Introducing new River Walks for 2025
Join us and connect with the natural world in new ways this summer at the River Walks, where we learn about local land and water issues while taking a stroll to different places in the St. Louis River watershed.
No registration is required and all events are FREE. Come dressed for the weather and prepared to move around outdoors. Questions? Please contact Melissa Burke.
Wetland Bird Monitoring
Monday May 19, 2025
4:30-6:00 p.m.
The first River Walk of the year will be an introduction to the incredible world of Wetland Bird Monitoring! Join researchers from NRRI’s Avian Ecology Lab to hear about the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program, and how birds help us understand the impacts of invasive species, resource management, restoration, and climate on ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.
Learn about some of the research projects led by NRRI and see an example of how bird data is collected using point-count surveys for Coastal Wetland Monitoring. You will get to see a special device that captures bird sounds set up at Allouez Bay as part of the post-restoration evaluation of the site, and learn about how monitoring helped to guide the restoration design at Allouez Bay.
Meet at Wisconsin Point Lot #1 at 4:30. See below for more details about the walk area and to see a map.
Wetland Bird Monitoring details (map, meetup instructions, and timing)
Program Details
4:30pm Gather at Wisconsin Point Lot #1
We’ll gather in light-rain or shine, and will post a notification day-of for a severe weather cancellation. Please meet at Wisconsin Point Lot #1 (restrooms are available). We will be walking, stopping and standing over the course of the walk. Our walk will be just under 1 mile long, will be mostly on a crushed gravel path, and includes going up/down a hill. There is some poison ivy just off the trail that we will be walking, so long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended.
Please reach out to Melissa Burke at melissa.burke@wisc.edu or call 715-399-4138 if you have questions about participating in this event.
Plant Walk
June 17, 2025
Meet at Bear Creek Park at the start of Makwa Ziibiins Mikana (Bear Creek Trail)
5:30-7:00pm
Get to know some of the plants within the St. Louis River Watershed while exploring Makwa Ziibiins Mikana – Bear Creek Trail. Marisa Lee of MyWildWisconsin and chapter president of Wild Ones Chequamegon Bay will lead us on a short (~1 mile) out-and-back hike along the trail, pointing out unique and culturally significant plants along the way.
We’ll gather rain or shine, and will post a notification day-of for a severe weather cancellation. Please dress for the weather, and meet at the Bear Creek Park parking lot at 5:30pm. The path is gravel with some boardwalk sections and timber crossings.
Map showing the walk route
Meet at Bear Creek Park, which is at the east end of Superior at the intersection of Hwy 2 and Moccasin Mike Rd. The walk is about 1 mile out and back. The path is gravel with some boardwalk sections and timber crossings.
Spotted Knapweed Pull
Saturday July 19, 2025
Wisconsin Point Lot #5
9:30am-12:00pm
The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve are hosting a volunteer event focused on removing Spotted Knapweed from the Lot #5 section of Wisconsin Point. We will be hand-pulling Spotted Knapweed to help local plants thrive.
Spotted Knapweed is a prolific non-local plant that, when widespread, can prevent native plants from growing and decrease the biodiversity of the habitat.
On July 19th, community members of all ages are invited to the point to support healthy ecosystems for local, native plants. No prior experience with Spotted Knapweed is required. This event will involve physical activity like walking, crouching, kneeling, and pulling.
Let us know you are joining us for this event by signing up at the link below! This event is free, and by registering we can make sure we have enough supplies for everyone.
Stay tuned! More River Walks will be posted in 2025.
Questions about the River Walks program? Contact Melissa Burke.
Email: Melissa.Burke@wisc.edu
Phone: 715-399-4138