National Water Trail Support: Connecting More People to the St. Louis River
Over the past three years, the St. Louis River Alliance has had the privilege of connecting thousands of people to the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail through outreach, education, paddling experiences, and community events. Thanks to generous support from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), and through the City of Duluth's St. Louis River Re-Connect – Phase II project, the Alliance led implementation of the National Water Trail while expanding opportunities for people to experience the recovering river.
The vision was simple: reconnect people to the water.
Attendees enjoy a LCCMR-supported Stand-up Paddle Boarding event on the St. Louis River.
This funding allowed us to dramatically expand our community presence through community events and neighborhood gatherings that introduced thousands of residents and visitors to the National Water Trail. It also supported a diverse lineup of educational and recreational programming designed to welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
Just as importantly, the project focused on reducing barriers to getting on the water. Through guided paddles, beginner-friendly programs, educational resources, updated maps and trip itineraries, equipment support, and hands-on instruction, more people were able to safely explore the St. Louis River and build confidence on the water. The grant also funded a full-time National Water Trail Coordinator, two neighborhood-based community leaders, advisory meetings, and new resources that will continue serving the community for years to come.
That vision became reality thanks to the dedication of our incredible team.
Pictured from left to right, Neighborhood Leader Annika Frazer, National Water Trail Coordinator Mikayla Erickson, Neighborhood Leader Karen Sunderman attending Canoecopia in Madison, Wisconsin to promote the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail in 2026.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our National Water Trail Coordinator, Mikayla Erickson, whose warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine care made the National Water Trail feel welcoming to everyone. Whether leading a paddle, staffing a community event, or answering questions, Mikayla had a remarkable ability to make people feel seen, heard, and comfortable exploring the river. Her kindness, creativity, and dedication helped countless people build the confidence to experience the St. Louis River and discover a place where they belong.
We're also deeply grateful to our Neighborhood Leaders, Karen Sunderman and Annika Frazer, who brought the National Water Trail directly into the community. By attending neighborhood and community club meetings, staffing events, building relationships, and leading local outreach, they introduced new audiences to the river and created welcoming opportunities for people to discover everything the St. Louis River has to offer.
Together, this team helped:
Connect thousands of people to the St. Louis River through outreach, events, and educational programming.
Expand the Alliance's presence at community events, festivals, and neighborhood gatherings.
Develop guided paddles and beginner-friendly experiences that welcomed new audiences.
Reduce barriers to recreation by providing maps, trip itineraries, educational resources, and equipment.
Strengthen partnerships and community engagement through advisory meetings and collaborative programming.
Inspire more people to paddle, learn, and become lifelong stewards of the St. Louis River.
While this chapter of funding has come to a close, the relationships, resources, and community connections built through this work will continue for years to come. Every family who discovered a new paddling route, every student who experienced the estuary, and every first-time paddler who gained the confidence to explore the river is a reminder of why this work matters.
Although this grant has concluded, the St. Louis River Alliance remains committed to growing the National Water Trail and connecting more people to the river. We are actively exploring new funding opportunities and partnerships to continue expanding access, reducing barriers to recreation, and creating meaningful experiences that inspire stewardship of the St. Louis River Estuary.
We are grateful to the City of Duluth for its partnership and leadership in administering this project, and to the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), for making this work possible. Their investment has helped create lasting opportunities for people to experience the recovering St. Louis River Estuary and build the next generation of river stewards.
