Central Wisconsin Environmental Station

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Amherst Junction, WI
Central Wisconsin Environmental Station

CWES is a 200-acre teaching and learning center part of University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

CWES is a 200-acre teaching and learning center located 17 miles east of Stevens Point on glacial Sunset Lake. Since 1975, we have been an integral part of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point College of Natural Resources program and are staffed with professional natural resource and environmental educators.

04/01/2026

Call the plumber! There is a big leak under the sink!

03/31/2026

⛺️🎯🛶🌳 Don't forget to register your camper for CWES summer camp!

Today we're highlighting Challenge Quest, which runs from June 28-July 3. This residential camp is for ages 11-13. "Outplay, Outlaugh, Outfun"! This camp is designed for campers who love friendly competition, team challenges, and over-the-top fun. Each day brings a new land and water surprise: maze races, creative build-offs, puzzles, and goofy stunt challenges. Earn points, conquer quests, and be the G.O.A.T. at summer camp!

For more information and to register: https://www.uwsp.edu/cwes/home/summercamp/

03/27/2026

It's time for our second round of summer camp staff introductions! Our next two counselors are both avid hikers. What are some of your favorite places to hike in the Stevens Point area? Tell Jessie and Lucy some of your must-see hiking spots by leaving a comment.

Hi! My name is Jessie, I grew up in Port Washington, Wisconsin. I am currently enrolled at UWSP studying ecosystem restoration & management. This summer I am looking forward to getting creative with cooking on the campfire. I taught parkour and gymnastics classes for a long time, so I have a joy for acrobatics and climbing. I also love woodworking and have built lots of cool projects including a concert-grade sound system. My favorite outdoor activity is hiking, especially to somewhere with a good view (bonus points if it has a good set of trees to hang a hammock between). I look forward to both teaching lessons to and learning lessons from our campers!

Hello, My name is Lucy! I’m from Milwaukee and I am currently attending UWSP, studying wildlife ecology. Some of my favorite hobbies are drawing and hiking. My favorite outdoor activity is herping for snakes or birding. I’m looking forward to teaching campers all about nature and getting them as excited as I am about it!

Tune in next week for out next round of counselor introductions!

03/25/2026

⛺️🎯🛶🌳 Don't forget to register your camper today!

This week, we're highlighting our first Junior Naturalist day camp of the summer, which runs from June 22-26. This camp is for ages 5-10 and runs from 8am to 4pm each day. Campers will learn about Wisconsin's First Nations, the formation of Sunset Lake, the sea that used to cover Wisconsin, the constellations we see at CWES, and so much more through the magic of storytelling and play!

For more information and to register: https://www.uwsp.edu/cwes/home/summercamp/

03/20/2026

⛺️🎯🛶🌳 Our summer camps are starting to fill! Don't wait to register your campers for a week of fun at CWES!

This week, we're highlighting our "Everything Under the Sun" residential camp. This session is for ages 9-11 and runs from June 14-19. Campers will experience everything CWES summer camp has to offer; swimming, boating, crafts, archery, night hikes, campfires, lessons on plants and animals, human foosball, tree climbing, and so much more.

For more information and to register: https://www.uwsp.edu/cwes/home/summercamp/

03/12/2026

With more winter weather heading our way this weekend, let's take a look back at this year's Winter CWEStival on February 21st.

Visitors enjoyed making pine cone owls and wood cookie coasters at our craft station, cozying up to the fire for s'mores, trying their hand at an owl nesting game, and wandering the beautiful snow-covered trails of CWES. But the highlight of the event was meeting Tuck the Barred Owl and other winged education ambassadors with the Runke family! We learned about some amazing features of owls that help them survive harsh Wisconsin winters, as well as ways we can help our feathered friends, like recycling to keep waste from landfills that take up valuable habitat space.

Special thanks to Zak, Rex, and Ryon Runke and their birds, our amazing volunteers, and to everyone who came out to spend their Saturday afternoon at CWES!

03/11/2026

With Summer Camp on the horizon, we are excited to introduce our first summer camp staff! Spots for summer camp are filling! Enroll today to make sure you don't miss out on a fun-filled week with our awesome counselors!

We are thrilled that Crystal will be joining us for the second half of the camp session after she finishes up her summer field experience at Treehaven.

Hi, I'm Crystal! I'm from Germantown, WI and I am a rising senior at UWSP majoring in Music and Environmental Education and Interpretation. Attending an overnight nature camp was one of my childhood dreams that I never was able to experience, so I am very excited to finally be able to live it. I love cats, pretty much anything Disney (especially The Aristocats), and music. In my free time, I like to take walks, read, and do arts and crafts such as diamond art. My favorite outdoor activity is either kayaking or taking a leisurely walk through a forest. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and to have a chance to play my flute around a campfire!

03/05/2026

The UWSP Forest Restoration class is documenting changes in the Minister Lake property as they improve forest health and biodiversity. One crew, focused on wildlife, has captured some of the common species who call this place home. Do you recognize some of these neighbors?

02/20/2026

It was a snow day for some students, but for UWSP College of Natural Resources Forest Restoration students it was an opportunity for chainsaw certification! These students are supporting a larger forest restoration project at the Minister Lake property, which will be followed up with a prescribed burn in the spring.

02/12/2026

Join us at CWES on Saturday, February 21st between 1-4pm for our annual Winter CWEStival! This FREE event is a great opportunity to explore CWES in the wintertime and enjoy some environmental education programming, games, and a craft! This year we are focusing on owls and will have a couple of programs with LIVE owls so the public can learn more about these amazing birds. We will also be raffling off a $200 voucher towards CWES summer camp registration for any youth between the ages of 5-16. Be sure to RSVP so we know how many snacks/craft supplies to have on hand, and feel free to reach out with questions!

Hope to see you here at CWES on Saturday, February 21st!

12/12/2025

Yesterday, we lost two of our biggest heroes: Bruce Braun and George Meyer.

They each were board members at NRF, impactful visionaries, and committed to protecting nature in our great state throughout their lives.

Bruce Braun, who only recently stepped off our board due to his health, was Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin DNR for 11 years.

George Meyer, who also served on our board, was Secretary of the DNR for eight years. On Wednesday, we sadly lost them both on the same day, each to cancer.

These two men protected our state's natural resources with dedication, warmth, and enthusiasm. Their accomplishments, which are being touted across the conservation community today, are almost too numerous to list. They will be missed, and they will be remembered.

📸: Courtesy of NRF

Image: close up of Bruce Braun, close up of George Meyer

12/09/2025

We are wrapping up a very successful timber harvest on the Minister Lake property! We define success by: the removal of diseased, overcrowded, and declining trees; restoration of prairie; enhanced habitat of migratory birds; and a future forest that is diverse and resilient. The next steps include UWSP Forest Restoration students engaging in a capstone course where they will continue these efforts.

Address

10186 CR-MM
Amherst Junction, WI
54407

Telephone

+17153462937

Website

http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/cwes/

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