The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve is a community-based nonprofit organization that supports 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:
Upcoming events
Recent posts from Facebook
The wait is over! The 2026 Ice Age Trail Guidebook and Atlas are now available in the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center Gift Shop!
The Guidebook offers detailed trail descriptions and hiking information, while the Atlas features maps to help you plan your next adventure along Wisconsin's Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Whether you're exploring a new section or working toward your Thousand-Miler goal, these are great resources to have along the way! Stop in and pick up your copies before hitting the trail!
The Guidebook offers detailed trail descriptions and hiking information, while the Atlas features maps to help you plan your next adventure along Wisconsin's Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Whether you're exploring a new section or working toward your Thousand-Miler goal, these are great resources to have along the way! Stop in and pick up your copies before hitting the trail!
All the best stories come from the mouth, but not just because they’re spoken!
Teeth can tell their own amazing stories of survival, evolution, and personal resilience- you just need to listen. Come on down to the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor’s Center on Friday, November 6, from 5-6 p.m. to discover the different dental dynamics among mammals, and learn how to speak the language of teeth.
Teeth can tell their own amazing stories of survival, evolution, and personal resilience- you just need to listen. Come on down to the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor’s Center on Friday, November 6, from 5-6 p.m. to discover the different dental dynamics among mammals, and learn how to speak the language of teeth.
Friday's perfect weather set the scene for another successful Candlelight Hike Festival. Thank you to the 4,000 visitors who joined us for torch-lit trails, skits, live raptors, passport stations, face-painting, crafts, and, of course, s'mores.
🌱 A very special thank you to the many volunteers and staff involved in planning, prepping, and running the event.
🎃 Thank you to all who donated beautiful pumpkins that were transformed into glowing Jack-o'-lanterns: Paul and Denise Czaikowski, Turners Fresh Market, Feltz Family Farms and Dairy Store, Fleet Farm (Stevens Point), and Susan Henry.
🦉 Thank you to the Runke Family for sharing the wonders of raptors with the crowds. Also to the UWSP Environmental Educators and Naturalists Association, UWSP Ichthyology and Aquarium Science Society of Stevens Point, and UWSP Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society (TWS) for developing and running passport stations.
🎭 A big thanks goes to the UWSP environmental interpretation students who put on "The Great Schmeeckle Bake Off" skit.
💚 And last but not least, an enormous thank you to the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve who sponsor this community event each year.
Without all of you, this event would not be possible.
Feel free to share your pictures in the comments. Thank you for supporting this community event!
🌱 A very special thank you to the many volunteers and staff involved in planning, prepping, and running the event.
🎃 Thank you to all who donated beautiful pumpkins that were transformed into glowing Jack-o'-lanterns: Paul and Denise Czaikowski, Turners Fresh Market, Feltz Family Farms and Dairy Store, Fleet Farm (Stevens Point), and Susan Henry.
🦉 Thank you to the Runke Family for sharing the wonders of raptors with the crowds. Also to the UWSP Environmental Educators and Naturalists Association, UWSP Ichthyology and Aquarium Science Society of Stevens Point, and UWSP Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society (TWS) for developing and running passport stations.
🎭 A big thanks goes to the UWSP environmental interpretation students who put on "The Great Schmeeckle Bake Off" skit.
💚 And last but not least, an enormous thank you to the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve who sponsor this community event each year.
Without all of you, this event would not be possible.
Feel free to share your pictures in the comments. Thank you for supporting this community event!
Our popular Schmeeckle woodcut design is now available on a crewneck sweatshirt! You can still find it on short-sleeved, long-sleeved, and long-sleeved hooded T-shirts, too.
Pictured is Quinn, one of our new UWSP student staff members! Schmeeckle is proud to have UWSP students as an important part of our team, helping welcome visitors and keep the Visitor Center running.
Stop by the Visitor Center Gift Shop to pick up your favorite! We're open daily, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Pictured is Quinn, one of our new UWSP student staff members! Schmeeckle is proud to have UWSP students as an important part of our team, helping welcome visitors and keep the Visitor Center running.
Stop by the Visitor Center Gift Shop to pick up your favorite! We're open daily, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Can you spot the amphibian?
Come learn about amphibians and all the cool things they hide.
A program will be held at the Schmeeckle Visitor Center on November 3 at 6 pm. Here, you will discover what amphibians in the Portage area are like, their unique traits, habitats, and how they survive the cold winter, and you can even create your own craft!
Come learn about amphibians and all the cool things they hide.
A program will be held at the Schmeeckle Visitor Center on November 3 at 6 pm. Here, you will discover what amphibians in the Portage area are like, their unique traits, habitats, and how they survive the cold winter, and you can even create your own craft!
Happy Candlelight Hike Day! 🍂
Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who have been busy carving pumpkins and preparing for the hike this week. We hope to see you all on the trails tonight from 6-9 p.m.
Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who have been busy carving pumpkins and preparing for the hike this week. We hope to see you all on the trails tonight from 6-9 p.m.
