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News from the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Winter/Spring 2018

’Round the Reserve

Courtesy of Bob Mosier

Schmeeckle 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point,Reserve WI 54481 • 715-346-4992 • www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle Lake Joanis Habitat Restoration Project

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This year, we celebrate 40 years of Schmeeckle Reserve! On July 17, 1978, Schmeeckle Reserve was officially dedicated when the UWStevens Point Foundation donated a 50acre parcel with a manmade lake (now known as Lake Joanis) to the Jim Buchholz University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. This gift became a match for a large federal recreation grant that funded the initial development of trails, landscaping, and a shelter building. According to then Acting Chancellor John B. Ellery, the establishment of Schmeeckle was “one of the most important

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By Jim Buchholz Schmeeckle Reserve Director

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Schmeeckle’s 40th year brings opportunities, challenges

Lake Loop Trail

Proposed Lake Loop Rerou

Lake Loop

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SE Restoration Zone, 0.25 acre

SW Restoration Zone, 2.6 acres

Maria Dr

A 4-acre section of woods near Lake Joanis that was badly damaged in a June 2017 windstorm was harvested last fall. The area will be restored with native grasses and trees beginning this spring.

What happened to the trees by the lake? It’s the most common question asked about Schmeeckle Reserve in recent months: What happened to all the trees by the lake? On June 12, 2017, a major storm swept through Stevens Point, flattening hundreds of trees in Schmeeckle Reserve. One of the hardest hit areas was a 4-acre wooded site around the southwest corner of Lake Joanis, near the intersection of Maria Drive and Michigan Avenue. Aspen trees and an understory of thick invasive buckthorn had dominated the area. The mature age of the aspens and the

moist soil made them especially susceptible to the high winds, and most came down in the storm, leaving a jumbled and unsightly mess. While the impact to the natural area was severe, the event provides a unique opportunity to restore the parcel to a native plant community, increasing biodiversity and aesthetics and serving as a learning resource for university students. In cooperation with university forestry professors Mike Demchik See Restoration, Page 9

Green Circle Trailhead planned for construction The Pankowski Friends Amphitheater project is part of a larger proposed development that will create an outdoor activity hub near the Schmeeckle Visitor Center. A Green Circle Trailhead project also planned for the 2018 construction season will serve as a public gateway to the popular 27mile Green Circle State Trail. The trailhead will feature a 50-person rustic stone and timber shelter with a stone fireplace and patio seating area, a fully insulated year-round restroom facility, and an overflow parking lot to accommodate the anticipated increase in use (see the site map on page 3). The shelter will be dedicated in honor of Roy Menzel, one of the founders of the Green Circle. The project will cost $700,770, half of which is expected to be funded through a Department of Natural Resources Stewardship Director, From Page 1 accomplishments of UWSP in its history.” As we move into our 40-year anniversary, I am proud that Schmeeckle Reserve continues to be an essential part of the UWStevens Point campus, providing inspiration, education, and relaxation for students, faculty, and staff. But the true value of Schmeeckle is that it expands far beyond campus, a community treasure that is loved, respected, and cared for by countless friends from central Wisconsin and beyond. This year will mark a 2

Rendering of Trailhead Shelter (design by Alliiance Architects)

Grant. Although the shelter will be located on university land, Portage County as the grant recipient will construct the project and maintain ownership. The remaining costs will be covered by donations. Philanthropist John Noel provided $250,000 to facilitate development

of the project. Other donors have pledged $75,500, with about $12,000 still needed to fully fund the project. The trailhead and amphitheater projects complement each other and offer a diverse venue for programs and events.

new chapter in the legacy of Schmeeckle as we embark on exciting new developments. The Friends Amphitheater and the Green Circle Trailhead projects will significantly enhance the visitor center area with a beautiful new shelter building, all-season restrooms, shaded parking, and an intimate space for performances and programs. A major forest restoration project will improve native habitat in an area along Lake Joanis ravaged by storms. At the same time, the natural area will be facing growing challenges. State support of Schmeeckle has been significantly cut as student enrollment declines. Our ability to bring in revenue

through outside consulting projects, our primary source of funding for over 20 years, has been severely limited. We will be exploring new ways to support our operations through different funding sources and partnerships, so that we can continue to offer the quality experience that people have come to expect from Schmeeckle. Our Friends will play a major role. We’re excited to celebrate the Reserve’s 40th anniversary with you this year! Your generous support ensures that Schmeeckle will continue to be an “island of green” that serves both campus and the community over the next 40 years. ’Round the Reserve

Winter/Spring 2018

Pankowski Friends Amphitheater Fundraising Update Fundraising for the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater began just last fall, but the Friends has already raised a remarkable $119,000 for the project, more than halfway toward the total cost of $235,000. A heartfelt thank you to the 70 individuals, families, and organizations who have already generously donated. They are listed below. Donations are still being accepted. Consider a lasting gift to make this project a reality. Campfire programs, musical performances, plays, speakers, and many other Schmeeckle and community events will be held in the new amphitheater for decades to come.You also have the opportunity to be recognized on a special donor plaque to be installed at the amphitheater. Founders ($40,000 and above): Dallas and Edith Pankowski Partners ($10,000-$19,999): Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Joseph and Charlene Jarabek Sponsors ($5,000-$9,999): Michael and Beverly Gross Bernard and Mitzi Hlavac Jerry Lineberger Jack and Cynny Porter Timothy Taschwer Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin Stevens Point Area Tourism Development Grant Fund

Supporters ($1,000$4,999) In memory of Duane E. Sherman Jim and Sunshine Buchholz Michael Dombeck Ken and Meg Erler Bill and Kim Fisher Dave and Karen Henneghan Dan and Donna Marx Rick and Sharon Rothman Kathleen Taft Chris and Kaila Thompson Rick Wilke Kay Wohlbier Ron and Donna Zimmerman Plover Kiwanis Shulfer Enterprises Other Donors ($1-$999) Anton Anday Dennis and Linda Brown Jason Brown Jim Canales Barbara Dixson and Alan Smith Richard and Janice Doxtator Megan and Troy Espe Steve Faber and Jackie Meyers Jim and Madeleine Haine Alan Haney John and Dori Jury Jan and Kathy Hermann Jack Hurrish and Joan Karlen Gene and June Johnson Lynne E. Kagelmann, in honor of Educators of WI Phil and Penny Kallas John and Patricia Kedrowski Bob and Nancy Korth John and Donna Koutre Sue Kwarciany Brenda Lackey and Cathy Scheder Janet Langton

Dallas and Edith Pankowski

FRIENDS AMPHITHEATER Dedicated 2018 Made possible through the generous support of:

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Michael and Janet LeClair Kendra Liddicoat and Brian Barringer Scott Maas Dianne Meyer Paul and Becky Otto John and Dawn Porter, in honor of Jack and Cynny Porter Wendy and Steve Porter, in honor of Jack and Cynny Porter James Rogers Timothy Roman Kathryn Savonne Susan and Alvin Schuller Dan and Tina Sivek Tully Smith Dan Stephens Richard and Lois Wetzel Robert and Marilyn Worth James and Susan Zach General Federation of Women’s Club: Stevens Point Woman’s Club ’Round the Reserve

Amphitheater fundraising crosses the halfway mark By Jerry Lineberger Friends Board President We all know that as you approach 40, life throws new challenges your way. This year Schmeeckle Reserve marks its 40th anniversary, and we are indeed facing “interesting times.” As Schmeeckle Reserve Director Jim Buchholz notes in his comments, these are challenging days for our state, our university, and as a result for our Reserve. The Jerry good news is that Lineberger our community is filled with smart, committed, and passionate supporters of Schmeeckle Reserve! As you can see from the amphitheater fundraising results on the previous page, we have

Conceptual rendering of Friends Amphitheater (design by Rettler Corporation)

received enormous support for the project. This is an exciting time to be part of the Schmeeckle Reserve family. We are looking forward to the sounds and sights of construction and to the years of community programs and events that will follow in this unique space and the memories we will make. There is still ample time to contribute toward the

Yes, I would like to donate to the Friends Amphitheater! Name(s): ________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Email:_____________________________ Donation Amount: $____________ In Honor of:

I would like to remain anonymous

In Memory of: _______________________________

Send this form and payment to: Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve 2419 North Point Drive Stevens Point, WI 54481

Donate online at: www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle and click on “Friends of Schmeeckle”

amphitheater. We have met the halfway mark in our fundraising, and any additional donations we receive from our Friends will help make this project possible. We are also hoping for generous in-kind contributions from contractors. Spring is just around the corner! We all look forward to getting outside more and trooping around or biking in our beautiful Reserve. The Friends and the Schmeeckle staff will continue to work hard to make sure the “Island of Green” in our city continues to provide a calm and quiet place to gather. We are grateful for your continued Friends membership. Through your enduring support, you can play a role in buffering the ongoing challenges facing this vibrant 40 year old. The next 40 years will be even better. Thank you for being a Friend. Jerry Lineberger of Plover is president of the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Board of Directors. He can be contacted at jerrylineberger@ gmail.com.

Donations are tax deductible.

Winter/Spring 2018

Spring Family Nature Programs Family Nature Programs... The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve sponsors the Reserve’s family nature programs, which are presented by UW-Stevens Point students majoring in environmental education and interpretation. Each program features hands-on activities designed to involve all ages. Snacks are provided. No registration is required; just stop by and enjoy the fun! * All programs meet at the visitor center unless otherwise noted. = Dress for the weather!

Sweet and Sappy Tuesday, March 6, 5-6 p.m. The land is thawing and sap is flowing. Take a walk through the forest to discover how syruping nourishes both trees and us. Spring Cleaning: Hibernator Style Thursday, March 8, 6-7 p.m. We’re not the only ones overcome by sudden productivity when the weather warms. What is on various hibernators’ to-do lists once they wake for the spring? Find out what it takes to get their homes and families in order. Long-Legged Legends Thursday, March 15, 6-7 p.m. Explore the special adaptations that make Wisconsin’s sandhill cranes experts in wetland survival and the crucial role they play in keeping our wetlands healthy. Forest and Fire: An Unlikely Friendship Saturday, March 17, 1-2 p.m. With the help of our local tree spirit, explore what makes forests healthy through the eyes of a tree, and discover how fire can keep our forests in tip-top shape! Times,They Are A-Changin’ Tuesday, March 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m. As we venture outside, the landscape is changing. Whether it’s through the flowers blooming, animals moving, or birds coming back north, there is lots to see on the first day of spring!

Water World Thursday, March 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Explore the biodiversity that water brings to the planet! Lake Joanis is home to a multitude of native animals and plants but also hosts some dark and sinister invasives. *Meet at the intersection of Maria Drive and Minnesota Avenue Wetland MVPs Saturday, April 7, 1-2 p.m. Hop into a frog’s shoes and explore their Schmeeckle homes, where they serve as both predator and prey. These small amphibians are the MVPs of wetlands as they can indicate the health of their home. Nature’s Misunderstood Renovators Sunday, April 8, 2-3 p.m. Have you ever been fascinated but slightly terrified of storms and wind? See the aftermath of these natural phenomena that hit Schmeeckle Reserve in 2017. There is an upside to the destruction! *Meet at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Maria Drive Holy Moses! Tuesday, April 10, 6-7 p.m. Embark on a journey along Moses Creek and see how streams are vital to a healthy ecosystem. Uncover the history of Moses Creek while encountering the creatures that call it home. Come prepared to get your hands dirty at discovery stations. *Meet at the corner of North Point Drive and Wood Lane Settler Style Survival Thursday, April 12, 6-7 p.m. What did the early pioneers do when they couldn’t Google their life questions? They relied on a set of primitive survival skills to help them live through whatever Mother Nature threw at them. Join us around the fire to learn the forgotten art of self-reliance and survival in the outdoors. Following in Their Footsteps Sunday, April 15, 1-2 p.m. Tracks are all around us. They can be large, small, or even our own, but all tracks tell a story. Join us as we decipher the secret messages a track can tell about the creature that walked away from it.

’Round the Reserve

Spring Family Nature Programs Night Performers Thursday, April 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m. When we head to bed, nature’s night performers come out. Come listen to the world of woodcocks, nighthawks and whippoorwills, and discover why they grace us with their dances and song. Nature’s Home Security Sunday, April 22, 1-2 p.m. With no fancy electronic alarm systems for their homes, animals have developed unique ways to protect themselves from hungry predators and nosy humans who just want a peek inside. Legends of Bald Eagles Tuesday, April 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Soaring across the sky, these majestic and recognizable birds of prey are beloved by many. Hear how these legendary birds have held prominence in many American cultures. Plants: Food, Medicine, and Fun! Saturday, April 28, 2-3 p.m. Wood violets on my cake and delicious mushrooms to make. Discover how commonly encountered plants have played an important role in food, medicine and art. Be ready to sample some goodies and make your own flower press!

2018 Spring Candlelight Hike Festival Friday, May 4 7–9:30 p.m. As you enjoy the warmth of spring, walk torchlit paths through the woods and along the lake. Arrive and leave when you like! Free event! (suggested donation of $2/person or $5/family) “May The Forest Be With You” Presented at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the campfire ring Schmeeckle is a battleground! The plants have gotten tired of being eaten, and are rebelling against the animals. Who can restore balance to the forest? May the forest be with you as you decide whose side you are on. Other events all evening: Free “plant-friendly” crafts and snacks. Forest-inspired gifts at the Browse Shop. Discovery Stations featuring paws-on activities. Gain balancing powers through the festival scavenger hunt.

The Wetland’s Air Force Monday, May 7, 6-7 p.m. Explore the lives of the fearless dragonflies and damselflies as they protect the skies around our wetlands.

Welcome New and Returning Friends! New Members: A special welcome to the following members who have joined the Friends: Barbara Arrowood Steve and Sue Bergin Jim and Barb DeWeerd John Egan Leah Egan James and Mary Fico Susan Foote-Martin and Mark Martin

Winter/Spring 2018

James and Lenore Haferman Gerald Haiar Katie Youngberg Leonard Long Lynn Markham Stephen Marquardt Robert and Karen McDonald Cindy Rothfeder Noreen Schreiber Sol Sepsenwol Elli Walker Deb Wilz

Renewing Members: Thank you to the following members who have renewed their Friends membership for 2017-18: Richard and Mary Behm Darcie Howard Scott and Jan Hygnstrom Kimatha Phillips Kathleen Taft

Why I Love the Reserve: Watching it grow over the years By John Jury The truth is, I didn’t love what is now the Reserve at first. I was a new staff member at UW-Stevens Point in 1972, the hall director of Pray-Sims. The year had hardly started when I received a call from an assistant to Chancellor Dreyfus. He wanted to know if I would like to see less traffic on Reserve Street. Thinking of the 440 men in Pray-Sims, I said, “Yes, less traffic would mean more safety for our residential students.” He said, “The chancellor would like you to come to a hearing and say that.” I said I would. Little did I know that there would be a packed house and I would be the only person out of many to speak in support of a new road that would get traffic off campus. Yes, without understanding the implications, I supported the extension of Michigan Avenue through some beautiful wetlands that would later become known as the Schmeeckle Reserve. I also didn’t know yet that about half of the men in PraySims hall were College of Natural Resources (CNR) majors who did NOT want those wetlands disturbed. I was NOT well received back at the hall that night! My lifelong entanglement with the Reserve had begun. I watched Michigan Avenue get built, and I watched them take truckload after truckload of dirt from that area to provide fill for the new Sentry complex. I watched groundwater fill in to slowly create a small lake and the vegetation begin anew from that scraped landscape. I was there in 1994, our university’s 100th birthday, when that lake was named for Sentry’s long-time president and friend of the university, John Joanis. Later, when I served as a member of the hotel tax committee, we recommended some funding to help remodel the visitor center at Schmeeckle, because we had noticed that people were pulling off the road to visit the new home of the Conservation Hall of Fame and Schmeeckle’s historical conservation exhibits. As adviser to the Student Government Association in the ’90s, I remember the night Schmeeckle’s director, Ron Zimmerman, asked students if they would allocate some of their activity fee money to provide more programming in this natural area. They 8

John Jury and his wife, Dori, are regular trail walkers at Schmeeckle Reserve., even when the temperature plummets. John, who retired from UW-Stevens Point, served on the first board of directors for the Friends of Schmeeckle.

said yes, and they have been supporters ever since. I watched the Reserve grow from its original 50 acres to nearly 300 acres now. I also had an opportunity to witness the wonderful staff members through the years who have dedicated their professional and personal lives to what we sometimes take for granted today. Most importantly, I had a front row seat to watch the amazing healing power of nature, becoming what conservation professor Fred Schmeeckle predicted in 1958: that “Someday this area will serve as an island of green in the City of Stevens Point.” Perhaps a coincidence, perhaps not: The Green Circle now runs through that island of green. It was a former Schmeeckle Reserve graduate assistant who See Jury, Page 9 ’Round the Reserve

Jury, From Page 8 wrote the initial strategic plan for this 27-mile natural linear trail system around our urban area. Guess who recommended him to the Green Circle Committee? Yep, it was the staff of the Reserve. Schmeeckle staff/students continue to be involved with the Green Circle effort to this day. I sometimes relive all these memories as my wife, Dori, and I walk the trails at Schmeeckle several times a week. If we haven’t been there for a while, it is like seeing an old friend when we return. The Reserve, its staff, and the terrific students who have received hands-on experience there have been an important part of our lives in so many ways. As a member of the first Friends of Schmeeckle Board, I would try to recruit new Friends by asking if they would like

“Why I Love the Reserve” is a regular feature in the Friends newsletter. If you would like to be interviewed for this feature, or if you want to write a first-person account, please contact Barbara Dixson at barbaradixson@gmail.com to co-own 280 mostly wooded acres including a 24-acre lake in central Wisconsin. The response was usually that they could not afford something like that. Few can, but as residents of central Wisconsin, we all share this unique property— its trails, diverse vegetation, wildlife, and educational programming—right within our city limits. Everyone is invited to become a Friend of the Reserve, to share the feeling and to share the work at times. I have come to believe that Professor Schmeeckle was wrong

about this land becoming an island. It is anything but an island. I have asked the staff, “Is Schmeeckle a place or an idea?” The environmental message coming from Schmeeckle and its CNR home extends an environmental ethic that permeates central Wisconsin and beyond. Why do I love the Schmeeckle Reserve? Because I have watched it, like a child, grow and develop from infancy to adulthood. I have learned so much about nature from its staff and through its programs. I go there often not only to exercise, but also to renew my spirit. I suspect I love Schmeeckle more than most. See you on the trails. John Jury was a member of the founding board of directors for the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve, completing his term in fall 2017.

Restoration, From Page 1 and Kevin Burns, Schmeeckle began restoring the 4-acre site last fall. In October, Great North Timber Services from Tomahawk harvested all down and standing aspen trees. In November, a FECON grinder was used to grind the brush, branches, and slash left over by harvesting in preparation for site planting. This spring, students, volunteers, and staff will plant native grass seeds and about 550 native tree seedlings. The native grasses will be side-oats grama and little bluestem. Tree species include cottonwood, swamp white oak, white cedar, yellow birch, and white spruce. Cages anchored by posts will protect the seedlings from browsing deer. Invasive buckthorn re-sprouts will be controlled through foliar treatment with herbicide designated for safe control in wet areas. The initial restoration will cost about $5,000. Donations toward the project can be made online Winter/Spring 2018

Mature aspen trees were harvested last fall from the restoration area near Lake Joanis. The site will be planted with native grasses and trees this spring.

through the Friends website or mailed to the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve. Watch your email for announcements about spring volunteer days to help give nature a head start! 9

Students lead long-time deer study in Schmeeckle By Barbara Dixson Friends Newsletter Editor It is 6 o’clock on a dark January morning, the off-trail snow in Schmeeckle is knee high, and it’s shivery, single digits weather. As the co-leaders and volunteers approach the box trap, moving as quietly as possible and speaking only in whispers, they hear the doe kicking the wooden sides. Two people stand at the sides of the box trap, two near the front ready to tackle the doe when she comes out, and two more, Kelsey Brown and Kelsie Hayes, stand directly in front of the trap with the net, glad of their Carhartt bibs and buzzing with adrenaline The door shoots open—the deer flies out, bleating—and the two women catch her head in the net, their eyes locked on each other as they twist the net at an angle, then down, Kelsey Brown bringing the doe to a crouch. The tacklers land on her, put a cloth tube over her face to calm her, and, quickly, listening to be sure her breathing Kelsie Hayes stays strong and healthy, the coleaders ear tag and radio collar her. And she’s off! That was Kelsie Hayes and Kelsey Brown’s first volunteer deer collaring run. Since that time, 10

University students in The Wildlife Society released a white-tailed deer they had trapped and collared in Schmeeckle Reserve.

Research Update they’ve remained a part of the long-term deer study conducted by members of the university’s student chapter of The Wildlife Society (TWS), and have risen to become two of the current four co-leaders themselves. The exact duration of the project is unclear, as advisers have given way to new advisers over the years, and student leaders recruit volunteers, some of whom go on to become subsequent student leaders. A decade, at least, estimates Scott Hygnstrom, the current adviser to the project, who is an expert in management of white-tailed deer and director of the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife, which brings together faculty, staff, students, professionals, and landowners for sustainable wildlife management. Once the deer is collared

(always an adult female, as the males range very far, and the young ones outgrow their collars), TWS students visit the Reserve from time to time and track her movements by telemetry. With a Yagi antenna, kind of like an old-fashioned TV antenna, they can locate all the collared deer in a range of a mile or two and plot each one’s GPS position. Right now, three deer are collared; the hope is to have five in all. The data recorded gets graphed on a computer and illuminates the overall objectives of the study. Last year’s objective, as stated on the group’s poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in May 2017, was to determine if winter severity correlates with area use and movements of deer in Schmeeckle Reserve. See Deer, Page 11 ’Round the Reserve

Hello, Friends! It’s me, Walden, the Schmeeckle Kids Ambassador. Have you visited the new bird viewing area yet? It’s a great place to watch animals, even on cold winter days. I’ve seen lots of chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and, of course, squirrels. The woodpeckers will come close to the window to eat the suet, which is made of fat and gives birds lots of energy to keep warm. When we first put out the feeders, the deer ate all of the seeds. It took them less than an hour to empty an entire feeder! Now the feeders are hanging high in the trees so the deer can’t reach them. You can still see deer outside the windows, though, because they like to eat the seeds that fall on the ground. Some of the deer have collars and yellow ear tags. Schmeeckle Kids Ambassador Walden They’re not pets, Buchholz checks out birds at the feeder although they outside the new bird viewing area in the can be really Schmeeckle Visitor Center. tame sometimes! The university students use special equipment to track the deer and know where they are, even if they can’t see them. The bird viewing area is located in the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame gallery in the Schmeeckle

Deer, From Page 10 For Kelsey Brown and Kelsie Hayes, the deer study has proved to be a rich source of professional development. Kelsey Brown hopes to do wildlife rehabilitation, probably with large mammals, and Kelsie Hayes is already beginning to realize her dream of working with cervids. Both feel that learning to function smoothly

Winter/Spring 2018

Visitor Center. Look through binoculars to see the birds up-close and browse books to help you identify them. Be sure to write down what you see on the sightings board so others can watch for the birds too! We have plans to make the bird viewing area even better with more feeders, bird houses, and places for birds to get water. There’s even going to be a camera outside so we can see the birds up-close on a screen. I can’t wait to see what birds will come to visit this spring! Want to help with the bird viewing area? We’re looking for donations of: Platform feeders Squirrel-proof hopper feeders Window feeders Thistle feeders Thistle seed Tube feeders Hummingbird feeders Hummingbird food/mix Oriole feeders Oriole food/mix Suet cakes Birdhouses for: robins, black-capped chickadees, house wrens, bluebirds, saw-whet owls, and kestrels If you’re a woodworker looking for a new project, we can provide plans for you! Donations of these items or financial contributions to purchase them can be dropped off at the front desk of the visitor center. If you have questions, please contact my mom, Sunshine Buchholz, at sbuchhol@ uwsp.edu or leave a message at 715-346-4992.

with a team of people, first as team members, now as leaders, has been powerful. They’ve honed their technical skills—forest skills, data plotting and statistics, public presentations—and their career goals have come into focus in a realistic way. Perhaps most of all, both value their strengthening connection to their professional community, within the university and around the state.

In past years, students have taken different approaches, such as using trail cameras to study population. Now, Dr. Hygnstrom has asked the group to pair with a forestry organization to see what makes a deer-friendly habitat. The technique they’ll use? Counting deer by looking at deer pellets. Barbara Dixson serves on the Friends board of directors.

Parting View: Tourism Grant a Boost for Amphitheater Project In January, the Stevens Point Area Tourism Development Committee presented a $5,000 grant for the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater project. This generous award is a huge boost for the construction of this outdoor performance venue. From left are Jim Buchholz, Schmeeckle Reserve director, Noall Silvester, Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau board member, Pete Theisen, SPACVB board chair, Sara Brish, SPACVB executive director, Ron Zimmerman, former director of Schmeeckle Reserve, Jerry Lineberger, Friends of Schmeeckle board president, Megan Espe, Schmeeckle Reserve outreach coordinator, and Barbara Dixson, Friends of Schmeeckle board member.

ADDRESS LABEL 2419 North Point Drive Stevens Point, WI 54481

Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve