Recent Blog Posts

by Barbara Dixson As I’ve wandered through the Reserve, I’ve noticed that the plants are changing as the earth edges towards autumn, but that many things are still blooming. It’s beautiful there! Still, I see plants and wonder about them. So I asked for help, and Griffin Bray said “Sure.” Griffin is the graduate...

by Barbara Dixsonphotos by Steve Faber Without Steve’s wife, Jackie Meyers, we wouldn’t have this up-close glimpse of a green heron. Jackie regularly walks, lingering, in the Reserve. She’s been keeping an eye out for this lovely bird, spotted it beside Lake Joanis one day, and called Steve to come over with his camera....

by Barbara Dixson This summer’s Nature Explorers Day Camp–two weeks in June, two weeks in July–was the master’s thesis project for Schmeeckle graduate assistant Griffin Bray. Griffin did the research to create the project, came up with all the activities, led the camp with co-leader Emily Lee, and is going on to evaluate and reflect...

by Barbara Dixson The summer music series in Schmeeckle is new this year and sponsored by the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve. The first show featured the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra Steel Band, and the second brought the Stevens Point City Band to the Reserve. The music was great, the weather friendly, the audience of...

by Barbara Dixson 4 p.m. Sunday, August 27—that’s the time of this year’s member meeting. It’s a special one, the tenth anniversary of the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve. In that decade, Friends have channeled our love of Schmeeckle into projects and support, we’ve made a megaphone of that love and told the world how...

by Chris Thompson As summer creeps along, the foliage in Schmeeckle Reserve is growing quite tall.  One negative consequence of this is when the wind blows, even slightly, the Friends of Schmeeckle trail cams get a lot of pictures of blowing grasses and not a lot of animals.  Fortunately, the trail cams did get...

We are saddened to share the passing of Mark Ilten, a dedicated supporter of the Reserve and a board member of the Friends of Schmeeckle. Mark and his wife Karen have been active Friends members since 2018. Mark joined the Friends board last year to share his passion for the outdoors and his professional...

You’re invited to relish the essence of summer, as Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve sponsor their first free summer concert series with three local acts. All will be held in the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater. Here’s the line-up, each one on a Tuesday evening: July 18, 6 p.m. Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra Steel Band August 1,...

by Barbara Dixsonphotos by Steve Faber Friends member and retired dentist Steve Faber lives on the eastern edge of Schmeeckle Reserve. From there, he wanders down the boardwalks, camera in hand, and catches glimpses of the inhabitants going about their lives. Here are a few of the Schmeeckle folks he encountered in June 2023....

by Barbara Dixson Yesterday I got to join a time traveling secret mission, with nine young agents swirling around their two leaders in the joy of the quest.  In other words—Nature Explorers Day Camp, where Griffin Bray with assistant leader Emily Lee took us through the years of forest succession, from baby trees through...