The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (Lake Superior Reserve) is holding the 15^th annual St. Louis River Summit March 4-6 at the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjacket Union. Registration for the event is open through February 26.

The theme for the summit is, “An Estuary Mosaic: Understanding the pieces, appreciating the whole” which celebrates the many elements of the living river and surrounding communities. The goal of the summit is to bring together people who care about and work on the St. Louis River and to encourage coordination of activities, supporting the health of the Lake Superior region.

“While researchers seek to understand changes to habitats, species and water health, others engaged with the river may be considering the whole watershed. The summit brings these perspectives together.” said Deanna Erickson, Lake Superior Reserve director. “From the keynote, to posters, to field trips, and presenters, this summit emphasizes understanding efforts big and small and appreciating a remarkable river.”

A keynote panel on Wednesday will highlight the role of Tribal Sovereignty in stewarding Chigami-ziibi, the St. Louis River’s name in the Ojibwe language. Panelists include Nancy Schuldt and Thomas Howes of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Darren Vogt from the 1854 Treaty Authority; Jason Schlender, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, and Joseph Bauerkemper, director of the Tribal Sovereignty Institute at University of Minnesota Duluth.

A featured panel on Thursday morning will share approaches to embed resilience into daily work on the estuary and connected communities in the face of extreme weather, environmental shifts, and growing populations.

In-person events include 24 presentations, networking sessions, a poster and art session, and field trips. The poster session takes place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, in the Yellowjacket Union and will include light refreshments. Ten local artists will display their work.

Field trips will take place on the afternoon of March 6. Options include exploring restoration efforts at Perch Lake in the Fond du Lac neighborhood of Duluth to a behind the scenes tour at the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Students from local schools and institutions are invited to attend the summit to learn more about land and water stewardship efforts, the research community, and river restoration. Students attend for free but need to register.

The cost to attend the entire summit (virtual and in-person sessions) is $60 and includes lunch on Wednesday and refreshments. Registration and additional information is available online.

Sponsors make this event possible.  Sponsorship opportunities are still available and are coordinated by the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve. Initial sponsors include UW-Superior’s Lake Superior Research Institute, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Duluth Parks and Recreation, the City of Superior, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Barr Engineering, Cardno now Stantec, LimnoTech, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute and Large Lakes Observatory, Wisconsin Sea Grant, GEI Consultants, Duluth Pottery and Tile, W.J. McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Minnesota Land Trust, NECi, and Wren Works LLC.