Heckrodt Wetland Reserve 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.
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.
The Nature Center
The 4,000 square foot Nature Center features a "Living Waters" exhibit with
an indoor live wetland, and aquariums that are home to local fishes, crayfish,
turtles, and snakes -- surrounded by a display of mounted Wisconsin
mammals and birds. Outdoor exhibits include a memorial butterfly garden and
bird feeding area, as well as a pond, bog and stream complex. The Nature
Center facilities feature a workshop/meeting room, a classroom
amphitheater/Discovery Den, Solarium, and a resource library.
Three miles of elevated boardwalk trails provide access to the wetland habitat
to all visitors to explore and enjoy bird watching, walking, photography, and
snowshoeing in winter. Wagons and strollers are available for check out to
increase visitor enjoyment of the hiking trails. Wheelchairs are available for
visitors who may need assistance. Explorers Companions, backpacks
equipped with exploration materials for the season, are available for checkout
at no cost. Snowshoes are available in winter for a small fee.
The 4,000 square foot Nature Center features a "Living Waters" exhibit with
an indoor live wetland, and aquariums that are home to local fishes, crayfish,
turtles, and snakes -- surrounded by a display of mounted Wisconsin
mammals and birds. Outdoor exhibits include a memorial butterfly garden and
bird feeding area, as well as a pond, bog and stream complex. The Nature
Center facilities feature a workshop/meeting room, a classroom
amphitheater/Discovery Den, Solarium, and a resource library.
Three miles of elevated boardwalk trails provide access to the wetland habitat
to all visitors to explore and enjoy bird watching, walking, photography, and
snowshoeing in winter. Wagons and strollers are available for check out to
increase visitor enjoyment of the hiking trails. Wheelchairs are available for
visitors who may need assistance. Explorers Companions, backpacks
equipped with exploration materials for the season, are available for checkout
at no cost. Snowshoes are available in winter for a small fee.
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HWR Staff
Executive Director, Tracey Koenig, has been with Heckrodt Wetland Reserve since March 1998. First
as a volunteer, then as Site Restoration Manager, Tracey became Executive Director in June 1999. She
earned a BS in BIology/Geology from Bowling Green State University and an MS in biology/aquatic
ecology from the University of Mississippi. Tracey is responsible for all executive operations at the
Reserve as well as scout programs, Turtle Tales Storytime, and Toddler Trails Early Childhood Program.
She is also responsible for site restoration and management.
as a volunteer, then as Site Restoration Manager, Tracey became Executive Director in June 1999. She
earned a BS in BIology/Geology from Bowling Green State University and an MS in biology/aquatic
ecology from the University of Mississippi. Tracey is responsible for all executive operations at the
Reserve as well as scout programs, Turtle Tales Storytime, and Toddler Trails Early Childhood Program.
She is also responsible for site restoration and management.
Naturalist/Education Coordinator, Heather Weigelt, has been with Heckrodt Wetland
Reserve since October 1998 first as a volunteer and then as a part-time educator. She
became the full time education coordinator in May 1999. Heather is a graduate of Northland
College with a BS in Outdoor Education with a natural history emphasis and has worked at
several environmental facilities in the Midwest. She is responsible for all education programs
at the Reserve including school and daycare programming, HWR summer camps, community
programs, and teacher and community resources.
Reserve since October 1998 first as a volunteer and then as a part-time educator. She
became the full time education coordinator in May 1999. Heather is a graduate of Northland
College with a BS in Outdoor Education with a natural history emphasis and has worked at
several environmental facilities in the Midwest. She is responsible for all education programs
at the Reserve including school and daycare programming, HWR summer camps, community
programs, and teacher and community resources.
Administrative Coordinator, Judi McClain, started as a volunteer with Heckrodt
Wetland Reserve at the conception of the project in 1996. She became Administrative
Coordinator in May 1999. Judi handles all aspects of adminstrative operations including
accounts payable, account receivable, donations, the brick program, and room rentals.
Wetland Reserve at the conception of the project in 1996. She became Administrative
Coordinator in May 1999. Judi handles all aspects of adminstrative operations including
accounts payable, account receivable, donations, the brick program, and room rentals.
Naturalist/Educator, Luke Schiller, started his career with Heckrodt on March 24, 2008.
Luke is a graduate of Iowa State University where he earned a B.S. in Animal Ecology with an
Interpretation option. Luke has been working in the field of environmental education since
2003 in a variety of settings in the US and abroad. He is responsible for supporting with all
environmental education programming at the Reserve including school, daycare, and public
programs.
Luke is a graduate of Iowa State University where he earned a B.S. in Animal Ecology with an
Interpretation option. Luke has been working in the field of environmental education since
2003 in a variety of settings in the US and abroad. He is responsible for supporting with all
environmental education programming at the Reserve including school, daycare, and public
programs.