The Treehaven Times

t our recent Treehaven Information Council we presented a theme called,” Program, People and Places.” The T.I.C. is an annual event with the purpose to share information with the local community about our activities. Treehaven has and always will be about each of the three and there has been a lot of activity in the past year to report.

Program: John Heusinkveld, Assistant Director, has been building new programs based on a programmatic framework identifying our primary themes and audiences. To meet these programs, especially for schools, he has been hiring part-time educators who can implement the goals of the program. (See related article) We welcome them and look forward to new schools being able to participate in quality learning through their leadership.

People: The culture of caring for both the environment and people was clearly established by Dory and Jacque Vallier, our founders. Our priority is people who work, volunteer and visit here. All experience the same culture that hopefully is now our legacy. One of the ways this is demonstrated is through our volunteers working on projects or serving on committees. This year we had over 1000 hours of dedicated effort.

Two people are especially recognized for their continued work on maintenance projects, Phil Zipp and Don Stelter. Thanks for everyone who works at Treehaven or serves on either the Friends of Treehaven or Treehaven Board of Advisors.

Places: The late April winter storm caused havoc on our trails but everything was cleaned up before the start of our summer program. On the outside, the Friendship Circle shelter at Dragonfly Pond looks great, thanks to the Amelse family. We look forward to their return to renovate our bridge later this summer. A deck extension being built by Phil, Don, Ray and Bill Alford is almost ready for our first outdoor classroom use. On the inside, Ray and Elmer are keeping up with the 96 undergraduate students while also getting ready for re-roofing, septic replacements, lighting replacement and concrete work. Meanwhile our Double Cabin project is waiting for permission to tie into our existing drain field. Whew!

All in all Treehaven is a busy place, but just beyond the buildings are the birds, wildlife and forest trails that beckon us all

for a bit of relaxation, study, or simple enjoyment.

reehaven is a perfect place to come and experience nature. Whether being indoors in an educational workshop or outdoors on a forest trail, there is magic and beauty in this place. Each season has its special gift, and each beckons one to come and learn its secrets at Treehaven.

There are two types in this world- those who “suffer a long winter”, and those “who rejoice and revel” in it. Here at Treehaven, we rejoice, for winter is not only beautiful and exciting, but one of the best times of year to explore the “Great Northwoods” here at our 1400 acres of forest and wetland, and in our weekend workshops.

Truly, Treehaven is a “winter wonderland”, with panoramic vistas of forested hills carved by glaciers and hushed quiet of snow-laden spruce and balsam boughs in hidden, magical boggy lowlands. Our wonderful and well-marked trail system waiting right outside the door provides access to these and other habitats and forest ecosystems. Whether by skis on the groomed trails or by snowshoe or foot on side trails, there is much to see. While indoors, there are interesting and exciting workshops to be attended on everything from wolves (who really do range the property) to snowshoe construction to renewable energy. All of our activities relate to natural resource and environmental education, leadership, and a healthy lifestyle- and they are all fun!

Spring brings its own host of activities and joy, and another great time to be at Treehaven. Those who come north to see the fall colors will find equal majesty and splendor in the chlorophyll blush of the first buds in spring. The offerings of workshops reflect the change in the forest, and a whole new season of fun, whether you enjoy birds, fly-fishing, or the chorus of frogs.

Summer is a change in focus for us programmatically, as we then house the College of Natural resources at Stevens Point Summer Field Sessions. Since its inception in 1985 Treehaven has been the home of this prestigious program that offers hands on field experience for CNR students in forestry, limnology, wildlife, watersheds and soils.

Fall in the Northwoods has its renowned display of spectacular colors. Each environment and habitat shines in a new light with yellow, red, and orange hues punctuated by the green of the balsams and white pine. Perhaps there is no lovelier place to be than upper Wisconsin in late September or early October.

Don’t wait to visit and enjoy our programs. It will be just a few more months before Treehaven is draped in white of a “winter wonderland” and nearly another year before spring is on our doorstep.

A Welcome Return...

A Timber Wolf that is part of a small pack in the area was radio collared by the DNR this past fall. In her wanderings she and other of the pack often range into the Treehaven property, and Corky was fortunate enough to see what appeared to be a juvenile wolf here this summer. Wolves are an integral part of a healthy Northwoods ecosystem posing no threat to humans, and we are proud to have them “back” at Treehaven.

f you have ever had the opportunity to come to Treehaven for one of our workshops, classes, or conferences, you already know that we offer excellent restaurant quality menu choices in our buffet line at very reasonable prices.

If you have not yet had the pleasure of dining with us, you will find yourself in a fireside dining room with vaulted windows overlooking a panoramic view of the Treehaven property and the Harrison Hills to the south. Without a doubt, it is one of the best places to relax and dine in the state!

If it is too dark or cold outside, not to worry– our head cook Bette Thorpe is exceedingly experienced at preparing a meal pleasing enough to keep you more than occupied. Bette’s been preparing wonderful meals as a professional for about 50 years! She and her talented staff can not only serve up popular dishes such as broasted chicken and lasagna, but also create “special meals”. Perhaps your group would prefer new options such as a “heart healthy”, (low sodium/ low fat), prime rib, or strictly vegetarian menus such as “Swiss Medley” (with cheese and vegetables) - appetizing choices not available anywhere else in Wisconsin. You’ll find yourself warmly welcomed and your “soul” well satisfied at our hearth!

Treehaven also can accommodate groups for “holiday banquets” with all the trimmings complete with a special sense of place and atmosphere. Really, the sky’s the limit– book Treehaven for conventions, meetings, retreats, or as a training center. In addition to fantastic food, we also offer housing accommodations, classrooms, a computer lab with high speed internet access, recreation area complete with piano, pool table, fireplace, television, snacks, and bar... Just call for prices and options, and get ready for some great eating in a great Northwoods environment.

Bette and her fine staff are more than just great cooks. At Treehaven you will be treated like “a part of the family” with smiles and welcome– service money can’t buy.

Text Box: “Treehaven is a great place to meet people, learn something new, and help a great organization.”

One Schoo’ls Adventures...

n January 15– 18th, 2002, “Vanguard High School”, of Arlington Heights, Illinois came to Treehaven with 23 of its students for an experiential, outdoor education residential program.

Even though there had been a remarkable lack of snowfall, the youth were involved with exploring the 1400 acres of trails and forest for signs of wildlife, examples of habitats, building shelters and in teambuilding “survivor challenge”. Guest speakers were brought in to discuss wildlife rehabilitation (with a live owl!), trapping, wolves, Wisconsin history in the 1700’s, astronomy, and more. Field trips were taken to visit “Teaching Drum” primitive skills school and to have a traditional evening of Wisconsin winter recreation in broomball, “tubing”, and ice-skating. Fun was surely had by all!

Building Capacity for Natural Resources:

Leadership Development Series

ne of the popular series of weekend courses held at Treehaven has the goal of training natural resource professionals in the skills of leadership. This series has included weekend credit/no credit option workshops in leadership development, team development, strategic planning and group process/decision making skills.

The coordinator and primary instructor of the series is Treehaven Director, Dr. Corky McReynolds. Dr. McReynolds has focused his research on leadership and provided workshops for many organizations around the country. His workshops are known for high activity and fun. The first course this year is “Group Decision Making/ Facilitation Skills,” November 15-17, 2002. The course can be taken for graduate credit, and has been attended by graduate students, resource professionals, and business leaders.

Treehaven Volunteers

or over fifteen years, Treehaven has operated with the assistance of talented and dedicated volunteers who provide a wide variety of services for us for an average of almost 1,000 hours annually! Volunteers have helped teach school programs, staff the gift shop, entered data in our computer system, made repairs to the facility, planted gardens, and organized the library, among many other activities. The opportunities are endless, and we have work available for almost any personality or interest. If you have some time and would like to be part of the rewarding experience of volunteering at Treehaven, contact John at 715.454.4106, and we will “get you on board” at Treehaven for some fun times and worthwhile contribution!

Part Time Educators/Naturalists

ike the outdoors? Enjoy working with people? Looking for something rewarding to do with your time, or perhaps a little extra cash? Why not call us and see about joining our team of “naturalists/part –time educators”? If you have some unique skills to share, or a special program on the environment, natural history or even Wisconsin history; why not come up to Treehaven as a part time or contracted employee? It’s a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people, and what a beautiful place to be! Send a resume, or call John Heusinkveld, Assistant Director today!

Teaching has its own reward– especially outdoors in the northwoods!

Text Box: It takes a “family” of staff to get everything done through the seasons…

From filling bird feeders to setting up your program.

New Programs

or the past year Treehaven has been offering and exploring new programs and opportunities for nature and natural resource education, wellness and recreation, sure to be of interest to students, amateurs, and professionals alike. For students, Treehaven is offering new activities in leadership and team building, wellness, as well as our popular environmental lessons and regional explorations. We have added many new part-time educators with a variety of presentations available to round out your program!

For the general public, we are offering outdoor concerts, fly fishing and fly tying, using GPS units, wolf programs, snowshoeing and snowshoe construction, “Birds by Bike”, Wisconsin amphibian studies, master gardening, insect ID and renewable energy methods among many others.

For professionals, we have “state of the art” conference facilities with a unique sense of place, and new this year is a bank of computers with Internet access for participants in all our programs! Visit our website for an updated list of public programs: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven/

We Want to Hear from You…Memories Wanted!

hat is your favorite Treehaven experience...flyfishing for Bass, learning to call a Timber wolf, or watching the Northern Lights while relaxing around a campfire with new friends? We want to hear what you love about Treehaven. Please submit stories, photos, or drawings about your most memorable Treehaven experience; and we’ll publish the winners in our next newsletter or on our new website! All ages are encouraged to participate. Submit entries via email to treehaven@uwsp.eud or mail items to Treehaven, W2540 Pickerel Creek Ave

Tomahawk, WI. 54487.

Text Box: Treehaven Calendar of Events

The following is a list of programs scheduled for the next trimester at Treehaven. We are constantly adding new public workshops and events. To learn more about a particular program, view an updated event list, or register; please visit our website: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven/ or call 715-453-4106

Sept. 6-8	“Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW)	Oct. 19	“Stamping”
Sept. 9	“Watershed Education Workshop”	Oct. 21-23	“UWSP Class”
Sept 9-11	“UWSP Class”	Oct. 25-27	“Quilters”
Sep. 10-13	“Rural Leadership”	Nov. 1-3	“Church Retreat”
Sept. 13	“Nicolet College”	Nov 7-9	“UWSP Class”
Sept. 14	“Wilderness Safety/Hiking”	Nov 11-15	“DNR Training”
Sep. 14-17	“High School Environmental Experience”	Nov 18-20	“UWSP Class”
Sept. 16	“L.I.F.E. Elderhostel”	Nov. 15-17	“NR 703 Decision Making”
Sept. 20	“Peer Mediators”	Dec. 2-6	“DNR Training
Sept. 21	“Project Wild/Learning Tree	Dec. 7-8	“Timber Wolf Alliance Workshop”
Sept. 22-Oct 4	“Creating Memories Elderhostel”	Jan. 1, ’03	“Snowshoe Weekend for Kids & Parents
Sept. 28-29	“Leave-No-Trace Training & Backpacking	Jan.25	“Snowshoe History & Techniques”
Oct. 2	“Watershed Education Workshop”7	Feb 7-9	Study of Wolves
Oct 5-8	“High School Env Experience”	Feb. 22	“Snowshoe History & Techniques”
Oct. 7-9	“4^th Graders Env. Experience”	February 21-23	Study of Wolves
Oct. 18-20	“Scrapbooking ”	February 28-March 2	Study of Wolves
Oct. 17-19	“UWSP Class”	Mar. 22	“Snowshoe History & Techniques”

Director’s Corner: Program, People and Places

“The View From Here”