|
Welcoming the SHTA's Next Executive Director: Lisa Luokkala
|
|
|
The Superior Hiking Trail Association is excited to introduce and welcome Lisa Luokkala as our new executive director!
Lisa will join and lead the SHTA’s staff after serving as Senior Parks Planner for the City of Duluth since 2015. “As a resident of Duluth for nearly 15 years and an outdoor recreation professional, the Superior Hiking Trail has been an integral part of the landscape I live in, recreate on, and steward. It is a great honor to be chosen to serve the talented and passionate staff, volunteers, and members of the SHTA,” said Lisa. “I look forward to assuring the sustainability of the Trail for future generations to experience its profound benefits.”
Lisa will begin work with the Association in July 2020. She takes on the position as Denny Caneff, who has served as the SHTA’s executive director since 2017, steps down to return home to Madison, Wisconsin.
|
|
|
|
SHT users can continue to cross the river at the former bridge site when water levels are low, or by using the Gitchi-Gami State Trail bridge near Highway 61. Photo: Andrew Gustin
|
|
For the past few years, the Superior Hiking Trail Association has worked to build a new bridge over the Split Rock River on the SHT, just outside the boundaries of the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. The SHTA’s Board of Directors recently voted not to build this bridge.
It’s been a long and winding hike as we explored a number of options and experienced numerous detours and dead ends. In the end, the weightiest and most intertwined factors shaping the Board’s decision were cost, complexity and regulations, as well as a focus on the majority of SHT users.
While we will no longer work to build a bridge at Split Rock, we are committed to renewing the Superior Hiking Trail in ways that not just maintain but elevate its status as an outdoor recreation gem for Minnesota.
|
|
|
Talented New Additions to the SHTA Board of Directors
|
|
We're pleased to welcome four new members to the SHTA Board of Directors.
The SHTA Board of Directors has selected four new members: Steve Sharkey (Duluth), Barry Cattadoris (Owatonna), Aileen Lyle (Woodbury), and John Priem (Silver Bay). They will serve three-year terms.
We are excited to have them contributing their talents and energies to the organization.
|
|
|
'Trail Stewardship Teams' Launched to Lop and Love the SHT
|
|
This spring, the SHTA launched a new volunteer effort we’re calling “Trail Stewardship Teams” which aims to augment and build upon the efforts of our trail adopters to ensure the SHT gets the love it deserves. These teams have been tasked with lopping and trail clearing, but we hope to help them complete more duties, like trail plumbing and tread maintenance, once they get rolling.
Two inaugural teams have been formed: the Primo Lutsen Group (pictured left, led by adopters Scott and Mary Lagaard and Will Nordmark) and the Beaver Bay Lopping Task Force (pictured right, led by Mike Ward, with help from fellow adopters Christine Olson, Sam Olson, and Joe Calaguire).
Both teams made their first outings on the Trail in recent weeks and reported back on what they were able to accomplish together.
|
|
|
Superior Hero Tales: Minnesota DNR Staff
|
|
DNR = Decent, (k)Nowledgeable, Reliable
We see our relationship with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) like a good marriage -- it's on solid ground, but there are, and always will be, issues. Our dealings with individual DNR employees are almost always fruitful and enjoyable. Sometimes their efforts are well beyond the call of their normal (and overloaded) duties.
In our latest Superior Hero Tale, we salute two DNR employees whose work with us in recent months exemplifies the highest levels of public service.
|
|
|
Shop Summer-y SHT Gifts and Gear
|
|
|
Lake Agnes Poster by Tin Cup Design
|
$28.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Superior Days' Tote Bag
|
$24.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Superior Days' Water Bottle
|
$28.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Find the perfect gift or grab something for yourself in our online store -- all sales support the Trail!
P.S. The SHTA Trail Information Center is closed to the public until further notice. If an online order doesn't fit your plans, check out the list of fine local retailers who carry trail information products.
|
|
|
|
|
