Heckrodt Wetland Reserve 2025 06

Last Sunday my wife, youngest, and I went to Heckrodt Wetland Reserve. If you have been reading for long you may remember this was the second post I made on this site. You can read that post here.

Key Features

• Diverse Habitats: The reserve boasts a rich mix of ecosystems, including forested wetland, cattail marsh, open water, created prairie, open field, and upland forest, supporting a wide array of plant and animal life.
• Extensive Trail System: Over three miles of trails, including nearly 4,000 feet of elevated boardwalks, provide accessible pathways for visitors to explore the wetland environments year-round. These trails are suitable for walking, bird watching, photography, and even snowshoeing in winter.
• Abundant Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Heckrodt is a haven for wildlife. Visitors can frequently spot numerous species of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, including deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and various types of turtles and snakes. It’s also a crucial stop for migrating songbirds and waterfowl, offering excellent birdwatching.
• Nature Center with “Living Waters” Exhibit: The 4,000 square foot Nature Center houses a “Living Waters” exhibit featuring an indoor live wetland and aquariums with local fish, crayfish, turtles, and snakes. It also displays mounted Wisconsin mammals and birds, providing an immersive educational experience.
• Outdoor Educational Exhibits: Beyond the Nature Center, outdoor exhibits include a memorial butterfly garden, a bird feeding area, and a pond, bog, and stream complex, further enhancing learning about local flora and fauna.
• Children’s Canopy Walk & Play Area (“The World Beneath Your Feet”): This engaging outdoor space includes a treehouse, bridge, climbing structure, slide, and even a mud kitchen. It allows children to connect with nature through imaginative play and learn about the environment from a “bird’s-eye view” and “beneath their feet.”
• Educational Programs and Workshops: Heckrodt offers a variety of educational programs for all ages, from youth to adults. These include hands-on activities, guided nature walks, and workshops focused on environmental appreciation and stewardship, often developed and led by trained naturalists.
• Accessibility Initiatives: The reserve strives to be accessible to all, providing wagons, strollers, and wheelchairs for check-out to ensure everyone can enjoy the trails and exhibits. Projects like the “World Above Your Feet” canopy walk are designed with accessibility in mind.
• Conservation and Preservation Focus: As an urban nature reserve, Heckrodt plays a vital role in preserving and restoring natural wetlands in the face of ongoing development. It is operated by a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation efforts and educating the public on the importance of natural resources.
• Community Engagement and Events: Heckrodt actively engages the community through various events and partnerships, such as a “Community Fishing Day,” “Prairie Hootenanny,” and the “Creepy Crawlies Halloween Event.” They also partner with local schools to integrate environmental education into their curriculum.

Review

Heckrodt Wetland Reserve is a small nature preserve in Menasha, WI. Nestled in between Plank Rd and the houses on the lake shore, the property is mostly wetland. Due to this a good portion of the trails are raised boardwalks.

When we arrived last Sunday the parking lot was almost full. People were everywhere, which would normally mean that we wouldn’t see any animals. But at Heckrodt the animals are used to people. Almost immediately I saw a deer near the nature center.

After a quick bathroom break, and being yelled at by an angry robin, we started our walk. Taking the southern boardwalk east we quickly approached one of the two bird observatories built off the path. These off shoots from the main path have walls to hide the bird watchers from feeders.

After observing the birds for a while, we continued our brief hike. My wife pointed out a deer bedded down just off the trail. We noted that the animal was quite unafraid of the rest of the hikers who seemed not to notice the animal.

Other deer and birds moved around the trails as we walked, seemingly unconcerned with our presence. Wild flowers grew just off the path. The nature that people come here to see surrounds them. But I wonder how much of it they actually take in.

I separated from my wife and daughter for a bit. As I returned to the main area I passed the playground which was very busy. Wildlife sculptures and nature inspired play equipment make up the playground.

While I was between the playground and the nature center someone spooked one of the deer. I could hear the exclamations of surprise from the other visitors.

Meeting up with my wife she brought me back to one of the ponds on the east side of the preserve. There she showed me some ducks peacefully resting on a fallen tree. She also mentioned seeing some Sandhill Cranes just off the trail but they were gone when we got to where they were.

Heckrodt is a great place to go for a walk. Especially on a Sunday afternoon with family. Which is why it was so busy last week. Heckrodt is not always this busy though. Early in the morning it is a great place to go for a peaceful hike.

We’ve been to Heckrodt many times and will continue to visit in the future. Please let me know if you are planning to visit any time soon in the comments. Thank you again for reading.