Field Trips
Our 2024 field trip offerings provide a diversity of exciting learning opportunities for anyone involved with invasive species management. Field trips will be held in the afternoon on Tuesday, November 12th. Concurrent sessions will be available for conference attendees who do not wish to participate in a field trip.
Register for field trips when you complete your general registration. If you are already registered, but would like to add a field trip, contact [email protected].
Register for field trips when you complete your general registration. If you are already registered, but would like to add a field trip, contact [email protected].
Field Trip Descriptions
All field trips (except Great Lakes Aquarium) are weather dependent. In order to be prepared for the variety of weather Lake Superior may bring, we highly recommend warm clothes, rain gear and sturdy footwear for all outdoor field trips. To help meet your expectations, we have done our best to predict the activity level of each trip.
Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, lakesuperiornerr.org
European mountain ash, photo courtesy of Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
Lake Superior North Shore, photo courtesy of Kari Hedin
Yellow iris management in the Bois Brule River, photo courtesy of Douglas County Surface Waters Program
Great Lakes Aquarium, photo courtesy of Visit Duluth
Aerial view of the St. Louis River, photo courtesy of 1854 Treaty Authority
Lake Superior Shoreline, photo courtesy of Kelsey Taylor
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Non-Local Beings on the Lake Superior Coast Leaders: Deanna Erickson and Kirsten Rhude, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve; and Dr. Matt TenEyck, UW-Superior Lake Superior Research Institute The St. Louis River is the largest river in the United States flowing into Lake Superior - the largest surface of freshwater on earth. Here at the headwaters of this superlative freshwater system, researchers and natural resource professionals are working to sustain diverse coastal ecosystems, both above and below the water. Come learn about the St. Louis River estuary at the Lake Superior Estuarium, Superior, WI, where beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. Second, travel to the working waterfront to visit the Ballast Water Testing facility operated by the Lake Superior Research Institute at UW-Superior to learn about large scale efforts underway to protect the Great Lakes from introduced aquatic species. Third, wrap up your visit at the epic Lake Superior beach of Wisconsin Point, where staff at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve are working to reduce the impacts of non-local plant species for a future resilient coast. Departure Time: 12:00 PM Duration: 4 hours Activity level: Moderate (partly inside; walking on uneven and unpaved ground) Managing Invasive Species From a Farm to an Environmental Learning Center Leaders: Lori Seele, 1854 Treaty Authority; Monika Chandler, Minnesota Department of Agriculture; and Matt Willey, Hartley Nature Center Hartley Park is a 660 acre park in Duluth with a nature center, woods, trails, and scenic views. The park has a unique history as a former farm. Post farming, both native and invasive species moved in, leading to an interesting mix that presents invasive species management challenges. Learn about stewardship projects, including controlled burns and pollinator plantings, Aquatic invasive species management in Hartley Pond, and knotweed management. Participants will see European mountain ash and other lesser-known invasive plants. Departure Time: 12:00 PM Duration: 4 hours Activity level: Moderate (hiking on gravel trails) Northshore Notables Tour Leaders: Liz Anderson, Kari Hedin, and Nate Quadhamer, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District; Heidi Rantala, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; and Mark and Katya Gordon, Sea Change Expeditions Travel up Scenic Highway 61 to two picturesque harbors on Lake Superior’s North Shore where you will be introduced to several local invasive species projects. Your first stop will be at Knife River Marina to learn about recent research into the origin and impacts of didymo (aka, rock snot). You will also learn about a unique experiential education experience focused on Lake Superior conservation – youth learn from a sailboat! Next, you will visit Agate Bay in Two Harbors, where you will tour a new project to restore shoreline habitat by removing numerous invasive species and replanting with native species. You will also learn about how populations of a state-listed glacial relic species are disappearing due to the introduction of a non-native relative, and consider the complexities of mountain ash. Departure Time: 12:00 PM Duration: 4.25 hours Activity Level: Moderate (2 mi walking on paved and gravel paths) From Bois Brule River to Port Wing Tour Leaders: Zach Stewart, Douglas County Surface Waters Program; and Alex Selle, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Want to learn how to manage yellow iris or about the restoration of a municipal wastewater treatment plant? Enjoy the picturesque South Shore along your way. The first stop is the beautiful Bois Brule River for yellow iris management, identification, biology, and control methods (focused on non-chemical methods), and an overview of the successful Early Detection Rapid Response effort conducted here from 2021-2023. Of particular interest is the in-situ desiccation method for safe disposal of yellow iris in remote environments. The second stop is a tour of the Michele Wheeler Wetland Restoration Site, Port Wing, WI. funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Learn how a municipal wastewater treatment site is being restored to improve habitat for marsh breeding birds, fish, herptiles, and to increase plant biodiversity. Actions include invasive species management (cattails, reed canary grass, tansy, purple loosestrife), native plantings, prescribed burns, and micro-topographic changes of habitat to provide diverse locations for various plant and animal species. The site is owned by the Town of Port Wing and jointly managed with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Departure Time: 12:00 PM Duration: 5 hours Activity Level: Moderate (15 minute hike over rough, river bank terrain; long sleeves and sturdy footwear highly recommended) The Hitchhiker's Guide to Aquatic Invaders Tour Leaders: Alexis Berke, Great Lakes Aquarium; Edward Downs, University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Communications; and Tyler Kaspar, 1854 Treaty Authority Interested in unique and useful approaches to educate people? Join communication and education experts at the Great Lakes Aquarium. You’ll learn about behind the scenes exhibit development. They’ll reveal how they design displays to enhance cognition and learning…and how to make a lasting impression. You’ll also learn about the status of AIS in Lake Superior. Your tour of the Aquarium includes a stop at the invasive species exhibit. Departure Time: 12:30 PM Duration: 3 hours (guided tour and presentations, followed by 2 hour self-guided tour) Activity Level: Low Restoring the St. Louis River Corridor Leaders: Melissa Sjolund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Kate Kubiak and Cliff Knettel, City of Duluth; Eben Phillips, Community Action Duluth; LaRae Lehto, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; and Daryl Peterson, Minnesota Land Trust Where the St. Louis River meets Lake Superior, a unique 11,000 acre freshwater estuary is formed. Join us to learn how local, tribal, state, and federal partners are working together to improve and protect this biodiversity hotspot. Walk along the riverfront on the Waabizheshikana Trail and learn about community-driven invasives control efforts. Learn about locations where wetlands have been restored under the Great Lakes Area of Concern Program, manoomin (wild rice) is being reintroduced, and legacy contamination has been removed from the river. Departure Time: 12:30 PM Duration: 3.5 hours Activity level: Moderate (100% outside, < 2 mile walk on paved and gravel trails) Navigating Invasive Species Within Reservation Boundaries Leaders: Kelsey Taylor, Fond du Lac Band; Jen Larson and Andrea Scholer, US Forest Service; and Arianna Northbird, Phil DeFoe, Emily Rakos, Madison Bear, and Thomas Howes, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Learn about the history and current projects of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, including how the Band is currently navigating invasive species issues within Reservation Boundaries. Learn about a restored pollinator site, search for mystery snails, and discuss the effects of emerald ash borer and other invasive pests as they impact traditional activities (potentially including baaga’adowewin, lacrosse) Departure Time: 12:30 PM Duration: 4 hours Activity Level: Low (mostly outside, waterproof knee-high boots recommended), High (if participate in traditional lacrosse) |