For the first time in many years, sturgeon are returning to our rivers.
This has been the result of efforts by many groups, which Michael Timm reflects on in his recent article published in Urban Milwaukee: “Why do we care about the Sturgeon?”
When Sturgeon return home, we should be thinking about what kind of home that place will be. Like us, as Native people, sturgeon had been removed from their original homelands…so now our relatives are able to return, but return to what?
One of the groups that has been instrumental in the return of the sturgeon are the Milwaukee Sturgeon Protectors which use both native knowledge and environmental science to help heal the river. Mark Denning, a member of the Sturgeon Clan in the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin wrote “When Sturgeon return home, we should be thinking about what kind of home that place will be. Like us, as Native people, sturgeon had been removed from their original homelands…so now our relatives are able to return, but return to what?”
The ability of our rivers to support spawning sturgeon has been on the minds not only of Sturgeon Protector members, but also children in nature science classes. Children are involved not only in measuring water quality through their classes, but they are also some of the most enthusiastic sturgeon releasers during Sturgeon Fest. To learn more about the Sturgeon Protectors, please contact them at https://sturgeonprotectors.org
Education and awareness are key parts of the ethos of the Sturgeon Protectors, who were inspired by literal protectors preventing poaching during spawning season. The Sturgeon Protectors have many members from different environmental organizations around Milwaukee including Riverkeeper, Friends of Lakeshore State Park , UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, and Wisconsin Green Fire, among others. The repair of our riparian environment is not only beneficial for Sturgeon, but for other native fish – and humans too. These long-lived fish will hopefully return to cleaner rivers that will continue on the path of restoration as the next generation becomes involved in their protection”
Several members of the Sturgeon Protectors group meet at the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences on Feb. 1, 2024. From left to right: Anne Steinberg, Eric Hansen, Mark Denning, Shirley Aspinall, Don Behm, David Wenstrup, Clare Eigenbrode, and Cheryl Nenn. Photo by Michael Timm.
Woman’s Club of Wisconsin Foundation Grant
More park improvements are coming our way! Thanks to the help of park manager Elaine Zautke, the Friends were recently awarded a grant of $3,000 for vegetative mat installation for the south end of the park.
These mats help reduce runoff and standing water during storms and wave surges, and provide habitat for many pollinator specites included monarch butterflies.
We are very grateful for the generosity of the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin Foundation for their continued support of the park through funding the vegetative mat projects!
Stock photo showing vegetative mats installed in 2021 thanks to a previous grant from the Woman’s Club of Milwaukee Foundation
April 2024 Events
Greetings Friends!
After a mild winter and during this slow to warm up spring, park wildlife are preparing for the warmer weather ahead. Numerous ducks can be seen along the shoreline diving for food. Mating season is underway, with male Red-breasted Mergansers racing for a female’s affections, and Common Golden Eye males throwing back and bobbing their heads furiously to gain the attention of a potential mate – look for these birds before they soon migrate north!
Warmer weather means Lakeshore staff are moving about the park too, maintaining the prairies and making improvements to the marina so the slips are more accessible and it’s easier for folks to get in and out of their boats. When in the park, stop and say hello to the friendly DNR staff as they prepare for another busy season!
Upcoming Events
Apr 4th 6:00pm-7:00pm: Walk after Work! (North Entrance) Apr 8th 1:00pm-3:00pm: Eclipse Viewing Event (Pebble Beach) Apr 11th 6:00pm-7:00pm: Dog and Me Walk (North Entrance) Apr 14th 11:00am-12:00pm: Gardening with Native Plants (North Entrance) Apr 19th 6:00pm-7:00pm: Spring Bird Migration Hike (North Entrance) Apr 20th 9:00am-12:00pm: Earth Day Clean Up with Milwaukee Riverkeeper Apr 20th. 1:00pm-2:00pm: Earth Day Hike Apr 26th 5:30pm-6:30pm: Arbor Day Tree Walk (North Entrance) Apr 27th 10:00am-11:00am: Prairie Hike, (North Entrance)
May 15th 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s Jun 19th. 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s Jul 7th time TBA. Brunch By the Beach with food trucks Jul 23rd. 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s Aug21st. 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s Sep 7th. time TBD. Wildflowers By the Water: Music, Food and Art Sep 18th 5:30pm-7:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Our park educators offer a wide variety of programs for both kids and adults, such as fishing clinics (no license required for children 15 and under) and events that focus on nature education and exploration, all designed to be hands-on and family-friendly.
Volunteer for Riverkeeper Cleanup, Apr 20th!
The Friends of Lakeshore State Park is one of many host sites for the annual Earth Day cleanup in the greater Milwaukee Area. This is a fun way to get together outside and help keep our parks and waterways clean. Six more volunteers are needed to help on Saturday, April 20th. If interested, please register here: https://tinyurl.com/FLSP-MRK (adults only due to the hazardous rocky areas by the shore)
After the cleanup, there will be a Rock the Green celebration at the Harley Davidson Museum. We hope to see you at the park and afterwards!
Membership Matters
Membership with the Friends of Lakeshore State Park helps ensure the continued growth and protection of the Park in many ways including maintaining trails, enhancing habitat for our resident foxes and other wildlife, and promoting environmental education programs that inspire visitors of all ages.
As a member, you will contribute directly to vital conservation initiatives and ongoing improvement projects. Your support is essential to the continues success of the Park.
Please consider making a donation below today!
Park Pal Memberships Individual: $25 Family: $50
Prairie Patron Memberships Rock Prairie: $100 Fox Prairie: $250 Kid’s Prairie: $500 Big Prairie: $1,000
Thank you! to the following members who recently joined or renewed: Andrea Petrich
Spring is in the air and so are migrating birds! Lakeshore State Park has experienced a mild winter and as temperatures grow ever warmer, animal activity in the park increases. Watch for signs of the resident foxes and birds on their migration journey. Wisconsin is part of the Mississippi Flyway and many ducks, geese, shorebirds, and waterfowl take advantage of the park’s riparian habitat on their journey back north. Frisky birds are looking for a mate. Male Common Golden Eye bob their heads while verbally calling for a female’s attention and resident male Red Breasted Mergansers will race around the lagoon, showing their speed and prowess to any onlooking females. Take part in a bird hike this month and see these amazing displays yourself!
Upcoming Events
Saturday March 2: 8am to 9am Bird Walk (North Entrance)Hosted by FLSP Volunteers
Join birding enthusiasts from Milwaukee Birders https://milwaukeebirders.org as we take a slow stroll around the park while looking and listening for birds. Bring binoculars and smart phone. All ages and abilities welcome. Meet at the north end of the park just south of Discovery World.
Sunday March 3: Astronomy and Math in Nature/Discovery World’s Girls and STEM Day, 9am-4pm (Discovery World Lobby)
Italian mathematician, Leonardo Bonacci, discovered the Fibonacci sequence in 1202. This fascinating pattern is often found nature and in plants we see every day! Join Lakeshore State Park staff in observing this “golden rule” and see if you can spot the logarithmic spirals for yourself! Come learn about the upcoming total solar eclipse, occurring April 8th, 2024. The next total solar eclipse won’t occur until August 23rd, 2044. DNR staff will discuss the science of this spectacular phenomena, where the best viewing spots are located and how to safely observe the sun during the event.
Saturday March 16: Spring Equinox Hike, 11:00am-12:00pm (North Entrance)
The Spring Equinox represents new life & new beginnings and encourages new ideas. As the time of equal day & night, it also represents balance & contrast. Join us for a walk through LSP to observe the signs of winter trying to hold on & look for signs of Spring trying to break through. Embrace this joyful change of seasons and allow the energy of Spring to reawaken your senses. Meet at the Park’s north entrance, just west of Discovery World. All ages and abilities welcome!
Sunday March 17: Alternative St. Patrick’s Day Hike, 12:00pm-1:00pm (North Entrance)
Buck the trend and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a relaxing nature hike at Lakeshore State Park! Learn about the history and construction of Lakeshore and observe waterfowl taking advantage of the warming weather. Wear green and don’t forget your binoculars and bird identifying book or app! Meet at the Park’s north entrance, just west of Discovery World. All ages and abilities welcome!
Saturday March 23: Spring Migration Hike—9:30-10:30am
Did you know there are over 100 species of birds that call the park home? Walk through Lakeshore State Park with Master Naturalist, Anne Duffy, and learn the basics of urban bird watching and watch for the over 70 species of migratory birds that reside annually! Hike with us multiple times throughout the season to see how populations change over time. All ages and abilities welcome. Bring your own binoculars if desired, as there are a limited number to check out. Meet at the North Entrance, just in front of Discovery World.
Save the Dates
Sat April 20 time TBA. Milwaukee Riverkeeper Cleanup
Sat, April 20 time TBA. Rock the Green at Harley Davidson Museum
Wed, May 15 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Wed, June 19 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Sun, July 7 time TBA. Brunch By the Beach with food trucks
Wed, July 23 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Wed, August 21 6pm-8:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Sat, September 7 time TBD. Music, Food and Art
Wed, September 18 5:30pm-7:30pm. Evening bonfire with smore’s
Do you want to help plan or volunteer with events? Please complete a volunteer interest form
Volunteer Spotlight, Nick Abresch
Nick is a Commercial Banker at Johnson Financial Group who focuses on new business development and relationship management of commercial banking clients, primarily in the Greater Milwaukee area. Through Johnson Financial Group, Nick works with businesses in a variety of industries with solutions ranging from working capital, machinery and equipment, real estate, and management buyouts and acquisitions.
Nick has been involved with the Friends of Lakeshore State Park for about a year. His volunteer work here has mainly been promoting and creating awareness of the Friends group’s mission, helping raise funds for the group, and serving on the Finance Committee for the organization. In addition to volunteering on our Board, Nick is a Board member of Arts @ Large, an organization that works with K-12 Milwaukee Public School students to provide education in the arts.
Thank you for your volunteering, Nick!
Interview of Cheryl Nenn, the Riverkeeper
We sat down with Cheryl Nenn of Milwaukee Riverkeeper to talk with her about the state of our rivers, the best and worst parts of her job, and how our members can get more involved with Milwaukee Riverkeeper. A full (edited) transcript of our conversation can be found on our website later this month, below is an excerpt.
Allison D. ~ So what are some ways that our members can get involved? A lot of our members crosspollinate with different organizations, like our president, Dave, who was your volunteer feature in the 2022 report card. Are there any ways that people can get involved besides coming to the Riverkeeper cleanup? I know a lot of our members already do that, but there’s always going to be plastic in the water and there’s always going to be other things to do. What are some of your favorite things that we can point our members toward?
Cheryl Nenn ~ So we’d definitely like help at the spring cleanup on Saturday April 20th!! We also have an adopt-a-river program that requires more regular cleanups, 2 minimum per year. We also do regular water monitoring. We have over 100 folks that go out and test water quality monthly, which Dave does, at over 110 locations right now. So we definitely always need water monitoring folks. Our training is the first Saturday in May at Riveredge Nature Center from 9:00 to 3:00. If people are interested, they can contact us about that. We also have native mussel ID trainings that will probably happen this summer. We do road salt training in early winter, and road salt monitoring from December through March. We have a lot of different monitoring opportunities and are always looking for more people to help.
If people wanted to get involved in Plastic-free MKE, there’s a lot of different groups working on policy, education, providing water for refillable bottles at community events, and reaching out to businesses to join the Lake Friendly business program. The Community Advisory Committee’s Area of Concern Network is another option. The goal of that group is to educate people about all the work that’s coming to clean up historic pollution and restore habitat in the Milwaukee Estuary, and making sure that we’re hearing from the community. We can then use that community feedback to inform the projects that are going to be implemented. So we definitely want to make sure that people know about the different public input opportunities that exist.
We’re also really focused on environmental justice and making sure that people that haven’t historically been consulted about these types of projects have their voice heard. And we’re working to ensure their recommendations are acted upon, as part of this work going forward. To the extent possible, we are going to try to get the governments to pay for work that is important to the community. And we are also invested in trying to fundraise if needed so that we can to put in more community amenities. The goal is to improve water quality, but also to improve the quality of wildlife habitat and the fish we eat, and to improve the quality of recreational experiences that we have. There’s beach restoration projects happening as well. There’s going to be several smaller management projects on the North Shore beaches, but a fairly large project to move South Shore Beach a little bit south where there’s an opening in the breakwater and where water quality is significantly better. South Shore is one of the worst beaches in the country, statistically. So we’re going to be moving it someplace where we know the water quality is exponentially better. We also have fishing clinics coming up this summer again, and we have a bunch of paddle events coming up that people can join in on.
And what is the most rewarding part of your job?
I’m proud that we’re a group that gets things done for the rivers. We do water monitoring, we do cleanups, we do restoration projects, we advocate for a lot of dam removals and other beneficial projects and policies, and we fundraise to make that work happen. So when things get frustrating on the state and federal policy level, I think we still have been very effective moving good projects and policies forward on the local level. I guess one of my other favorite things about my job is working with people like Dave – our volunteers are amazing and inspiring. We have a fairly small staff at Riverkeeper, and I think we punch well above our weight. And I think part of that is because of people like Dave and our volunteers.
And we get, hundreds of people that call us or e-mail us every year with concerns like something doesn’t smell right, something doesn’t look great, these fish look like they’re struggling, these fish are dead, there is oily sheen on the river. We respond to these community concerns, and work with a lot of different partners to find solutions to problems affecting the rivers. That’s a big part of my job.
We’re averaging around 4,500 people at our spring cleanup, which is incredible. And I think we have over 95 sites this spring already scheduled – I think more than we’ve ever had. It’s really fun to work with the good people of our community. That’s what gives me energy – the amazing people that are spending their nights, evenings, and weekends trying to clean the water up and make it a better place. There are many others that serve by just keeping their eyes and ears open when they’re walking along the riverwalk, walking their dogs, running, and hiking. We get a lot of our tips from people who are just out there loving the river. We couldn’t do this work without the community and without our volunteers. So big kudos to them! I also get to drive our patrol boat, and that’s fun!
Riverkeeper Cheryle Nenn at Lakeshore State Park
Membership Matters
Membership with the Friends of Lakeshore State Park helps ensure the continued growth and protection of the Park in many ways including maintaining trails, enhancing habitat for our resident foxes and other wildlife, and promoting environmental education programs that inspire visitors of all ages.
As a member, you will contribute directly to vital conservation initiatives and ongoing improvement projects. Your support is essential to the continues success of the Park.
Please consider making a donation below today!
Park Pal Memberships Individual: $25 Family: $50
Prairie Patron Memberships Rock Prairie: $100 Fox Prairie: $250 Kid’s Prairie: $500 Big Prairie: $1,000
Thank you! to the following members who recently joined or renewed:
Elizabeth Johnson Donna Kleczka Tina Jones Andrew Wiegman Peter Campbell
Brian Haydin is the President of the Great Lakes Sport Fishermen, a local organization dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation and improvement of salmon and trout fishing in the Great Lakes. He’s also the Milwaukee Chair for the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. Brian lives in Bay View with his wife and two kids (8 and 15) and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with the family where they hunt, fish, forage and play. He recently shared some tips about getting started ice-fishing at Lakeshore State Park:
The fishery: Lake Michigan doesn’t freeze over, but its harbors and lagoons can provide plenty of ice for a safe trip out from January through March (although recently the warm weather has made ice-fishing unsafe) His favorite place to ice fish is the Lakeshore State Park lagoon where one can find panfish like sunfish and perch, as well as larger, world-class game fish like brown trout and salmon! Unlike trolling for salmon on the lake, where you need a lot of specialized equipment, ice fishing in the lagoon can be productive without taking a huge bite out of the wallet.
Dressing for the weather: The wind along Lakeshore can be biting as you are more exposed to the elements. Dress warmer than you think you need to, then add another layer. While on the ice, wear waterproof boots to keep your feet dry, and wear waterproof pants as you may find yourself kneeling to grab a fish.
Safety Gear: The minimum thickness of ice to be considered safe is 4 inches, which may not sound like much, but 8 inches is enough for a light car. Even so, ice is rarely uniform as things like currents can change the thickness in spots. A spud-bar can be used to test the ice as you are walking. A pair of hand-help ice picks to hang over your jacket will greatly aid you in getting out if you have the misfortune of breaking through and slip-on cleats can help you walk on the ice confidently.
Drilling Holes: An ice auger will make quick work of breaking through the frozen water. A power-driven auger isn’t necessary as a hand-cranked one works fine, saving money. You will need to keep the hole clear of ice once you drill it, and for that, pick up an ice scoop.
Fishing Rods: There are two general types of rods to get your baits and lures in the water; a jigging rod or a tip-up rod. A jigging rod for ice fishing is really just a very short fishing rod. You will attach a bait or a lure to the line, and pump it up and down to create some action. A tip-up is a standalone device that you place over the hole, and after setting it, will trigger a flag to indicate that a fish has struck.
Baits and Lures: At Lakeshore, you don’t need much. A couple of small spoons or jigging-specific baits will work well for a jigging rod. For tip-ups, you’ll need something that does the work for you: either a minnow or a spawn sack (a small sack of trout eggs) on a hook, which then drops to roughly 1-2 feet off the bottom. For tackle, Brian recommends heading to R & R Sports Fishin’ Hole on Layton Ave in St. Francis where Roger and his wonderful crew there can help you pick out the right lures and baits.
License: A Wisconsin fishing license is required for those 16 years of age and older. A license can be purchased at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/outreach/FishingLicenses or a local authorized retailer. In addition to your standard fishing license, you will also need a Lake Michigan trout stamp if you are targeting brown trout and salmon. In Wisconsin, each licensed angler may have up to 3 lines in the water at any given time. Be sure to review the fishing regulations at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/regulations for more information such as catch limits.
Advanced Gear: While there is a world for specialized equipment, Brian recommends starting with the basics, having a great time, and enjoying the day with your fishing friends and family! For those wishing for a more in depth fishing experience, consider underwater cameras and flashers to tell you when a fish is near. There is a vast variety of supplementary equipment, some which can significantly increase your chances of a good catch .
Photos from the Park, Jan 20th. Brian and son drilling holes, checking ice depth (then 9″), Brian’s warming hut. Jeff Casey with brown trout caught further north in the lagoon.
If you are looking for a more in-depth introduction to ice fishing, the DNR is hosting free ice fishing clinic on February 11th at several local parks. While targeted at kids, all are welcome! Brian’s club, the Great Lakes Sport Fishermen, will be hosting the clinic at Greenfield Park. You can also visit them at the Journal Sentinel Sports Show from March 7th-10th where they’ll have both ice-fishing and trolling gear on display with experienced fishermen to answer questions.
Christmas in the Ward
The tradition continues!
Friday December 1st Friends volunteers and the DNR will be making s’mores at Christmas in the Ward.
Please stop by, say hello and get warm by four fire pits while making these tasty treats. Donations using Square or cash will be gratefully accepted. The event starts at 5:30pm with fireworks around 7:25pm.
Membership Matters
Membership plays an important role to ensure the continued growth and protection of the Park in many ways including maintaining trails, enhancing wildlife habitats, and promoting environmental education programs that inspire visitors of all ages.
Through Dec 15th, new and renewingmembers of Friends of Lakeshore State Park are eligible through a random drawing to win one of the thank-you gifts below:
As a member, you will contribute directly to vital conservation initiatives and ongoing improvement projects. Your support is essential to the continues success of the Park. Please consider making a donation below today!
Prairie Patron Memberships Rock Prairie: $100 Fox Prairie: $250 Kid’s Prairie: $500 Big Prairie: $1,000
Thank you! to the following members who recently joined or renewed:
Sarah Fierek Vincent Vogelsang Andrew Funk Kate Retzlaff Cheri Meyer Lora Keller Joseph Guenwald Helen Dahms Paula & Vance Strother Susan Crowley Kae Donlevy Sharon Wolfe Dan & Pat Fetterley
