Heckrodt Happenings Blog
Fallen Kingdom: The Plight of the Monarch Butterfly
It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to call the monarch butterfly the most popular butterfly in North America, or even one of the most popular insects in general.…
Nature’s Rest Stops: Migratory Stopovers
Migratory Stopovers in Wisconsin Migratory stopovers in Wisconsin are vital and often overlooked places in a bird’s journey. These are high-risk, high-need periods where birds must rest…
Beyond the Lesson
What It Really Takes to Create a Meaningful Field Trip When most people think about a field trip, they picture a group of students walking…
Through a Naturalist’s Lens
Wildlife Photography as Connection, Calm, and Responsibility Every time I pick up a camera, something inside me shifts. The world slows down. My breathing steadies.…
Heather’s Journey to Heckrodt
With my 27 years of experience as a naturalist at Heckrodt, and 32 total years in the naturalist field, I would like to share with…
Survival in the Sub-Zero: How Plants Brave a Wisconsin Winter
As I sit in my house on this winter day too cold to go to work, listening to the crackle of the fireplace on my…
2025: The Best Year Yet by Chester the Turtle
2025—what a whirlwind! (Well, as much of a whirlwind as life can be when your top speed is 0.2 miles per hour.) Hi there, I’m Chester. I’ve called Heckrodt Wetland Reserve…
Let’s Go Leaf Peeping!
Let’s go Leaf Peeping! Did you know that there is actually a technical term for people who travel specifically to see the changing colors of…
What’s the Buzz About Bumblebees?
What’s hairy, black, yellow, maybe a little rusty and sounds like a buzzsaw when it flies by your nose? The bumblebee, of course. Bumblebees showcase…
Diving Deep Into Heckrodt: An LTE’s POV
I survived my first month at Heckrodt—and what a wild, wonderful ride it’s been! Hi there! My name is Sophia Lehner, and I’m thrilled to…