Paddling, picnic highlight estuarine resources

The St. Louis River freshwater estuary is 12,000 acres of protected coves and wetlands like nothing else on the Great Lakes.

In honor of this remarkable place and estuaries around the country, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dedicated Sept. 29 as National Estuaries Day.

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve is celebrating by hosting a Kayaking Cook Out on Barker’s Island.

The event begins at 2 p.m. and participants meet on Barker’s Island and shuttle to Wisconsin Point, where they receive an introduction to sea kayaking techniques before launching kayaks into Allouez Bay and heading for Barker’s Island.

Along the way, the Lake Superior NERR Education Coordinator will bring the estuary to life with natural and human history, and stories of estuary science.

After landing on Barker’s Island, a cookout, brat feed, and social is planned. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and is open to the public and paddlers.

The Lake Superior NERR is one of only 28 estuarine research reserves in the country and only the second Great Lakes reserve.

Children as young as ten are welcome to participate. The cost for kayaking is $15 per person, or $5 with your own boat. Dinner is $15 per person additional. Reservations must be made by 4 p.m. Monday. Payment is made the day of the event. To make your reservation, email Deanna at deanna.erickson@

ces.uwex.edu or call (715) 392-3141.

Tags: community, environment, wisconsin, outdoors