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
🖋️ Now available - notecards by local artist Mary Bratz!
We're pleased to carry a selection of notecards featuring the pen-and-ink work of Mary Bratz, a Wisconsin-based wildlife artist and UW-Stevens Point alumna from Almond, WI. Her detailed drawings capture local flora, fauna, and rural scenery, including wildlife, insects, and plants. Her work is featured in Alan Haney's book, Backyard Wonders.
How many of these species have you seen while walking in Schmeeckle?
Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | 9 AM – 4 PM daily
We're pleased to carry a selection of notecards featuring the pen-and-ink work of Mary Bratz, a Wisconsin-based wildlife artist and UW-Stevens Point alumna from Almond, WI. Her detailed drawings capture local flora, fauna, and rural scenery, including wildlife, insects, and plants. Her work is featured in Alan Haney's book, Backyard Wonders.
How many of these species have you seen while walking in Schmeeckle?
Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | 9 AM – 4 PM daily
Road trip ready for your littlest passengers! We've restocked our selection of kids' activity books in the gift shop — perfect for keeping little hands busy on your next adventure.
🌟 Sticker art books
🌿 Nature-themed coloring books
🔍 Seek-and-find activity books
Grab a few before you hit the road — see you soon! Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | 9 AM – 4 PM daily
🌟 Sticker art books
🌿 Nature-themed coloring books
🔍 Seek-and-find activity books
Grab a few before you hit the road — see you soon! Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | 9 AM – 4 PM daily
🧩 Piece together some savings! Our Puzzle Sale is here — enjoy 20% off all puzzles in the Schmeeckle Reserve Gift Shop through July 30th.
🌿 Nature-themed puzzles (250–1000 pieces)
🧒 Kids' puzzles — floor, glow-in-the-dark & travel bagged
🔎 Micro puzzles
🧠 Wooden handheld logic puzzles
Stop in and find your next challenge! Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | Open 7 days a week, 9 AM – 4 PM
🌿 Nature-themed puzzles (250–1000 pieces)
🧒 Kids' puzzles — floor, glow-in-the-dark & travel bagged
🔎 Micro puzzles
🧠 Wooden handheld logic puzzles
Stop in and find your next challenge! Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | Open 7 days a week, 9 AM – 4 PM
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.
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.
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 Wisconsin–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.
Dr. Tiller is a forestry professor at the University of Wisconsin–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.
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 – 4 PM daily