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
Yesterday was a beautiful fall day for a prescribed fire! Thank you to the UWSP Fire Crew for conducting the controlled burn in the Lake Prairie, along the west side of Lake Joanis. Carefully managed fire stimulates native prairie plants (which are protected by their deep roots), removes dead plant litter, recycles nutrients, and controls woody and invasive species. Be sure to watch for all the regrowth this spring!
We received a new supply of fair trade ceramic luminaries and trinket dishes at the Schmeeckle Reserve Gift Shop! These lovely items are handmade in Nicaragua. They are no longer available from our supplier, so what we have in store is all that is available. Stop by the Visitor Center, open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, to pick yours up while they last.
On your mark, get set, bake!
Join us for the Fall 2026 Candlelight Hike Festival on October 30th from 6–9 p.m. as we see what’s on the menu for Schmeeckle’s wildlife during "The Great Schmeeckle Bake Off."
With jack-o'-lanterns and torches lining the trails, hands-on activities, face-painting, and a student-lead character performance, there are activities for the whole family.
Want to help make this year’s festival a recipe for success? We’d love to have you volunteer! Sign up for a spot at https://grasshoppersignup.com/s/o2xvcj.
Join us for the Fall 2026 Candlelight Hike Festival on October 30th from 6–9 p.m. as we see what’s on the menu for Schmeeckle’s wildlife during "The Great Schmeeckle Bake Off."
With jack-o'-lanterns and torches lining the trails, hands-on activities, face-painting, and a student-lead character performance, there are activities for the whole family.
Want to help make this year’s festival a recipe for success? We’d love to have you volunteer! Sign up for a spot at https://grasshoppersignup.com/s/o2xvcj.
Calling all young explorers! Fresh fun has landed at the Schmeeckle Reserve Gift Shop, with new puzzles, sticker books, nature-themed tattoos, picture books, and games. Match up animal droppings in the Who Pooped? memory game, spot hidden critters in the Woodland World Search & Find Puzzle, say good night to our home state with the Good Night Wisconsin board book, or bring a story to life with a fuzzy finger puppet book. Visit us at the Visitor Center, open daily 9 AM to 4 PM.
We see you, UWSP students. 👀🌲
Between outdoor labs, walks with friends, and those “I just need to get outside” moments, you are spending a lot of time in the Reserve. If you find yourself inspired by this 280-acre greenspace and enjoy expressing yourself through art, submit an entry to the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Arts Contest.
The Friends accept photography, art, writing, and digital art pieces. Entries are due December 4. For more information on the contest and submitting entries, visit the Friends website.
https://friendsofschmeeckle.org/arts-contest/
Photo by Rae Henneman, UWSP Student, 2025 Wildlife Photography entry
Between outdoor labs, walks with friends, and those “I just need to get outside” moments, you are spending a lot of time in the Reserve. If you find yourself inspired by this 280-acre greenspace and enjoy expressing yourself through art, submit an entry to the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Arts Contest.
The Friends accept photography, art, writing, and digital art pieces. Entries are due December 4. For more information on the contest and submitting entries, visit the Friends website.
https://friendsofschmeeckle.org/arts-contest/
Photo by Rae Henneman, UWSP Student, 2025 Wildlife Photography entry
