Friends of Schmeeckle Fall 2018 Newsletter

Vol. 5, Issue 3

Fall 2018

‘Round the Reserve

Friends of Schmeeckle Schmeeckle Reserve

Reserve

2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481

www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle

friendsofschmeeckle@gmail.com

715-346-4992

Much to be proud of over past five years

By Jerry Lineberger Friends Board President With your help in the last five years we have established the Zimmerman Prairie, created the Circle of Seasons “big chairs,” and created a network of Friends of the Reserve who regularly give their Jerry time, money, Lineberger and talent to making Schmeeckle Reserve the treasure it is in our community.

In just the last year we have accomplished much! With your help we have raised almost $250,000 toward the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater, which is now under construction.

Together we have sponsored improvements to the bird viewing area at the visitor center, hosted the Family Nature Program Series created and presented by students, and sponsored the Candlelight Hike Festival with total annual attendance of nearly 5,000.

See President, Page 2

At the amphitheater groundbreaking on Sept. 7, participants were, from left, Brian Sloss, UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Associate Dean for Outreach and Extension; Ann Lucas, Sentry Insurance Foundation Executive Director; Jim Buchholz, Schmeeckle Reserve Director; Jerry Lineberger, Friends of Schmeeckle Board President; Ross Rettler, Rettler Corporation Project Manager; Mike Wiza, Stevens Point Mayor; and Dallas and Edith Pankowski, major donors to the project.

Amphitheater construction underway

By Jim Buchholz Schmeeckle Reserve Director

The Pankowski Friends Amphitheater is now under construction. The well-attended groundbreaking celebration on Sept. 7 featured speeches

by Jerry Lineberger (Friends of Schmeeckle), Jim Buchholz (Schmeeckle Reserve), Dallas Pankowski (donor), Ann Lucas (Sentry Insurance Foundation), Brian Sloss (UW-Stevens Point), Mayor Mike Wiza (City of Stevens Point), and Ross Rettler (Rettler Corporation).

It was awe-inspiring to see so many individuals and groups

partnering together to make this dream a reality.

The Friends group was happy to hire a local business, Ellis Construction, to coordinate construction of the amphitheater with oversight provided by the Rettler Corporation. Both companies have provided generous cost reductions to keep the project affordable.

Stop by to see the changes that are taking place! The trees and brush have been cleared from the area. Numerous truckloads of fill have been brought in and are slowly being sculpted into the See Amphitheater, Page 2

President, From Page 1 Friends of Schmeeckle Board of Directors

Nisha Fernando UWSP

The annual Writing, Art and Photography Contest provides an opportunity for community members to share their love of the Reserve in creative and unique ways.

At our recent annual member meeting, Jim Buchholz presented an amazing history of how the Reserve was created 40 years ago. We were honored to have Mary Williams talk about her work in Chancellor Dreyfus’ office during the excavation of Lake Joanis, as well as Duane Greuel, the Reserve’s first manager.

We had so many Friends members in

Kim Fisher Walczak Center for Dentistry and Orthodontics, Retired

Amphitheater, From Page 1

president

Jerry Lineberger UWSP, Retired Treasurer Rick Rothman UWSP, Retired Secretary Barbara Dixson UWSP, Retired Student Representative Leah Egan, DeForest

Michael Gross UWSP, Retired Bernard Hlavac Sentry Insurance, Retired Christine Koeller UWSP Jackie Meyers Stevens Point Area YMCA Mike Orella UWSP, Retired Nancy Ross Indiana University, Retired Timothy Taschwer TKE Educational Foundation, Retired Chris Thompson Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital Ron Zimmerman Schmeeckle Reserve, Retired Advisory Council Bill Berry E. John Buzza Alan Engebretson Alan Haney John Jury Dan Marx Jim Rogers Dan Sivek

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base for the seating and stage. During the weeks of Oct. 22-Nov. 2, the foundation for the stage will be excavated and the concrete footings and slab will be poured. Starting Nov. 12, the sandstone seating, steps, and wall will be installed.

The timber-frame stage structure will be built in late November, with planned completion by Dec. 1.

A special thank you to the 80-plus

attendance we ran out of places for people to sit! This was the most amazing potluck dinner I have ever attended.

As a Friend, you are part of a wonderful and generous community of people who care deeply about the natural area and who want to make sure it remains a resource for students and central Wisconsin residents. You know the joy of encountering spring peepers in the wetlands, deer on the trails, and of being the first person to hit the trails in snowshoes on a wintry morning.

We all love the Reserve for our own special reasons. Thank you for being a Friend.

donors who helped to make this dream a reality! In less than a year, the Friends group has raised almost $250,000 toward the project. This completely funds the first phase of the project. We are still collecting donations for the second phase, which includes electrical work, lighting, a sound system, and native landscaping for an estimated $30,000.

For more information, visit www. uwsp.edu/schmeeckle and click on “Current Projects.”

Join the growing list of amphitheater supporters!

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”

Donations are tax deductible.

Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve

Thank You to Our Pankowski Friends Amphitheater Donors Founders ($40,000 and above): Dallas and Edith Pankowski Sentry Insurance Foundation Partners ($10,000-$19,999): Helen Busch, in memory of Bob Busch Joseph and Charlene Jarabek Jerry Lineberger, in memory of Susan Lineberger Nancy Ross, in memory of John Ross Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Rettler Corporation Sponsors ($5,000-$9,999): Michael and Beverly Gross Bernard and Mitzi Hlavac Jack and Cynny Porter Kevin and Adelle Spaay, in honor of All Ella’s Patrons, 1974-2016 Timothy L. Taschwer Trust Aldo Leopold Audubon Society Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin Amphitheater Grant Seramur Foundation Stevens Point Area Tourism Development Grant Wisconsin Public Service Foundation Dallas and Edith Pankowski

FRIeNDs aMPhItheateR Dedicated 2019 Made possible through the generous support of: Founders ($40,000 and above)

Dallas and Edith Pankowski

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Fall 2018

Supporters ($1,000-$4,999) Samantha and David Birkenkamp, in memory of Susan Lineberger Jim and Sunshine Buchholz Michael Dombeck Ken and Meg Erler Bill and Kim Fisher Kent and Sue Hall Dave and Karen Henneghan Dan and Donna Marx Don and Tina Peters Sheri, Tony, and Ben Rohde Rick and Sharon Rothman In Memory of Duane E. Sherman Richard and Diane Steffensen Kathleen Taft Chris and Kaila Thompson Rick Wilke Kay Wohlbier, in memory of Carl T. Wohlbier David and Cindy Worth Ron and Donna Zimmerman Delta Dental Kiwanis Club of Plover Shulfer’s Sprinklers & Landscaping Donors ($1-$999) Anton and Mary Beth Anday Bill Berry and Nick Schultz, in memory of George and Jeanette Rogers Dennis and Linda Brown Jason Brown Melanie Balsis Judy Cable Anderson, in memory of John E. Anderson Jim Canales Barbara Dixson and Alan Smith In honor of Leah Egan Megan and Troy Espe Jim and Barb DeWeerd Steve Faber and Jackie Meyers Jim and Madeleine Haine Alan Haney All donors who give $1,000 or more toward the project will be recognized on a sign installed near the amphitheater.

Geoffrey Harris Jan and Kathy Hermann Jack Hurrish and Joan Karlen Gene and June Johnson John and Dori Jury Lynne E. Kagelmann, in honor of Educators of Wisconsin Phil and Penny Kallas Christine Koeller John and Patricia Kedrowski Bob and Nancy Korth John and Donna Koutre Sue Kwarciany Brenda Lackey and Cathy Scheder Janet Langton Michael and Janet LeClair Kendra Liddicoat and Brian Barringer Scott Maas Dianne Meyer, in honor of Cooper and Camden Thompson Ron and Sharon Omernick, in memory of Stanley and Lillian Mijal Mike and Linda Orella Paul and Becky Otto Gary Nickel and Deborah Padgett, in memory of Susan Lineberger John and Dawn Porter, in honor of Jack and Cynny Porter Wendy Porter and Steve Nyberg, in honor of Jack and Cynny Porter Judy Ratkowski, in memory of Doug Post James Rogers Timothy Roman Kathryn Savonne Susan and Alvin Schuller Dan and Tina Sivek Dan Stephens Tully Smith Susan Schlicht, in memory of Karl and Joan Williams James and Susan Zach GFWC Stevens Point Woman’s Club 3

Why I Love the Reserve: Important to whole family

By Cynny Porter My husband, Jack, and I moved to the Stevens Point area in 1972 when Jack was assigned as Professor of Military Science in the ROTC Department at UWStevens Point. At that time cadets occasionally held patrolling maneuvers in the wooded areas of Schmeeckle and rappelled from the tower near Maria Drive.

Both activities later moved to Fort McCoy. Still before the “area north of campus” became the Reserve, we witnessed the creation of Lake Joanis when large quantities of earth were dug out and hauled over to the site of the new Sentry headquarters being built nearby.

Then there was a moratorium when swimming in the lake was curtailed to allow plants to take hold.

Although for many years we walked and biked in Schmeeckle Reserve, and I did some geocaching there with a grandson, our interest intensified when our granddaughter Laura, as a junior in high school, began looking at colleges. Though a city girl (Minneapolis) she had always had an interest in animals (“Grandma, can you make me a giraffe hat?”).

When wildlife ecology and biology became her focus, UWSP seemed the logical school for her to attend.

During one of her visits for ViewPoint Days, we attended a program put on by a student in Dr. Brenda Lackey’s Environmental

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Friends of Schmeeckle member Cynny Porter of Stevens Point spent more time in Schmeeckle when her granddaughter Laura Porter came from Minneapolis to major in wildlife ecology and biology at UW-Stevens Point.

“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 Education and Interpretation class.

The UWSP student had “For Sale” signs posted by snags (dead but upright trees) and logs with stuffed animals peering out of holes or spaces that had become their homes. With perfect pacing and clear descriptions (I’m a retired teacher), she engaged all of us with her knowledge and we could appreciate how valuable empty

spaces can be for animals. A young boy in attendance answered many of her questions correctly, then got to carry the stuffed animals as we progressed through the Schmeeckle “real estate” for sale that day.

We remember when Ron Zimmerman was hired as the first director in 1979, and we’ve watched in awe as the Reserve has grown and developed. It was not that long ago that we learned of Schmeeckle’s outreach programs, which include cedar signs constructed by student employees, and the work done by the Schmeeckle Reserve Interpreters consulting group that continues to enhance nature centers, parks, and byways in the Midwest and beyond.

Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve

Friends celebrate fifth year at annual member meeting At the Friends Annual Member Meeting on Oct. 2, more than 50 members gathered to celebrate the organization’s fifth year and the Reserve’s 40th year.

Volunteers Honored At the meeting, this year’s volunteers were recognized for their generous service to the Friends and the Reserve. They included: Chainsaw Crew: Zoe Chase, Bill Fisher, Steve Fuller, Duane Gruel, Jerry Lineberger, Thomas Mihm, Mike Orella, Rick Rothman, Dick Steffensen, and Ron Zimmerman.

Visitor Center Hosts: Erin Cherkauer, Denise Czaikowksi, Barbara Dixson, and Maureen Giblin.

Native Gardens: Kim Fisher and Jill Trochlell Ziehr.

Bird Viewing Area: Chris Thompson and Sunshine Buchholz.

Browse Shop: Sunshine Buchholz.

Board Member Election Board members Rick Rothman and Christine Koeller were reelected for three-year terms. Mike Orella and Dr. Michael Gross were newly elected to the board for three-year terms.

Michael Gross Mike enjoys retirement after a 41-year career at UW-Stevens Point as professor of environmental interpretation and as a member of the Schmeeckle Reserve Interpreters consulting team. Mike and retired Schmeeckle Director Ron Zimmerman collaborated throughout those years to develop Fall 2018

the interpretation program in the College of Natural Resources, authoring the Interpreters Handbook Series, and beginning the consulting Dr. Michael Gross service in the 1980s.

Mike and Ron were both recently named Fellows by the National Association for Interpretation, the organization’s highest honor.

An Iowa farm boy, Mike grew up loving the outdoors and nature.

He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Iowa State University with degrees in life sciences, including a doctorate in science education. In Iowa, he taught high school biology and later served as naturalist for the Jasper County Conservation Board. An advocate of experiential learning, over his almost 50 year career, Mike led numerous student ecology/natural resources study trips to places in the U.S. and abroad.

He and wife, Beverly, have one daughter, Andrea, who lives in Appleton with her husband, Bill, and their children, David and Julia.

Mike and Bev love “adventuring” with their grandchildren and sharing a love of nature.

Mike Orella Mike Orella is a lifelong Stevens Point resident. Retired for the past four years, he worked in maintenance at St. Michael’s Hospital, Johnson Controls, Sentry Insurance, and the Facilities Services department at UW-Stevens Point. The latter part of his career

was focused on building automation systems including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls.

Mike became Mike Orella interested in the Reserve when a Schmeeckle program brochure caught his eye one day in the break room at work.

He thought the programs sounded interesting, so he started going.

He and his wife, Linda, have been regular program attendees for many years now.

He later became interested in volunteering for the Candlelight Hike and is now the mastermind behind tiki-torch set-up.

Volunteering at the Reserve has become a weekly endeavor, as he’s also a regular participant in the Tuesday chainsaw crew.

Mike and Linda enjoy adventuring in their motorhome on annual trips to national parks and to Florida in the winter. This year they will be going to the Southwest to take in Milwaukee Brewers spring training.

Organizational Highlights A few other highlights from the 2017-18 membership year: • Current number of individual and family memberships: 160 • 2018-19 new members: 44 • 2017-18 membership renewal rate: 67 percent • Current balance: $252,037 ($225,000 encumbered for the amphitheater)

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Schmeeckle lands had rich history before the Reserve

By Jim Buchholz Schmeeckle Reserve Director

This year, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Schmeeckle Reserve. At the Annual Friends Member Meeting earlier this month, I had an opportunity to present on the “changing faces” of Schmeeckle throughout time— both the faces of the landscape and Jim Buchholz of the many people who were integral to its creation.

Here are a few highlights of the fascinating story leading up to Schmeeckle’s founding.

According to an 1839 survey, one of the earliest in Wisconsin, Schmeeckle started as a large wet meadow surrounded by sandy uplands of aspen, birch, and pine.

While not very productive for crops, the open areas were ideal for grazing cattle. A large portion of Schmeeckle was home to one of the largest dairy farms in the area, the Meadow Farm Dairy, founded

by Merrit E. Means in 1882. Look for clues of past farming along the trails, including rock fences and old farm equipment.

By the 1950s, much of the farmland was largely abandoned for greener (and drier) pastures elsewhere. Wildfires burned through the scrub that grew up in the old fields. Parallel ditches dug by a plow to contain a major fire in 1968 can still be seen along the Lake Loop and Frog Chorus trails.

Between 1956 and 1968, the university purchased nearly 200 acres of this land with plans for 6

Fred Schmeeckle (1893-1967) arrived at the Stevens Point Normal School in 1923 to teach agriculture. He developed the first Conservation Education major in the country in 1946, and was fond of taking students to the natural lands north of the campus that later would bear his name.

building married-student housing, parking lots, and a stadium.

But the land was already being used as an outdoor laboratory by the university’s Conservation Education department, created by professor Fred Schmeeckle.

Fred worked behind the scenes to encourage administration to keep the area natural. In 1958, after the university purchased the Chilla Woodlot, Fred said, “Some day this area will stand as an island of green in the City of Stevens Point.”

Fred died in 1967, 10 years before the Reserve was named in his honor.

In 1973, Sentry Insurance announced the construction of its world headquarters north of campus. This set into motion several events that led to the founding of Schmeeckle.

Lee Sherman Dreyfus, university president (and later

Wisconsin governor), was very interested in building a lake to improve the aesthetics of campus.

He met with John Joanis, Sentry Insurance president and CEO, to work out a deal. In 1975-76, Sentry paid for the lake excavation in exchange for using the fill for their headquarters project. An island wasn’t part of the original plans, but when Sentry realized that they had too much fill, the island was constructed.

At the same time, Michigan Avenue was extended to the north to move traffic away from Reserve Street, which ran through the middle of campus and was considered a major hazard. In 1966, two female students were struck by a car and killed while walking on the road. After Michigan Avenue opened, Reserve Street was closed and converted into a trail we now call the Granite Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve

Parkway. Watch for yellow fire hydrants that still mark the edge of the old roadbed.

In 1976, Dreyfus created a committee to advise him on the development of the north campus lands and newly excavated lake.

Some committee members argued to keep the lands completely natural and used only for research, while others petitioned to open them up to all types of recreation.

The final report was a compromise that declared the land as an “environmental laboratory” and established three use priorities: 1. Preserve wild features for their aesthetic value, 2. Use for educational purposes, 3. Use for recreation. These priorities still make up the core of Schmeeckle’s mission today.

In 1977, university administration applied for a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LAWCON) grant to fund recreational developments in the Reserve. In May 1978, a LAWCON grant of $248,000 was awarded—at the time, the largest ever given to a state university. But in order

Sentry Insurance funded construction of a 24-acre lake in exchange for fill for building a new headquarters building in Stevens Point. The lake was excavated in 1975-76 and the project led to the creation of Schmeeckle Reserve in 1978.

to release the funds, the grant required an equal matching gift.

On July 17, 1978, the UWSP Foundation donated a 50-acre parcel to the university (where the lake had been constructed) as a matching gift. This officially established Schmeeckle Reserve 40 years ago.

Looking back, we are fortunate to have so many people who saw

the vision of a natural area on campus and dedicated their time and energy to make it happen.

Today, you, our generous Friends members, continue this tradition.

Thank you for all of your support as we start our next 40 years.

Schmeeckle Reserve Director Jim Buchholz can be contacted at jbuchhol@uwsp.edu or 715-346-4992.

Welcome Your New and Returning Friends!

New Members: A special welcome to the following members who have joined the Friends: Melissa and Kyle Alexander Laura Courtright Burns Michael Dombeck Mary Fleischauer Dave and Karen Henneghan William and Julie Hlavac Sarah and Brad Hughes Ann T. Lucas Paul and Sandi Mroz Joan Ouelette Kevin and Adelle Spaay Frances Vollrath Fall 2018

Renewing Members: Thank you to the following members who have renewed their Friends membership for 2018-19: Bill and Roseann DeBot Jim and Barb DeWeerd Michael and Patricia Doherty Catherine Dugan Susan Foote-Martin and Mark Martin Michael and Beverly Gross Bonnie Grubba Heath Stoltz and Jennifer Kieffer-Stoltz Bernard and Mitzi Hlavac

Karin Hyler Joshua and Amber Garbe Kendra Liddicoat and Brian Barringer Wendell Nelson Ron and Sharon Omernick Ralph and Sharon Reniewicki Nancy Ross Brenda Ryther Timothy Taschwer Paul and Donna Watson

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Practicum hands-on experience for future educators

By Barbara Dixson Friends Newsletter Editor If you go to Schmeeckle Reserve’s Candlelight Hike Festival after dusk on October 26, you likely will run into a giant mosquito accompanied by an equally enormous tick. Rather than running off screaming, you will be enticed to watch the antics of these pests on stage, where you and people of all ages around you will laugh without even noticing that you’re learning about the lives of these little bloodsuckers.

This large public performance is one of three major focuses of the 12-credit practicum capstone, which completes the Environmental Education, Wildlife Education, and Interpretation major at UW-Stevens Point. This program seems to be about the only one in the country that offers this sort of practical immersive experience for the 20-25 final-year students each year, as Brenda Lackey, who teaches the class, explained. The program carries on the work of Fred Schmeeckle, who, from the moment he began this first conservation Dr. Brenda program in the Lackey U.S., had a vision of a pragmatic conservation education.

A second focus of the practicum is working with school groups. K-12 students from all over central Wisconsin come to UWSP’s Central Wisconsin Environmental Station near 8

Students in the environmental education and interpretation practicum at UW-Stevens Point present the popular campfire programs at the Reserve’s Candlelight Hike Festivals.

Amherst Junction for day trips or overnight stays. Practicum students lead them in educational and recreational activities there.

Addie Swenson and Riley Gaines, two current practicum students, spoke of activities such as working with first-graders and worms (picture two dozen 6-year-old hands all heading into the worm bucket); teaching about pelts and habitats; and, for Riley, kids in canoes. The canoes stayed upright all across Sunset Lake, even when—to the delight of the paddlers—they got so far downwind that they had to be pulled partway back by the pontoon boat. But just as they got back, the last canoe coming in hit the landing at a wobbly angle and over they went. Wet but unharmed—an adventure.

Evening bonfire to follow!

You may have experienced the third practicum focus, in which

students present nature programs for the public at Schmeeckle Reserve. Each student creates two programs, so that they take place all through the academic year.

Topics range widely, and so do the activities that involve the audience in learning about the topic. On the day that I spoke with Addie and Riley, we sat looking out the windows of the Conservation Hall of Fame into a downpour.

Ruefully, Addie explained that her dress rehearsal for the autumn leaves hike she would lead as one of her two programs was scheduled to begin momentarily.

Rain or shine!

Many academic classes precede the practicum, and all of the practical experiences students undertake rest on a foundation of planning and reflection: lesson plans, theme statements, mutual critiques, reflective videos, selfevaluation essays, with feedback Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve

from Dr. Lackey at every stage. Addie added: “It’s a lot of work, and a lot of good experience.”

Schmeeckle Reserve itself provides a constant immersion experience for these students. After Ron Zimmerman became the Reserve’s first director in 1979, he began teaching the practicum on site. At that time, only Ron and a graduate assistant held paid, ongoing positions, and so the student workers (often current or future practicum students) who staff the desk and build and maintain trails have taken on much responsibility.

Thus entrusted and respected, students try on the work of a professional in the field, and they live up to expectations. Over the years, students, staff, and faculty have gone on field trips together, shared cars, slept in the same tents, and Ron Zimmerman taken part in each other’s weddings.

Such a close community sparks and supports growth, in undergraduates and seasoned professionals: one cohort group of people now in their 50s continues to meet regularly.

Ron Zimmerman and Dr. Michael Gross, Ron’s longtime collaborator in leading the program, are, according to Brenda Lackey, “rock stars!” As is the program. There is always more demand than students available to fill jobs upon graduation. People call Brenda from all over the country to ask if a Pointer is available for their nature center or wildlife preserve.

And Ron has run into former students in key leadership positions around the U.S. and even around the world. On a trip to Alaska, he ran into a busload of elite birders, with one of his grads leading the expedition. In Australia, taking a UWSP student group to Snowy Mountain National Park, Ron heard someone calling his name. The park’s superintendent turned out, naturally, to be a Point alum.

What makes the work worthwhile? “When you hear it come back around,” Brenda replied. One program graduate who surely brings it back around is Roxy Gerard.

Roxy spoke to me at the end of a busy Friday, and even then, she was bursting with energy and enthusiasm for her work as a ranger at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Roxy came to UWSP with an associate’s degree and began to lose impetus for her natural resources path. One day on the campus Sundial she ran into Schmeeckle Outreach Fall 2018

Ariel Christianson, a spring 2017 student in the UW-Stevens Point environmental education and interpretation practicum, uses a hands-on activity to demonstrate the intelligence of crows.

Coordinator Megan Espe, who suggested Roxy apply for a work-study job at the visitor center.

Working at Schmeeckle, Roxy said, “was just like having a family.” She not only stayed in school but took environmental education and interpretation classes, became student office manager, was included in conversations with Jim and Ron about their interpretive projects, hiked the trails, managed people and money, and simply spent most of her time at the Reserve. “It’s amazing I didn’t put up a hammock and just sleep there,” she laughed.

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, along with contiguous Roxy Gerard land also managed by Roxy’s team, comprises about 100,000 acres, with a focus on wildlife first. The team works together harmoniously. Roxy commented that at Schmeeckle, “I learned how a positive, well-functioning team works.” Roxy’s primary job is in her field: “I chase kids and talk with people,” she says. School groups within a 100-mile radius visit the Refuge, and Roxy also goes out to meet them where they live. In her work, she moves people’s understanding of creatures such as the Karner blue butterfly or the whooping crane from “Wow, that’s interesting,” to “What can I do about it?” Roxy reflects, “If Schmeeckle hadn’t been there, I don’t think I’d be where I am right now.”

Here’s what to do if, during the Candlelight Hike, you happen to wonder to yourself, “Where will the next generation of park superintendents, aquarium directors, and environmental policy leaders come from?” Just look on stage at those giant deer ticks and mosquitos, and you’ll have your answer.

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Hi Friends, it’s me Walden, the Schmeekle Kids’ Ambassador. Do you know who gets to spend every night at the Schmeeckle Visitor Center? Diablo, Hilde, Peach, and Pirate! These are the critters who live in tanks near the information desk. Kids especially like to watch these guys, so I thought I’d share a little about our reptile and amphibian friends.

Diablo is an eastern tiger salamander. Tiger salamanders are the largest salamanders in Wisconsin that live on land— they can grow to 11 inches long!

You can find them in a variety of habitats including grasslands and woods. They eat almost anything they can catch. We feed Diablo nightcrawlers, mealworms, and crickets. Diablo hibernates in the winter. He burrows into the moss and we bring his tank to the back office to give him a peaceful rest.

Diablo was the pet of a university student who donated it to us after graduating in 2005.

Hilde is an American bullfrog.

Bullfrogs are the largest frog species in North America. In Schmeeckle, you can hear them calling from June through July with a deep “jug-o-rum” sound.

Hilde is always hungry! Bullfrogs eat any small animal that they can fit down their throats, including insects,

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Schmeeckle Kids Ambassador Walden Buchholz checks out the painted turtles named Peach and Pirate at the Schmeeckle Visitor Center. Other critters include an eastern tiger salamander and American bullfrog.

crayfish, birds, mice, and other frogs. We feed Hilde a balanced meal of nightcrawlers, meal worms, and crickets. Hilde was found near the pond on the Trail of Reflections in 2013.

Pirate and Peach are painted turtles. Peach is the large turtle and Pirate is the small one who is missing an eye; we don’t how he lost an eye, he was found that way.

Peach was found in the Village of Whiting in 2005, and Pirate was found near Lake Joanis in 2007.

Painted turtles live in marshes, ponds, and lakes, and eat aquatic plants, algae, and small water critters. We feed them mealworms, waxworms, and crickets. You can find painted turtles sunning themselves on the shore and logs in Lake Joanis. We have a special heat light in the tank that mimics the sun. They also have a large area filled with water for swimming.

The critters in Schmeeckle are

cared for by our student office staff, who are trained annually to make sure that the animals are kept healthy and safe in captivity.

The staff follows a regular feeding and cleaning schedule, and provide enrichment activities to keep the animals active.

Food for the critters is purchased from certified sources, meaning it is as healthy and clean as possible. Schmeeckle spends about $400 just on food and supplies for the critters each year!

If you would like to help support our animals, please consider giving a donation.

The critters are an important part of Schmeeckle’s educational mission. So many people love to see the animals up close and learn about the habitats that they live in. The next time you’re visiting Schmeeckle, be sure to stop in and say hello to our animals. And be sure to tell us if you’ve seen any of their friends while hiking the trails!

Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve

Friends of Schmeeckle Embroidered Apparel Now for Sale!

All items have the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve logo embroidered on them.The logo is a redwinged blackbird sitting on cattail reeds. All profits benefit the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve.

To purchase items, speak to Megan Espe, Jim Buchholz, or Sunshine Buchholz at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center.You may want to call before coming. Staff at the front desk are not able to sell Friends items.

The visitor center is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 715-346-4992.

Adult T-Shirt $18.00 Navy blue, 50% cotton/50%

poly, in sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL. Preshrunk.

Ladies V-Neck T-Shirt $18.00

Navy blue with slightly tapered side seams, 65% poly/35% cotton, in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL. Will shrink ½” in length and width.

Adult Sweatshirt $24.00 Navy blue, 50% cotton/50% poly, in sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL.

Youth T-Shirt $15.00

Navy blue, 50% cotton/50% poly, in sizes XS, S, M, L.

Zippered Tote $15.00

Navy blue with zipper top, over the shoulder handles, measures 12.5”H x 13.5”W x 6.5”D.

Patch $4.50 Measures 4.75”L x 1.75”H. Shopping Tote $14.00

Navy blue with gusset side, open top, over the shoulder handles, measures 10.5”W x 14”H x 5”D.

Fall 2018

Cap $18.00

Stone washed midnight blue with leather strap and buckle closure.

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Parting View: See you at the fall Candlelight Hike Festival!

Schmeeckle’s biggest event of the year is coming up next Friday from 6-9 p.m. Walk trails lit by torches and hundreds of jack-o’lanterns and explore hands-on discovery stations about Schmeeckle’s bloodsuckers! The campfire program will be offered at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. To join our crew of volunteers, sign up at http://signup.com/go/agYyaQd or contact Schmeeckle Outreach Coordinator Megan Espe at mespe@uwsp.edu or 715-346-4992.

ADDRESS LABEL 2419 North Point Drive Stevens Point, WI 54481

Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve