News from the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Fall 2016
’Round the Reserve 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481 • 715-346-4992 • www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle
Fall a busy season at the Reserve By Jim Buchholz Schmeeckle Reserve Director Fall is definitely in the air! The leaves are turning vivid colors, especially in the wetlands. Squirrels are caching food in preparation for winter. Geese and sandhill cranes are flocking together for their migratory journey south. While the wildlife are getting ready for winter, here at Schmeeckle we’re moving Jim Buchholz into one of our busiest seasons. A new semester has begun at the university, and that means a new staff of students at Schmeeckle to operate the visitor center, maintain the trails, and build cedar signs. We’ve hired 46 students this fall, representing every college on campus. We’re also in the middle of preparing for our biggest event of the year, the fall Candlelight Hike Festival on Friday, Oct. 28, See Director, Page 2
The Zimmerman Prairie was dedicated as part of the Friends Annual Member Meeting on Sept. 27. The prairie is now named in honor of Ron Zimmerman, first director of Schmeeckle Reserve from 1979 to 2015.
Zimmerman Prairie dedicated Friends gather for annual meeting
evolved into a vibrant part of the community, and Schmeeckle Reserve has hosted many families and visitors. We are a young By Jerry Lineberger Friends group, and yet we have Friends Board President accomplished much in three years. On Nov. 4, 2013, I received At our most recent annual a letter from Ron Zimmerman member meeting we said thank thanking me for agreeing to serve you to departing charter board as a member of the charter board members Dan Sivek, Bill Berry, of the Friends of Schmeeckle and Alex Thomas. We would not Reserve. Much water has flowed have become such an excellent through Moses Creek since then. The Friends group has See President, Page 2
Director, From Page 1
Jerry Lineberger addresses the Schmeeckle supporters gathered for the official naming of the Zimmerman Prairie in honor of Ron Zimmerman.
President, From Page 1 organization without their vision and leadership. We welcomed new board members Tim Taschwer and Darcie Howard (look for profiles of them in the next edition of the newsletter). In addition, we welcomed Ron Zimmerman, recently retired first director of the Reserve, as an ex-officio non-voting member of the board. As part of the member meeting, the Reserve hosted the official dedication of the Zimmerman Prairie. The prairie is near the parking area of the visitor center, one of the first areas you see upon arrival, and is a living tribute to the work of Ron in the Reserve. The naming was made possible by generous contributions to the new Schmeeckle Reserve Endowment Fund, which was opened in honor of Ron’s retirement. A special thank you to everyone who donated to this fund, and the generosity of the College of Natural Resources and the Friends of Schmeeckle who matched all of the donations. Schmeeckle started with a goal of $25,000 to raise, and as of last week had raised over $28,000. You can still give to this endowment; more information is available on the Schmeeckle website under “Donate.” The Friends also recently hosted a campfire concert by Tom Pease, an event planned by Schmeeckle trail ranger intern Alyssa Giaimo. It was an excellent evening with over 300 community kids and parents in attendance. Tom is a treasure in our community and a true friend of the Reserve. The fall Schmeeckle student programs begin Oct. 10 and are detailed in this newsletter. Our UWSP students do a great job with these presentations. Thank you for being a Friend, and I look forward to seeing you around the Reserve! Jerry Lineberger of Plover is president of the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Board of Directors. He can be contacted at jerrylineberger@gmail.com. 2
which is sponsored by the Friends organization. This year’s theme is “Nighttime Predators.” Hundreds of pumpkins will again be donated by Cee Dee Acres, ready for carving into a plethora of creatures and shapes. This year, due to the increasing popularity of the event, the entire Lake Loop Trail around Lake Joanis will be lit with torches, offering additional nighttime hiking and providing access for those who wish to park on the south side of the Reserve where it’s less congested. Our popular nature programs will also be starting up soon. A schedule is included in this newsletter. Students in the Environmental Education and Interpretation Practicum work hard all semester to create family-friendly programs about a diversity of natural and cultural topics. This year, we have our biggest Practicum ever: 22 students! That means plenty of interesting programs to choose from. And for the first time, the students will be performing two different character programs at the Candlelight Hike Festival. The Friends group is vital in supporting these important programs that help us to achieve our educational mission at Schmeeckle Reserve. We thank you for your continued support, and encourage you to invite others to become a Friend. Jim Buchholz is Director of Schmeeckle Reserve. He can be contacted at jbuchhol@uwsp.edu or 715-346-4992. ’Round the Reserve
Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve
Annual Report 2015-16 Accomplishments: Organizational 4 Total number of individual and family memberships: 122 4 2016-17 membership renewal rate: 74 percent 4 Donated $6,500 to new Schmeeckle Reserve Endowment Fund at the UWSP Foundation, helping meet the fundraising goal for the naming of the Zimmerman Prairie
4 Ongoing: Hosted the Friends of Schmeeckle Arts Workshops on sketching, writing, and photography 4 Sponsored the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteer Training course in June, a six-day training attended by 16 adult learners 4 Contributed one-fourth of the cost of a fully accessible front door with an opener for the visitor center entrance
4 Friends newsletter distributed three times annually
4 Hosted a saw-whet owl banding program with Dr. Bob Rosenfield
Land Management
Friends Annual Financial Report
4 Hosted Volunteer Days for the Student Memorial Ponds Restoration Project to remove invasive phragmites and restore the area with native plants, with more than 120 volunteer hours donated 4 Hosted Friends Volunteer Days in October and July, with more than 250 volunteer hours donated for invasive species removal and trail work 4 Sponsored a restoration of the four Native Gardens near the visitor center, with the work completed by Friends members Jill Trochlell Ziehr and Kim Fisher
Outreach 4 Sponsored the Candlelight Hike Festival last fall, attended by a record 2,500 people; and the spring Candlelight Hike, attended by more than 1,200 people 4 Hosted the second annual Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Writing, Art, and Photography Contest, with 33 entries in three categories, including a reception and display of entries at the Portage County Public Library (Nov. 1 deadline for 2016 contest) 4 Sponsored a family-friendly concert by children’s performer Tom Pease Fall 2016
Jan. 1-Sept. 27, 2016 Revenue Total membership revenue Total donations Other Total Revenue
Amount 6,891.00 5,281.94 33.19 12,206.13
Expenses State and federal filing fees Printing Postage Visitor center door upgrade Arts Contest Schmeeckle Endowment Master Naturalist course Native Garden materials PayPal fees Tom Pease concert Total Expenses Annual Net
Amount 54.00 180.15 188.00 1,605.85 75.41 6,500.00 256.02 79.20 50.89 400.00 9,389.52 2,816.61
Current Account Balance
32,865.67
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Fall art workshops encourage close observation Arts workshops hosted by the Friends this fall are encouraging participants to get outside and closely notice nature and the change in seasons at Schmeeckle Reserve. The Friends hosted outdoor sketching and writing workshops in September. A photography workshop is slated for Oct. 15. Each workshop is jointly led by a local artist and a Friends board member. On Sept. 10, 20 participants in the art workshop spent time meandering through the Reserve, dodging intermittent rain showers and sketching natural features like big bluestem grass, asters, sweet fern, cedar fences, and bark on downed trees. Stevens Point artist Jean Watkins led the workshop. Four participants in the Sept. 24 writing workshop traveled the Reserve’s trails, taking time to write based on prompts and what they perceived with their senses.
Attendees at the Friends Art Workshop on Sept. 10 sketched bark on fallen trees. Artist Jean Watkins led participants through multiple stops to sketch plants and other features.
Professors emeritus of English Dr. Richard Behm and Dr. Barbara Dixson led the workshop. Dixson is also a member of the Friends board. An outdoor photography workshop will be from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and will be led by photographer Bob Mosier of Plover and Dr. Nisha Fernando, Friends board member and UW-Stevens Point assistant professor of interior architecture. Fernando is also a photographer who regularly captures images in the Reserve. The photography workshop is currently full, but a waiting list is available. Sign up online at www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/schmeeckle/Pages/ArtsWorkshops.aspx
Arts Contest
A writing workshop participant captured her impressions of the Reflection Pond in Schmeeckle Reserve.
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Nov. 1 is the deadline for the Friends annual Writing, Art, and Photography Contest. Now is the time to prepare your entries! The contest awards ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the Pinery Room at the Portage County Public Library. Throughout December, contest entries will be on display in the library’s display window facing Main Street. For more information and to download an entry form, visit www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/schmeeckle/ Pages/friends/contest.aspx ’Round the Reserve
Friends group seeks Candlelight Hike sponsors For the first time, the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve is seeking businesses and organizations to help sponsor the popular Candlelight Hike Festival. Schmeeckle Reserve held its first Candlelight Hike Festival in 2005. Over the past 11 years, the event has grown immensely, expanding in attendance from a few hundred people to nearly 2,500 last fall. As the Candlelight Hike has grown in popularity, the cost of hosting the event also has increased, with annual expenses exceeding $7,000. Sponsorships are for both the fall event on Oct. 28 and spring 2017 Candlelight Hike. Sponsorship is available for a recommended contribution of $500 or $250. Corporate sponsors will be recognized on the Schmeeckle Facebook page with over 2,300 followers, event banners, posters, in the Friends newsletter, and in e-mail promotions sent to UWStevens Point staff and students
Younsters ran down a torch-lit trail at the spring 2016 Candlelight Hike Festival. As this event has grown through the years, so have expenses, prompting the Friends to seek corporate sponsors to help offset the cost of hosting the festival.
and the Schmeeckle mailing list. Sponsors also will know they are helping support an event that is family-friendly, free, accessible, and encourages people to explore the 280-acre green space that makes our community a great place to live. For more information, e-mail schmeeckle@uwsp.edu
Candlelight Hike Sponsors Sincere thanks to the following sponsors for 2016-17: • Happy Trails Fund • Wells Fargo AdvisorsFinancial Network • Cee Dee Acres Market (in-kind donor) • Anonymous
Welcome Your New and Renewing Friends! New Members: Thank you to the following members who have joined the Friends since July 28, 2016. Cynthia Brundage and Kyle Herrman & Charles and Lorelei Herrman Darcie Howard Sybil Strupp AJ Pearl
Fall 2016
Renewing Members: Thank you to the following members who have renewed their Friends membership for 2016-17. Bill Berry and Nick Schultz Michael and Patricia Doherty Ken and Meg Erler Annie Fabina Becca Franzen and Edith & Aloysius Franzen Bernard Hlavac Scott and Jan Hygnstrom
John and Dori Jury Phil and Penny Kallas Ron and Linda Kappell Jackie Meyers and Steve Faber Dan and Ann Newhouse Ron and Sharon Omernick Jane Rogers Susan and Alvin Schuller Emmalea Stirn Todd and Angela Stirn Alex Thomas 5
Upcoming Natural and Cultural Programs Save the Monarchs Monday, Oct. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. One of Wisconsin’s most recognized butterflies is slowly disappearing. Discover more about the monarch and how we can help save it. A Leaf ’s Life Tuesday, Oct. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Although its colors are seen across Wisconsin, a leaf’s purpose is hidden beneath the surface. Explore the world of a leaf as it transitions from the green of spring to the colors of fall to a protective layer beneath the snow. Mushrooms Underground Thursday, Oct. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mushrooms are more than sitting spots for toads or modest homes for fairies. They are a hub of activity beneath the leaf litter. Explore how Schmeeckle’s colorful mushrooms benefit forests. The Moses Creek Story Saturday, Oct. 15, 1-2 p.m. From sedge meadows to a ditch, from a stream to a pipe, Moses Creek has been transformed over time. Discover how the creek was restored in Schmeeckle Reserve. Meet on Wood Lane on the east side of the Reserve. The Mystery Behind Lake Joanis Monday, Oct. 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ever wonder how Lake Joanis came to be? Was it an asteroid, glaciers or humans? Discover the story behind one of Schmeeckle’s crown jewels! Meet at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Maria Drive. Legends of the Leaves Tuesday, Oct. 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Listen closely to the stories Schmeeckle’s trees have to tell. Ancient tales and secret knowledge of the Native Americans are whispering through the bark. Take a stroll with a naturalist and discover all they have to say.
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Where Did They Go? Thursday, Oct. 20, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Numerous plants, animals and habitats are disappearing in Wisconsin. Where are they going? Discover the state’s rare species and what we can do to protect them from extinction. Natural Signs Saturday, Oct. 22, 1-2 p.m. Even if we don’t see them, the wildlife of Schmeeckle leave behind clues that can tell us their story. Join us on a walk to search for these signs and discover how to read them. The Green Circle Through Time Sunday, Oct. 23, 1-2 p.m. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Green Circle Trail! Reflect on the past and present of this unique community treasure during an interactive walk through time. Meet at Pfiffner Pioneer Park bandshell. The Famed Red Fox Tuesday, Oct. 25, 5:45-6:45 p.m. The red fox is famous for its cunning and stealthy behavior. Discover the secret life of these witty and successful creatures in Schmeeckle! Nighttime Senses Thursday, Oct. 27, 5:15-6:15 p.m. How do nocturnal animals in urban and semi-urban environments survive in the dark? Discover the many amazing adaptations of nocturnal animals as we explore their reactions to differences in light and dark. Fall Candlelight Hike Festival Friday, Oct. 28, 6-9 p.m. When the sky is dark and the moon is high there are those just waking to begin their hunt. Meet nocturnal predators as we explore the dark side of Schmeeckle.Walk trails lit by torches and jack-o’-lanterns and gather around the campfire for character programs at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Halloween EXPOSED! Tuesday, Nov. 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m. On Halloween, why do we go to strangers’ doors asking for candy, carve pumpkins, and wear unusual costumes? Unmask the spooky traditions that make Halloween what it is today. Wearing costumes is encouraged! What’s The Dirt? Thursday, Nov. 3, 5:15-6:15 p.m. We dig Schmeeckle’s dirt! Get your hands dirty as we slice through the birthday cake of soil. Explore how rocks, animals, plants and water work together to support life above. Create your own soil profile dirt cake. Wisconsin Winter Warriors Saturday, Nov. 5, 3-4 p.m. Wisconsin has harsh winter weather, but many of Schmeeckle’s wild residents thrive in it. Explore how these winter warriors depend on their adaptations and help from their human neighbors to survive. Batty about Bats Sunday, Nov. 6, 1-2 p.m. Do bats get stuck in your hair? Do they suck your blood? Help us answer these questions and many more as we explore the incredible life of bats. Awesome Possum! Thursday, Nov. 10, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Did you know that there are dinosaurs living right in your backyard? Take a walk on the wild side of Schmeeckle to learn more about our prehistoric opossums. Hidden Hairy Folk Saturday, Nov. 12, 1-2 p.m. We may be unaware while walking the trails of Schmeeckle, but tucked away all around us lies a whole hidden world of furry critters. Discover these elusive mammals on a walk through Schmeeckle.
’Round the Reserve
Upcoming Natural and Cultural Programs Tales of the Night Thursday, Nov. 17, 6-7pm Explore Schmeeckle in the dark and travel the trails as we share the tale of How Night Came into Being. Experience how our senses adjust to darkness. Afterwards, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and tap into your creativity. Life of a Garter Snake Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 1-2 p.m. Garter snakes, or grass snakes, are the most commonly seen snakes in Schmeeckle. Slither through the Reserve as we discover what the world is like through a snake’s eyes. Winter is Snow Joking Matter Sunday, Nov. 20, 3-4 p.m. Frozen designs are etched on windows, cold wind hits your face and the landscape is covered in a blanket of white. Warm up at Schmeeckle as we discover the wonders of the snow, ice, and frost that decorate our winters. Happy Harvest Monday, Nov. 21, 6-7 p.m. Oaks and maples aren’t the only ones fixing for cool weather. Farmers and animals are undergoing great preparation for this year’s fall harvest. Cozy up with a cup of apple cider as we explore harvest traditions and make crafts! Amazing Prairies Tuesday, Nov. 22, 6-7 p.m. Though tall grasses and lush forbs may look plentiful, prairie ecosystems are in great need of help. Discover the many benefits of this beautiful habitat and learn how you can make your own backyard prairie!
Why Fly? Tuesday, Nov. 29, 6-7 p.m. Teleport to the warmth of tropical countries and southern states as we discover the migration destination of Central Wisconsin birds. Discover the sacrifice, perseverance and preparation these winged-creatures must undergo on this treacherous journey. Effects of the Ice Age Thursday, Dec. 1, 6-7 p.m. Travel back in time to the last Ice Age when the freezing climate, glaciers and giant creatures ruled the land. Join us at Schmeeckle to learn how modern Wisconsin was shaped by these primeval forces. Life in the Wind Saturday, Dec. 3, 1-2 p.m. Zip! Zip! Zip! Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are such fast fliers! How can such a little creature exude so much power in such tiny little wings? Discover the secrets behind this amazing critter’s life in the wind. Are Aliens Among Us? Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-2 p.m. Did they sneak in or were they welcomed by people? Discover the stories behind a few of Wisconsin’s non-native species and how they can be managed. Music and Nature Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6-7 p.m. Music has been used to convey ideas and emotions since the beginning of time. Animals too make their own forms of sound and music. Explore why animals make sounds, create your own instrument, and enjoy a rhythm circle at this musical program.
= Dress for the weather! Fall 2016
Fire: Friend of Foe? Thursday, Dec. 8, 6-7 p.m. Fire! How does it fit in our ever expanding, human-made world? Join a Schmeeckle naturalist as we investigate how fire has affected Wisconsin’s past and present. Weather:The Good,The Bad, The Ugly Saturday, Dec. 10, 3-4 p.m. From the northern lights to tornadoes, join us as we uncover the secrets of amazing weather phenomena. Natural History of Winter Holidays Sunday, Dec. 11, 1-2 p.m. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are a true reminder that the holidays are fast approaching. Have you ever wondered why we make this association? Uncover the true natural meaning of the season! The Amphibian Advantage Monday, Dec. 12, 6-7 p.m. Amphibians, the bridge between fish and reptiles, are the monks of winter survival, proving that patience is the best approach to any situation. Explore the world of Schmeeckle’s amphibians and discover how these amazing animals survive harsh northern weather. Ginseng:The Super Herb Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6-7 p.m. Central Wisconsin is one of the top ginseng producers in the country. Join us for a cup of ginseng tea while we explore the ancient medicinal uses and cultural significance of this super herb. Baffled by Bears Wednesday, Dec. 14, 6-7 p.m. Full of baffling behaviors, black bears are a secretive animal. Discover their Native American roots and suburban presence as we uncover the lives of these bashful creatures.
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Why I Love the Reserve: Education and inspiration By Dan Sivek Forty years ago this winter I joined the UWSP track team, one of a small stable of half-milers. As the snow melted, we took our competitive sprint practices to a lightly traveled street north of campus. Tall pines, blue skies, and wetlands filled with croaking and peeping frogs helped make these grueling practices tolerable. This was my first memory of what is today Schmeeckle Reserve. Since 1974, the Reserve has been a source of exercise, education, and inspiration for me. Its future is exciting to contemplate, thanks to decisions made long ago and continuous strong leadership today. Shortly after my abbreviated college-track career, I learned in a forestry class how to measure pace (two steps, heel-to-toe’s end) on that same street. Sometime during college I also happened on a standing-room-only meeting in the student center. The proposal up for debate was to close that street, build a new wider street, and to excavate a lake to provide sand to buttress an enormous new building in these wildlands. Like many students then, I wasn’t sure this was a good idea. Clearly it’s turned out well. After graduating, I worked for a year at UWSP’s Central Wisconsin Environmental Station near Amherst Junction. My second boss was Ron Zimmerman, who soon thereafter became Schmeeckle’s first director. I then 8
“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 firstperson account, please contact Megan Espe at mespe@ uwsp.edu or 715-346-4992.
Dan Sivek has enjoyed visiting the Reserve for education, inspiration, and exercise.
left for 11 years, getting experience in Wisconsin and Illinois, and master’s and doctorate degrees, returning to become a professor of environmental education. For the next 23 years, my students visited the Reserve to enhance their teaching skills. Ron and some of my former professors were now my colleagues. Students who had passed through my courses, such as current Director Jim Buchholz and Outreach Coordinator Megan Espe, also became colleagues. Together we all built one of the nation’s biggest and best environmental education and interpretation programs, with Schmeeckle Reserve a centerpiece in the student experience. Today, when I walk the Granite Parkway Trail, I barely recognize the old Reserve Street where I ran sprints and learned to measure
my pace. It’s a much better place though than it was 40 years ago. Today, instead of watching for cars, we only have to listen for joggers and an occasional bicyclist. We can explore forests, wetlands, shoreline, and prairies on miles of car-free trails and never get our feet wet if we choose. You can, as I’ve done, create art there, or take a short class on art, photography, or writing. You can, as my family has done, join throngs of people for a magical Candlelight Hike. You can learn about Wisconsin’s great conservationists and our conservation history in the visitor center. And you can support, as I do, the Reserve’s programs and management by buying naturerelated merchandise in the gift shop, joining the Friends group, and helping out at a Friends work day. We all have our reasons for loving the Reserve. With our ongoing support through the Friends group, we can ensure that this “island of green” continues to inspire, educate, and protect. Dan Sivek of Stevens Point recently completed a three-year term on the Friends board, two of those years as treasurer. ’Round the Reserve
Habitat Adventures Schmeeckle summer naturalist Cate Lucas, left, led children through the prairie at a “Habitat Adventures” family program about prairies on Aug. 2 at Schmeeckle Reserve. The series was coordinated by Schmeeckle graduate assistant Melissa Alexander as part of her graduate work exploring the intergenerational effects of nature programs.
Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve How to Join Online: www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle Click on “Friends of Schmeeckle” and then “Join the Friends” Mail this form and a check made payable to Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve to: Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve UW-Stevens Point 2419 North Point Drive Stevens Point WI 54481 Walk-in: Sign up at the visitor center Call: Schmeeckle Reserve, 715-346-4992
Fall 2016
Join the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Member Names: ____________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________ Email:_____________________________ Newsletter delivery preference: Email Annual Membership Level Student — $10 (Any grade level) Seeker — $25 (Individual)
This is a gift membership.
Trekker — $50 (Family/Household)
Gift donor’s name, phone, and email:
Adventurer — $100
___________________________
Trailblazer — $250 Explorer — $500
___________________________
Other amount: $_______
___________________________
Contributions to the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve, Inc. are tax-exempt.
___________________________
Makes a great gift! 9
Shhhh … I’ve got a secret. There’s a new boardwalk at Schmeeckle and not many people know about it yet. I went last week to explore and here’s what I found. A good place to start your journey is at the shelter building at the south end of the Granite Parkway by campus. The shelter building is a nice place for a picnic. There are restrooms and all sorts of neat painted animals and plants on the wall. See how many you can identify! Behind the shelter is a secret trail that looks like it leads through the grass into the woods. It actually goes to TWO new sections of boardwalk that were constructed this summer by Schmeeckle staff! This is going to be an awesome place to find frogs in the spring. After you cross the boardwalks, you’ll get to an area with several ponds. Many volunteers, including me, helped to remove Phragmites from the ponds, which Dad calls an “exotic invasive species.” I call it “alien grass” because it invades a wet area and grows so thick that no other plants can grow there.
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Schmeeckle kids ambassador Walden Buchholz checks one of two new boardwalks built this summer in the Reserve. The boardwalks reconnect the Student Memorial Area to the shelter building on Maria Drive, a trail that was closed for the past few years.
Now, instead of Phragmites, you can actually see water, along with thousands of small native plants that were planted by volunteers. I’m so happy that Schmeeckle has many volunteers who help take care of our natural area. I have fun meeting new friends when we work on projects around the Reserve together. One great part of walking around the ponds are the three wooden bridges that form a short loop trail.
If you explore the area, you’ll also find the Ross Amphitheater. It’s built from giant rectangular stones that are perfect for climbing. A side trail leads to the UWSP Student Memorial. This is a nice place on a small hill with a sitting bench for relaxing. This whole area is walkable for kids so check it out next time you feel like exploring. There is parking and an additional entrance to the area along Maria Drive.
’Round the Reserve
beech
Fall 2016 white pine
red pine
hemlock
striped maple
white cedar
sugar maple
quaking aspen
ash
red maple
ŠSheri Amsel • www.exploringnature.org
paper birch
bassword
Color the Mixed Forest
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Parting View: Song and dance with Tom Pease Children’s performer Tom Pease of Amherst gave a one-hour concert on Sept. 17 at the Schmeeckle Reserve campfire ring. Tom encouraged the more than 300 children and their parents who attended to get involved in the songs by singing along and performing dance moves. The Friends of Schmeeckle sponsored the concert.
ADDRESS LABEL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 2419 North Point Drive Stevens Point, WI 54481
Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve