Introducing the River Walks
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 Karina Heim and Kirsten Rhude.
A fresh start for Pickle Pond
June 29, 2023
4:30-6 p.m. Meet at Lake Superior Reserve Estuarium (3 Marina Drive, Superior, WI)
Why is all that heavy equipment down at the entrance to Barkers Island? What is happening at Pickle Pond? At this event, we will take a short walk to the site of a project to restore habitat and access to the waterfront in Superior. We will get up close and learn about the changes that are underway from project coordinators at Wisconsin DNR and the construction contractors doing the work. While we are at the pond, we will hear from researchers at the EPA about some of the work that has been done to understand why people value this site – and we’ll get a chance to think about what comes next after the work at Pickle Pond is completed.
Please park and meet at the Lake Superior Reserve Estuarium (3 Marina Drive), where this walk will begin and end. We will depart for the pond at 4:30 p.m. There will be water, refreshments and restrooms available at the Reserve. On this walk, we will travel less than a mile round trip on a paved surface. Please come prepared with comfortable clothing and footwear, and be prepared to be outside in the elements for the duration of the walk.
Taking note of non-local plants
August 3, 2023
3:00 to 4:30 PM at Wisconsin Point Lot 4
While some plants have been established in this region for a very long time, other plants are newcomers who happen to be good competitors with incredible survival skills! Do you know who is who? Get to know some of these plants who are “non-local plant beings” (another term for non-native species) and join staff from Fond du Lac Band’s Resource Management department as we take a walk among the plants. We’ll get to know some of the area’s rooted non-local beings as well as some native plants, and learn about the approaches that Fond du Lac staff take to work with these plants on the landscape.
Please park and meet at Lot 4 on WI Point, where this walk will begin and end. We will depart on the walk at 3:00 and be back at Lot 4 by around 4:10. For those interested, we may drive down to the end of WI Point to observe a few additional species and wrap up by 4:30. We will travel around half a mile round trip, the first half on rustic trails, the second half along the paved road. There will be water and refreshments available. There are no restrooms at Lot 4, but there are pit toilets at the first (Lot 1) and last (Lot 5) parking lots if needed. Please come prepared with comfortable clothing and footwear, and be prepared to be outside in the elements for the duration of the walk. There is poison ivy just off the trails that we will be walking, so we recommend wearing long pants and close-toed shoes.
Practicing mindfulness in the outdoors
September 7, 2023
3:00-4:30pm. Meet at Lake Superior Reserve Estuarium (3 Marina Drive, Superior, WI)
Being outdoors can help us slow our minds and bring our attention to what is happening in the present moment. Take a moment to slow down and experience guided mindfulness practice in an outdoor setting with staff from UW-Superior’s Pruitt Center, and learn some ways to think about incorporating mindfulness in natural spaces into your life. Whether you are experienced or new to mindfulness practice, you are welcome and encouraged to attend this session!
Please park and meet at the Lake Superior Reserve Estuarium (3 Marina Drive) at 3:00pm. This event will take place outdoors; we will walk short distances to different locations on the northwest end of Barkers Island. Please come prepared with comfortable clothing and footwear. You may wish to bring a blanket or soft pad for comfort while seated.
