Schmeeckle
Reserve
An Island of Green
for 30 Years
A field station of the College of
Natural Resources serving the
University and local community.
June 2007 - July 2008 Annual Report
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A field station of the College of Natural Resources,
serving the University and local community
July 2007 - June 2008 Annual Report
Prepared November 2008
Schmeeckle Reserve
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
2419 North Point Drive
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-4992
E-mail: schmeeckle@uwsp.edu
Internet: http://www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle
Director: Ron Zimmerman
Assistant Director: Jim Buchholz
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
An Island of Green...
Celebrating Thirty Years
T
Thirty years later, Schmeeckle Reserve
continues to serve UWSP and the central
Wisconsin community, truly an “island of
green” surrounded by urban development to
the south, east, and west, and a golf course to
the north. Through vision and leadership, the
Reserve has expanded to 285 acres with an
additional 5 acres to be added soon.
his past year, Schmeeckle Reserve
proudly celebrated thirty years of
serving as an outdoor classroom and
recreational haven for UWSP and the central
Wisconsin community.
Fred Schmeeckle, the professor who created
the nation’s first Conservation Education
major, helped to secure a diverse woodland
north of campus called the Chilla Woodlot in
1958. He believed that this area would serve
“as an island of green in the City of Stevens
Point” for future generations. Schmeeckle
Reserve was created in the late 1970s.
Schmeeckle Reserve is a place where
all UWSP students, staff, and faculty join
with central Wisconsin residents to enjoy
educational and recreational opportunities in
a natural environment.
Air photo of Schmeeckle Reserve showing the Sentry Golf Course to the north, the university to the south, and urban development
to the east and west (toward the Wisconsin River). June, 2005
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Significant Activities and Events
Under the Oaks Spring Festival: Celebrating 30 Years
researchers demonstrated trapping
techniques, wildland firefighters invited
visitors to wear their fire retardant clothing
and equipment, while the LEAF staff from
the Wisconsin Center for Environmental
Education challenged visitors to ride a
stationary bicycle and produce energy to
power light bulbs.
On April 26, 2008, a hearty crowd gathered
on a crisp night under the spreading branches
of the Berard Oaks to celebrate 30 years
of the Schmeeckle Reserve. It was a gala
event, in spite of strong winds and frigid
temperatures. A large tent offered protection
to the Schmeeckle supporters who ventured
out on the mile long candlelight trail to join in
the festivities.
Fred Schmeeckle’s daughter, Wilma
Waterstreet, shared insights with the audience
about her father’s environmental values
and his dreams for conservation education
at UWSP. John Jury, of the Community
Foundation and innovator of the Green Circle
Trail, spoke of the synergy produced as a
result of the Schmeeckle Reserve cooperating
with other community entities. Chancellor
Linda Bunnell shared the University
perspective on the creation and growth of the
Reserve.
Ron Zimmerman was recognized for his efforts in leading
Schmeeckle Reserve over the past 30 years. The student staff
presented him with a hand-carved cedar sign.
Attendees included people present at the
first Schmeeckle dedication ceremony in the
1970s, relatives of Fred Schmeeckle, and a
large contingent of university students.
A campfire, live music, and ample food
provided by the College of Natural Resources
warmed the audience as they witnessed
a living history program performed by
Practicum students. This dramatic stage show
featured characters from the past and even
included a Holstein calf that enlivened the
atmosphere with carefully timed vocalizations.
The show culminated with a quote from
Fred Schmeeckle that was simultaneously
punctuated with a tremendous burst of wind
that shook the tent and sent leaves fluttering
across the meadow.
Several members of the Schmeeckle family joined the
celebration. From left to right: Audrey and David Schmeeckle
(Fred’s grandson), Ron Zimmerman, Wilma (Fred’s daughter)
and Gene Waterstreet, Jim Buchholz
Student organizations interpreted research
that they conduct in the Reserve. Deer
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For more photos, visit: www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle/gallery/programs
Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
Serving UWSP students
The Core of Schmeeckle Reserve
Students keep Schmeeckle Reserve vibrant.
The large student staff is essential in
providing personal services and maintaining
the natural area. All positions are made
possible through SGA funding. Due to budget
limitations, only students who qualify for
Federal Work Study funding can be hired.
During the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year:
• 29 students were hired in summer, 2006
• 41 students were hired from August,
2006 to May, 2007
• 20 students were hired in summer, 2007
Schmeeckle student staff sell commemorative shirts and mugs
at the 30th Anniversary Celebration. April, 2008
Trail Ranger Internship Program
The Trail Ranger Internship program
is a successful continuing partnership
among Schmeeckle Reserve, the CNR
Law Enforcement program (led by Dr.
Bob Holsman), and Protective Services
(directed by Bill Rowe). It provides real world
experience for students interested in natural
resources law enforcement.
Three UWSP students, Tony Austin, Steve
Sanders, and Chris Smith, successfully
completed the internship from April to October
2007. Three new interns, Christina Colrue
Tim Orlowski, and Melissa Phinney, were
hired in April 2008 and are currently finishing
their programs.
The trail ranger program has been a positive
tool in reducing rule violations, while
maintaining a safe and friendly environment
for visitors.
Trail ranger interns Steve Sanders and Tony Austin
learn how to approach a visitor with a dog on
Schmeeckle trails as part of their training. April, 2007
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Serving Academic Programs
Coursework and Research
Schmeeckle Reserve is an outdoor classroom
and laboratory for UWSP. In 2007-2008,
the Reserve continued to serve the ever
expanding educational and research needs of
faculty and staff.
Summary of class and research use in
Schmeeckle: July 2007-June 2008
Dana Johnson leads an interpretive hike in Schmeeckle
Reserve as part of NRES 368: Oral Interpretation Methods.
October, 2007
1,958 students attended a class or
conducted research in Schmeeckle Reserve.
College of Letters and Science
BIO 101-General Biology
BIO 160- Introduction to Animal Biology
BIO 306- Ecological Methods
BIO 319- Techniques in Molecular Biology
BIO 335- Mycology
BIO 339/539- Bryology and Lichenology
BIO 351- Plant Physiology
BIO 353/553-Ethnobotany
BIO 367-General Entomology
BIO 377- Ornithology
ENG 150-Advanced Freshman English
GEOG 101-The Physical Environment
15,836 student class hours were spent in
the Reserve.
The following list includes a sampling of the
diverse UWSP classes that used the Reserve:
College of Natural Resources
FOR 232-Dendrology & Silvics
FOR 322- Forest Mensuration
FOR 327-Forest Protection
FOR 426-Forest Entomology
FOR 432- Urban Silviculture
FOR 435- Nursery Operations & Mgmt
NRES 151-Ecological Basis for NR
NRES 250-Fisheries, Forestry, and Wildlife
NRES 251- Soil and Water Resources
NRES 301/501-Foundations of Env. Ed.
NRES 368/568- Oral Interpretation Methods
NRES 369/569-Interpretive Media
NRES 374-Env. Interpretation Practicum
NRES 376-Env. Ed. Practicum
NRES 392-Law Enforcement Theory
NRES 457- Ecological Monitoring
NRES 605- Forestry Measurement
NRES 741- Field Forestry Education
Water 389-Hydrology
Wildlife 350/550-Wildlife Mgmt Techniques
College of Professional Studies
Adventure Ed. 250-Camping/Backpacking
Wellness 199-Independent Study
Wellness 221-Snowshoeing
UWSP Student Groups
The Wildlife Society-Flying Squirrel Project
The Wildlife Society-Small Mammals
The Wildlife Society-Bat Project
The Wildlife Society-Deer Project
Student Athletic Advisory Committee
Society of Ecological Restoration
Env. Educators and Naturalists Association
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
Practicum in Environmental Education
and Interpretation: Public Programs
People from Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids,
and Marshfield eagerly await the arrival
of Schmeeckle Reserve public programs
every fall and spring. Students in NRES 482
(Practicum in Environmental Education and
Interpretation) and NRES 374 (Practicum in
Interpretation) fine tune their interpretive skills
under the guidance of Dr. Brenda Lackey.
Each student presents two natural or cultural
history programs to the public, as well as
contributing to the development of a major
group project.
Spring 2008 Practicum students, Shane Schuelke and Meghan
Mahoney, dressed up as characters in the history of the
Reserve. Here they interpret the Moseys, namesake of Moses
Creek.
This year’s diverse topics included great
horned owls, turkeys, woodcocks, carnivores,
invasive species, geocaching, edible plants,
witch hazel, white-tail deer, locally grown food,
the Green Circle trail, constellations, and
Lymes disease. Group presentations included
character interpretation of the Reserve’s bat
species and the historical characters that
contributed to Schmeeckle Reserve.
Approximately 660 visitors attended the
students’ individual public programs this fiscal
year, including an additional 700 visitors who
experienced the special group presentations.
Fall 2008 Practicum
students dressed in
elaborate costumes to
interpret the different
species of bats in
Schmeeckle Reserve.
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Serving the Central Wisconsin Community
“Going Batty” Candlelight Hike Festival
Enthusiastic crowds grow larger at every
candlelight hike celebration! On October
26, 2007 over 600 people participated in a
festival that celebrated bats.
Highlighting the evening was a dramatic
campfire play which featured various species
of bats as depicted by the Schmeeckle
Practicum Students. Elaborate costumes
and flamboyant bat characterizations drew
hundreds of spectators to the campfire ring.
Visitors crowd the discovery table to learn about the monitoring
station, hear bat calls, and see a live big brown bat.
Practicum students interpreted the new
Schmeeckle bat monitoring station to
interested visitors. The event created positive
relations and resulted in a warm exchange
between students and the Stevens Point
Community.
Hundreds of visitors sat by the campfire to hear Practicum
students interpret bats.
An expanded mile long candlelight hike along
the lakeshore lured hundreds to enjoy a mild
night stroll down a trail lit by hundreds of tiki
torches. Visitors warmed up after the walk with
thematic snacks and warm apple cider. Kids
ate bat cookies, created bat finger puppets,
and decorated pumpkins.
Jack-o-Lanterns carved by Schmeeckle employees and
Practicum students line the entrance to the visitor center
For more photos, visit:
www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle/gallery/programs
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
Expanding the Green Circle Trail
The Green Circle Trail is a jewel in central
Wisconsin. This past summer, Schmeeckle
Reserve student staff helped to make it
even better. A special crew was hired in
May to build a boardwalk through a newly
acquired wetland just north of Schmeeckle.
This half mile long boardwalk winds through
meadows of ferns and under ancient oaks,
before the trail enters a cathedral of red pines
and passes through the city-owned Yulga
Park. The trail was built 8 feet wide to safely
accommodate both bicycles and joggers.
Its design protects wetlands by allowing the
natural flow of water to move unobstructed
under the elevated walkway.
The Schmeeckle Reserve student crew worked long hours
moving materials and equipment by foot over the half-mile
boardwalk.
The dedicated crew battled knee deep mud,
swarms of mosquitoes, and pockets of ground
nesting wasps to complete the majority of
their work in just three months. Extra care
and time was taken to protect the wetlands. A
portable generator supplied the electricity for
saws and drills while the crew hand carried
wood and supplies the entire length of the
boardwalk. Rather than cutting down large
trees, the crew respectfully crafted curves and
meanders around the trees to slow travelers
and focus their attention on the native
vegetation.
Environmentally-friendly “green treated” lumber was secured
by decking screws to the frame. A portable generator provided
electricity.
The Green Circle Trail is a nonprofit citizen’s
organization that relies on the goodwill of
people and their donations to keep it growing.
Over $100,000 was needed to buy the wood
and supplies to create this exciting new
segment of the trail. University students
receive the benefit of recreation, immersion
in the environment, and a safe bike ride or
jog when they use the free Green Circle Trail.
Students can be proud that their support of
Schmeeckle Reserve helps the Green Circle
get a little better too!
The boardwalk was built to meander respectfully around trees
and rocks as it winds mysteriously through the wet woods.
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Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame
Community Meeting Room
Schmeeckle staff again helped to coordinate
and facilitate this year’s Wisconsin
Conservation Hall of Fame (WCHF) Induction
Ceremony held on April 19, 2008. C.D. ‘Buzz’
Besadny, Mel Cohee, and Paul Husting were
inducted.
A public meeting room located in the visitor
center is a popular gathering place for
agencies, organizations, and classes. It is
provided free of charge to conservation and
non-profit organizations.
The room offers excellent exposure for
Schmeeckle Reserve and the CNR to diverse
groups of people from around the state. These
are potential future supporters of the program.
Schmeeckle Reserve’s Graduate Assistant,
Ginamaria Javurek, is evaluating the impacts
of multi-sensory methods of information
delivery for interpreting the stories and lives
of WCHF inductees, as well as determining
whether a person’s learning modality type
plays a role in their preference for exhibits.
Summary Meeting Room Use:
July 2007-June 2008
During the months of March to May, 311
community members and various UWSP
classes filled out a questionnaire based
on their opinions of the current WCHF,
suggestions for future modifications and
a determination of their learning modality
type. The results of this questionnaire will be
used to develop four exhibit prototypes about
WCHF inductee, George Archibald that will
then be used in personal interviews regarding
peoples’ preferences of exhibits based on
their learning modality type. The results of her
thesis study will be used to provide guidance
for an updated and future expanded facility.
• Approximately 4,040 people met in the
community meeting room.
• Over 235 groups were represented,
meeting for an estimated 1,127 hours.
• Agencies and organizations were
diverse.
A few representative groups include:
DNR (Lakes Program, Wildlife
Management, Fisheries Management, Boat
Team, Watershed, Training Team, etc.),
Wisconsin Historical Society, Audubon
Society, Girl Scouts, Wisconsin River
Academy, American Camping Association,
Wisconsin Forestry Council, Wisconsin
Woodland Owners Association, Division
of Public Health, NRCS, SGA, Wisconsin
Wildlife Federation, Portage County
Recycling, 4-H Agents of Wisconsin,
International Programs, GEM Farmshed
group, UW-Extension Basin Educators
Ginamaria Javurek will be developing a Visitor Experience plan
for exhibits in the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
Preserving Natural Communities and Contributing to Research
Land Donations
In November 2007, approximately 6 acres
of land was donated to Schmeeckle by the
Sciarrone and Milano families. This land,
adjacent to Lake Joanis, buffers the natural
area from a new subdivision east of the lake.
The owners of the subdivision volunteered to
donate the buffer as well as a trail right-of-way
and bridge over Moses Creek. An extensive
boardwalk trail links this bridge crossing with
the existing lake trail to the west and with the
Green Circle Trail to the north. The boardwalk
trail has been named “Milano and Sciarrone
Crossing” in honor of the landowners.
Dr. Milano and Dr. Sciarrone unveil a sign that serves as a
gateway to the land they graciously donated to Schmeeckle.
July, 2008
between Michigan Avenue and Maria Drive,
adjacent to the Village Apartments property.
Another 2 acre donation is currently being
considered by the Ceplina family adjacent
to the Sciarrone/Milano donation. The City
of Stevens Point is also considering an
agreement for an additional 3.5 acres of land
These land donations allow Schmeeckle
to own nearly three-quarters of a mile of
Moses Creek, from North Point Drive to Maria
Avenue. This has facilitated a Moses Creek
Wetland Restoration project (next page).
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Moses Creek Wetland Restoration
During the Great Depression of the 1930s,
Moses Creek was dredged into a drainage
ditch in an attempt to dry up wetlands and
create more farmland. The once productive
wetlands withered away and Moses Creek
was reduced to a dry and sterile streambed
during summer droughts. During periods of
rain and snow melt, the creek swells to flood
the Brillowski Subdivision east of Schmeeckle
Reserve. In the 1970s, floodwaters clogged
storm sewers on campus, filling basements
and spilling out over athletic fields.
In the 1970s, clogged storm sewers caused by high water
levels in Moses Creek flooded part of campus. The students
jokingly named the waters “Lake Dreyfus” after the UWSP
Chancellor of the time, Lee Sherman Dreyfus.
This year, Schmeeckle Reserve has an
opportunity to restore the wetland floodplain
and to recreate the natural meanders of
Moses Creek. The Wisconsin Department
of Transportation is funding a wetlands
mitigation project which will permit us to
redesign the stream corridor to a more natural
and ecologically healthy state. During the
winter and spring of 2008-2009, public input
will be sought and plans will be formulated
to best restore nearly a half mile of the creek
from North Point Drive southwest to Michigan
Avenue where it enters a storm sewer under
campus.
Moses Creek was dredged into a long linear drainage ditch in
the 1930s, reducing diversity and productive wetlands. Current
efforts will return meanders, eddies, and riffles to the stream.
The proposed plan will recreate habitats that
resemble the wetland headwaters where
Moses Creek begins, about one mile north
of the Reserve. Tamarack forests, sedge
meadows, and shrub thickets will be planted
in the excavated floodplain. Eddies and riffles
will be created and ponds will be designed
to hold back small reservoirs of water during
dry spells. Large specimen trees are being
identified and will be included on islands in
the floodplain. The resulting wetlands, ponds,
and meandering streams will increase the
diversity of wildlife and plants, while providing
new recreational opportunities in Schmeeckle
Reserve.
Scenic sedge meadows, tamarack forests, and shrub thickets
will be restored along Moses Creek in Schmeeckle, similar to
the habitat found at its headwaters.
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
Invasive Exotic Species
Buckthorn continues to be a major concern
in the Reserve. This aggressive shrub shades
out the native forest ground cover reducing
plant and animal diversity in the ecosystem. In
2008, Schmeeckle maintenance crews made
important progress in enhancing techniques
for treatment of buckthorn. A combination of
cutting, chemical treatment, and follow up
prescribed fires are the best to combat this
exotic. An intensified schedule of treatment
is planned for 2009. Additional staff are
being hired and trained for this accelerated
management program.
Schmeeckle Reserve continues to battle
several aggressive exotic species that are outcompeting native vegetation.
Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum
spicatum) was discovered in Lake Joanis
in 2004. This alien plant has been gaining
notoriety across North America because of
its invasive nature. It spreads from one lake
to another by boaters and waterfowl. Once
in a lake it spreads quickly by stolons and
fragmentation. It spreads out over the water
and shades native aquatic plants. It disrupts
the ecology of a lake and can diminish its
beauty and natural diversity.
Garlic Mustard continues to be monitored
and contained near the southern edge of
the Reserve. Schmeeckle staff eradicate the
plants as they emerge each spring.
Historically, control options have relied
heavily on chemical treatment of lakes for a
temporary solution. Experts have become
worried that continuous chemical treatments
will result in cumulative effects of toxins.
Freshwater Jellyfish (Craspedacusta
sowerbii) were discovered by scuba divers
in Lake Joanis in summer 2007. The jellyfish
were even more numerous in 2008. They
are native to China but were reported in the
United States as early as 1884. Unlike the
dreaded Eurasian water milfoil, jellyfish often
disappear as fast as they appear and do
not seem to change or harm the lake. They
probably were transported to Lake Joanis as
polyps or cysts on the bodies of waterfowl.
Strategic plans were formulated in 2007 and
early in 2008 the first phase of an action
plan was in operation. The Lake Joanis
Biological Control Project is a partnership
between the College of Natural Resources
(CNR), Schmeeckle Reserve, and Portage
County. The Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and the CNR funded a
$20,000 preliminary study in 2008. The DNR
has funded two more years of study beginning
in October 2008 at a cost of $97,000.
Graduate student Amy Thorstenson has
extensive professional experience working
with the control of Eurasian water milfoil. Her
faculty advisor is Dr. Ron Crunkilton of the
Water Resources faculty. This important pilot
study may offer hope for some of the 450
Wisconsin lakes infected with the exotic
Freshwater Jellyfish were discovered by scuba divers in Lake
Joanis in the summer of 2007.
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Funding Schmeeckle Reserve: External Sources
Interpretive Consulting Projects
Schmeeckle Reserve Interpreters is a
dynamic team that provides master planning
and design services to parks, nature centers,
and historic sites throughout the country.
Members include Ron Zimmerman, Jim
Buchholz, Dr. Michael Gross (Professor
Emeritus), and Dr. Brenda Lackey (Assistant
Professor).
The projects form invaluable partnerships with
outside agencies, providing opportunities to
promote UWSP and the CNR, while bringing
real world case studies into the classroom.
All funds generated support Schmeeckle
Reserve’s budget and the CNR environmental
education/interpretation program.
Jim Buchholz and Ron Zimmerman conduct a site analysis for
the South Denali State Park: Interpretive Master Plan in Alaska.
September, 2007
In the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year:
Schmeeckle Reserve Interpreters generated
$198,994, with a net revenue (after expenses)
of $57,164. This funding supports operations
and special events for the natural area.
Projects included:
Black Kettle National Grassland: Trail
Cheyenne, Oklahoma
Status: Completed in February, 2008
Funding: $41,000
Description: Research and design of
signage for a homesteading trail
Denali State Park: Interpretive Master Plan
Alaska
Status: On-going
Funding: $85,000
Description: Plan to guide development of
visitor facility and trails on Curry Ridge.
Rib Mountain State Park: Master Plan
Wausau, Wisconsin
Status: On-going
Funding: $33,000
Description: Research and plan for new
visitor center and exhibits
Illinois Route 66: Master Plan
Springfield, Illinois
Status: Completed in May, 2008
Funding: $122,000
Description: Plan to guide interpretive
development of Route 66 in Illinois
Central Wisconsin Environmental
Station
Wisconsin
Status: Completed August, 2008
Funding: $850
Description: Research and design of final
interpretive panel for visitors to CWES
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
Cedar Sign Sales
Schmeeckle Reserve has been constructing
hand-crafted cedar signs for over 20 years.
Signs are sold to organizations, agencies,
businesses, and individuals. Student staff
design, construct, rout, and paint signs in
the visitor center basement workshop. All
proceeds support Schmeeckle Reserve
In the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year:
Schmeeckle Reserve’s rustic cedar signs are now featured at
the Minnesota Zoo’s new Russia exhibit, “Grizzly Coast.” Over a
million people visit the zoo near St. Paul annually.
Sales of cedar signs generated $26,810, with
a net revenue (after expenses) of $18,114.
Clients included:
• Camp Dee (Wisconsin Rapids)
• UWSP Sustainability Committee
• Appleton Area School District
• Northwoods Land Trust (Eagle River)
• Central Wisconsin Photography
• McKinley Center Elementary School
• Woodson Art Museum (Wausau)
• Aldo Leopold Nature Center (Black Earth)
• Valley New School (Appleton)
• Appleton North High School
• Minnesota Zoo (Apple Valley near St.
Paul)
• Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
(CWES)
• UWSP Student Chapter of the American
Water Resources Association
• Village of Whiting
• Town of Deerfield
• Green Dragon Gallery and Prairie Seed
Company (Galesville)\
• Marathon County
• Multiple gift signs for UWSP
students, faculty/staff, and
community residents
Student staff created a series of detailed educational trail
signs for the Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Black Earth.
Student employees worked for
several months on this complex
map for McKinley Elementary
School of the Erickson Natural
Area on McDill Pond. The project
included obtaining GPS data for
the trails, analyzing air photos, and
creating a topographic dimensional
map out of wood.
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Interpreter’s Handbook Series Sales
The Interpreter’s Handbook Series is
a collection of training manuals for the
interpretive profession authored by Dr.
Michael Gross (Professor Emeritus), Ron
Zimmerman (Director of Schmeeckle),
and Jim Buchholz (Assistant Director of
Schmeeckle).
The handbooks are used as interpretive
training guides in parks, forests, nature
centers, historic sites, and universities
throughout the country and internationally.
All books are sold and distributed through
Schmeeckle Reserve, and all profits support
the natural area.
Student staff stock and sell merchandise in the Browse Shop
Browse Shop Sales
The Browse Shop, located in the Schmeeckle
Reserve Visitor Center, features unique
natural and cultural merchandise that
connects customers to central Wisconsin’s
heritage. Many local artists and authors
display their products in the store. The Browse
Shop not only helps to support the budget
of Schmeeckle Reserve, but it is also an
important link to the community.
In the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year:
Sales of the Interpreter’s Handbook Series
generated $30,800, with a net revenue (after
expenses) of $25,665.
Three books are currently available for sale
through Schmeeckle Reserve:
• Signs, Trails, and Wayside Exhibits. Third
Edition, 2006
• Interpretive Centers. First Edition, 2002
• The Interpreter’s Guidebook. Third Edition,
1994
In the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year:
Sales from the Browse Shop generated
$18,724, with a net revenue (after expenses)
of $6,731.
This is the highest amount of net revenue
generated since the gift shop opened in
1983. To increase marketing and sales, a
student manager will be hired to operate the
store in 2008-2009. Business is expected
to increase as community events (like the
Candlelight Hike Festivals), public programs,
and meetings introduce new customers to the
store.
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
Fawn, July 2007
Planning for the Future
University Financial Support
Securing an Assistant Director Position
On March 12, 1979, a memo to the UWSP
Administrative Council gave authorization
to recruit positions for the newly created
Schmeeckle Reserve:
• one full-time Director
• one full-time landscaper
• one full-time law enforcement officer
• one half-time secretary
staff construct signage and new
boardwalks on the trail.
• Numerous public programs and special
events connect with members of the
central Wisconsin community every year.
This was considered a minimal level of
staffing to maintain the 127-acre natural area,
which did not, at the time, include a visitor
center. When Ron Zimmerman was hired as
the Director in July 1979, the landscape and
law enforcement positions had already been
eliminated in response to a UWSP budget
crisis. In 1986, the half-time secretary was
given notice and the position was absorbed by
the CNR to make up for budget shortfalls.
Despite the major expansion of property
(more than 2/3 of the entire campus),
increased visitor services, and improvement
of educational opportunities, only one
University position is still assigned to the
entire natural area.
In 2000, Schmeeckle Reserve hired an
Assistant Director to help meet the needs
of the expanding workload, enhanced level
of services, and the large student staff.
The Assistant Director position is program
funded, requiring a tremendous amount
of Schmeeckle’s professional staff time be
devoted to external revenue generating
projects. This includes long work days,
numerous weekends, and many donated
hours from a professor emeritus—a situation
that is unsustainable. If this position was
funded by UWSP, more time could be
devoted to Schmeeckle Reserve activities,
which would benefit the university as a whole.
Since 1979, demands for safety and services
have increased. Major improvements have
expanded and enhanced Schmeeckle
Reserve and its program:
• The Reserve has more than doubled in
size (285 acres) to protect green space
and provide enhanced field opportunities
for CNR and Biology students.
• A much needed visitor center was
renovated from a ranch-style house in
the early 1980s. Today it welcomes and
serves visitors 7 days a week.
• Schmeeckle houses and maintains the
Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame
built in 1990, which includes a museum
and community meeting room.
• Schmeeckle serves as the headquarters
for the Green Circle Trail and student
The College of Natural Resources
administration is continuing to help provide
position assistance (fringe benefits) in the
upcoming Fiscal Year, a critical step toward
more reliable annual funding.
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Securing an Annual Base Operating
Budget
staff. Unfortunately, a tremendous amount of
staff time is also required to earn the revenue
that support the salaries of 55 part-time
employees and a full-time assistant director
who is largely responsible for managing the
Reserve.
For long term stainability, Schmeeckle
Reserve must be assured a base operating
budget. Currently, almost no operational
funding is provided by the state of Wisconsin.
A single position, the Director, is provided
through the College of Natural Resources
and some annual utility and maintenance
assistance is received from other UWSP
departments. Recently the College of Natural
Resources has helped with fringe benefits for
the assistant director position.
The current director and assistant director
provide national and international interpretive
consulting ($200,000 in FY 2007-8) but at the
expense of working many extra, unpaid hours.
It is improbable that replacements can be
recruited who have expertise or a reputation
needed to perform consulting projects.
The Reserve is dependent on outside
program revenue to fund essential services
required by the university and the general
public. Providing a safe and environmentally
healthy natural area is the paramount
responsibility for the Schmeeckle Reserve
If the Schmeeckle Reserve is to remain
economically sustainable, then the university
must begin to budget money that provides for
the basic maintenance, safety, and liability
concerns of this 285 area of the campus.
Matching Student Support
In November of 2006, UWSP students
showed their support for Schmeeckle Reserve
by voting to double their financial contribution
through the Student Activity Fee from $35,000
to $70,000. Students currently fund over
18% of the Reserve’s operating budget.
It is important that this strong student
commitment to Schmeeckle Reserve be
matched by annual university funding and
support if the Reserve is to remain a proud
focal point of the UWSP campus.
Secure position and budget support would lead to enhanced
connections between Schmeeckle, UWSP, and the community.
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Schmeeckle Reserve 2007-08 Annual Report
New Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor and Education Center
meetings and community events. The scale
and architecture of the building will be
harmonious with the landscape and serve as
a model of sustainability on this environmental
campus. Its primary purpose will be to serve
as a gateway to the natural area and to guide
visitors to use the area responsibly.
The existing Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor
Center is popular and heavily used by
university classes, students, conservation
groups, and visitors. Unfortunately, the
remodeled facility is inadequate for this
increasing level of use. The multipurpose
room, for example, is filled nearly 250 days
of the year, but is too small for many public
programs and conservation meetings. Office
space, the cedar sign workshop, the exhibit
hall, and the interpretive technology lab are all
crowded and outdated.
A new Schmeeckle Reserve facility is
proposed in the next phase of the UWSP
Campus Master Plan. To be successful,
however, Schmeeckle must have sufficient
financial support from the university to fund
operating costs and staff salaries (see pages
18-19).
A new and improved visitor and education
center would serve greater numbers of
people and facilitate events and activities
that cannot be conducted in the present
building. Expanded meeting areas and
classrooms will be available for university
faculty and staff using the natural area. A
large multipurpose room will permit public
A significant amount of money will need to
be raised outside of the university system.
Schmeeckle Reserve is ready to begin a fundraising campaign to support the new facility.
Conceptual idea for a new and improved Schmeeckle Reserve visitor education facility.
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April snowfall over the Schmeeckle prairie. 2007
“The thing that I value most about Schmeeckle Reserve is that
not only does it serve the general public, but also university students. I like to get
away from all the hustle and bustle of school life and connect with the land around
me, whether it’s sitting on the rocks by Lake Joanis or spending time at the ‘wildlife
viewing window.’ Schmeeckle Reserve takes you on a journey of discovery. It might be
encountering one of those ‘Schmeeckle deer’ or an early morning hike looking for birds.
Whether you’re a child, university student, or an adult, Schmeeckle holds a special
place in the hearts of those who enjoy the true beauty of Stevens Point...”
—Student Survey, November, 2006
Schmeeckle Reserve continues its long tradition of providing a special
place for students, faculty, staff, community members, and visitors to
connect with the central Wisconsin landscape.
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