Current Programs

Lab workers are needed daily, for one to two hours, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Sunday, 12-2 p.m.) to help raise caterpillars in our lab.

This volunteer opportunity involves daily care and feeding of caterpillars, monitoring chrysalis development and releasing butterflies into the Butterfly House. If you cannot attend this training session, please contact the Reserve to set up a personal training time.

Volunteers opportunities run from early July through Labor Day.

 

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Lab volunteers are needed daily between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Sundays 12-1 p.m.) to help raise caterpillars for release in the Butterfly House. Training provided.

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Date and time to be determined by your group.

This is an ideal community-service project for scout groups or junior volunteers with adult supervisors. Volunteers met at the nature ceter and are taken to a strech of road near Beaver Creek Reserve where litter needs to be picked up.

Long pants, boots and a pair of gloves are strongly suggested. Trash bags and safety vests are provided.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

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Want to learn how to find gold?

This program will teach you the basics of where to look for gold, what tools you will need and how to use them. Learn panning techniques from some of "the old timers" from our local Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA) chapter, the Wisconsin Northwoods Adventurers.

Equipment will be provided for the class, but bring water shoes as you will get wet wading in the stream. After a brief history and instruction, the group will then prospect for gold at an area stream yet to be determined.

Registration and full payment required May 29.

 

 

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Time and date dependent on need.

Marketing volunteers attend community events and set up the Beaver Creek Reserve display board, hand out literature and promote the Reserve's mission and programs to the community.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

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This program is targeted for our older nature lovers.

Participate monthly or register for one week at a time -- the choice is yours. Starting at 9:30 a.m., led by a Beaver Creek Reserve naturalist, the 30 - 45 minute hike on the Reserve trails will document the changes taking place in the woods at Beaver Creek Reserve.

The hike will be capped off with coffee and a treat and further discussion about the changes and things we've seen. The program is geared for adults 55 and older.  Hikers should expect about a mile long hike with uneven terrain and stairs to negotiate.

Registration and full payment required by June 5.

 

 

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Show your patriotism by creating and displaying this colorful basket in your home. This beginner-level basket uses natural, red and blue reed and starts on a slotted round base. It has a push-in oak handle and is finished with either mini stars or hearts.

Registration and payment required by June 7.

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Show your patriotism by creating and displaying this colorful basket in your home. This beginner-level basket uses natural, red and blue reed and starts on a slotted round base. It has a push-in oak handle and is finished with either mini stars or hearts.

Registration and payment required by June 7.

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If you like being outdoors, love people, and enjoy flowers and butterflies, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Guides are needed daily Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sundays from July through early September. Butterfly House guides answer questions and provide information to guests and visitors.

If you cannot attend at this time, please contact the Reserve to set up for a personals training.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

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Roughfish are the most misunderstood creatures swimming in our home waters today. In this class you will learn how to identify 41 different roughfish species that exist in Wisconsin from the lowly sucker to the funny looking paddlefish.

You will also learn why we should value and appreciate such unique fishes. There will be a discussion on the habits and behavior of these fish plus fishing techniques used for catching them that will enhance your angling skills.

You will then have opportunity to take what you learn and use it along the banks of the Eau Claire River at Big Falls. Parking permit required at Big Falls parking lot. Bring your own fishing gear.

Registration and payment required by June 19.

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Learn about the biology and ecology of the dragonflies and damselflies
of Wisconsin.  Short presentation will also include tips on species
identification and how citizen scientists can get involved.  Trip out
to the trails to follow.  Bring your insect net if you have one!

Registration and payment required by June 20.

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Monday - Friday, June 24-June 28, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Camp volunteers are needed the mornings of June 25 - June 29. Please consider helping staff naturalists with this fun week-long camp for children.

Camper ages are 5-6, 7-8 or 9-11 year olds. Help introduce children to the wonders of nature.

A training session offered Tuesday, June 18, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. If you cannot attend, please contact the Reserve for a separate training.

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July-early September

Guides are needed daily Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. and Sundays from 12-3 p.m. 

If you like being outdoors, love visiting with people, and enjoy flowers and butterflies, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Butterfly House guides answer questions and provide information to guests and visitors.

A training session is offered on Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m. If you cannot attend, please contact the Reserve to set up a separate training.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

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Warm summer evenings bring out the gems of the night: fireflies! Recent concern over declining firefly populations prompted the FireFly Watch. Learn about firefly ecology and be trained so you can help researchers by monitoring fireflies in your own backyard.

Registration and payment required by July 5.

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Join other butterfly enthusiasts for the annual Beaver Creek Reserve Butterfly count. Meet at the Wise Nature Center to review species likely to be seen; then get directions for the count and receive a route assignment. Most counters usually spend two to four hours counting, but you may count for as little as one hour or for most of the day if you wish. The results are forwarded to the North American Butterfly Association.

Rain date scheduled for Wednesday, July 10 at 9:30 am. $3 donation per counter suggested as assessed by NABA.

Registration and payment required by Monday, July 8.

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Are maple trees really either hard or soft?  Are popple, poplar, and aspen the same tree?  Are red pine and Norway pine different species? 

Naturalist Jim Schwiebert will answer these and other tree questions as you hike the Reserve's trails to look at the unique leaf, twig, and bark characteristics of trees, shrubs, and a few interesting vine species found on the Reserve. 

Learn some easy ways to remember how to identify them. A simple key to tree identification will be provided for participants to take home.

Registration and payment required by July 8

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Come explore the wonders of native mussels while paddling the beautiful Chippewa River downstream of Eau Claire. Participants will experience finding and identifying mussels along the way, while learning about their natural history. Bring a lunch, sunscreen and wear water shoes and clothes that can get wet.

Canoes and life jackets will be provided. More information provided upon signup.

Registration and payment required by July 3.

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Open the door to nature through nature-related stories and activities. Story Hour is designed for families of all kinds and budding nature enthusiasts. Each story hour presents a new exciting topic. Children will listen to stories and participate in a related activity or take a short hike.

After the program, participants can receive a 20% discount on any children's book purchased that morning.

Registration encouraged, but not necessary.

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Nature Center hosts greet visitors, answer phones, ring up cash register sales, organize the Nature Store, etc. The Reserve is looking to fill spots for weekday and weekends shifts. On-call hosts are needed for weekday as well as weekend shifts.

Monday - Saturday morning shifts are from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Afternoon shifts run from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday shifts are from 12-4 p.m.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

 

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Warm summer evenings bring out the gems of the night: fireflies! Recent concern over declining firefly populations prompted the FireFly Watch. Join us as we follow the FireFly Watch protocol to survey the Henke Farm for fireflies.

Registration and payment required by July 15

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Do you enjoy snakes, turtles or butterflies?  If so, Beaver Creek Reserve has a volunteer opportunity for you!

Individuals should feel comfortable handling live animals, be knowledgeable about the subject and enjoy speaking in front of groups of all ages.

The Reserve is looking for volunteers to lead birthday parties and scout groups in obtaining different badges. Volunteers must be available weekends. No experience necessary.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

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Lakes are beautiful gems that hold many wonders including aquatic plants.  These plants are often regarded as "seaweed" or "weeds" even though they play a vital role in the lake ecosystem. Learn about the diversity of these plants by exploring a secluded lake by canoe in the Chippewa County Forest.

Participants will sample for the plants, identify them, and even learn how to press aquatic plants. Canoes and life jackets will be provided. Bring sun protection and wear clothing that can get wet. Your own transportation to the field site is necessary. More details upon signup.

Registration and payment required by July 25.

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Join a Beaver Creek naturalist for a taste of some summer's wild edibles.  We'll take a hike and look for some common, easily-identified, wild edible plants.  We'll nibble a few things as we hike, and then sample a cooked green and a wild tea or two!  A list of some plants to try and their use will be provided. Come and join us for a taste of summer from the wild!

Registration and payment required by July 29.

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Learn about the biology and ecology of the dragonflies and damselflies
of Wisconsin.  Short presentation will also include tips on species
identification and how citizen scientists can get involved.  Trip out
to the trails to follow.  Bring your insect net if you have one!

Registration and payment required by July 31.

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Volunteers are needed to help with the Reserve's annual Butterfly Festival. Volunteer needs include leading a craft or game and face painting.

 In addition, Butterfly house and caterpillar lab guides are needed and someone to demonstrate how to safely tags butterflies.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

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Join butterfly enthusiasts from the area to celebrate the unique wonder and beauty of our native butterflies. 

Mini-seminars will provide information on Wisconsin butterflies, butterfly gardening, and how to raise your own butterflies! There will be guided tours of the butterfly house and games and crafts for the kids!

Be sure to mark this family-oriented, fun and educational day on your calendar.

Registration and payment encouraged by August 3.

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Open the door to nature through nature-related stories and activities. Story Hour is designed for families of all kinds and budding nature enthusiasts. Each story hour presents a new exciting topic. Children will listen to stories and participate in a related activity or take a short hike.

After the program, participants can receive a 20% discount on any children's book purchased that morning.

Registration encouraged, but not necessary.

[ Register for this event. ]

Nature Center hosts greet visitors, answer phones, ring up cash register sales, organize the Nature Store, etc. The Reserve is looking to fill spots for weekday and weekends shifts. On-call hosts are needed for weekday as well as weekend shifts.

Monday - Saturday morning shifts are from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Afternoon shifts run from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday shifts are from 12-4 p.m.

 

If you would like to help this event or find out about other volunteer opportunities at Beaver Creek Reserve, please contact us at bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or 715-877-2212.

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Join BCR Volunteer Naturalist Pam Rasmussen for a hike around the Reserve. The native plants will be spectacular at this time of the year. Pam will highlight and teach you how to identify some of the native prairies grasses and fall flowers.

Registration and payment required by, August 21.

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Sessions will run from every Monday from September 9 through October 28.

Yoga for strength and flexibility.  Yoga for stress reduction.  Scientific studies on yoga are finding that it is working.  Explore if yoga works for you!  This class will emphasize beginning poses, core stability exercises, breathing technique and relaxation.  Whether it is your first experience with yoga or you have some prior yoga knowledge, this class aims to establish a foundation in basic yoga poses, reduce your stress and prepare you for multi-level classes.

Registration and full payment required by September 6.

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Mark you calendar to attend this annual event. Don't miss out on the fun, food and live music with kids crafts, games and hikes. 

Sponsor and volunteer opportunites for thei fun family event are avaiable. Please contact the Reserve for more informaiton.

Carry-out booya available today, $9 for meat version and $7 for Veggie version. See you there!

Have you ever wondered how to make your own duct tape tote? If so, here's your chance to create and take home this sturdy and fun tote made completely out of duct tape. Your friends and family will marvel at your new crafty creation.

Recommend age: 12 and up  

Registration and full payment required by October 9.

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