Welcome!
The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (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 is staffed with professional natural resource and environmental educators.
The mission of CWES is to connect human and natural communities through experience, education, and research.
News and Events
Winter CWEStival 2025
Come join us for this free, annual event where you will find activities and programs for freezin’ folks of all ages.
Romp down the story walk trail and learn about creatures that live under the snow.
Or join us for some entry level woodworking and take home your very own CWES cutting board.
Activity Schedule:
12pm-1pm Winter home exploration station
12:30pm-1:30pm S’mores and hot cocoa
1:30pm-2:30pm Cutting board craft ($10 fee)
12pm-3pm Snowshoe or hike through CWES along the story walk trail or visit the snowflake tinker station
Project Understory
Project Understory is a personal, non-fiction, story-based podcast brought to you by the students, faculty, and friends of the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, a field station for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources.
CWES Nature Navigator
Nature Navigator is a website designed to share information on local flora, fauna and phenological events at CWES. Click to see what is occurring this week at CWES.
Minister Lake Demonstration Site
The Minister Lake Wildlife Habitat Demonstration Unit is owned by the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point Foundation and is part of the New Hope Township Restoration Project. It is managed in conjunction with efforts at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, which is one of the field stations for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. It is part of a collection of wildlife habitat demonstration units where the integration of timber harvest with habitat management is highlighted. Read more here!