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Where the River
Meets the Lake
| FOLSR Newsletter | Spring 2024 | |
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Hello Michael,
Spring is the time of plans and projects. (Leo Tolstoy)
There is definitely spring energy in the air. Buds are bursting and birds are rushing north. The Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve (FOLSR) is doing more than watching this annual show, though, and our volunteer organization is counting on you to join the action. Watch starry skies with us! Join a birding event and help clean up Wisconsin Point. Read on to learn more about these and other opportunities that will bring you closer to the Lake Superior Reserve. Below,
you can also catch up with two important past events: our membership meeting and the St. Louis River Summit 2024. Both helped to build community ties, FOLSR memberships, and momentum toward a strong future.
Hope to see you one of FOLSR's activities this season!
Your Friend,
Sharon
Sharon Moen, FOLSR Board Chair
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Rooted in the Estuary - 2024 Membership Meeting | |
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This year's membership meeting, with the theme "Rooted in the Estuary," was an incredible success, thanks to our keynote speaker Sam Zimmerman!
On the evening of February 8, over 50 community members and FOLSR members gathered to socialize, hear updates from the FOLSR Board of Directors, enjoy pizza and Earth Rider brews, and most importantly, enjoy some beautiful art and storytelling. Sam shared personal stories of his Ojibwe heritage, ancestral homelands, and family members who are represented in his works in creative ways. Many thanks to Sam for sharing a piece of himself with us, and to everyone who attended this year's meeting!
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Many of the artworks and stories Sam shared are featured in Following My Spirit Home: A Collection of Paintings and Stories. Sam's latest book features more than 80 vibrant and images accompanied by stories, mostly based on tales Zimmerman's grandfather told him or from his own experiences in nature along the north shore of Lake Superior. The stories are presented in both English and Ojibwemowin.
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14th Annual St. Louis River Summit | |
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The 14th Annual St. Louis River Summit took place on March 6-8, with greater attendance than ever before. Presenters, storytellers, artists, and event partners made the experience unforgettable. The goal of this annual gathering is to provide a forum where people invested in the wellbeing of the St. Louis River and its watershed can share information, solutions and strategies.
Pictured here is this year's inspiring opening speaker, Fond Du Lac Ojibwe Elder Ricky Defoe, next to artwork created by FOLSR's previous AmeriCorps member Kate Murray! Thanks Kate, for adding a "wow" factor to the Summit program!
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The Friends worked closely with the Reserve to make the Summit a success, especially when it came to fundraising. Twenty-five organizations sponsored the 2024 St. Louis River Summit through FOLSR, which allowed the conference to exceed expectations. According to feedback, the Summit has become some attendees’ “all-time favorite conference!”
Read more about the happenings at this year's Summit here on FOLSR.org!
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Starry Skies on Barker's Island | |
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What's the name of THAT planet? You might be able to find out on April 26, 2024.
Bring friends, family, and space enthusiasts to Barker's Island Festival Park (next to the SS Meteor) to explore the night sky with the help of astronomy buffs and some remarkable telescopes. Learn about constellations, light pollution, and more! The fun starts at 9pm.
Experts from Starry Skies North, the Arrowhead Astronomical Society, and DarkSky Wisconsin will be on hand to answer questions and explain what celestial bodies are over the Lake Superior Reserve in spring.
This FOLSR event is FREE and no registration is required. In the event of bad weather, we will update the website and send out a reminder email.
Visit FOLSR.org for the full flyer and event information. See you there!
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The FREE bird watching series, Everyone Can Bird, is back in 2024 with another round of accessible ways to appreciate our feathered friends!
The first event of the season is on Sunday, May 5, starting at 9:30 at Chambers Grove Park in Duluth, Minnesota. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join FOLSR and our partners to experience spring migration and learn about species in our area from birding experts. Register today to guarantee a spot.
These events are designed with accessibility in mind. See more information about transportation and accessibility options here. If you or a loved one wish to attend but need accommodations beyond those already offered, please contact Luciana at Luciana.Ranelli@Wisc.edu. Stay tuned for more awesome Everyone Can Bird events later this year!
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Excited about birds yet? In June, FOLSR is also hosting a Birds with Friends walk on Bear Creek Trail!
Join us on Wednesday, June 19 at 7am at Bear Creek Park (110 Moccasin Mike Road). This walk is open to bird enthusiasts of all experience levels. Guides will be present to share information on local birds and help identify birds by sight and sound. Binoculars will be provided.
Makwa Ziibiins Miikana (Bear Creek Trail) is an improved surface (compacted gravel) trail that makes for an easy walk along the Bear Creek drainage and Allouez Bay. It features multiple small wooden crossings, boardwalks and tow large wooden bridges, and it is 6.4 miles from Bear Creek Park to Wisconsin Point and back. It's a nifty trail for birdwatching across multiple habitats.
Register here today - Registration is preferred but not required!
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'Tis the season for beach cleanups, Estuarium docent, and more! The Friends and the Reserve need YOUR help to keep our community involved and our estuary thriving!
Since the Friends adopted Wisconsin Point from the City of Superior back in 2021, we strive to keep the beach as healthy and pristine as can be. Help us keep this promise by joining our 2024 Spring Beach Cleanup on Saturday, May 25. Sign up through FOLSR.org, or on Eventbrite! Registration is encouraged, but not required. Supplies and refreshments will be provided.
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Interested in freshwater science, or want to get some educational experience on the estuary? We've got you covered! The Reserve is looking for volunteers to help out at the Lake Superior Estuarium this summer, and is hosting orientation sessions on Thursday, May 30 and Saturday, June 1st!
No experience and no minimum time commitment required. Sign up here to learn more about becoming a docent and helping keep the Estuarium accessible for as many people as possible.
If you want to stay in the loop about more volunteer opportunities, make sure to sign up on our volunteer page today, or email jessie.green@folsr.org for more information!
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Meet Greg Elonen!
Greg is recently retired from a 30+ year career in environmental work. Greg is FOLSR's newest board member, having stepped into this leadership role in early 2024. Greg and his wife Colleen live in Superior, and he can often be found paddling or skiing within the St. Louis River estuary. Greg feels that being involved with FOLSR is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the estuary, and is excited to share his new insights with others in the community.
Next time you see Greg, say "Hi, Friend!"
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Comments or questions? We'd love to hear from you! | | | | |
