The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, encompassing land on the Wisconsin side of the St. Louis River designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to promote research, stewardship and outreach of our freshwater resources, would like to announce its first community event!

Saturday, Sept. 24, is dedicated as National Estuaries Day and the Lake Superior NERR is celebrating by hosting a Kayaking Cook Out on Barkers Island in Superior.

The event will begin at 2 p.m. Participants will meet on Barkers Island and shuttle to Wisconsin Point, where they will receive an introduction to sea kayaking techniques before launching kayaks into Allouez Bay and heading for Barkers Island. Along the way, the Lake Superior NERR Education Coordinator will bring the estuary to life with natural history, human history, and science stories.

After landing in Barkers Island, a cookout , brat feed, and social will be held. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. and is open to the public as well as the paddlers.

The Lake Superior NERR is one of only 28 estuarine research reserves in the country and only the second freshwater reserve. Come celebrate this very special recognition and get to know your estuary close up. Children as young as nine are welcome to participate. The cost for kayaking and dinner is $20 per person. For those with their own kayaks, cost is $15. Anyone is welcome to join in the cook out for $12, or just kayaking for $8. Reservations must be made by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. To make your reservation, email Deanna at deanna.erickson @ ces.uwex.edu or call the Lake Superior NERR office at 715-392-3141.