Restoration projects can improve more than habitat—they can also benefit local communities. In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota Duluth students analyzed community feedback about Allouez Bay to identify priorities, barriers to access, and ways to measure how restoration improves recreation, safety, and connections to the St. Louis River.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our What's in Bloom Hike at Spirit Mountain! We had a large group, and it was so exciting to see all the conversations happening. Thank you to Shannon Kesner for sharing so much plant knowledge with us and to Jeramy Pinkerton for sharing about the Knowlton Creek Restoration Project. 

The St. Louis River Alliance was grateful to be part of the National Outdoor Recreation Conference in Duluth, May 11–14, where we connected with recreation professionals and community leaders from across the country and around the world. One highlight was co-hosting a field trip with the City of Duluth that showcased parks, restoration projects, and National Water Trail access points throughout the estuary.

Thank you to everyone who joined the 2026 Twin Ports Paddling Film Festival on Thursday May 14th at Zeitgeist Theatre. This was in collaboration with our friends at North Shore SUP & Paddle it Forward, and would not have been possible without their dedication, hard work, and dream to bring this Film Fest back to the Twin Ports. These films were specifically chosen and customized with the community in mind, with a wide variety of paddling experiences to inspire us all.

Partners gathered at Thomson Reservoir on May 27 to celebrate a major milestone in the restoration of the St. Louis River Estuary: the completion of the eighth and final contaminated sediment remediation project on the Minnesota side of the Area of Concern. Decades of collaboration between Tribal, federal, state, local, nonprofit, industry, and community partners have helped transform the estuary and move the river one step closer to delisting.

The St. Louis River Alliance is excited to help lead community engagement efforts for the 44th Avenue East Waterfront Access Project, a community-driven effort to reimagine a former industrial dock on Allouez Bay as a welcoming public waterfront space. In partnership with the City of Superior, upcoming outreach efforts will include neighborhood yard signs, community events, and a public survey to gather ideas for the future of the site. Community members can also join the June 18 “Old Dock, New Era” field tour to explore the waterfront and help shape its future through public input.

Join us for June’s River Revival! The focus will be ‘Old Dock—New Era: Public Access and Possibility at 44th Ave Dock’ in Superior.

Join the St. Louis River Alliance and the City of Superior for a guided walking tour of the 44th Ave E dock and help shape the future of this emerging public waterfront access site on Allouez Bay. Explore the site’s history, current conditions, and possibilities for future public use while sharing your ideas with project partners.

Thank you to everyone who joined our May River Revival event focused on the Wisconsin Point Resiliency Study and the cultural importance of manoomin (wild rice). The evening featured presentations from AMI Consulting Engineers and the 1854 Treaty Authority.

The St. Louis River Alliance is seeking one dedicated individual to serve as a Communications and Outreach Coordinator. This staff will play a key role in building relationships between the organization, community members, and the St. Louis River Estuary. This person will lead public engagement efforts, coordinate volunteers and outreach events, support communications, and more.

Take a guided walk on Wisconsin Point to explore the return of Ishkode (good fire) for our final River Revival event! Hear stories of this place and see how cultural burning is helping restore forest health and connection to the land.

Discover how coastal wetlands shape the St. Louis River Estuary at this River Revival event featuring Allouez Bay restoration updates, cattail ecology, and a hands-on weaving activity for all ages.

Celebrate restoration and community at Wisconsin Point! Join us July 16, 5–7 p.m. at the End Parking Lot for a free beach gathering featuring restoration partners, family activities, puppets, snacks, and a beach fire. Meet the people working to protect this special place. All welcome.

The internationally celebrated Paddling Film Festival World Tour returns to Duluth on May 14 at Zinema Theatres. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; films begin at 6:30 & 6:45 p.m. (same films) Tickets are $25, benefiting local nonprofits connecting people to regional waterways through stewardship, education, and recreation.

The 2025 Wisconsin Point Visitor Use Assessment report is now available, sharing community insights on how people use, value, and connect with the Point. Findings will help guide future planning, resilience efforts, and decisions to protect its natural character, cultural significance, and public access.

Thank you to the volunteers who joined the St. Louis River Alliance for an Earth Day cleanup at Woodstock Bay Public Landing, removing litter while celebrating stewardship of the St. Louis River Estuary.

A new feature from WDIO shares the powerful story of the St. Louis River, from industrial pollution to one of the Great Lakes’ most inspiring restoration successes.

The piece highlights longtime environmental advocate Dave Zentner, partners from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, agency staff, and Executive Director Kris Eilers of the St. Louis River Alliance Kris Eilers working together to restore habitat, improve water quality, and reconnect people to the river.

Watch the video and read the full story HERE to learn how decades of partnership are helping shape a healthier future for the river.

Twenty-four Washington Elementary second graders joined the St. Louis River Alliance and Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve for a hands-on estuary field day exploring shorebirds, water monitoring, habitat stewardship, and interactive learning at Wisconsin Point and the Estuarium.

Paddlers gathered April 9 for a free River Orientation & Trip Planning event hosted by St. Louis River Alliance and Minnesota Sea Grant. Participants gained tools, safety tips, and local knowledge to confidently explore the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail this season.

Join River Revival, a monthly gathering exploring restoration, community connections, and the future of the St. Louis River. Meet May 21, 5–6:30 p.m., to learn about the Wisconsin Point Resiliency Study and manoomin restoration. Free, all ages welcome; snacks provided.

We’re grateful to all who joined our first River Revival on April 16! Thank you to Giizh Agaton Howes and fellow paddlers for sharing about the Anishinaabe Canoe Migration and to our partners at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for sharing project updates about Allouez Bay and Wisconsin Point. Join us May 21 for our next gathering!