UWSP’s Schmeeckle Reserve to host programs this fall

Step into nature at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Schmeeckle Reserve this fall with free family nature programs open to the public.

Led by UW-Stevens Point natural resources students studying environmental education and interpretation, the programs will be offered in November and December. Programs will take place at Schmeeckle Reserve, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. Please dress for the weather.

November and December programs include:

• *Simply Spooky Traditions, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2-3 p.m., Friends Amphitheater, “Trick or treat” yourself to an afternoon of storytelling as we explore the history and significance of All Saints Day and its creepy cousin, Halloween!
• *Plants Through Time: From Tradition to Today, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2-3 p.m., Menzel Pavilion, Explore Schmeeckle through a guided walk and hands-on activities to root out the fascinating ways people have used plants traditionally and today.
• *Talking Trees, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2-3 p.m., Menzel Pavilion, Find out how trees interact with their communities, who they are friends with and what they discuss in their private conversations.
• Hands-on Fall Fun, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2-3 p.m., Visitor Center Meeting Room, Explore the hidden intricacies of autumn leaves through the creation of an art piece using found materials.
• *Heart of History, Thursday, Nov. 13, 6-7 p.m., Friends Amphitheater, Prepare yourself for an adventure through time as we delve into the history of Schmeeckle Reserve.
• *Oak Tree Apartments, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2-3 p.m., Menzel Pavilion, Learn how the roots, trunk, limbs and leaves of the mighty oak tree create a home for animals.
• Nighthawk or Not Hawk, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6-7 p.m., Visitor Center Meeting Room, Rest your wings while you help a Schmeeckle naturalist and a Common Nighthawk see eye to eye on what it means to go by the name “Hawk.”
• Mother Nature’s Winter Gear, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2-3 p.m., Visitor Center Meeting Room, Discover how our Wisconsin mammals kit themselves out to endure and survive our bitter winters.
• *Whose Scat is That?, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2-3 p.m., Green Circle Trailhead, Take a walk and practice identifying signs of life in the woods to find out which critters are out there.
• *Wild Canines in Schmeeckle, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2-3 p.m., Menzel Pavilion, Using our senses, observation skills and hands-on exploration, we will discover what our canine residents need to survive.
• Cloud Creators, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2-3 p.m., Visitor Center Meeting Room, Get to know the different types of clouds and get crafty by creating your own.

*Dress for the weather

For any questions, reach out by emailing at schmeeckle@uwsp.edu, calling 715-346-4992 or visiting in person at the Visitor Center. Reasonable accommodation for special needs will be made with advanced notice.

Schmeeckle Reserve is a field station of UW-Stevens Point, operated by the College of Natural Resources to protect and restore ecosystems, serve as an outdoor classroom for learning, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities. Learn more at www3.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/schmeeckle.