Jim Buchholz
Director
715-346-4992
jbuchhol@uwsp.edu
Jim earned a B.S. from UW-Stevens Point in Environmental Education and Interpretation with minors in Forestry Recreation and Biology and an M.S. from UW-Stevens Point in Natural Resources Management. After serving as Schmeeckle's graduate assistant, he became the first Assistant Director of the Reserve in 2002. In 2016, following the retirement of long-time director Ron Zimmerman, Jim became the second Director of the Reserve. Growing up in and around Wisconsin state parks, he developed a keen interest in natural history at a young age. Jim has extensive experience working with organizations to develop interpretive programs and media. He teaches interpretation courses in the College of Natural Resources. Jim enjoys hiking, camping, biking, taking photos (especially of interpretive signs!), and spending time with his wife, Sunshine, and son, Walden, in the outdoors.
Melissa Ruether
Outreach Coordinator
715-346-4992
mruether@uwsp.edu
Melissa joined the Schmeeckle Reserve team in 2022 as the Outreach Coordinator. She specializes in programming, volunteer coordination, marketing, and other outreach activities. She has a B.S. from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in zoology and an M.S. in environmental education and interpretation from UW-Stevens Point. Melissa served as Schmeeckle’s graduate assistant from 2015 to 2017, researching the development of inter-generational nature programs. She then worked as a School-to-Home Energy Education Specialist with the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) in the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education (WCEE) from 2018 to 2021. Melissa enjoys exploring the great outdoors, baking, trying local cuisine and drinks, and spending time with her black lab, Odin.
Alex Mentele
Graduate Assistant
715-346-4992
amentele@uwsp.edu
Alex began her time at Schmeeckle Reserve in the summer of 2024. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in environmental education and interpretation. Following undergraduate studies in world languages at UW-Madison, she received a degree in education and taught K-12 students both internationally and locally for a decade. Work in schools that emphasized inquiry-based and environmentally focused student experiences inspired her to continue learning, and her current position as Schmeeckle’s graduate assistant allows her to connect with community members of all ages as they spend time outdoors. Alex likes being active in nature with her dog, Margot, and enjoys pursuits such as kayaking and hiking the Ice Age Trail. She also loves to travel and play board games with her husband, Stuart.
Cody Kehlnhofer
Trails and Facilities Coordinator
715-346-4992
ckehlnho@uwsp.edu
Cody attained his A.A.S. at UWM – Waukesha in 2017. After serving their Field Station, his interests in natural resources evolved into a career path. Cody transferred to UW-Stevens Point in 2018 to further develop his skills as a professional. In 2019 he discovered Schmeeckle Reserve. He served as a student employee, a crew leader, and subscribed as a Friends Member until earning his B.S. in Environmental Education & Interpretation in 2022. Cody pursued seasonal recreational opportunities and served the Wisconsin DNR as a State Park Naturalist in 2023. He was then offered a position to support Schmeeckle again as a staff member in 2024. Coordinating and problem solving feels natural to him, coming from a family of talented outdoorsmen and laborers. Aside from work or play, Cody likes socializing, clearing a plate, and tinkering with projects at home.
Sunshine Buchholz
Gift Shop Manager
715-346-4992
sbuchhol@uwsp.edu
Sunshine manages the nature-themed
gift shop in the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center. She began volunteering in this role in 2016 and joined the staff part-time in 2025. Sunshine is a graduate of the UW–Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, where she earned a degree in environmental education and interpretation. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Reserve with her husband, Jim, and their son, Walden.
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