Grit, Gratitude, and Celebration: Recap of the 16th Annual St. Louis River Summit
There is a lot to be grateful for and celebrate in the St. Louis River Estuary. From restoring manoomin to rearing sturgeon, monitoring birds and water quality, just to name a few, these projects wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and time contributed by so many individuals, organizations, and agencies. This idea was reflected in the theme for the 16th Annual St. Louis River Summit, Grit and Gratitude: Celebrating St. Louis River Successes, which nearly 300 people attended. Participants came from both Wisconsin and Minnesota and represented local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and communities-at-large.
One of the many stickers expressing stories of grit + gratitude at the St. Louis River Summit. (credit: Michael Anderson)
The three-day event was hosted at the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjacket Union on March 3-5, 2026. Spread out amongst the talks, Connect + Collaborate sessions, and networking events were stories that exemplify both the hardships and triumphs of protecting and stewarding the St. Louis River. Stories addressed challenges overcome in the early days of the Area of Concern, as well as new obstacles that are present in the face of climate change.
Tuesday, March 3 kicked off the Summit with the opportunity for attendees to share some of their own stories around grit and gratitude. There were stickers available on every table for sharing stories, which could then be placed on the back wall for display. The first round of talks shared about restoration projects in the estuary, from fire on Wisconsin Point to wetland rehabilitation in Allouez Bay to updates on the delisting process of the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Tuesday concluded with a poster session, where attendees could interact more directly with estuary projects. Attendees could also vote on “Outstanding Student Poster”, a way to highlight achievements of student presenters.
Photo: Shawna Weaver and Miranda Rinne deliver a talk on Namewag/Lake Sturgeon rearing at the Great Lakes Aquarium. (credit: Michael Anderson)
On Wednesday, attendees gathered in the morning for more talks on how community members connect with the river. Over lunch, attendees could gather for a legislative listening session hosted by the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve or attend a student networking session. The afternoon brought more talks on how our watersheds have been impacted by contaminants and the day wrapped up with the Connect + Collaborate sessions.
Thursday concluded the St. Louis River Summit with final talks on more restoration projects on the land and in the water. There was also a session about some of the smallest things in the estuary, which sometimes have the biggest impacts on our ecosystems. Mayor Jim Paine gave final remarks for the Summit followed by toasts and a celebration of all the work in the St. Louis River Estuary. Participants could elect to go on field trips if they wish, which took place at several locations around Superior and Duluth.
Thank you to all attendees of the Summit as well as the sponsoring organizations for their support. The event could not happen without you!
As a final note, the St. Louis River Summit will be experiencing a change next year as the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) Conference will be hosted in Duluth, MN next year. The Summit will take a one-year hiatus, then return in 2028 as a biannual conference.
Article by Callie Grones
Cover photo: Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve gather for a photo during the celebration at the St. Louis River Summit. (credit: Michael Anderson)