With art classes for both young and old, the Grand Marais Art Colony offers a great variety of courses and workshops. Click above for full course listing and details.

From Basketry, to Fly Fishing and Timber Framing, North House offers a great variety of courses and workshops. Check out the some of the great summer courses available. Click above for full course listing and details.

The North Shore Water Festival will have experts on-hand offering fishing, touring kayak and canoe demonstrations, stand-up paddle board (SUP) demo activities in the harbor, including SUP yoga, plus check out what new water and outdoor gear is available this year.  Most activities are free to the public, and only require signing a waiver and/or registering in advance for SUP board yoga.

Join the JHP Art Gallery for an amazing exhibition titled  “Belvo | Cushmore : Paintings & Drawings 2018” – a magnificent showing of works by famed artists Hazel Belvo and Marcia Casey Cushmore. The exhibit runs through August 12th. Their work is grounded in the environment, but is thoroughly abstract. Both artists will have artwork available for purchase. This is not an exhibit to miss!

Join us for a day of invasive species education and fun at the end of the Gunflint Trail!

What makes a plant invasive? What happens native plant communities when invasives are introduced? All of these questions and more will be answered during this kick-off to Invasive Species Week at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center! We will compare areas where native species grow to the areas where invasive plants such as sweetclover and spotted knapweed have taken hold.

This event is kid friendly and fun for the whole family. Take part in an invasive species pull, make a fish print, or explore the beautiful Chik-Wauk grounds.

Schedule of Events

10 am – Guided Hike and Pull. Get a close-up look at what a healthy native plant community, then lend a hand and help remove invasive species from elsewhere on the Chik-Wauk grounds. These efforts will help keep invasive plants from spreading along the wild and scenic Gunflint Trail and into the Superior National Forest!

Noon – Lunch. Provided for participants.

1 pm – Presentation by Jim Manolis. Jim will describe forest restoration efforts by The Nature Conservancy in NE Minnesota and its connections with invasive plants and animals.

2 pm – Guided Hike and Pull.

This program is brought to you by the Gunflint Trail Historical Society, Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee, USDA Forest Service and the Northwoods Volunteer Connection.

Everyone is invited, you don’t need to be staying at a particular location to join the program.
These programs are provided free to all by the Superior National Forest and Visit Cook County.

Multiple events Tuesdays through Saturdays, click for details.

For rules and more information about the fishing tournament, click here.

Thursdays – In-Depth Nature Discovery

Aug 8 – 1 pm, Lutsen SNA Hike
Aug 15 – 10 am, Geology Field Day and Community Invasives Training at 6 pm
Aug 22 – 8 am, Bird Exploration Adventures

Fridays – 7 am  – Bird Banding Demos

Have you ever seen a wild bird up close? Discover the many types of birds that live along the North Shore.

Saturdays – Nature Talks

Aug 10 – 2 pm,  An Up-Close Look at Northwoods Animals
Aug 17 – 10 am, State of the Birds
Aug 24 – 10 am, Photo Scavenger Hunt
Aug 31 – 10 am, Life on the Edge

Sundays – 10 am – Geology Walks

Discover how Lake Superior was formed. Learn how to find agates. Free, donations appreciated.

Calendar and details here

Interstate Island Wildlife Management Area is approximately 8 acres in size and located in the Duluth Harbor Area. The island was created from material that was dredged from the rest of the harbor in the 1930’s. Over the years, some topsoil has accumulated as well as some vegetation. Restoration work on the island is clearing the vegetation and returning the island to the more natural sand dune condition. This has created valuable nesting habitat for colonial nesting birds including the not so common, Common Tern, which is now a threatened species.

Come and learn about the restoration process, and how the Tern colony is being managed to allow maximum success for these birds, as well as other nesting species.

$5 per person; $10 per family

Crosby-Manitou State Park to Caribou Falls State Wayside, 8.0 miles
This very challenging hike features the rocky, rugged terrain of the North Shore’s wildest state park. The Manitou River and scenic overlooks are highlights. Not recommended for beginners. Meet at Caribou Falls State Wayside. Note: This hike involves a 30-minute shuttle.
Directions to Caribou Falls State Wayside: At Hwy. 61 milepost 70.5 on left side of highway.

• SHTA weekend hikes begin at 10:00 AM rain, snow, or shine. Weekday hikes begin at 9:00 AM.
• Each hike is led by a member of the Superior Hiking Trail Association! Hike leaders may cancel or change the hike in the event of severe weather. The meeting location will always remain the same.
• Hikes are free of charge. No need to register.
• Wear sturdy boots or hiking shoes, bring lunch, water, and insect repellent.
• Due to past problems, dogs are not allowed on guided hikes.
• Hikes are rugged and often very challenging. Please assess your own abilities before deciding to participate. It is better to start small than to be overly ambitious about what you can handle. We offer a variety of hike lengths for this purpose.

Oh, how wonderful to be read aloud to; joins us summer Saturdays for this story hour with the Muffin Man.

Also check out these other readings at Drury lane:

Aug 25 :: Brenda Child & Jonathan Thunder: Bowwow Powwow :: 7:00pm
Aug 26 :: Full Moon Reading featuring Children’s Books :: 7:30pm

They’re creepy! They’re crawling! They’re very important. Come join the naturalist as we get our hands and feet wet exploring the marvelous life in the Gooseberry River. Identify some common critters that call the river home. Discover the reason why having these creepy crawlies is a good thing and why the river is very important. Meet at the lower falls area.