Estuaries in the Balance: Freshwater Nurseries of Lake Superior
By: CGEE Hamline – The Center for Global Environmental Education
Image from video: an aerial view of Lake Superior wetlands.
BYC member Peggy Knapp recently narrated an informative and vital film about two of the Great Lakes’ most remarkable coastal environments: the St. Louis River Estuary and the Bad River Sloughs. .
These freshwater nurseries are places where rivers meet Lake Superior, creating rich habitats that sustain wildlife, wild rice, and generations of human connection. The film traces the story of Chigami-Ziibi—the St. Louis River Estuary, known to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa as the heart of their homeland—as it continues recovering from decades of industrial degradation.
It also highlights the Bad River Sloughs near Ashland, Wisconsin, an internationally recognized pristine wetland landscape with the largest wild rice beds in the Great Lakes, long stewarded by the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Produced by Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education, this public television documentary explores both the history and the uncertain future of these iconic estuaries. It is a story of recovery, resilience, and responsibility—showing why these shoreline ecosystems matter and why their continued care is essential for the health of Lake Superior and the communities that call its watershed home. Learn more at the project website.
How Peggy got involved:
This video was produced by Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE). During her years as a faculty member at Hamline, she provided narration for dozens of CGEE educational multimedia products. She is happy to rejoin her colleagues and contribute to their critical work.
View the video by clicking the button below.
Related Resources:
The Center for Global Environmental Education produces internationally acclaimed educational multimedia learning resources as part of our work within Hamline University’s School of Education—their mission: fostering environmental literacy and stewardship in citizens of all ages. For more videos on Lake Superior and CGEE Hamline’s work, visit their Vimeo Video Page.
