverside Park as bikers and roller-bladers zoomed by, passing under the new, earthy pedestrian bridge leading into the park. We looked back at the impressive climbing wall on the back wall of the UEC, available for public use at an affordable price.

The morning felt true to April in Milwaukee, sunny and chilly and beautifully brown. The little ones happily stomped through the mud and squinted into the sun.

Once in the park, Mr. Flower’s enthusiasm for all things nature was contagious. Leaving no log unturned, he pointed out crows, woodpecker homes and centipedes. The children gathered round to hear birds chirp on his nifty birdsong player. They scurried to see what critter he would catch next. They followed him into the prairie to hear tales of flowers that would soon be taller than he is. They’ll have to come back to see them!

Back inside, UEC staff ended their program with a simple nature craft, showing the children how to make bird-feeders out of cheerios and pipe cleaners.

Upstairs, the Earth Day celebration continued for those who didn’t have to go home for a nap. Children could pet live snakes, glide down the in-house slides, climb the rock wall, and create recycled crafts. There were even chemistry experiments led by the American Chemical Society, one demonstrating just how much energy there is inside of one small peanut. Nature-loving families milled around the fireplace and strolled through displays of environmentally- friendly organizations.

There’s really no better place to celebrate Earth Day than at the Urban Ecology Center, but I left asking myself why I wasn’t there more often all year round. Mr. Flowers and the staff that bring the Urban Ecology Center to life are knowledgeable, passionate and innovative. And Milwaukee is a better city for it.