Recent Blog Posts

by Barbara Dixson Conservation, education, and recreation: these are the foundations of Schmeeckle Reserve’s mission, and conservation comes first. This fall’s practicum students have given us a window into four of the recent projects which have been restoring Schmeeckle’s widely diverse habitats. You can be surprised by them as you wander, or you can...

by Barbara Dixson Pictured above: Ron Zimmerman, Jim Buchholz, and Peter Fee, demonstrating the latest technical innovations as they work on the Moses Creek Meadows boardwalk and overlook “Great!” Bill Fisher said, when I asked what it was like to work on the Moses Creek Meadows Boardwalk and Viewing Deck project. “We have a...

by Barbara Dixson “Deer? What deer?” you might think on some days as you walk in the Reserve, whereas on others you could exclaim, “It’s the Times Square of deer!” We’ve never known just how many deer live in Schmeeckle. The Wildlife Society, a student organization at UWSP, studies the deer in the Reserve...

by Chris Thompson This fall, the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve trail cameras were quite active, with many deer and coyote pictures daily.  However, we were not getting a lot of other species, so in December one of the trail cameras was relocated to a site in an area of secluded forest, near a wetland...

by Barbara Dixson Pictured above: Sunshine Buchholz with owl puppet If you’ve ever shopped in the gift shop at Schmeeckle Reserve, you know that it’s simply a happy place to be.  As you walk in, you’re greeted by a UWSP student behind the desk.  Very quietly in the background, you hear nature sounds.  Out...

by Barbara Dixson Stevens Point residents remember the character programs at the fall and spring Candlelight Hikes from way back: the only lighting was powered by an extension cord from the visitor center and the students who were playing frogs or snakes or hawks would bellow their lines at top voice.  This year, on...

by Chris Thompson, producer, writer, and cinematographer of this episode–pictured above with his sons The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve trail cameras have been seeing a lot of deer this fall.  In the trail camera pictures, often when a picture of a doe is captured, it is soon followed by a gentleman caller – a...

Photos by Steve Faber, text by Barbara Dixson As he contemplated a photo of Lake Joanis, reflecting its autumn glory, Steve happened to turn it sideways and noticed something surprising. Steve commented, “I’m not sure why I decided to look at it sideways, but when I did, voila!” Guitar Schmeeckle! Or, there’s the beauty...

by Barbara Dixson The annual Friends of Schmeeckle Writing, Art, and Photo Contest has inspired many beautiful works of art over the decade it’s been underway. It’s also made a space for those who see and appreciate Schmeeckle Reserve in very different ways to open those perspectives to others. After browsing some of the...

by Melissa Ruether If you have enjoyed a Discovery Station at the last couple Candlelight Hikes, you can thank the Environmental Educators and Naturalists Association (EENA). This UW-Stevens Point student organization has partnered with the Friends and Schmeeckle Reserve to gain some relevant experience in the world of environmental education and interpretation. EENA provides...