Estuarium Activities
The Lake Superior Estuarium reopened over the summer of 2021. (photo credit: Lake Superior Reserve)
By Kate McCall
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a public science and interpretive learning center focused on the Reserve’s ecology and cultural history. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Estuarium was closed for most of 2020 until it reopened its doors two days a week in June - August 28, 2021. It was also open for the Bayside sounds concert in August and for the museum crawl days in September.
The open sign on the Estuarium was a surprise for the visitors to Barker’s Island, especially on Lake Superior Day. This year Lake Superior Day landed on July 18, and it brought people from near and far to Barkers Island. Paddle boarding and the kids obstacle course were popular. Attendees also had the opportunity to win raffle prizes. Lake Superior Day continues to be a perfect moment for the Lake Superior Reserve and Reserve Friends Group to get out in the community to educate and celebrate our Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve.
This year Lake Superior Day was also a moment to enjoy the reopening of the Estuarium. Many of the over 400 people who entered on July 18 could not describe an estuary. After visiting the Estuarium and its interactive exhibits they exited with a much broader understanding that an estuary is an area where two separate bodies of water mix, in this case the St. Louis River and Lake Superior.
The Estuarium was created for, and is accessible to, people of all ages. Everyone who walks through its doors is welcomed and encouraged to “come in and explore.” Families with younger children can find a cool corner made for kids to play and learn, and it is only a matter of time before the whole family is engaging in the colorful interpretive walls, floor and exhibits.
Created by the Lake Superior Reserve, the Estuarium first opened Sept 30, 2017 to provide a space for the public to learn how ecology and culture coexist in the Lake Superior watershed. The huge map that covers the floor, as well as the center exhibit, brings to light the size of our great National Estuary that expands over 16,000 acres of the St. Louis River and Lake Superior.
While it is interesting and fun to talk to people from other cities and states as they sign the register book, the people I most want to engage with are from the Twin Ports. I loved to tell them, “This place explains the amazing area we live in, take a look around and feel free to ask questions.“ My hope is that if more people recognize how special this area is and how all of us impact it, it will affect the way we live in it and care for it.
If you were not able to join us on Lake Superior Day, keep alert for other opportunities to stop by. There is no charge for entry! The Lake Superior Estuarium meets all standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is committed to creating a space that is equally accessible to all visitors. Parking is free and accessible on site.
Check out the virtual tour.