FAQ
Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about Heckrodt Wetland Reserve below. Have a question that isn’t covered here or need clarification on something? Contact us today, and we’ll be happy to help you as best we can.
The Reserve & Nature Center
No, pets are not permitted on the trails. Uniformed assistance animals are welcome, including police departments’ uniformed K-9 unit which may be on the trail from time to time.
No, visitors are not permitted to use drones on the property. Drones are highly disruptive to wildlife and to other visitors.
No bikes are permitted on the trails; foot traffic only please. Strollers, wheelchairs, and motorized medical aids are permitted. Joggers are welcome.
Yes, at certain times of the year we have mosquitoes. While we do not spray to control them as they are an important part of the food chain, we do encourage you to utilize spray to protect yourself.
The Presentation Room of the Nature Center is available for public rental during our regular operating hours. Rental of our outbuildings may also be available depending on education needs. See our Room Rentals page for more details and contact information on facility rentals.
Trails are open 6 AM – 9 PM every day. The Nature Center is open 8 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday – Friday; and 11 AM – 3:30 PM Saturday. The Nature Center is closed on Sunday and Monday as well as all major holidays.
Our critters are typically fed on Tuesday and Friday. Due to the small size of staff and our busy teaching schedule, we cannot set a specific time for feeding and feed as we have time to do it. Usually, we feed in the afternoon. Birds are also fed on Tuesday and Friday, but feeding time is unpredictable. If you are in the Nature Center while we are feeding, you are asked not to feed the animals — we’ll leave that to the professionals, but you are welcome to enjoy watching!
Plants & Animals
All animals and plants on Heckrodt property are protected. Anyone caught removing critters or plants from our property will be fined. All plants and animals should be observed with eyes only and not harassed during your visit.
All plants, flowers and animals on Heckrodt property are protected. Anyone caught removing plants, flowers or critters from our property will be fined. All plants and animals should be observed with eyes only and not harassed during your visit.
Please do not bring food for our native critters as this makes them dependent upon us, and is not healthy. Feeding of animals by visitors is prohibited.
Only professional staff and trained volunteers handle our live animals.
No, we do not feed the deer, however, they do know where our bird feeders are and when we fill them.
No, the release of any animal on the Reserve is prohibited and will result in a fine for any person(s) involved.
Heckrodt is not a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility and we cannot accept injured or orphaned wildlife. We also cannot come to your house, place of business, etc. to pick up injured or orphaned wildlife. We will be happy to give you the name of licensed rehabilitators in our area that you can contact.
Other
No, Heckrodt Wetland Reserve is a private nonprofit organization, not a city park. We operate independently from the City of Menasha.
Heckrodt relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations for our operations. Grants support development and operation of education programs. We do not charge general admission, but a drop box is located in the gallery of the Nature Center to collect free-will contributions by visitors.
You might be surprised to learn that Heckrodt Wetland Reserve welcomes more than 50,000 visitors each year, including teaching more than 10,000 people in naturalist-led education programs.