Step into nature at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Schmeeckle Reserve this fall with family nature programs offered free and 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. Attendees should meet at the Menzel Pavilion, located near the Visitor Center, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, unless otherwise noted. Please dress for the weather.
November and December programs include:
- Schmeeckle’s Sprightly Squirrels, Friday, Nov. 8, 10-11 a.m., Explore the lives of squirrels and do some fun activities along the way.
- The Trails to Nature, Friday, Nov. 8, 6-7 p.m., Have you ever seen a deer walking along the trails at Schmeeckle? Find out if animals use trails the same way humans do.
- Roll and Stroll Around the Lake, Friday, Nov. 15, 10-11 a.m., Lake Joanis, Go for a walk around the Lake Joanis to watch for the waterfowl that call this body of water home.
- The Tree Doctor, Friday, Nov. 15, 6-7 p.m., Step into the shoes of a “tree doctor” and discover how to identify tree diseases and prevent them.
- A Safehouse for Wildlife, Saturday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-noon, Learn how Schmeeckle provides a safe home for the fuzzy friends that live there.
- Creatures of the Night Hike, Monday, Nov. 18, 6-7 p.m., Discover the mysterious creatures that roam in the night. Don’t forget your flashlight!
- Deadwood: A Source of Life, Friday, Nov. 22, 10-11 a.m., Explore the hidden life of the forest and how it thrives even in decay.
- Winter Bird Watching, Monday, Dec. 9, 6-7 p.m., Visitor Center, Meet some of Schmeeckle Reserve’s cold loving birds, listen to their songs and learn how to find them.
- A Frozen Lake’s Winter Wonderland, Friday, Dec. 13, 10-11 a.m., Lake Joanis, What happens in a lake when it freezes over? Observe the effects that the ice has on the different wildlife.
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.
