Friends Programs and Events Calendar

Let’s read Can You Hear the Plants Speak? by Nicholas Hummingbird. We’ll also go outside for a short hike and listen to the music of nature in Schmeeckle. Presented by Natalie Strong. 

Did you know bones found in Central Wisconsin hold the secrets of the past? Uncover what these remains reveal about animals’ lives, challenges, and history. Can you crack the case? Presented by Violet Schafer.

Do you want to explore fire safety? This hands-on program will show you how to build a fire, identify the different types of fires, and safely extinguish them. Presented by Sydni Albrecht.

Not all creatures get the love they deserve, but we can change that! Come explore our most misunderstood animals through participating in pond dipping and log flipping. You’ll gain a new respect for these not-so-creepy critters! Presented by Autumn Bostrom.

Frogs are croaking chorus members that create the Schmeeckle Symphony! Discover Wisconsin’s twelve frog species by their songs and physical features. Presented by Mich Kraemer.

Right now, under the forest floor, delicate and beautiful plants called spring ephemerals are getting ready to emerge. Go on a journey and explore these plants’ unique adaptations and significance before they disappear! Presented by Eric Janko-Gunderson.

You are cordially invited to a fabulous tea party featuring locally foraged ingredients. Sip some tea and discover different ways you can use Central Wisconsin plants to add some flair to your life. Fun outfits are encouraged. Presented by Sarah Montzka.

Did you know that we experience 80% of the world through sight? Give your eyes a break and join us for a guided walk to uncover the unique sensations of Schmeeckle by listening, touching, and smelling! What will you discover? Presented by Violet Schafer. 

Citizens, Schmeeckle is in danger. Dark forces of human origin are at work, threatening to destroy the natural balance. Join me, Guardian of the Wood, to stop the spread of invasive species before it’s too late! Will you accept the quest and restore the Heart of Schmeeckle? Presented by Kristina Striston. 

Have you ever seen a banded bird before? Discover how bird banding research at Schmeeckle reveals the ways birds survive and thrive in a changing world. Depending on the weather, there may also be a bird banding demonstration. Presented by Dana Lotz.  

Every Pokémon has a real-world equivalent, and Schmeeckle is full of them! Join Pokémon Professor Abigail to explore the animals and vegetation that inspired their Pokémon counterparts! Presented by Abigail Rajnicek.  

The world is so big, yet so small. Let’s stop time together using cameras, magnifying glasses, and more. Explore it all on an adventure where we will discover the details of nature you may have missed before. Presented by Brenna Ripplinger. 

Have you ever been inspired by nature while fishing? Let’s make art by fly tying. Discover how generations of anglers have used the natural world to inspire their work. Open to all experience levels. Presented by Eli Struck.