You’re invited to the Twin Ports Freshwater Folk (TPFF) event on August 5, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This month’s speaker will be Callie Grones, AmeriCorps Member and Lake Superior Outreach Coordinator with Lake Superior Reserve/Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve.
In-person attendees are invited to the Duluth MPCA conference room at 11:30 a.m. for networking, sandwiches, and plenty of fresh water. The online and in-person presentation will begin at noon. Sadly, the Zoom option is sandwich-free.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required for in-person and virtual attendance.
When
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CDT
Location
Duluth EPA Lab, Ontonagon Room
6201 Congdon Blvd.
Duluth, MN 55804
Registration
- In-person registration
- Virtual registration
Event schedule
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking (in-person only)
- 12:00 p.m. Attendee announcements
- 12:05 p.m. Presentation
- 12:50 p.m. Moderated question and answer session
- Adjourning by 1 p.m. at the latest.
Presenter info
Callie Grones is an AmeriCorps member serving with the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve (FOLSR) and Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve. Callie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in May 2024 and came to Superior in September 2024. She assists FOLSR with communications, volunteer and event coordination, and community engagement. She also works with several sectors of the Lake Superior Reserve, including stewardship and education.
Presentation abstract
Callie Grones is the third AmeriCorps member to serve with the Lake Superior Reserve staff and Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve non-profit organization. Through her service, she has come to know and love the many features of the St. Louis River Estuary and Lake Superior. Her unique position has created many opportunities for her to connect community members with the beautiful natural spaces of the Twin Ports and engage with research and stewardship along its coasts.
From beach cleanups to birding, non-local species removal, paddling the estuary, assisting with the return of Ishkode (fire) to red pine forests, and so much more, Callie has packed her two service terms full of learning, caretaking, connection, and appreciating all that the St. Louis River Estuary has to offer.
About TPFF
Twin Ports Freshwater Folk (TPFF) is an informal gathering of individuals from the Twin Ports who are involved in freshwater research, policy, or regulatory issues. Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month and include networking, informal discussion, and a seminar.
Event Sponsors
- Minnesota Sea Grant
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota Duluth
- Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth
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Contact
Alex Frie, research and fellowship coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth. [email protected].