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Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve

Engaging the community in support of Schmeeckle Reserve

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The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve is a community-based nonprofit organization that supportsย Schmeeckle Reserve, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus natural area. The mission of the Friends is to support the work of and advocate for Schmeeckle through engaging the local and wider communities. This is accomplished by:

  • Programs and Outreach

    Fostering appreciation, deeper understanding, and commitment to maintaining and improving the Reserve.

  • Land Management and Acquisition

    Participating in and inviting the community to help with the work of the Reserve and to extend its land.

  • Funding and Resources

    Reaching out to the community to provide resources and funding to enhance the work of the Reserve.

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Schmeeckle Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve8 hours ago
Road trip ready for your littlest passengers! We've restocked our selection of kids' activity books in the gift shop โ€” perfect for keeping little hands busy on your next adventure.

๐ŸŒŸ Sticker art books
๐ŸŒฟ Nature-themed coloring books
๐Ÿ” Seek-and-find activity books

Grab a few before you hit the road โ€” see you soon! Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | 9 AM โ€“ 4 PM daily
Schmeeckle Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve2 days ago
๐Ÿงฉ Piece together some savings! Our Puzzle Sale is here โ€” enjoy 20% off all puzzles in the Schmeeckle Reserve Gift Shop through July 30th.

๐ŸŒฟ Nature-themed puzzles (250โ€“1000 pieces)
๐Ÿง’ Kids' puzzles โ€” floor, glow-in-the-dark & travel bagged
๐Ÿ”Ž Micro puzzles
๐Ÿง  Wooden handheld logic puzzles

Stop in and find your next challenge! Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | Open 7 days a week, 9 AM โ€“ 4 PM
Schmeeckle Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve3 days ago
Despite the inclement weather this summer, our trail crew volunteers have been hard at work on the Sedge Meadow Trail East boardwalk project. Yesterday, the crew finished removing all pieces of the old narrow boardwalk, and completed the first section of the new 8-foot-wide boardwalk on the lake end!

The old treated boardwalk lumber is available for free in the gravel overflow parking lot near the Schmeeckle visitor center. Please use caution as the lumber has sharp edges and screws embedded.

A special thank you to our dedicated Tuesday crew members! If you're interested in joining the crew, contact us at any time.
Schmeeckle Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve4 days ago
Ever wonder why we burn prairies in Schmeeckle? Wonder no more! Join us on Tuesday, August 4 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and discover the benefits of fire for restoring prairies, oak savannas, and wetlands with UWSP forestry professor Dr. Michael Tiller.

Dr. Tiller is a forestry professor at the University of Wisconsinโ€“Stevens Point (UWSP) specializing in fire ecology, fire effects monitoring, and prescribed fire as a tool for ecosystem restoration and wildlife habitat management. He teaches forest ecology, fire ecology, wildland fire behavior, and wildland fire policy, and leads the UWSP Fire Science Program while serving as advisor to the UWSP Fire Crew. Through prescribed burning and applied field experiences, students contribute to foundational prescribed fire research projects at Schmeeckle Reserve and Treehaven that evaluate fire effects and identify effective prescribed fire practices across pine forests, oak woodlands, oak savannas, prairies, barrens, and wetlands.
Schmeeckle Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve5 days ago
New in the gift shop: handcrafted wooden glow lights! Each light is handmade in Minnesota and features a nature-inspired design. A beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece for your home or cabin, or a thoughtful gift for the nature lover in your life. Come take a look next time you're at the Visitor Center! Open 9 AM โ€“ 4 PM daily
Schmeeckle Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve1 week ago
While we're still a few months out from the spooky season, it's never too early to give some of Schmeeckle's "creepy" critters some love! Come meet them on July 30 at 5:30 p.m. and hear all about how bats, flying squirrels, and American crows benefit their ecosystems in this free, all ages program.

For more information, please visit the event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/191b6SrhRf/

Red bat (4a) by Chris Harshaw; CC BY-SA 3.0