Intro to Trail Work: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 10, Normanna Road Trailhead. Hosted by the Superior Hiking Trail Association. Learn what it takes to maintain the SHT. An experienced crew leader will give you pro tips on how to keep brush and water off the trail. No experience necessary. To register, go to superiorhiking.secure.force.com/volunteer.
Brule River Spey Day: 11 a.m. Sept. 10, McNeils Landing on the Brule River. Sponsored by the Lake Superior Steelhead Association, it features casting demos, equipment vendors and individual casting instruction. Lunch provided; bring a beverage and chair. Feature presenter: Ed Ward. To get to McNeils Landing, take Highway 2 out of Superior to the County Road 13 turn-off (take a left onto 13 after exiting 2). Follow County Road 13 to Clevendon, thn left on Clevendon to the road marked McNeils Landing. Take a right and follow it to the end. Park in the upper lot (Angler Parking) or a smaller lower lot across the bridge. Go to steelheaders.org for more details.
Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center Events: 9096 W. Minnesota Highway 61, Schroeder. Free. Go to sugarloafnorthshore.org for a complete calendar of events.
Explore Clough Island and Help Pull Buckthorn: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Oct. 5-6. Meet at the Spirit Lake Marina. Bring your own boat or use a free program canoe. Be sure to wear long sleeves, sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. Also bring shovel, gloves, lunch and bottled water. Email Zach.Stewart@douglascountywi.org with questions. Register at docs.google.com/forms.
ATV Safety Field Day Class: 9 a.m. Sept. 17, Lake County Highway Department, 1513 Highway 2, Two Harbors. Must be 10 years old before Field Day. Bring helmet and proper riding attire; ATVs provided. Instructor: Christian Von Goertz. To register, email the following info to christian.vongoertz@co.lake.mn.us or call 218-834-8385: legal name, birthdate and age, address, email and parents' phone number.
Superior Hiking Trail Association 5-Day Mystery Mountain Trail Rehabilitation Volunteer Project: Sept. 20-24. Seeking 100 volunteers (about 20 per day) to rehabilitate approximately a half-mile of the Superior Hiking Trail near Lusten. Help rehab damaged tread between the Poplar River Bridge at Lutsen Mountains and the SHT Mystery Mountain campsite. Volunteers will help with structure installation and repair, and installation of water drainage devices. Go to superiorhiking.org/volunteer .
Accessible Bird Observing: 9-11 a.m. Sept. 21. Join the Lake Superior Reserve for a free, bird-focused morning. We welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend this accessible birding event at the Lake Superior Estuarium on Barker’s Island in Superior. Move along the boardwalk or paved trails on a guided bird hike, or explore bird artifacts like feathers and skulls indoors at your own pace. We have 15 pairs of binoculars for people to use, a spotting scope, a wheelchair mount for the scope, and portable seating. There are two single-user indoor, wheelchair accessible bathrooms inside the Estuarium. Registration isn't required, but is encouraged. Register at lakesuperiornerr.org/event/accessible-bird-observing .
Battling Buckthorn: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 29, Jay Cooke State Park, Carlton. Learn about buckthorn while helping to remove it. Bring lunch, gloves and safety goggles. Meet at the River Inn Visitor Center. Rain date: Oct. 30. Email Lori Seele at lori@stewardshipnetwork.org or Alyssa Bloss at alyssa.bloss@carltonswcd.org with questions. Register at https://bit.ly/3KZ3wHa.
Fifth Annual Aurora Summit: Nov. 4-6, Legendary Waters Casino, Red Cliff, Wisconsin. Events include educational sessions on over a dozen topics; photography and photo editing workshops; expert roundtables for camera questions; a gear swap meet; a group aurora chase; and more. Keynote speaker is Tamitha Skov, a credentialed space weather physicist known as "Space Weather Woman" from her popular social media and video platform. COVID-19 vaccination required; guests must register. For more information or to register, visit TheAuroraSummit.com . Lineup of speakers includes:
Jay Cooke State Park Programs: 780 Minnesota Highway 210, Carlton. All nature walks and wildlife talks are free; a Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is needed to enter. Vehicle permits can be purchased upon arrival at the park office. Cost: $7/day or $35/year. There are reduced price options for disabled veterans, Minnesota tribal members and others. For a complete event schedule, go to dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/events.