Schmeeckle Reserve (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Schmeeckle Reserve
Location	2419 North Point Drive Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Area	Over 280 acres (110 ha)
Created	1976
Operated by	University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Hiking trails	5 miles (8.0 km)

Schmeeckle Reserve is a special natural area covering about 280 acres. It's located right on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. This amazing place has lots of hiking trails, different types of natural habitats, and a visitor center. You can also find plenty of wildlife and a beautiful human-made lake here. The main goal of Schmeeckle Reserve is to protect nature, help students learn outdoors, and offer fun activities for everyone who visits.

History of Schmeeckle Reserve

Before 1956, the land that is now Schmeeckle Reserve was used for farming. Farmers grew corn and grain, and dairy cows grazed here. However, the soil wasn't very good for growing crops. The bedrock was too close to the surface, making some areas too wet or too dry.

From Farmland to Natural Area

By the 1950s, many farmers had given up trying to grow crops on this land. You can still see old farm machinery and building foundations in the reserve today. The University started buying this land in 1956. At first, they used it as a picnic area.

Students from the University's Conservation Department often helped fight fires in the area. The furrows, or ditches, they dug to stop the fires can still be seen today. By 1969, the University owned about 127 acres of this land. There was a big discussion about what to do with it. Some ideas included building dorms or sports fields.

In 1974, the University suggested turning the land into a natural area with hiking trails and a special garden called an arboretum. At that time, the area where Lake Joanis is now was not yet part of the University's land.

How Lake Joanis Was Created

Around the same time, a company called Sentry Insurance wanted to build a new office building nearby. Their plans showed that the new building would cause a lot more car traffic on Reserve Street, which went through the University campus. To keep students safe, the company suggested closing Reserve Street. They wanted to build a new road, Michigan Avenue, through the proposed natural area instead.

A Clever Compromise

At first, people were upset because the new road would split the natural area. So, a compromise was made. The new building project needed a lot of soil. This soil would be dug from a 50-acre piece of land east of the University. Sentry Insurance agreed to leave the dug-out area open. Over time, it would fill with groundwater and become a lake. They also agreed to give this land to the University to add to the nature reserve.

The University liked this idea, and people's concerns were eased. The new road was finished in 1975. The lake that formed covers 24 of the 50 acres. In 1994, it was officially named Lake Joanis. It was named after John Joanis, the president of Sentry Insurance, who paid for the digging.

Establishing Schmeeckle Reserve

Schmeeckle Reserve was officially started in 1976. It received a grant of $250,000 to help with its creation. The 50 acres with Lake Joanis were included in the reserve at this time.

Early Developments

Ron Zimmerman became the Reserve's first Director in 1977. One of his first actions was to buy a nearby 20-acre farm. The old farmhouse on this land was turned into the Visitor Center by University students. This work took three years and was finished by 1979. By 1981, the grant money had helped build over five miles of trails and boardwalks. It also paid for fitness trails and a shelter building.

Growth and Expansion

Over the years, Schmeeckle Reserve has continued to grow and add new features.

New Additions and Features

In 1984, the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame found a new home at Schmeeckle Reserve. In 1990, the Hall of Fame built a new part onto the Visitor Center. This was paid for with city tax money and more grant funds. The new addition included a walk-through exhibit area, a special gallery for the Hall of Fame, a meeting room, and a sign-making workshop.

In 1998, the Reserve bought the 75-acre Berard Oaks area. This made Schmeeckle Reserve grow to its current size of 280 acres. The Reserve keeps changing and improving. New trails are being made, and they are working to buy more land. They are also restoring natural areas like prairies and oak savannas.

Who Was Fred Schmeeckle?

The reserve is named after Fred Schmeeckle. He was a professor from Nebraska who started teaching at the Stevens Point Normal School in 1923. He taught agriculture, but he was also a strong supporter of teaching people about conservation.

A Vision for Conservation Education

Fred Schmeeckle believed it was important to educate people about using natural resources wisely. He said things like "the destruction of forests, pollution of water, and misuse of wildlife areas are factors that started me thinking something should be done." In the early 1930s, he began teaching special conservation courses. Today, this program is the largest of its kind in the United States for undergraduate students.

Schmeeckle often took his classes on walks and bird-watching trips to the natural area north of the campus. This is the same area where the reserve is now located. In 1954, Fred Schmeeckle said, "Some day this area will serve as an island of green in the city of Stevens Point." He was right! His "island of green" is now named in his honor.

Plants and Animals of the Reserve

Schmeeckle Reserve has many different types of habitats. This means it's home to a wide variety of plants and animals.

Diverse Habitats and Wildlife

You can find areas with tall cattails, as well as forests filled with pine, oak, and other deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the fall). Many animals live in the reserve. You might see frogs, deer, rabbits, squirrels, turtles, snakes, geese, and ducks. It's a great place to observe nature!