Where the River

Meets the Lake

FOLSR Newsletter | January 2023

Hello Michael,


Snow was falling,

so much like stars

filling the dark trees

that one could easily imagine

its reason for being was nothing more

than prettiness.

― excerpt from Snowy Night by Mary Oliver


Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre wrote, “To read a poem in January is as lovely as to go for a walk in June.” Riffing off Sartre, I encourage you download A River of Poems, a FREE PDF produced by Wisconsin Sea Grant and the Lake Superior Reserve. It's a good read. When you are done reading and want to embrace winter in a physical way, head on over to the St. Louis River Estuary. As FOLSR Board Member Will Mowchan points out in his feature Not Only Summer, there are multiple activities you can enjoy on a winter's day. One activity, the Ice Festival, is being held just outside the Estuarium on January 27 and 28. The Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve (FOLSR) volunteers will be there helping out.


Whether "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" (Robert Frost) or snowshoeing in the woods on a snowy afternoon, I hope to see you at FOLSR's annual members meeting on February 21.


Read on for details and for FOLSR's latest news.


Your Friend,

Sharon



Sharon Moen, FOLSR Board Chair

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Annual Member Meeting Focuses on Fungi

Join FOLSR and local mushroom aficionado Ariel Bonkoski for an evening of edutainment!


When: Feb. 21, 5:30 - 7 pm


Where: The Confluence Room in the Estuarium at 3 Marina Drive, Superior, Wisc.



Find out what FOLSR and the Reserve are up to and to talk with others passionate about the estuary. Our "edible estuary" speaker Ariel Bonkoski of Ariel's Mushroom Co. will add to the fun with a presentation focused on fungi! Refreshments provided. All are welcome.


Join us in person, or on Zoom at bit.ly/FOLSR2023


Click here for details.

Accessible Birding Event Delivers

People on a boardwalk holding binoculars and enjoying nature.

In September, FOLSR members helped to lead and document a free, bird-focused morning on Barker’s Island in the Duluth-Superior Harbor. The event was designed to accommodate people of all ages and ability levels.


FOLSR member and Wisconsin Sea Grant science writer Marie Zhuikov describes the event in a news story on the Wisconsin Sea Grant website.


What did they see? Click here to read the birding story.


The event was made possible through the University of Wisconsin–Madison Dean’s Innovation Grant to collaborators.

Nimaawanji’idimin Giiwitaashkodeng

"We are all gathering around the fire."


Researchers funded by Wisconsin Sea Grant partnered with the Reserve to examine how Anishinaabe people once used fire to manage the land in and around today's Lake Superior Reserve.


Project leads Evan Larson from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Melonee Montano, a Red Cliff tribal member and graduate student at the University of Minnesota and others, studied tree rings of dead and down pines on Wisconsin and Minnesota points to understand the legacy of cultural fire.


FOLSR member and Wisconsin Sea Grant science writer Marie Zhuikov discusses the project in an episode of the Wisconsin Water News podcast: The Stories Trees Tell.

The St. Louis River Summit Strikes Again

Save-the-date notice for the St. Louis River Summit.


Join us for #13!


Be part of conversations going on from March 8-10 about the St. Louis River, its estuary and the surrounding landscape. The St. Louis River Summit is where research is shared, ideas are generated, collaborations are built.


This year the Summit begins with a half-day virtual program followed by two days of in-person sessions at the Yellowjacket Union on the University of Wisconsin - Superior campus.  


Learn more and register.

Not Only Summer

Man in winter hood with ice-laced face guard.


Walk on the ice. Take photos. Snowshoe or go fishing. There is plenty of life within the Lake Superior Reserve in winter and FOLSR member Will Mowchan invites you to experience it.



Enjoy some winter photos and writing!

That's Different!

FOLSR's First-Ever

For the first time, ever, FOLSR entered into a $10,000 contract with the University of Michigan. FOLSR did this to enable National Estuarine Research Reserve System staff and partners from Tribal Nations to develop capacity for Indigenous leadership and the co-management of estuarine lands and waters through the Restore America's Estuaries Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana.



Learn about Restore America's Estuaries.

One of Your Friends

Meet Kate Murray, FOLSR's new Community Outreach Coordinator.


Kate is an AmeriCorps member who first visited the estuary this past autumn while working for a conservation corps crew removing invasive plants on islands. The estuary's charisma drew her out of Iowa and back to the Reserve, and she's very excited to be here!


Kate will be helping FOLSR with communications, volunteer activities and outreach events. Kate double majored in studio art and ecology at the University of Northern Iowa.


If you see Kate Murray, say, "Hey Friend," for us!

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

2023



January 27-28

Lake Superior Ice Festival


February 8

7 - 8 pm

River Talks

We’ve got Fleas! Invaders and Non-local Beings in Water and Land

Zach Stewart, Douglas County, and Kelsey Taylor, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Zoom only


February 10-14

I Heart Estuaries


February 21

5:30-7 pm

FOLSR Annual Member Meeting


March 8-10

2023 St. Louis River Summit


March 8

6:30 - 8 pm

River Talks

History of the Upper Estuary and Fond du Lac Neighborhood Christine Carlson, historian, and Mark McConnell, Elder, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Comments or questions? We'd love to hear from you!

Email us here. [email protected]



Call us at 715-399-4095


FOLSR.ORG

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