Recent Blog Posts

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...

by Chris Thompson As summer approaches and the vegetation of Schmeeckle Reserve grows rapidly, the Friends of Schmeeckle trail cams are capturing fewer and fewer images.  One regular critter that we are still seeing regularly on the cameras is Whitetail Deer.   As you can see from a few of the pictures, Schmeeckle’s resident bucks...

by Barbara Dixson It’s hard to believe that once upon a time, the building that has become the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center was an ordinary family house.  The Schmeeckle staff has made the best use imaginable of the space, squeezing in more function than seems remotely possible—including the wood shop in the basement. As...

by Barbara Dixson Wander onto the Trail of Reflections, starting perhaps from the Visitor Center, perhaps from the Menzel Pavilion, and you’ll find that something rather wonderful has happened!  A dozen signs on the theme of Birds of Schmeeckle Reserve now draw walkers along the trail. My friend Jean Watkins and I visited on...

by Barbara Dixson The spring Candlelight Hike fell on a chilly, rainy day that cleared up just in time for 2,000 people to enjoy the trails, program, education stations, and snacks.  Our amazing Melissa Ruether centered the purposeful chaos of the event; the Schmeeckle student staff were on hand in force for set-up and...

by Chris Thompson Following a year or so of capturing images at Moses Creek Meadows, the Friends trail cameras have been moved to Schmeeckle Reserve for the spring. With a few recent reports of a coyote sighting in the reserve boundaries, the hope was to catch the wily creature on the prowl. After just a...

by Barbara Dixson The children of Bob and Mary Mosier celebrated their parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary through donations of trees to Schmeeckle Reserve.  Mary and Bob came out on a chilly day to witness the planting.  Our Schmeeckle student staff members have worked together for the skillful planting of a number of tribute trees...