Gathering Grounds
Building Connections for Land and Water
October 10, 2025 from 9-4:30 p.m. $25
University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjacket Union
An Open Space for connection, conversation, and collective visioning.
The Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance in collaboration with the Lake Superior Headwaters Sustainability Partnership invite you to join us at Gathering Grounds, a full day event bringing together agencies, nonprofits, community groups, and passionate individuals to explore how stewardship and recreation can work hand-in-hand to build a thriving estuary and community.
Your voice and interest matter and will help create the agenda!
This day is about making new connections - no panels, no keynote speeches, no top-down agenda. Instead, we’re creating a space where your ideas and questions shape the day. Come to share your stories, build relationships, and co-create a shared vision for conservation, restoration, and recreation throughout the St. Louis River watershed.
Your voice matters in helping identify community needs, set priorities for natural resource stewardship, and guide how we care for this incredible landscape together.
Help us explore the question…
‘How do we connect conservation and recreation for a thriving watershed and healthy community?’
The Headwaters Partnership is currently working to create a vision for upcoming work within a focus area of the St Louis River estuary.
Trails
We want to know what is important to you in these areas
Cross City Trail
Duluth Cross Town Snowmobile Trail
Duluth Equestrian Trails
Duluth Traverse Bike Trail
DWP Trail
Elys Peak
Magney-Snively Ski Trails
Millennium Trail
Munger State Trail
Spirit Mountain Ski Trails
St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail
Superior Hiking Trail
Superior Municipal Forest Trails
Waabizheshikana Trail
Areas
Clough Island
Grassy Point
Keene Creek
Kingsbury Creek
Knowlton Creek
Magney-Snively Natural Area
Mud Lake
Munger Landing
Pokegama Bay
Spirit Lake
Spirit Mountain Recreation Area
Stewart Creek
Superior Municipal Forest
Why attend?
Connect with local land managers, trail builders, paddlers, anglers, scientists & more
Explore how conservation and recreation work together
Share your voice, your ideas, your passion
No panels, no keynotes — just meaningful conversations
Help shape a community-driven vision for the St. Louis River watershed
Who will be there?
Land managers from local, state, tribal, and federal agencies
Outdoor recreation leaders – trail builders, paddlers, anglers, bikers, birders, and more
Environmental nonprofits and community groups
Scientists, educators, and restoration professionals
Local residents and stewards of the land and water
YOU – whether you're a longtime advocate or just curious to get involved
About the Organizers
Lake Superior Headwaters Sustainability Partnership
Since 2021, the Lake Superior Headwaters Sustainability Partnership has connected over 80 members from 30 different agencies, organizations, local governments, and tribal entities to intentionally work to protect, restore, and steward the natural resources of the St. Louis River Estuary and surrounding watersheds towards a vision of a thriving estuary landscape and community. Together we are building capacity and processes that enable us to work collaboratively and to authentically connect with the communities we serve.
Learn more at headwaterspartnership.org
Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance
Since 2010, the Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance (DAOA) has united 17 outdoor recreation organizations to help connect more people to the many incredible experiences our region has to offer. If you've biked a trail, hiked a wooded path, skied across snowy terrain, birded along the St. Louis River, you've likely explored land stewarded by a DAOA group. Their collaborative work invites everyone—residents and visitors alike—to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild spaces that make the Northland so special.
Learn more at duluthaoa.org