Fred Schmeeckle was a professor from Nebraska who arrived in 1923 to teach at the Stevens Point Normal School (now the university). Although he was appointed to teach agriculture, he felt that the curriculum lacked an important conservation focus.  He reminisced that "the destruction of forests, pollution of water, and misuse of wildlife areas are factors that started me thinking something should be done to educate people in the wise use of resources."  

In the early 1930's, Schmeeckle began teaching conservation courses, which developed into the first Conservation Education major in the country. This program has grown into the largest undergraduate natural resources program in the nation.  

Schmeeckle often took his classes on walks and birdwatching expeditions in the natural area north of campus, which is now the Reserve. In 1958, he uttered a prophetic statement about the site: "Some day this area will serve as an island of green in the City of Stevens Point." When the Reserve was created nearly twenty years later, Schmeeckle became the deserving namesake of the natural area.

"Some day this area will serve as an island of green in the City of Stevens Point." 

Fred Schmeeckle,
1958