• Survey sent to all UWSP students about Schmeeckle

• Schmeeckle Reserve celebrates its 30 anniversary in 2007

• More land added to the Reserve to protect Moses Creek

• Schmeeckle Interpreters develop master plan for Kentucky cave

• Candlelight Hikes and Public Programs planned

• Schmeeckle staff creates signage for Marshfield Nature Preserve

Survey sent to all UWSP students about Schmeeckle

Schmeeckle Reserve sent a survey in November, 2006 to all undergraduate and graduate students attending UWSP. Nearly 940 students responded with their thoughts and opinions of Schmeeckle Reserve. The results were very positive. Some highlights include:

• 95% of all students have visited Schmeeckle during their college career

• Nearly 1/3 of students visit Schmeeckle more than 7 times per month.

• Schmeeckle was a reason that 1 out of 5 students chose to attend UWSP.

• 80% of students visit Schmeeckle to escape the stress of college life.

• 83% of students would like to see Schmeeckle continue to acquire more green space.

• 98% of all students (including those that have never visited) believe that supporting Schmeeckle is a good use of their student fees.

• 80% of all students favor increasing the amount of their students fees that support Schmeeckle

The full survey results can be viewed at: www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle/survey. 

Schmeeckle Reserve celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2007.

Lake Joanis was excavated in 1975 to provide fill for the new Sentry Insurance headquarters. This facilitated the creation of the Reserve, which officially opened to UWSP and the public two years later. Several events will be planned to commemorate 30 years of serving students, faculty, and community residents. We are also planning a special staff reunion�if you�re a former employee of Schmeeckle, we�d like to hear from you. Contact Ron Zimmerman at rzimmerm@uwsp.edu.

More land added to the Reserve to protect Moses Creek.

Eight acres of land will soon be added to the southeast corner of Schmeeckle Reserve, increasing its size to 283 acres. The land is being donated as part of a subdivision development project. This addition will protect Moses Creek within the Reserve from North Point Drive to Maria Drive. Plans are underway to restore the channelized creek to its original meanders and wetland areas.

Schmeeckle Interpreters develop master plan for Kentucky cave.

Dr. Michael Gross (left), Ron Zimmerman (center) and Jim Buchholz (right) completed an interpretive master plan for the Lost River Cave in Kentucky. The plan will guide the development of visitor services and programming. Funds from consulting are used to support Schmeeckle Reserve. For more information about interpretive consulting, visit www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle/consulting.

Candlelight Hikes and Public Programs planned.

Schmeeckle will again host Spring and Winter Candlelight Hikes in 2007. The events feature a mile-long walk lit by torches through the woods and along the lake. Each hike features a different theme with food, crafts, and games. Environmental education/interpretation students will continue to present public programs on regional natural history topics in spring and fall. Sign up at www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle/programs.

Schmeeckle staff creates signage for Marshfield nature preserve.

Schmeeckle Reserve employees designed, constructed, and installed over 20 cedar signs for the newly developed Hamus Recreation Area and Nature Preserve in Marshfield. Information signs were also designed that interpret the plants and animals of the site. For more information on personalized hand-crafted cedar signs, visit www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle/signs.

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