May 20, 2009
UWSP’s Treehaven field station getting “greener”
Treehaven, a residential natural resources education and conference facility located between Rhinelander
and Tomahawk, has two new green initiatives underway. Treehaven is owned and operated by the University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) College of Natural Resources.
According to John Heusinkveld, assistant director for Treehaven, the field station has just received
funding for two “green” initiatives. Wisconsin Public Service’s Focus on Energy “Fuels for Schools”
program has selected Treehaven for a $10,000 value feasibility study for biofuel augmentation. The
study could lead to the purchase of wood chip heaters, utilizing existing wood fuel sources gathered
on site at Treehaven. This energy upgrade is part of an ongoing renovation of the field station’s
dormitory.
Late in April the UWSP Environmental Issues Committee, chaired by UWSP student Nathan Pollesch, chose
Treehaven as recipients for $8,400 of the Sustainability Reserve Funds to establish a UWSP Student
Community Garden on the grounds of Treehaven.
“We are very happy to have student support for this project,” said Heusinkveld. “The money will pay
for the construction of a fenced raised bed garden and rain barrel catchment system to grow fresh
produce, primarily by summer session students and faculty.”
UWSP students will be involved with the garden, both as a resource and as an educational tool. The goal
is to secure additional funds for the addition of a greenhouse for early next spring so that first
session students will reap equal benefit from the garden. Heusinkveld is chair of the Treehaven Green
Committee that is spearheading multiple sustainability initiatives at the field station.
