UW-Milwaukee Students Swing From Trees

On a crisp fall morning, a number of UW-Milwaukee students journeyed to the Riveredge Nature Center where they ascended to the canopy of a sugar maple and red oak tree forest by climbing trees. Once students reached a perch some 50 feet off the ground, some engaged in casual conversation while others admired the fiery reds and blinding yellows of the surrounding fall foliage.

“I love climbing, although I’m not too good with heights,” said UW-Milwaukee student Jared Roberts. “Pretty much just wanted to get out of the dorm and meet some people.”

Once students stepped off the bus, Adventure Education Manager Steff Merten of the nature center brought them to a cathedral of living and breathing trees. Students then gathered around recreational tree climbing facilitator, Tory Meyer, for an orientation on safety precautions, climbing gear and techniques for scaling trees.

“If your harness feels uncomfortable, let us know now,” said Merten. “It’s pretty hard to adjust things once you’re all the way up there.”

The Riveredge Nature Center tree climbing trip is just one of several events organized by UW-Milwaukee’s Student Involvement program. Student Involvement works with students to create memorable experiences and connections beyond the classroom that enrich their lives, according to their mission statement. Their goal is to get every student at UWM involved in ways that enhance their college experience.

For many students, this was their first time climbing trees. Some felt uneasy and, understandably, questioned the structural integrity of the trees.

“Will the trees really be able to support our weight?” said 20-year-old junior computer science major Yash Mishra.

Both Merten and Meyer assured the group that the trees were solid and would support more than their weight. The instructors even boasted how they had lifted their 400-pound all-terrain vehicle with ropes and the support of the trees.

 

Equipped with helmets, harnesses, and yards of secure rope, students picked a tree and crept upward to the canopy. After about an hour of hanging out in the trees, they wrapped up their adventure with a hike down the winding leaf-littered trails of the Riveredge Nature Center.
Some of the climbers were surprised by the intricate rope system and method of climbing taught by the instructors.

“Not what I was expecting but also in a good way,” said UW-Milwaukee film studies major Jonathon Freeze.

The two-rope system had a primary rope that tethered students to one of the highest branches of the tree. A secondary rope was fastened to the main rope with a slip knot on one end while the other end had two loopholes for their feet. By sliding the knot upward, students could push down with their feet allowing them to move upward in an almost inchworm-like motion.

Historically, arborists used boots with metal spikes that would dig into and chip away at the bark causing damage over time, according to Merten. She said that with so many climbers a week at Riveredge, spikes are just not an option.

Located in Saukville, Wisconsin, the Riveredge Nature Center has been around for almost 50 years and spans a total 379 acres of prairie, forest, river, and wetlands, according to Merten. Besides tree climbing, Riveredge has a variety of programs to offer for all ages including canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing and summer camps.

“We focus on really getting into our community and helping them understand their role in nature,” said Merten.

This past year, Riveredge celebrated the 11th year of its sturgeon project, which, with the help of mainly volunteers, focuses on returning sturgeon back into Wisconsin rivers and Lake Michigan, according to Merten.

One of Riveredge’s newest projects is the community rivers project, which informs communities adjacent to bodies of water on how to better protect their rivers and lakes.

“We’re getting them more involved in what actually happens to it,” said Merten.

This is Tory Meyer’s second season working at Riveredge. She said she loves working with people and was inspired to work at Riveredge by the book, “The Wild Trees,” by Richard Preston.

“I just love seeing people’s faces when they accomplish something,” said Meyer.

Merten has been at Riveredge nature center for one and a half years and said that she has loved it since the day that she started.

“I get to play in the trees and play with the millipedes,” said Merten. “No matter what age you are, you’re always considered a Riveredge kid.”