Registration for field trips is on a first come, first served basis. Participants will receive a confirmation packet with additional details after they register. All field trips require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation depending upon the number registered by 1 May 2003. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 1 June 2003, unless the trip is canceled due to low enrollment or weather. Costs shown are per person. For questions regarding field trips, please e-mail Diane Nast at dnast@d.umn.edu or call 218-726-7810.

Deepwater sampling on Lake Superior aboard the Kiyi research vessel "CANCELLED"
Boat tour of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Sea kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Canoe the Bark Bay Wetlands of Lake Superior's south shore "CANCELLED"
Canoe the Namekagon River for aquatic macroinvertebrates
Explore by canoe the natural and cultural history of the St. Louis River estuary
Tour the forest management sites of Wisconsin's Northeast Sands ecosystems "CANCELLED"
Explore the old-growth forests of Lake Superior's north shore"FULL (registration closed)"
Visit Ely, Minnesota on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Camp and explore Washington Harbor on Isle Royale National Park
Sea kayaking the Apostle Island National Lakeshore "CANCELLED"
Explore the forest ecosystems of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Canoe the Brule River through the Wisconsin State Forest
Sea kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore "FULL (registration closed)"
Explore Lake Superior's north shore ecosystems "CANCELLED"
Discover Isle Royale National Park (Rock Harbor area) "CANCELLED"

Single-day, Pre-conference Trips

• Deepwater sampling on Lake Superior aboard the Kiyi research vessel

Friday, 27 June 2003

Kiyi Research Vessel - Photo: USGS Great Lakes Science Center

Board the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Kiyi research vessel to trawl for fish in Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior. Chequamegon Bay is a transitional bay between cold lake fish communities and upland streams that drain into the bay. Trawls are conducted yearly to monitor fish communities in Lake Superior. Lake Superior is the only one of the Great Lakes with a native predator (lake trout) and native prey species. These populations have fluctuated greatly over time since over harvesting decimated lake trout and herring populations. Today, samples collected from trawls help to estimate depredation on lake trout by sea lamprey and monitor the health of this system. The boat trip will include sampling at monitoring sites and testing new hydroacoustic gear for sampling fish populations. You'll be able to experience a few hauls and help dig through samples. Gary Cholwek is the staff biologist aboard the Kiyi and he has worked in Chequamegon Bay for over 20 years. Lunch, snacks and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, $65
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• Boat tour of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Friday, 27 June 2003
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore includes 21 islands set in a matrix of Lake Superior in far northeastern Wisconsin. The boat tour will visit several of the islands to see old-growth northern hardwood hemlock forest never browsed by undulates; intricately carved sandstone bluffs; boreal forest; arctic remnant rare plants that occur on the wave washed bluffs; historic light stations; unique dunes, pine savannah, pine forest and lagoon and wetland complex. Guiding the boat tour will be National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Milwaukee Public Museum ecologists. Lunch, snacks and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, $90
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• Sea kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Friday, 27 June 2003
Explore the sea caves of the Apostle Islands by sea kayak. See where centuries old Lake Superior wave action and the freezing and thawing of the seasons have sculpted red sandstone into artful caves where only sea kayaks can enter. Delicate arches and honeycombed secret passages mark the ancient geologic forms for which the area is renowned. Depending on the weather, the group may paddle over the visible remains of the Steamship Fedora that went down in a fiery blaze in the early 1900's. Sandstone cliffs and wooded shorelines mark the journey toward two other historic Lake Superior shipwrecks (Ottawa and the Coffinberry) located near the mouth of Schooner Creek. The group may also travel to Basswood Island to see a historic sandstone quarry circa 1870's. Lunch, snacks, kayaks and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, $115
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• Canoe the Bark Bay Wetlands of Lake Superior's south shore

Friday, 27 June 2003

Bark Bay Wetland - Photo: Karen Holland

Explore one of Lake Superior's coastal wetlands by canoe. You will visit Bark Bay, a large wetland complex that includes such features as ridge and swale topography, barrier beach, and lagoon, as well as vegetation including marshes, fen and bog peatlands. Bark Bay is a Wisconsin State Natural Area situated between two rocky headlands between the towns of Port Wing and Cornucopia, some 40 miles from Duluth. This site supports many sedge species rare and uncommon to Wisconsin. Notable birds include bald eagle, merlin, northern harrier, yellow rail and American bittern. Dr. Beth Lynch of Luther College, Decora, Iowa and Dr. Jim Meeker of Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, will lead a discussion and investigation of the paleo-ecology and floristics for this wetland complex, as well as management issues including the invasion of the site by an aggressive native species, common reed grass (Phragmites australis). Lunch, snacks, canoes and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, $80
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• Canoe the Namekagon River for aquatic macroinvertebrates

Saturday, 28 June 2003
Explore by canoe the aquatic macroinvertebrate wonders of the Namekagon River, a wild and scenic river in northern Wisconsin. The Namekagon River, part of the St. Croix Scenic Riverway, hosts a large number of freshwater mussel and dragonfly species, some of which are unique to this area only. This trip is approximately 8 river miles and will encompass all types of river conditions including a small rapids. Along the way, the group will stop and observe freshwater mussels and all stages of dragonfly development, from nymph to adult. Timing is right for emergence of many of the dragonfly species found in the area. Lunch, snacks, canoes and transportation from Duluth provided. 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, $75
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• Explore by canoe the natural and cultural history of the St. Louis River estuary

Saturday, 28 June 2003
The St. Louis River is the largest U.S. tributary to Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. As the river approaches Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, it becomes a 12,000 acre freshwater estuary with unique ecological attributes and exceptional biodiversity. The estuary is home to 226 bird species, 53 native fish species and 102 rare plant communities. The ecological conditions in the St. Louis River estuary vary from intact wilderness in the upper portions of the estuary to areas altered by industry and shipping in the lower portions. This unique and important ecosystem is threatened by physical alteration as well as point and non-point source pollution. The St. Louis River Citizen Action Committee has partnered with public, environmental, and other non-profit organizations to protect and restore the St. Louis River. Discover the biodiversity in this unique ecosystem as well as the challenges to protecting it. Snacks, canoes and transportation from Duluth provided. 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm, $50
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• Tour the forest management sites of Wisconsin's Northeast Sands ecosystems

Saturday, 28 June 2003
An amazing opportunity to see the variety of landscapes in the sand country of northern Wisconsin. The tour will begin at the National Forest open barrens where the management focus is active ecosystem restoration. Next you'll see forest management by clearcutting and naturally regenerating jack pine to complement adjacent barrens. In these large early successional stands, the opportunity is there to see the Kirtland warbler. Next you'll see traditional forest practices where red pine plantations are tweaked to encourage white pine establishment, oaks, and preservation of den trees, snags and other course woody debris. Last on the trip you'll see the Camp Nine Pines area, an ecological reference area (natural area) that is one of the largest blocks of fire origin second growth pine in Wisconsin. Time permitting, we'll stop at the Rainbow Lakes Wilderness area, a passively management wilderness area adjacent to Camp Nine Pines. Lunch, snacks and transportation from Duluth provided. 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, $55
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• Explore the old-growth forests of Lake Superior's north shore "FULL (registration closed)"

Saturday, 28 June 2003
Explore some of the best examples of old-growth forests along the north shore of Lake Superior. In the morning, the group will visit the largest remaining white pine forest along the north shore. The afternoon will be spent visiting old-growth forests in Crosby-Manitou State Park, where the group will hike through old-growth northern hardwoods and white cedar-yellow birch forests, which were recently mapped as part of a vegetation-mapping project in the region's state parks. Learn about Minnesota's old-growth forest protection efforts from Department of Natural Resources staff responsible for implementing the program. Lunch, snacks and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am - 5:30 pm, $60
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• Visit Ely, Minnesota on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Saturday, 28 June 2003
Gateway to the BWCAW, Ely is known as the greatest wilderness canoeing and fishing area of the world. Ely is the home of the International Wolf Center, the Sigurd Olson Listening Point Foundation and arctic explorer Paul Schurke. At the International Wolf Center, you'll get to view the famous Wolves and Humans exhibit and observe the resident ambassador wolf pack. Visit the home and writing shack of Sigurd Olson and have lunch enjoying the solitude of Listening Point on Burntside Lake. Paul Schurke, adventurer, dogsledding lodge owner, and author, will meet with the group depending on his travel schedule. Lunch, snacks, entrance fees and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am - 5:30 pm, $65
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Multi-day, Pre-conference Trips

• Camp and explore Washington Harbor on Isle Royale National Park

Thursday, 26 June - Saturday, 28 June 2003
This is a three day and two night camping trip to Isle Royale National Park. Isle Royale is made up of approximately 400 islands and is home to a long term research study on moose/wolf interaction as well as numerous other studies. Participants will travel about 20 miles across Lake Superior to enter the park through the Windigo-Washington Harbor. The group will camp at the Washington Creek campground for two nights. During the day, participants will hike and hear presentations by park experts. Topics will be varied and are intended to provide an overview of this unique island wilderness. Some limited camping gear will be provided. Camping, meals, island activities, and transportation from Duluth provided. 5:00 am (26 June) - 9:00 pm (28 June), $220
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• Sea kayaking the Apostle Island National Lakeshore

Thursday, 26 June - Saturday, 28 June 2003
Led by Adventures in Perspective, the first morning will be spent learning some paddling skills and self-rescue training. Participants will then paddle to Sand Island and hike to the lighthouse to view some of the oldest white pine trees in the state. Next, participants will paddle to the sea caves at Swallow Point. The second day, participants will paddle around Oak Island to view shipwrecks (Fedora, Ottawa, and Coffinberry) either submerged or partially submerged near shore. Camping will be on Oak Island, a site of recent sandscape restoration. The last day, the group will paddle by some spectacular sea caves. Meals, camping, kayaks and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am (26 June) - 4:00 pm (28 June), $375
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• Explore the forest ecosystems of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Friday, 27 June - Saturday, 28 June 2003

Porcupine Mountains - Photo: Carol Y. Swinehart

Explore the Porcupine Mountains State Park, Michigan's largest area of undeveloped wilderness with 50,000 acres of undulating ridges covered in stands of virgin forest, deep cut river gorges and inland lakes alongside the rugged Lake Superior shoreline. The park contains the largest virgin hardwood-hemlock forest in the United States. Lee Frelich from the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota will lead participants on an exploration of the park's hemlock, sugar maple and red oak forest ecosystems. Hike into forests towering with trees up to 600 years old, explore tumbling waterfalls and stand in a dwarf forest on the rocky ridge tops overlooking a panorama of forested hills and the expanse of Lake Superior. The overnight will be in a motel in Silver City on the edge of the park boundaries. Lunches, snacks, lodging, and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am (27 June) - 5:30 pm (28 June), $175
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Single-day, post conference field trips

• Canoe the Brule River through the Wisconsin State Forest

Thursday, 3 July 2003
The Bois Brule River in northwest Wisconsin, flowing north through the historic drainage of Lake Superior, is one of the most scenic and historic rivers in the upper Midwest. The river served as an access route to the St. Croix River for explorers beginning in the mid 1600's. By the mid 1800's, this renowned trout fishing river was bordered primarily by private lodges. The first land was acquired to establish the Brule River State Forest in 1907, and the river corridor remains a patchwork of public and private lands today. In December 2002, a masterplan for the forest was approved following over 5 years of active planning and public participation. Join Forest Superintendent Steve Petersen on a 10-mile journey through the upper Bois Brule River. Explore the natural and cultural history of the river and the challenges of managing a river for diverse, and sometimes contradictory interests. Lunch, snacks, canoes, and transportation from Duluth provided. 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, $55
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• Sea kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore "FULL (registration closed)"

Thursday, 3 July 2003

Apostle Islands Sea Caves - Photo: National Park Service

Explore the sea caves of the Apostle Islands by sea kayak. See where centuries old Lake Superior wave action and the freezing and thawing of the seasons have sculpted red sandstone into artful caves where only sea kayaks can enter. Delicate arches and honeycombed secret passages mark the ancient geologic forms for which the area is renowned. Depending on the weather, the group may paddle over the visible remains of the Steamship Fedora that went down in a fiery blaze in the early 1900's. Sandstone cliffs and wooded shorelines mark the journey toward two other historic Lake Superior shipwrecks (Ottawa and the Coffinberry) located near the mouth of Schooner Creek. The group may also travel to Basswood Island to see a historic sandstone quarry circa 1870's. Lunch, snacks, kayaks and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, $115
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Multi-day, post conference field trips

• Explore Lake Superior's north shore ecosystems

Thursday, 3 July - Friday, 4 July 2003
Biotic elements of the boreal forest to the north and the eastern deciduous forest to the south come together in the forest and shoreline ecosystems along the north shore of Lake Superior. Explore a variety of ecosystems from old-growth white pine forests and white cedar-yellow birch forest to shoreline spruce-fir and rock outcrop communities along the big lake. Accompanied by two Department of Natural Resources ecologists who have spent the last four summers inventorying the north shore's communities and rare plants, the group will learn about current conservation issues ranging from white pine and white cedar regeneration to Canada lynx management. Participants will have an opportunity for birding as the many species of wood warblers and other birds of these forests will still be in full song at this time of year. The overnight accommodations will be at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota. Lunches, lodging and breakfast at Wolf Ridge ELC, and transportation from Duluth provided. 7:15 am (3 July) - 9:30 pm (4 July), $175
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• Discover Isle Royale National Park (Rock Harbor area)

Thursday, 3 July - Wednesday, 9 July 2003
Visit with regional experts about the Isle Royale National Park. Isle Royale is made up of approximately 400 islands and is home to wolves, moose and loons. Day trips will include visits to lighthouses and research locations. Participants will hear presentations by a number of island researchers about short and long term research studies. The group will stay in the Rock Harbor Lodge. Trips around the area will be by short hike, boat and possibly canoe. Lodging, meals on the island, island activities, and transportation from Duluth provided. 12:00 noon (3 July) - 9:00 pm (9 July), $1440
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