News from the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve
Winter 2015
’Round
the Reserve
2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481 • 715-346-4992 • www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle
Friends plan
a Trail of
Reflections
revamp
By Bill Berry
Friends Board President Artwork: First place, Kari
Goldsworthy and Kristeen Carne;
second place, Anne-Bridget Gary.
Writing: First place, Theresa
Shulfer.
First- and second-place
winners in each category were
honored at the ceremony. All
winners received a certificate of
recognition. First-place winners
also received a $25 gift certificate
to the Schmeeckle Reserve Browse
Shop.
One of the Reserve’s most
popular attractions is in line
for some sprucing up and
improvements.
The Trail of Reflections, a
0.5-mile loop,
starts and ends
at the visitor
center and is
accessible to
wheelchairs. It features
wooden
signs with
inspirational
Bill Berry
quotes from
Wisconsin
conservationists, a treehouse
that takes visitors into the
canopy of a white pine, and
a swinging bench over the
Reflection Pond.
Popular though it is, the
See Contest, Page 2
See Trail, Page 3
First-place Arts Contest winners were, from left, Bob Mosier (photography), Theresa
Shulfer (writing), and Kari Goldsworthy and Kristeen Carne (art).
Winners of first Arts Contest named
Winners of the Friends of
Schmeeckle Reserve Writing, Art,
and Photo Contest were honored
at the February Friends board
meeting.
The Friends of Schmeeckle
Reserve hosted the inaugural
contest to raise awareness of the
Reserve and the friends group,
which supports the natural area.
Winning entries were
submitted by:
Photography: First place,
Bob Mosier; second place, Joshua
Bruckbauer.
Contest, From Page 1
Contest submissions and winning
entries are posted on the Friends of
Schmeeckle Reserve website. Visit
www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle and
click on “Friends of Schmeeckle
Reserve” and “Arts Contest.”
The Friends will host the arts
contest again in 2015. Entries are
due November 1.
Untitled
Above: Sunrise at Lake
Joanis by Bob Mosier was
awarded first place in the
photo category.
Explaining his inspiration,
Mosier wrote, “Sunrises
at Lake Joanis are a
wonderful adventure
in October. The colors
in the sky change from
moment to moment...
it is an unfolding of
natural beauty that is not
duplicated. Sunrises are a
great gift in Schmeeckle,
available for everyone to
enjoy.”
Right: This dress made
of burlap and oak leaves,
which received first
place in the art category,
was submitted by Kari
Goldsworthy and Kristeen
Carne. “We pay homage
to the oak savannas in
the dress skirting and
use burlap as a softer
representation of the
Moses Creek boardwalk,”
the women wrote.
2
By Theresa Shulfer
First place, writing category
Down by the pond
Where the cattails grow
There sat two boys
Waiting for snow
They were looking at something
Down in the pond
We didn’t know what
But they were very fond
We saw them look
Even harder this time
At the critter moving
Under the slime
With their butts in the air
“It’s a frog!”
They said,
“Down in the bog!”
Now they sat back
Sitting on the swing
Talking of adventures
Hoping the bee wouldn’t sting
Down by the pond
Where the cattails grow
There sat two boys
Waiting for snow
’Round the Reserve
Trail, From Page 1
Friends of Schmeeckle Lands Committee members toured
the Trail of Reflections with Schmeeckle staff in November.
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
2419 North Point Drive
Stevens Point WI 54481
trail and its features need some upgrades. Some of the
signs, boardwalks, and other attractions are showing
signs of wear and tear.
The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve board
of directors recently agreed to adopt the Trail of
Reflections for a renovation project. This also provides
an opportunity to add new attractions that will enhance
the experience for visitors.
The Friends Lands Committee will take the lead,
working with Schmeeckle staff and students. We also
hope to work with other organizations interested in cosponsoring portions of the project.
Work will begin this year, and there will be plenty
of opportunities for Friends members to pitch in.
For more information about the project, contact
Schmeeckle Outreach Coordinator Megan Espe at
megan.espe@uwsp.edu or 715-346-4992.
Join the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve
Member Names: ____________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________ Email:_____________________________
Newsletter delivery preference: E-mail
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
___________________________
Walk-in: Sign up at the visitor
center
Trailblazer — $250
Call: Schmeeckle Reserve, 715346-4992
Other amount: $_______
Winter 2015
Mail
Explorer — $500
Contributions to the Friends of
Schmeeckle Reserve Inc. are tax-exempt.
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Makes a great gift!
3
Candlelight Hike to go underground
Celebrate spring at the
Schmeeckle Reserve Candlelight
Hike Festival on Friday, May 1,
from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the
Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve.
Walk a half-mile or one-mile
trail lit by torches through the
spring woods and along the lake.
The theme of this spring’s event
is “Schmeeckle Underground.”
Discover the underground antics
of Schmeeckle’s earth dwellers.
A special program called
“What’s Under Schmeeckle?” will
be presented at 7:30 p.m. and
8:30 p.m. at the campfire ring.
Meet Schmeeckle’s ground
squirrels, snakes, moles,
salamanders, ant lions, and voles
as the warming signs of spring
bring them back above the
surface. It’s a fun program for the
entire family. Arrive early for a
good seat.
The program is presented by
students in the environmental
education and interpretation
practicum course.
Other events all evening will
include “Unearthed” Discovery
Stations featuring hands-on
activities, craft and snack stations,
and free door prizes.
The event is free; donations of
$2 per person or $5 per family are
appreciated. All donations go to
the Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve
to support future programs and
events.
4
The campfire character program is one of the highlights of the Candlelight Hike
Festival at Schmeeckle Reserve. This spring’s Candlelight Hike will be Friday, May 1,
from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Schmeeckle Seeks Donations for Candlelight Hike
Schmeeckle Reserve is seeking
donations to help continue the
success of the Candlelight Hike
Festival. We invite individuals,
organizations, and companies to
donate or sponsor the following
components:
• 50 to 100 tiki torches for
lighting the trails
• Craft supplies for children’s
craft stations related to the
“Schmeeckle Underground”
theme
• Materials for a hands-on,
interactive Discovery Station
related to the event theme
• Healthy snacks related to the
theme that are available free to
event attendees
• Refreshments and food for the
50 student staff and volunteers
who help run the event
All donors will be recognized in
event publicity and on a banner
displayed at the Hike.
To offer donations or
sponsorships, contact Carly
Swatek, Schmeeckle graduate
assistant, at cswatek@uwsp.edu
or 715-346-4992.
’Round the Reserve
Upcoming Natural and Cultural Programs at Schmeeckle Reserve
Skiing Through Time
Sunday, March 8, 2-3 p.m.
Cross-country skiing is one of the
most popular winter activities among
Wisconsinites. With a rich history
dating back thousands of years, there
is much to explore about this silent
sport that has captured the interests
of many. Join us as at Schmeeckle
Reserve Visitor Center for a talk, with
an optional ski tour at Standing Rocks
County Park to follow. Dress for the
weather. Bring your own equipment.
Presented by Joseph Kujala
Hibernating Herps
Thursday, March 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Many reptiles and amphibians call
Schmeeckle Reserve home, but have
you ever stopped to wonder where
they disappear to in the winter?
Unearth the truth about our vanishing
herps and the mystery they leave
behind. Join us for an illustrated
talk where we will discover how
herps survive these harsh winters.
Experience first-hand some of our live
animals! Presented by McCale Carter
Hidden Berries of Wisconsin
Sunday, March 29, 12-1 p.m.
Discover the multitude of delicious
local berries that can be found right
in your own backyard! Discover how
the wild berries of central Wisconsin
got there place in our ecosystem
through this tasty illustrated talk.
Find where to look for
your favorite berries,
when they are in
season, how you
can pick your
own, or where
to buy berries
locally. Presented by
Samantha Herrick
Winter 2015
What’s the Point? Why Our City
Became and Remains Great
Tuesday, March 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Discover the unique and rich history
of Stevens Point by exploring its
connection to landscape, business, and
people. Leave with a new appreciation
of the city and your place in its past,
present, and future. Presented by Jordan
King
Tracking the Timberdoodle
Monday, April 6, 7-8 p.m.
There are many elusive birds that
inhabit Schmeeckle Reserve, but
none are more distinctive than the
Woodcock. With many interesting
adaptations, this guided walk will
provide you with a glimpse into the
secretive life of the “timberdoodle.”
Discover how this ground-dwelling
aviator cruises the forest in style,
dazzling onlookers with evening sky
dances. Presented by Joseph Kujala
Spring into Action
Thursday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Spring is upon us! Celebrate a time of
rebirth and renewal by investigating
the coming of spring on the trails of
Schmeeckle Reserve. Discover the
science of phenology (the study of
natural events tied to temperature).
Observe the signs of spring, such as
arriving critters and plants that unveil
eye-opening mysteries and expose
telling native legends. Presented by
McCale Carter
About The Programs...
Each semester, UW-Stevens
Point students enrolled in an
environmental interpretation
capstone course present
programs at the Reserve about
the natural and cultural history of
central Wisconsin. Programs are
intended for all ages. Programs
are free, and registration is not
required. *Unless noted with an
asterisk, programs meet at the
Visitor Center.
= Dress for the weather!
Fred Schmeeckle and discover how
their relationship with the natural
world shaped their influential lives. At
the end of the program, you’ll have
the opportunity to create your own
nature journal so that you can record
the ways in which nature inspires you.
Presented by Samantha Herrick
Record the Ribbit! Earth Day
Frog Walk*
Wednesday, April 22, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Springtime traditions would be remiss
without the bellowing sounds of frog
calls. Get a “jump” start on our warm
weather season by
joining us
on a
stroll
through
the Moses Creek
wetland. Identify our early
The Power of Nature
spring calls and “record the ribbit” by
Saturday, April 18, 1-2 p.m.
contributing to a special Earth Day
Take a stroll along Schmeeckle
citizen science event. Dress for the
Reserve’s Trail of Reflections and be
weather. Park and meet at Wood Lane
inspired by the naturalists who came
before us. Meet Ralph Waldo Emerson, entrance on the eastern edge of the
Reserve. Presented by Carly Swatek
Enos Mills, Aldo Leopold, and
5
Why I Love the Reserve: Accessible nature
By Megan Espe
Schmeeckle Reserve
Outreach Coordinator
On any given summer day,
Alan Engebretson is most likely
sitting in his favorite place in
Schmeeckle Reserve, just west of
the Berard Oaks. He usually tips
his head back and daydreams and
lets the hours slip by.
“I really enjoy just going over
there and sitting in that spot. I
have other places, one by the lake,
and by the swing bench in Moses
Creek,” Engebretson said.
When the weather is nice,
Engebretson visits Schmeeckle
Reserve five or six times a week,
sometimes twice a day. If he feels
ambitious, he will cruise the trails.
If he feels tired, he stays in one
place and relaxes.
Engebretson, a lifelong resident
of this area, remembers visiting
the Reserve’s natural lands even
before the campus natural area
was established in 1977.
He has many fond memories
of hunting and fishing trips with
his father, often spending time at
Mead Wildlife Area. During his
career as an electrician, he used
Schmeeckle as his getaway place,
going for after-work runs and bike
rides.
“I grew up outdoors. I just
have always loved it,” he said.
Engebretson has a storied
past as an athlete, competing in
many sports and running and
biking races. A mountain biking
6
race in 2002 in
southeastern
Wisconsin
changed his life.
Only about a
quarter-mile into
the race, he flew
over his bike’s
handlebars
Alan
and hit his
Engebretson
head, suffering
paralysis. Since then, he has used
an electric wheelchair.
Engebretson lives near
Schmeeckle Reserve and
visits frequently from spring
through fall.
“I’ll sit there and just
daydream, especially during
the summer when people aren’t
around too much, just the solitude.
I can visualize myself being out in
the woods hunting again, or just
sitting and watching the wildlife,”
he said.
His wheelchair takes a beating,
and occasionally he gets stuck in
the mud on the trails and has to
wait for someone to come along
and push him out.
“When I ordered this chair I
said I wanted something rugged.
It’s amazing what they can take.
But it’s my lifeline to be out in
nature and around town,” he said.
His visits over the years, both
before and after his accident, have
led to many wildlife encounters.
“One time I was biking
through there, and I was just west
of the Berard Oaks—that was even
before Berard Oaks was there—
“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 Megan Espe at
mespe@uwsp.edu or 715346-4992.
there was a buck standing in the
trail and I stopped and he was only
a few feet away,” he said. “All of a
sudden I looked out of the corner
of my eye and there were five
bucks in the area, and I thought,
‘Wow, is that neat.’ ”
On another visit he
encountered at least 25 turkeys
in the Berard Oaks. Owls have
zipped by him in the evenings.
He also enjoys frogs singing in the
marshes in springtime.
“I try to keep track, and very
few times that I go through there
do I not see a deer. Usually then I
start paying attention,” he said.
Engebretson also serves on the
Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve
board of directors.
This time of year, he looks
forward to spring and getting back
on the trails.
“Schmeeckle gives me the
opportunity to spend time
outdoors in a real outdoor setting
while you’re still in town,” he said.
“It’s important to me to be able to
go over there.”
’Round the Reserve
Research Update: Studying birds at feeders
By Pete Zani
Assistant Professor of Biology
In the UW-Stevens Point
Biology Department, a course
called Ecology and Evolution
(Biology 270) is meant to teach
students communication skills
related to the biological sciences.
One way we attempt to
provide those skills is to initiate
project-based learning in which
students develop ideas, design a
test of their ideas, and then collect
data to perform that test. Students
communicate results back to the
class as a scientific paper and an
oral presentation.
For the past few semesters,
Biology 270 students have used the
seed-eating birds of Schmeeckle as
test subjects for one such project.
You may have noticed funny
looking, inexpensive platform
feeders we developed to perform
our tests.
One test we perform as a class
is to determine whether different
species show preferences for
seed types by providing black-oil
sunflower, hearts of sunflower,
or safflower seeds. Students then
sit quietly and observe the birds
(mostly black-capped chickadees
and red- and white-breasted
nuthatches) as they arrive and pick
from among the seed types. Depending on the group
and the time of year we may or
may not detect a preference, but
regardless numerous students
have enjoyed the experience (and
frustration) of trying to watch and
Winter 2015
Dr. Pete Zani, right, filled birdfeeding stations in Schmeeckle Reserve in late February.
Students in his Biology 270 class observed birdfeeding activity and formed hypotheses
to study.
quantify the feeding activities of
these birds.
Follow-up group projects
include testing whether birds
prefer closed-canopy forest
over tree-fall clearings or dense
buckthorn thickets (they don’t
show any preference), whether
birds prefer hearts of sunflower
over black-oil sunflower seed
(they do, even if one dyes seeds
identical colors or mixes two seeds
together), and whether the feeding
activities change over the course
of the day (they do, with birds
spending more time at feeders in
the evening).
The birds of Schmeeckle are
ideal test subjects since they are
year-round residents that come
to feeders in just a few days of
training.
Although squirrels and
deer pose challenges in that
they sometimes disturb feeders,
students seem to appreciate the
opportunity this project provides.
That is, students enjoy being
outside (fall projects usually take
place near peak color change) and
performing actual research without
the constraints of already knowing
what the outcome should be. In
that way, students learn how to
perform science (even if they don’t
support their initial expectations),
they get an opportunity to observe
wild animals, and they learn to
turn observations into usable data.
Dr. Peter Zani is Assistant
Professor of Biology and Curator
of Reptiles and Amphibians for the
Museum of Natural History at UWStevens Point.
7
Speaker series explores Reserve’s research projects
A new Research Sampler
Series sponsored by the Friends
offered a chance for members and
the public to hear about research
being conducted in the Reserve.
The series was held in January and
February.
The series explored three
diverse projects conducted by
faculty, staff, and students in the
natural area.
The natural area is heavily
used for research and classes.
During the 2013-14 school year,
more than 5,000 students spent
over 11,000 hours engaged in
classes or research in the Reserve.
Student Molly O’Grady, left, and her adviser, Dr. Shelli Dubay of the Wildlife
Department, described their study on southern flying squirrels’ use of nest boxes.
Andrew Voigt, left, and Eric Canania,
members of the UW-Stevens Point
Wildlife Society Deer Project, explained
the radio-collaring work they have
conducted and past results from their
student group’s long-running study in
the Reserve.
Dr. Brian Barringer and Tanya Copas
of the Biology Department, along
with several students, conducted
the first ever survey of annual and
perennial wildflowers in Schmeeckle
Reserve last year. Dr. Barringer also
is working with a student to launch
a phenological study of hundreds
of trees throughout the Reserve.
Students in one of his classes will
monitor the trees for seasonal
changes such as formation of buds
and flowers.
8
’Round the Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve by the Numbers...
280: Number of acres that
25: Maximum depth in feet of Lake
Schmeeckle Reserve encompasses.
Joanis.
5: Miles of trails and boardwalks.
150: The minimum age in years of
115: Number of individuals and
the oldest oaks in the Berard Oaks
oak savanna.
families who have joined the Friends
of Schmeeckle Reserve since it
launched in late April 2014.
17: Size in acres of the Moses
Creek Wetland Restoration Area.
15: The number of Friends
50-60: Number of UW-Stevens
members serving on the Friends
of Schmeeckle Reserve board of
directors. Board members elections
are held during the annual member
meeting on the last Tuesday of
September. Consider serving on the
board!
Point student employees working at
Schmeeckle Reserve at any given time.
Students maintain the trails, remove
invasive species, craft cedar signs in
the sign shop, work in trail ranger and
recreation internships, and staff the
front desk.
24: Size in acres of the man-made
3: The number of full-time staff
Lake Joanis.
at Schmeeckle: Director Ron
Zimmerman, Assistant Director Jim
Buchholz, and Outreach Coordinator
Megan Espe. A half-time graduate
assistant (currently Carly Swatek)
also helps manage the Reserve, and
Michael Gross, professor emeritus of
interpretation, works part-time on
interpretive consulting projects that
help fund the Reserve.
1: The number of directors
Schmeeckle Reserve has had in its
38-year history. Ron Zimmerman was
hired as the first director in 1979 and
continues to serve in that role.
Too many to count: The
number of couples who have gotten
engaged in Schmeeckle Reserve. The
Reflection Pond and Moses Creek
Wetland Viewing Deck are popular
places to pop the big question.
Welcome Your New Friends!
Thank you to the following members who
have joined the Friends since Oct. 1, 2014.
The Friends is now made up of more than
115 member-households. Thank you for
your support!
Ginny and Stephen Carlton
Erin Cherkauer
Matt Clucas
Michael and Patricia Doherty
Ken and Meg Erler
Barbara Friedrich
Winter 2015
Lora Hagen
Timothy and Susan Halkowski
N.C. Heywood
Cristin, Casey, and Ryan Hopp
Jack Hurrish and Joan Karlen
Scott and Jan Hygnstrom
Bob Jack
Robert Juracka
Jean Klein
Megan Lineberger
Thomas M. Miller
Wendell Nelson
Evonne and Ryan Nord
Susan Ollech and Keith, Isko,
Allan Mark & Sam
Kimatha Phillips
Ralph and Sharon Reniewicki
Jacqueline Revord
Rick and Sharon Rothman
Susan and Alvin Schuller
William R. Seybold
Heath Stoltz and Jennifer
Kieffer-Stoltz
Brian Taft
Kathleen Taft
Stephanie Whitman
9
Schmeeckle kids ambassador Walden Buchholz recently checked out the tracks and scat
that wildlife left behind in Schmeeckle Reserve.
Have you noticed the
birdfeeders outside the windows
in the store? I like to watch the
mourning doves pick up seeds
under the feeders because they
are so close to the glass. I also
like to watch chickadees and
woodpeckers. A good place to see
them is around the feeders outside
of the windows in the Wisconsin
Conservation Hall of Fame.
Sometimes we sit on the couch
and watch the birds.
I was very curious about all the
people’s faces on the wall in the
Hall of Fame. Mommy said they
were conservation superheroes.
Wow! I asked if any of the faces
were the bad guys. Mommy said
no, they were all good guys who
did things to protect nature and
that is why they got their picture
on the wall. Maybe one day I can
have my face on the wall too.
A. Red Fox B. Gray Squirrel (hind foot)
C. White-tailed Deer Hi, Friends! It’s me,
Walden, your Schmeeckle kids’
ambassador. Have you been
visiting the Reserve this winter?
It is a great time of year to hunt
for animal tracks. You can find
lots of tracks near the compost
demonstration area (just south
of the visitor center). On my last
visit, I found squirrel, rabbit, and
deer tracks. I also saw some little
oval brown pellets near the tracks.
Mommy told me it was deer poop,
which I learned is also called
“scat.”
After track hunting, we
went into the visitor center to
see the critters. There are fish, a
tiger salamander, a frog, a toad,
and two turtles across from the
information desk. We were there
in the morning when they were
being fed so I got to watch the
turtles eat. Of course I crawled
into the muskrat house since we
were there anyway.
D. Wild Turkey E. Raccoon (hind foot)
Animal Track Answers
10
’Round the Reserve
Kids: Try to identify
which animals left
these tracks. Check
your answers on the
bottom of page 10.
Then color the tracks
however you like!
B.
A.
C.
E.
D.
Winter 2015
10
11
Parting View:
Frozen
Lake Joanis
Winter is a peaceful
time to visit
Schmeeckle Reserve.
Many visitors trek
across the frozen
Lake Joanis to visit the
island. Be sure that ice
conditions are safe
before walking across.
Snowshoeing and
cross-country skiing
are both allowed in
Schmeeckle, though
trails are
not groomed.
Photo by
Carly Swatek
ADDRESS LABEL
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
2419 North Point Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Friends of
Schmeeckle Reserve