Manoomin Restoration: Volunteer Wild Rice Planting
Thank You to Our Wild Rice Planting Volunteers!
This September, the St. Louis River Alliance, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, had the honor of planting approximately 4,200 pounds of manoomin (wild rice) in the St. Louis River Estuary—and we couldn’t have done it without YOU.
On September 9th and 12th, dozens of dedicated volunteers joined us for two incredible mornings of learning, paddling, and planting. Together, we worked side by side to help restore a culturally and ecologically important species to the estuary.
On Tuesday, we launched from Wisconsin Point to plant ~3,000 pounds in Allouez Bay and on Friday, we launched from Spirit Lake Marina to plant ~1,200 pounds in Kingsbury Bay. Volunteers launched their canoes and paddled out to pre-designated restoration zones to cast manoomin seeds into the water with care and hope. These seeds will help revive native wild rice beds that once flourished here, with some areas historically supporting between 600 and 1,000 acres of wild rice.
This year marked the 10th consecutive year of SLRA’s involvement in these wild rice planting efforts. Whether you were a returning volunteer or joined us for the first time, we are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and heart you brought to this restoration work.
A very special thank you to Miranda Pacheco for blessing the rice on Tuesday, and to Arianna Northbird, Fond du Lac Band Environmental Program Manager, for sharing how important manoomin is and sending us off in a good way. Thank you also to Eric Ament of Anahata Herbals for harvesting the 4,000+ pounds of seed we were able to plant. These efforts are supported through Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding.
Why Manoomin Matters
Manoomin (Ojibwemowin for “the good berry”) is more than just a plant—it is a living connection to the cultural heritage of the Ojibwe people, a critical habitat for fish and wildlife, and an indicator of healthy wetland ecosystems. Wild rice plays a central role in the Ojibwe migration story and continues to be a vital food source for both people and wildlife.
But over the past century, manoomin populations in the estuary have suffered steep declines due to dredging, logging, development, and water quality impacts. While water quality has improved, natural wild rice has struggled to return on its own—making your help in reseeding efforts all the more important.
A Decade of Restoration and Growing Hope
Over the last decade, SLRA volunteers have seeded wild rice across approximately 10 acres near Clough Island and in Kingsbury Bay, and now Allouez Bay—where many of you helped plant this year. These efforts are part of a long-term vision by the Manoomin Restoration Partnership, which includes tribal nations, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations working to restore at least 30 acres of self-sustaining wild rice by 2026, and 60 acres by 2032.
Ongoing monitoring by the 1854 Treaty Authority shows that manoomin is slowly but steadily increasing in density. While the path to full restoration is long, each pound of seed planted moves us closer to a healthier, more resilient estuary.
Thank You
From all of us at the St. Louis River Alliance—a big heartfelt thank you—to everyone who joined us on the water this year. If you missed this year’s events, you can still support the work by learning more and spreading the word:
📽️ Watch a short video on manoomin restoration
📘 Read the wild rice restoration plan
📄 View the manoomin fact sheet
