LSC Symposium 2024: Widening the Horizons of Restoration
Recap of the annual Lake Superior Collaborative Symposium
In Wisconsin's Lake Superior Basin, the Lake Superior Collaborative (LSC) unites federal, tribal, and state governments, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations to coordinate protection, restoration, and resilience efforts. Annually, the LSC Symposium at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center brings together professionals to share project data, foster networking, and drive future conservation planning.
The 2024 Symposium brought together experts and practitioners dedicated to advancing conservation and climate resilience. This year's theme, "Widening the Horizons of Restoration," encouraged participants to expand their approaches to ecosystem resilience through innovation and collaboration. With over 50 attendees from 24 organizations, including 25 first-time participants, the symposium offered a forum for exploring restoration initiatives, project updates, and interactive field tours.
Lightning Talks
The program opened with 20 lightning talks, each providing a rapid overview of current conservation work in Wisconsin's Lake Superior Basin. Topics ranged from managing emerald ash borer impacts on urban forests to addressing erosion along steep slopes, restoring watershed connectivity, and supporting education and research on Lake Superior.
Conservation Priorities Workshop
Participants engaged in a workshop to refine the six conservation priorities at the heart of the Collaborative's Conservation Blueprint. Through collaborative discussion, attendees worked through the goals and objectives for each priority, building shared ownership of the framework that now guides the Collaborative's work.
Pitch Party
The 2024 Pitch Party introduced a collaborative approach to project funding and development.
A Pitch Party exploration session offered a new approach for funding and project implementation, where conservation professionals could pitch ideas directly to funders and peers, fostering collaboration, alignment, and constructive feedback. The day ended with a social hour and trivia at The Hotel Chequamegon.
Field Tour
Field tour of Act 157-funded restoration projects including Tody Ravine, Berweger Farm, and Fischbach Wetland.
The second day featured a field tour of projects supported by 2019 Act 157 funding. Participants visited Tody Ravine, Berweger Farm, and Fischbach Wetland, seeing how restoration methods such as post-assisted log structures, wetland scrapes, and gully stabilization are helping reduce flood impacts and sedimentation while restoring ecological function.
Slow the Flow
The final session focused on the Slow the Flow initiative, inviting participants to discuss ongoing watershed management efforts and future strategies to enhance flood resilience across Wisconsin's Lake Superior Basin.
The 2024 Symposium underscored the importance of expanding regional conservation efforts and building resilient partnerships. With new insights and strengthened networks, attendees left prepared to drive impactful environmental initiatives in Wisconsin's Lake Superior Basin.