Nature programs offered at Schmeeckle Reserve in December

For the Metro Wire

Discover the natural beauty winter has to offer during free programs at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Schmeeckle Reserve.

Programs are taught by UWSP students and meet at the reserve’s Visitor Center, located at 2419 North Point Dr. Participants should dress for the weather, as some programs are outdoors.

December programs include:

· The Hidden Lives Among Us, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6-7 p.m. Follow the clues and find the unseen critters hiding in the reserve.

· Alien Invaders, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Join the battle against invasive species that threaten native plants and animals, and help save the reserve.

· Ancient Animals, Sunday, Dec. 9, 1-2 p.m. Walk into the past on an interactive winter hike and learn about the ancient animals that roamed during the Ice Age, including giant beavers and mammoths.

· Snowflake Science, Thursday, Dec. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Investigate the science behind these miniature works of art, then build your own snowflake and go on a snowflake safari.

For more information, call 715-346-4992 or go to www.uwsp.edu/cnr/schmeeckle.