CELEBRATE LAKE SUPERIOR DAYS

The Northland will celebrate Lake Superior the third week in July aimed at raising awareness and protection of our world-class resource.  Promoted by the Lake Superior Bi national Forum, cities and groups are encouraged to hold special events.  In the Duluth-Superior and North Shore areas, local organizations will sponsor education booths, kite flying, and an awards ceremony. Come out, learn about Lake Superior issues and have some fun too!

Events at the Canal Park Maritime Museum and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park will feature experts and materials on a variety of invasive species.  DNR watercraft inspectors will be on hand to educate where boaters should look and how to inspect and clean a boat to avoid spreading Aquatic Invasive species.  U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide information on vessel safety checks, safe boating, and marine environmental protection.

Environmental and conservation groups will provide information on the history of Lake Superior, ballast water legislation, and toxics.  Lake Superior Magazine will sponsor kite flying along the lake.  “This annual celebration is an opportunity to celebrate Lake Superior and the North Shore - A place that Minnesotans clearly love. It is also an opportunity to educate - both our visitors and those who call the North Shore home - on what is being done locally and nationally on legislation to continue to protect and restore Lake Superior,” said Rosie Loeffler-Kemp, NE MN Coordinator, Clean Water Action.

One of the key messages of area events for Lake Superior Day 2008 is “Clean Boats Everyday.”  Boaters and anglers are reminded to take action to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species.  “Clean Boats Everyday” is a summer long initiative by that highlights efforts of the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Campaign.  “Protecting Lake Superior from the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species is paramount,” said Doug Jensen, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, U of Minnesota Duluth Sea Grant Program.  Sea Grant has identified at least 88 non-native species that are in the basin.  Of these, 66 species are considered to be invasive.

Local events sponsored by:  Clean Water Action, Lake Superior Binational Forum, Lake Superior Magazine, Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Minnesota Sea Grant, Save Lake Superior Association, and the Duluth - U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

                    To learn more about what you can do to celebrate Lake Superior Day 2008

Visit www.superiorforum.info

For more info on Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!, visit www.protectourwaters.net

For more info on the Great Lakes, visit www.healthylakes.org

TASTES OF LAKE SUPERIOR

A SLOW FOOD FISH AND LOCAL FOODS DINNER
Duluth , Minnesota , May 12, 2008
Slow Food Lake Superior and the Boathouse Restaurant present TASTES OF LAKE SUPERIOR: A SLOW FOOD FISH AND LOCAL FOODS DINNER, Wednesday, May 21, 2008 , 6:30 p.m. , Boathouse Restaurant, Superior , Wisconsin .

TASTES OF LAKE SUPERIOR will also feature stories of “Living the Fishing Life”, told by Dick Martin of Lake Superior Fishing Co., drawing on over 40 years of fishing experience.
TASTE’S menu includes fresh herring, trout, and whitefish, fish caught in season in the waters nearest to us. Accompanying the fish are fresh spring greens and mushrooms, and squash, potatoes, parsnips, and herbs from last fall’s harvest. The fish and the local foods will be purchased from over 13 people, farms, orchards, and companies. Boathouse Chef Kirk Bratrud said, “This is going back to the way things used to be done. My parents and grandparents cooked with what was available to them. It’s food and it’s art.”

Slow Food advocates education about, as well as enjoyment of, food. Fishing has been an important part of our region’s food supply, culture, and economy for over a century. Now world-wide fishing practices, state and federal legislation, and changes in the environment affect the fishing industry. Tastes of Lake Superior , in keeping with “Slow Fish”, a Slow Food International celebration, will help people become aware of issues relating to Lake Superior , fishing, and fish consumption.

Slow Food USA envisions food systems that are good, clean, and fair: food should taste good, should be produced in clean ways that do not harm the environment, and should provide producers fair compensation while being affordable to consumers. Slow Food Lake Superior formed in 2003 as the local Slow Food convivium (chapter). Our convivium's name represents our region, the North Shore , northwestern Wisconsin , and surrounding communities, in which farmers and harvesters provide us with fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, syrup, wild rice, cheese, and other products from the water, woods, and fields. The Lake Superior convivium works with local college and university students, the Sustainable Farming Association, and others on projects related to growing and enjoying food and protecting the environment.