Ecological Restoration of Wisconsin Point
A tour of ecological restoration projects on Wisconsin Point in Superior, Wisconsin
About Wisconsin Point
Wisconsin and Minnesota Points at the western arm of Lake Superior are touted as one of the longest freshwater barrier beaches in the world. As such, Wisconsin Point is a unique regional ecosystem, as well as an outstanding recreational resource for the City of Superior. Wisconsin Point is located in Anishinaabe-akiing, the ceded territory of the Ojibwe people and has been an important place for centuries. This quest showcases restoration projects that improve the ecological health of Wisconsin Point. You can look at nearby environmental and water quality data from the St. Louis River estuary here.
Most sections of this quest include links with questions about Wisconsin Point. To complete the quest, you must answer these questions. Correct answers will give you clues. The Clues are the letters next to each correct answer. Collect them all to spell an Ojibwe word that is especially important in this area! Proceed ahead if you accept this quest!
Dune Restoration
The Wisconsin Point Area Management Plan (August 2012) emphasizes public outdoor recreation on the Wisconsin Point peninsula, including maintenance of public access and restoration of native plant species. Restoration activities include consolidation of parking lots, re-vegetation of pathways, and restoration to species of native plants. Learn more about the project to restore dune habitat and improve beach access associated with cleanup of the St. Louis River Area of Concern.
St. Louis River Estuary
The St. Louis River is the largest US river to flow into Lake Superior. During the 1900's it became heavily polluted due to the increased industrial activity. Back then there were no environmental regulations. Do you think its important to have these regulations? What might our rivers and lakes be like if we never did?
In 1987 the St. Louis River Estuary was listed as a Great Lakes Area of Concern . Today there are many projects trying to restore the estuary including: removal of toxic sediment, restoring wetland plants, and increasing spawning habitat for fish. Read more about all the ongoing projects and listen to the stories of people involved here. The project hopes to delist the estuary as an Area of Concern by 2025.
Wild Rice
Wild rice is an aquatic grass that prefers shallow, slow moving water and mucky organic soils. Learn more about wild rice habitat here . Wild rice is actually not related to true rice that is native to Asia - it actually has more nutrition and protein than white rice. It was named "wild rice" by French explorers because it looked similar!
Wild rice has a very special place in the cultural and spiritual practices of the Ojibwe people. It can be harvested in large quantities and stored for later when food is more scarce. Think about what life would be like without refrigeration or canned food. This is why grains like wild rice are so important and still are today! Learn more about the cultural importance of wild rice here.
Restoring Wild Rice
Wild rice was once plentiful in Allouez Bay but declined due to a variety of factors associated with increased development. These include water pollution, invasive plants, and increased disturbance from motor boats. Learn more about the status of restoring wild rice associated with cleanup of the St. Louis River Area of Concern.
Harvesting wild rice can be done by anyone and is a fun and rewarding experience! Learn more about regulations and how to harvest here .
Piping Plover Habitat
Piping Plovers are a federally endangered migratory shorebird, once common along the Great Lakes. The last known Piping Plover nest in the St. Louis River Estuary was near the base of Wisconsin Point in the late 1980s. They prefer wide, open sandy beaches with little grass or clutter. Restoration efforts include guarding beach areas and limiting human and predator disturbances. Learn more about the status of restoring Piping Plover habitat associated with cleanup of the St. Louis River Area of Concern.
Lake Superior Estuarium
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a public science and interpretive learning center managed by the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve on Barkers Island in Superior, Wisconsin. Exhibits illustrate how ecology and culture exist together in the St. Louis River Estuary and broader Lake Superior watershed.
Quest completed!
Now that all the clues to spell the Ojibwe word for wild rice have been collected, learn more about this food that grows on the water by watching this video .
Acknowledgments
This story map guided tour was developed by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute . The Great Lakes Quests are part of the Wisconsin Coastal Guide , an interactive map that supports heritage tourism along the Great Lakes coasts of Wisconsin. The guided tours promote placed-based learning about coastal issues in the state. Enhancement of the Wisconsin Coastal Guide is funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office for Coastal Management through the Coastal Zone Management Act.