FOLSR Newsletter | Fall 2024

"That's no moon," quipped Callie Grones, our new AmeriCorps volunteer. Callie quoted the iconic Star War's line as the International Space Station passed over the heads of about 50 people, including Superior Mayor Jim Paine.

Read about what we saw during our Barker's Island Star Party HERE.



THANK YOU: Many thanks to the astronomy buffs who provided access to telescopes, technology and information at the star party, and to our partners: Starry Skies North, DarkSky Wisconsin, Arrowhead Astronomical Society and the City of Superior.

Ridding Clough Island of invasive buckthorn means a paddle across the St. Louis River and muscle. Thanks to volunteers who enjoy exploring the Reserve. It is also a lot of fun. The volunteer day was supported by FOLSR, the Reserve and the Wisconsin DNR. Learn about The Friends, the Reserve and the Wisconsin DNR take seriously latest buckthorn pull HERE. 

photo credit: Dara Fillmore

The final event of the 2024 Everyone Can Bird series was a resounding success. Despite wind and rain, 46 people enjoyed the views from Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory with us. Find out what species they saw HERE.

The series will continue in 2025. Everyone Can Bird is sponsored by FOLSR, Duluth Parks and Recreation, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Embark Supported Employment, Minnesota Land Trust, and the Lake Superior Reserve.

The Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve hosted their semi-annual beach cleanup event on Saturday, October 20. Eleven volunteers collected 63 pounds of trash from the shorelines and beaches of Wisconsin Point. We host cleanups every fall and spring, and we’d love for you to come join us!

Learn more HERE.

Lake Superior Estuarium Fall/Winter Hours

photo credit: Lake Superior Reserve

The Lake Superior Estuarium has switched to fall and winter hours. We are open weekly on Fridays and the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm.

Come explore the free exhibit hall with a play area for young children, as well as maps and information about the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the surrounding community. Extra activities will be planned for open Saturdays.

For more information on the Lake Superior Estuarium, click HERE!

Our pals at the Lake Superior Reserve have been busy, too. In addition to hosting buckthorn pulls and birding events, they celebrated the start of Gibiskising minis azhe-dibinaweziwin, a restoration project plan by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Lake Superior Reserve. Reserve staff won another award and have created some riveting River Talks to get us through the winter.

Read the details about what's been going on at the Lake Superior Reserve HERE.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is collecting stories about the St. Louis River prior to 1978. The purpose of this project is to understand the history of pollution in the river and its restoration. These stories will help the public understand previous river conditions and add weight to efforts to prevent future pollution. The following questions are offered to prompt your storytelling:

1. Whose memory are you sharing?
2. What were you/they doing to create this memory? (fishing, swimming, hiking, working at a nearby business?)
3. Describe how things looked, felt, smelled, or sounded?
4. How did the experience make you/them feel?
5. Where did you/they experience this? (from a fishing boat in Rask Bay, from the shore under the Oliver Bridge, at Boy Scout landing?)
6. What year did this happen? (approximations are fine)
7. What is the most noticeable difference that you/they see today?
8. What are your/their hopes for the future of the river?

To submit your story or to ask questions about this project, email Barbara Huberty, St. Louis River Area of Concern Coordinator, at barbara.huberty@state.mn.us or call 218-302-6630.

Meet Jim and Cheryl Haasis!

Jim and Cheryl have been volunteer docents at the Lake Superior Estuarium for the past year. Besides being curious about the estuary, they like to learn and meet new people. Since volunteering, Jim and Cheryl have met visitors from all over the world, including Australia, Germany, and England. They learned that the Estuarium is partly operated by the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve. Jim has been asked to join FOLSR's board of directors and for the past two months he has been contributing to board meetings. Here’s what Jim and Cheryl have to say about the Estuarium and FOLSR:

“Anybody can be a volunteer and be a member of FOLSR. It is fun, and you meet interesting people who share an interest with you. You have the opportunity to serve your community, be curious, and learn something new about one of our great natural resources.”

Next time you see Jim and Cheryl, say "Hi, Friends!"

Hi Friends,

My name is Callie Grones, and I am the new AmeriCorps member and Community Outreach Coordinator for FOLSR. I am a life-long resident of Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in May 2024 with a degree in Environmental Ethics.

After a trip to Duluth in April before my graduation, I fell in love with the Twin Ports and Lake Superior, like many of you! When the opportunity came along to serve with the Friends at Lake Superior Reserve, it felt like it was meant to be.

I’ll be helping with Reserve communications, planning outreach events, and coordinating volunteer opportunities, so expect to see my name in your inboxes, on social media, and most importantly, expect to see my face out in the community meeting all of you. I want you to fall in love with Lake Superior and the estuary, too. Let me know if you have ideas for FOLSR at outreach.folsr.org.

News articles an all uncredited photos by Callie Grones. Edited by Sharon Moen.

Email us at info@folsr.org



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