From degradation to paddling destination, the St. Louis River Estuary is undergoing an inspiring transformation. Since the designation of the St. Louis River Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) in 1987, many partners have collaborated to clean up the river. The impact of this work is becoming clear, and the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail is proof of that change. Come learn about improved access to the water and future goals for helping (re)connect the community to this beautiful waterway.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and Valerie Ross Zhaawendaagozikwe on Sunday, September 15th from 1-2:30 p.m. for a Fall River Connection Plant Walk. Come with us as we explore the diverse flora of Thomson Reservoir, learning about the plants, their characteristics and uses, and how to sustainably harvest them so they stick around for us and future generations. This will not be a foraging walk, but rather an opportunity to connect with and build appreciation for all that grows throughout the estuary.

This class is free and open to the public, but registration is greatly appreciated. Please register here.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance for our annual volunteer wild rice planting at Kingsbury Bay on the St. Louis River! Nearly 500 pounds of manoomin, or wild rice seed, will be planted on Thursday, September 12th from approx. 8:30-11:30 a.m. leaving from Spirit Lake Marina located at 121 Spring Street in Duluth.

This is a special opportunity and space is limited to 10-12 volunteers. Please register here.

The St. Louis River Alliance is excited to invite you to a free, family-friendly Annual Canoe + Paddle Trip! This cherished tradition returns on Wednesday, September 11th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Munger Landing Public Access (Clyde Avenue, Duluth). Come explore one of the newly designated routes of the stunning St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail and see the many improvements at Munger Landing. Whether you’re a new or seasoned paddler, this trip is a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in the river’s breathtaking beauty.

Registration is REQUIRED (even if you’re bringing your own gear). Please register by September 6th to reserve your space: https://forms.gle/6B7yCYw83KvscmzQ7

The St. Louis River Alliance invites you to enjoy a free, family-friendly River Connection Train Ride on Thursday, September 5th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hop on board the historic Lake Superior Mississippi Railroad and travel west with spectacular views of the St. Louis River.

Space is limited and registration is necessary. REGISTER HERE: http://tinyurl.com/slr-train

Join Project Leader Mikayla Erickson, and a small group of Master Naturalists on Sunday, August 25th from 1:00-3:00 PM for a volunteer cleanup day on the Piping Plover Wildlife Sanctuary at Wisconsin Point.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and UMD Recreation Sports Outdoor Program (RSOP) for an afternoon of exploring the newly designated St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail! On Sunday, August 4th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. we will paddle along towering white pines on steep clay embankments, passing lily pads in bloom and birds basking in their summer quarters. Come see, smell, and hear the flora and fauna who call the estuary home.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and UMD Recreation Sports Outdoor Program (UMD RSOP) on Wednesday, July 24th from 5:00-7:30 p.m. for a hands-on, free Beginner Paddling & Water Safety River Connection event hosted at Munger Landing (Clyde Ave, Duluth, MN 55808). All gear will be provided including life jackets, canoes, and paddles. No prior paddle experience necessary.

Space is limited and registration is necessary. Register by July 19 at 4 p.m. REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/HoJED3idmZHpRYNLA

The St. Louis River Alliance is in need of volunteers throughout the month of July to assist with managing woody debris on the Piping Plover Site in Wisconsin. Extreme rain events have pushed substantial amounts of driftwood onto the shoreline this season. Come and lend a hand if your schedule allows on July 18th, AND/OR July 23rd!

This will be a really fun, hands-on experience! Gloves. shovels, and rakes will be provided. Please bring your own equipment/materials if you have them. Long pants and shirts recommended.

Participants are strongly encouraged to email Mikayla, at projectleader@stlouisriver.org if they are interested in helping for any of these volunteer days due to potential weather conflicts and equipment needs.

Calling all volunteers! Come lend a hand however your schedule allows and join the St. Louis River Alliance on Thursday, July 11th and/or Friday, July 12th from 2:00-6:00pm

During this volunteer maintenance day, we will be handling non-local invasive species such as spotted knapweed and possibly tansy in the Piping Plover nesting area, and other targeted areas on Wisconsin Point Bird Sanctuary. If the wind and weather cooperates, we will be managing the invasives by burning them on site.

Participants are encouraged to email Mikayla, at projectleader@stlouisriver.org if they are interested in helping at one, or both of these days so we have enough tools to go around.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Wednesday, June 12th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for a volunteer clean up event along Billings Drive in Superior, Wisconsin! Come when you want and stay as long (or as little) as you'd like. Please check in with SLRA staff at the Superior Municipal Forest Disc Golf Lot (directions below). We will collect litter from the Disc Golf course all the way to Highway 105.

The St. Louis River Alliance and the Duluth Audubon Society are teaming up again to bring you an incredible experience along the St. Louis River! Join us on Wednesday, June 5th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for our Beginner Birding and Bird Identification River Connection Field Event hosted on the Waabizheshikana Trail in Duluth.

During this event, attendees will be introduced to the basics of birding along the St. Louis River. Experts from the Duluth Audubon Society will lead the discussion on techniques to locate, identify, and observe birds, as well as guide attendees in the use of bird-spotting equipment such as binoculars and spotting scopes.

Space is limited and we ask experienced birders to leave this opportunity open for those who have not had the chance to get out and bird. Registration is necessary; please register by May 29th at 4 p.m.

This year's St. Louis River Area of Concern Celebration 'The St. Louis River: A Virtual Tour of Recreation Opportunities' will be on Tuesday, April 23rd at Clyde Iron Works (2920 W Michigan Street, Duluth) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and partners for a virtual tour of accessible Area of Concern project sites and connect with recreational experts on where to go and what you can do along the river! Area of Concern Coordinators will be there to answer your questions, and Superior and Duluth recreational businesses and organizations will have tables at the event to help get you connected and geared up. All are welcomed and encouraged to come ask questions.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Saturday, February 17th from 1:00 to 2:30 PM for ‘Ice Safety & Snowshoe Fun: a River Connection Field Event’ hosted at Spirit Lake Marina & RV (121 Spring St, Duluth MN) Parking is limited, so please carpool if you are able. No prior experience is necessary for participation!

Registration is free but necessary, please register by February 9th at 4 pm by clicking below.

REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE

During this event, attendees will learn how to measure ice thickness and check the quality of the ice. Test out essential ice safety gear that you should always have when traveling on the ice, and learn the steps of self-rescue in case you ever fall through. You will leave feeling more knowledgeable and comfortable living near or recreating on the ice. Plus, you will be sent home with an emergency whistle, ice safety wallet card, and other ice safety giveaways. Staff will also be helping adults and children try out snowshoes! A bonfire, hot chocolate, and marshmallows will keep everyone warm during this hands on event.

The St. Louis River Alliance cordially invites you to our River Ally Social on Tuesday, December 12th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Clyde Iron Works upstairs bar located at 2920 W Michigan St, Duluth.

This celebration is being held in appreciation of the many people who have supported the St. Louis River Alliance, the restoration of the river, and the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail.

Join staff and board members, fellow river allies, and potential new members to hear about our accomplishments and plans for next year, and how you can be a part of those plans!

This event is indoors, open to the public and family friendly. We will have tables set-up with FREE St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail maps and other information on SLRA projects. Cake will be provided and the cash bar will be open. There will also be door prizes!

Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Wednesday, October 4th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm for ‘Incredible Wild Edibles: a River Connection Field Event’ hosted at Chambers Grove Park (13404 MN-23, Duluth, MN), presented by Sarah (Sair) Foltz Jordan of the Xerces Society. Please carpool if you are able.

Space is limited and registration is necessary. Register by September 29th at 4 p.m.

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/rWHJpN51SHMdTT5f9 

Wild edibles provide nutritious, delicious, sustainable, local, gourmet food—- always found in one of the best places to be: the great outdoors! This field event will introduce dozens of wild edibles that can be found along the St. Louis River and in our region, with an emphasis on some of the best greens, mushrooms, roots, berries, and bulbs that money can’t buy. We’ll discuss foraging ethics, identification, harvest, and cooking tips. Creative methods for incorporating more diversity into your diet will also be introduced, including wild teas, pestos, nutritional powders, broths, salts, and more.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Tuesday, September 26th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm for  ‘Beginner Birding and Bird Identification: a River Connection Field Event’ hosted at Kingsbury Bay. We will park and meet at the Waabizheshikana Trailhead Parking near the Munger Inn at 7009 Pulaski St, Duluth. Please carpool if you are able. No prior birding experience is necessary for participation. Binoculars will be available for use during the event.

Space is limited and registration is necessary. Register by September 22nd at 4 p.m.REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/iyGKZDCbFdSCC7cH9 

During this event, attendees will be introduced to the basics of birding during fall migration along the St. Louis River. Experts from the Duluth Audubon Society will lead the discussion on techniques to locate, identify, and observe birds, as well as guide attendees in the use of bird-spotting equipment such as binoculars and spotting scopes. 

Calling all volunteers! Join the St. Louis River Alliance and Master Naturalists on Sunday, August 20th from 1-3 p.m. for a volunteer cleanup day at the Piping Plover Habitat Site at the Wisconsin Point Wildlife Sanctuary. Come lend a hand however your schedule allows.

We will be handling non-local invasive species such as tansy as well as piling up and removing woody debris along the shoreline. Participants are encouraged to email projectleader@stlouisriver.org if they are interested in helping at one or both of these days so we have enough tools to go around.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Tuesday, July 25th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for a hands-on, free Beginner Paddling & Water Safety event hosted at Boyscout Landing (11 Commonwealth Ave, Duluth, MN). All gear will be provided including life jackets, canoes, and paddles. No prior paddle experience necessary.

This event is made possible through the Great Lake Restoration Initiative and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and is intended to reconnect those who have been historically cut off from the river due to various reasons. Therefore, priority is given to those living in one of the 18 neighborhoods adjacent to the St. Louis River including: Carlton/Thomson, Cloquet/Scanlon, Cody, Denfeld, Fairmont, Fond du Lac Reservation, Fond du Lac Neighborhood, Gary-New Duluth, Irving, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Norton Park, Oneota, Riverside, Smithville, and Spirit Valley.

***If you are not residing in one of these neighborhoods, you can still register but will be added to a waitlist and notified by July 24th if space is available. There will be a charge of $10.00 per person for persons not residing in one of the 16 neighborhoods listed above.

Space is limited and registration is necessary. Register by July 19 at 4 p.m. REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/MpSjs8GJ4WwWvBKr9

Calling all volunteers! Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Thursday, July 20th and/or Friday, July 21st from 3-6 p.m. for a volunteer cleanup day at the Piping Plover Habitat Site on Wisconsin Point. Come lend a hand however your schedule allows.

We will be handling non-local invasive species such as spotted knapweed and tansy in the piping plover nesting and foraging areas. Participants are encouraged to email projectleader@stlouisriver.org if they are interested in helping at one or both of these days so we have enough tools to go around.

Calling all volunteers! Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Thursday, July 20th and/or Friday, July 21st from 3-6 p.m. for a volunteer cleanup day at the Piping Plover Habitat Site on Wisconsin Point. Come lend a hand however your schedule allows.

We will be handling non-local invasive species such as spotted knapweed and tansy in the piping plover nesting and foraging areas. Participants are encouraged to email projectleader@stlouisriver.org if they are interested in helping at one or both of these days so we have enough tools to go around.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Thursday, June 22nd from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for a volunteer cleanup event at Woodstock Bay Public Landing in Superior, Wisconsin!

We will be removing invasive Yellow Flag Iris flowers by hand as well as collecting garbage (not to be confused with the beautiful and native Blue Iris).

Meet at the Woodstock Bay Public Landing Parking Lot at 15 White Birch Trail, Superior, WI 54880.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can email Alyssa at Outreach@StLouisRiver.org (or just show up). Groups and other organizations are highly encouraged to get involved.

EVENT RESCHEDULED DUE TO WINTER WEATHER

Join us on TUESDAY, APRIL 15th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for ‘The St. Louis River Area of Concern: From a Fond du Lac Viewpoint’ at the Stoney Brook Creek Room at Black Bear Casino (1785 MN-210, Carlton, MN 55718).

Speakers from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will share their unique cultural perspectives about the St. Louis River Area of Concern, their partnership role, and their own natural resource management efforts. Around the Earth drum group will open with song and Naawakwe will share Ojibwe place names in the Estuary. St. Louis River Area of Concern Coordinators will share plans for their work in 2023.

This event is free and open to the public. Come enjoy snacks, a cash bar, and thoughtful conversations!

Join the St. Louis River Alliance for a River Connection event on Tuesday, March 28th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Harrison Community Center located at 3002 W 3rd St., Duluth. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Food and drinks provided!

Come let us know how you want to experience the St. Louis River and/or ask questions about the construction projects happening in and along the water! **$20 Super One gift cards will be awarded to the first 50 participants who fill out our River Connection Survey and live in one of the 18 focus neighborhoods mentioned below.

River neighborhoods include: Carlton, Cloquet, Cody, Denfeld, Fairmont, Fond du Lac Reservation, Fond du Lac neighborhood, Gary-New Duluth, Irving, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Norton Park, Oneota, Riverside, Scanlon, Smithville, Spirit Valley, Thomson.

Though this event is open to all, you must be 18+, live in the focus neighborhoods mentioned above, and complete a physical survey in order to qualify for the gift cards. *Limit of one gift card per family/address

If you have questions about this event, please email Alyssa at outreach@stlouisriver.org

From degradation to paddling destination, the St. Louis River Estuary is undergoing an inspiring transformation. Since the designation of the St. Louis River Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) in 1987, many partners have collaborated to clean up the river. The impact of this work is becoming clear. There is a revitalization within the river communities as well, including better access to the river, new trails, and hopes of restored relationships to the river.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance for a River Connection event on Tuesday, March 21st from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Wussow’s Concert Cafe. There will be a short presentation on the history of the river, current restoration projects underway, and an open discussion on what you hope to see along the river! Come let us know how you want to experience the St. Louis River and/or ask questions about the work happening in and along the water. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Food and drinks provided!

**$20 Super One gift cards will be awarded to the first 50 participants who fill out our River Connection Survey and live in one of the 18 focus neighborhoods mentioned below.

River neighborhoods include: Carlton, Cloquet, Cody, Denfeld, Fairmont, Fond du Lac Reservation, Fond du Lac neighborhood, Gary-New Duluth, Irving, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Norton Park, Oneota, Riverside, Scanlon, Smithville, Spirit Valley, Thomson.

Though this event is open to all, you must be 18+, live in the focus neighborhoods mentioned above, and complete a physical survey in order to qualify for the gift cards. *Limit of one gift card per family/address

If you have questions about this event, please email Alyssa at outreach@stlouisriver.org

Join the St. Louis River Alliance for a River Connection event on Thursday, March 16th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Commons located at 2101 14th St. in Cloquet. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Food and drinks provided!

Come let us know how you want to experience the St. Louis River and/or ask questions about the construction projects happening in and along the water! **$20 Super One gift cards will be awarded to the first 50 participants who fill out our River Connection Survey and live in one of the 18 focus neighborhoods mentioned below.

River neighborhoods include: Carlton, Cloquet, Cody, Denfeld, Fairmont, Fond du Lac Reservation, Fond du Lac neighborhood, Gary-New Duluth, Irving, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Norton Park, Oneota, Riverside, Scanlon, Smithville, Spirit Valley, Thomson.

Though this event is open to all, you must be 18+, live in the focus neighborhoods mentioned above, and complete a physical survey in order to qualify for the gift cards. *Limit of one gift card per family/address

If you have questions about this event, please email Alyssa at outreach@stlouisriver.org

Join the St. Louis River Alliance for our River Connection event on Tuesday, February 21st from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Morgan Park Community Club located at 1242 88th Ave. West in Duluth.

We want to learn about how YOU want to experience the St. Louis River! Your feedback will help us plan our event calendar for 2023 and beyond.

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. We will provide food and drinks. **$20 Super One gift cards will be awarded to the first 50 participants who attend, fill out our River Connection Survey, and live in one of the 18 neighborhoods along the river.

River neighborhoods include: Carlton, Cloquet, Cody, Denfeld, Fairmont, Fond du Lac Reservation, Fond du Lac neighborhood, Gary-New Duluth, Irving, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Norton Park, Oneota, Riverside, Scanlon, Smithville, Spirit Valley, Thomson.

If you have any questions about this event, please email Alyssa at outreach@stlouisriver.org

The St. Louis River Alliance is excited to be a part of the Winter Out West festivities. We will be finishing off the weekend fun with a Winter Walk on the Waabizheshikana Trail (previously known as the Western Waterfront Trail) on Sunday, February 12th from 12:30-1:30 pm!

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Come learn about some of the plants and animals that call the estuary home. We will provide hot chocolate, coffee and snacks. Stop by our input table at the trailhead to tell us about how you want to experience the river for a chance to receive a **$20 Super One gift card!

Parking: We will be meeting at the Waabizheshikana Trail Head at 1002 S 72nd Ave. W, Duluth, MN 55807. Please carpool if possible! There is a parking lot and free on-street parking.

Transportation Options: Valley Youth Center will be providing van and bus shuttles to and from Zenith Bookstore to the Waabizheshikana trail (Western Waterfront/Martin Trail).

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and the YMCA at the Gary-New Duluth Rec. Center for a Winter Fun Night!

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Come help build a community snow sculpture while enjoying s’mores and hot chocolate around a bonfire.

The St. Louis River Alliance is hosting this event to learn about how YOU want to experience the St. Louis River. Stop by our table and let us know what outdoor activities you enjoy for a chance to win a door prize!

If you have any questions about this event, please email Alyssa at Outreach@StLouisRiver.org

The St. Louis River Alliance cordially invites you to our River Ally Appreciation Party on December 13th from 5-7:30 pm at the Zeitgeist Atrium 222 E Superior St. Duluth.

This celebration is being held in appreciation of the many people who have supported the St. Louis River Alliance, the restoration of the river, and the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail.

Join us and fellow river allies to hear about accomplishments and plans for next year, and how you can be a part of those plans!