Heckrodt Wetland Reserve

by Tracey Koenig

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve (HWR) is a 76-acre urban nature reserve with habitats including
forested wetland, cattail marsh, open water, open field, and upland forest. Persisting despite
the urbanization that continues to grow around it, the Reserve is home to numerous species
of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Migrating songbirds and waterfowl nest and feed in
its protection. On any summer day you might see rafts of turtles, flocks of birds, boatloads of squirrels, and if you’re really lucky, a speckled fawn or two. In winter Great Horned owls, flocks of songbirds, many deer, and evidence of our resident otters can be found. These animals rely on us to provide them a home in a quickly developing urban area – to them, we are an oasis.

 In winter Great Horned owls, flocks of songbirds, many deer, and evidence of our resident otters can be found. These animals rely on us to provide them a home in a quickly developing urban area – to them, we are an oasis.  HWR was founded as a private nonprofit nature reserve in 1992, and has experienced tremendous growth since building our Nature Center in 1999. We have provided
environmental education programming for more than 124,000 people since we started
programming in 1997. We welcome more than 50,000 people each year who visit the Nature
Center and walk our trails. We are Your Nature Center for all Seasons! General admission
to the Reserve is always free.

Our Nature Center is home to live reptile, amphibian, and fish displays as well as mounted specimens of Wisconsin mammals and bird species. The indoor Discovery Den and outdoor children’s play area, The World Beneath Your Feet, were designed with kids in mind. Other features include a life sized bald eagle nest – on the ground and people accessible. You never guessed a nest could be so BIG!

Our trail system is well marked and perfect for family exploring. Our wheel chair and stroller
friendly 3+ mile trail system includes boardwalk that allows access to the wetland without
getting wet feet! While strollers and wagons are welcome, please leave your bicycle and your pet at home. Be sure to add your critter sightings to the "What did you see at Heckrodt today?" board in the Nature Center. In the Nature Center, you’ll always find a naturalist who is excited to hear about your adventure or give you some tips on "where the action is today".

We’re here all year long, but summer is especially busy – Summer 2012 is gearing up to be our busiest. We participate in the Fox Cities Passport to Nature program, a free program designed to get families outside and having fun. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, be sure to stop in to get your starter kit or shrinky dink tag. This year to help promote reading, we’ll host free Sit and Read Brown Bag programs monthly – so bring your lunch and your favorite book and join us.Borrow an Explorer’s Companion Pack or Digger’s Companion Pack to help guide your exploration on the Reserve. Check out the Animal Track Trail on the boardwalk – can you figure out "who went there"? Take your own personal naturalist on your hike using our Wireless Wetland cell phone tour! Can’t get here during the day? Visit our website after June 1 to learn which weekday evening the Nature Center will be open with fun, hands-on activities for your enjoyment.

For a small fee, HWR provides an active family program schedule lead by a naturalist to
enhance your experiences with nature. Join us for our weekly Family Nature Club programs
on Thursday afternoons this summer for an hour long guided hike with a weekly theme. We’ll also celebrate our prairie this summer with bi-weekly family programming, and opportunities for you to be a citizen scientist to help us collect information about what critters live there. Our monthly Community Programs feature lots on hands activities and Turtle Tots Preschool Adventures is designed for kids 2-5 accompanied by a parent.
Program Schedule
May 19, 2012 Frog-Tastic Celebration; 1-3 PM. Join us to celebrate all things froggy! Lots of hands on fun, hikes, and stories. $3/person.
May 15 or 16, Turtle Tots Preschool Adventures (Who Lives in a Tree), 9:30 – 11 AM. Kids 2-5 years accompanied by an adult. Preregistration and prepayment required. $5/adult-child pair.
June 2, 2012 Free Fishing Day; 8 AM – Noon. Fishing fun includes a small scale tournament for kids 12 and under. We supply the bait and have some rods and reels to loan. Prizes. Free food for ALL. This event is FREE but requires preregistration.
June 5, 2012. Sit and Read Brown Bag; Noon – 1 PM. Bring your lunch and your favorite book and we’ll sit outside to enjoy. FREE.
June 14, 2012. Family Nature Club (5 Senses) 1 – 2 PM. Families learning about nature together. $2/child (adults are free)
June 19 or 20, Turtle Tots Preschool Adventures (Fishing Fun!), 9:30 – 11 AM. Kids 2-5 years
accompanied by an adult. Preregistration and prepayment required. $5/adult-child pair.
June 21, 2012 – Family Nature Club – 1-2 PM. Families learning about nature together. $2/child (adults are free)
June 28, 2012 – Family Nature Club, 1-2 PM. Families learning about nature together. $2/child (adults are free).
Wow! How do we do it all? We couldn’t do all of this without the help of our wonderful volunteers. Our volunteer application is available at our website, or stop into the Nature Center to pick one up. After your application is on file, you’ll receive Calling All Volunteers, our monthly newsletter of volunteer needs. Families are welcome to volunteer with children 8 and up, but youth under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers help us with programs, prep craft materials, assist with habitat management, and help take care of the Nature Center during programs.