UWSP’s Schmeeckle Reserve to host family nature programs this April

Welcome the spring season at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Schmeeckle Reserve with free family nature programs open to the public this April.

Led by UW-Stevens Point natural resources students studying environmental education and interpretation, the programs will be offered in April. Programs will take place at Schmeeckle Reserve, 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. Please dress for the weather.

April programs include:

• A Predator's Purpose, Friday, April 10, 6-7 p.m., Visitor Center Meeting Room, While predators may get a bad rap, they actually benefit the environment more than harm it. Explore these hunters' lives and learn ways we can protect the creatures that call Central Wisconsin home.
• Stormy Stories, Saturday, April 18, 2-3 p.m., Visitor Center Meeting Room, You might have heard that April showers bring May flowers, but what about the thunderbird that brings storms? Hear and share fascinating stories and mythologies connected to rainstorms. Discover how they shape our understanding of weather today.
• *Humming Through Life, Sunday, April 19, 2-3 p.m., Visitor Center Meeting Room, Peek into the big life of Wisconsin's smallest bird: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird! Experience the love, hardships, and triumphs faced by our feathered friends. Make a hummingbird feeder to end the journey.
• *Disappearing Ponds of the Forest, Wednesday, April 22, 6-7 p.m., Parkway Shelter, Now you see them, now you don't! Ephemeral ponds are ecosystems that pull a disappearing act. Walk with us as we dive into what forms these temporary ponds and why they are vital to amphibians and other wildlife.
• *EcoPoetry: Putting Words to Wonder, Saturday, April 25, 2-3 p.m., Menzel Pavillion, Do you find inspiration in nature? If you enjoy writing, reading a good poem, or just spending time outside, come along to bridge the gap between words and wonder via an interactive, poetry-filled hike around Schmeeckle.

*Dress for the weather

For any questions, reach out by emailing at [email protected], calling 715-346-4992 or visiting in person at the Visitor Center. Reasonable accommodation for special needs will be made with advanced notice.

Schmeeckle Reserve is a field station of UW-Stevens Point, operated by the College of Natural Resources to protect and restore ecosystems, serve as an outdoor classroom for learning, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities. Learn more at www3.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/schmeeckle.