The second River Talk of the 2024-2025 season will feature Kris Eilers, executive director at the St. Louis River Alliance, who will present “Restored Connection to a River in Recovery.” This event will take place Wednesday, December 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Superior Estuarium, located on Barkers Island at 3 Marina Dr., Superior, Wisconsin.

From degradation to paddling destination, the St. Louis River Estuary is undergoing an inspiring transformation. Since the designation of the St. Louis River Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) in 1987, many partners have collaborated to clean up the river. The impact of this work is becoming clear, and the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail is proof of that change. This event will provide information to learn about improved access to the water and future goals for helping (re)connect the community to this beautiful waterway.

The River Talks will last an hour and will include time for comments and questions. Light refreshments will be provided.

The season schedule for River Talks includes two additional discussions also hosted at the Lake Superior Estuarium:

• Wednesday, January 8: Chigami-Ziibing: Ojibwe Placenames and Perspectives along the St. Louis River Estuary. Naawakwe William Howes III, Gegaanzikiged, Gegaanzongejig Ji-Aabadak Ojibwemowin, Fond du Lac Language & Culture Program
• Wednesday, February 12: Returning Good Fire to Superior Forests. Panelists from the City of Superior and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa wildland fire program

For more information, visit the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Facebook page or their website.

The River Talks are sponsored by The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of thirty Reserves in the United States led by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and part of UW-Madison Division of Extension on the UW-Superior campus.