“Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.”
– John Muir
Without doubt, the past few months have been times of uncertainty and stress, as our nation and world face health and economic crises. At such times as these, we are so blessed to be surrounded by the beauty of our forests, lakes and hills. Our parks and trails can offer an outlet to stay healthy, learn about our natural and cultural history, and to help preserve our region’s resources. One of the truly special areas to visit and volunteer is Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center.
Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center is located on Highway 61, four miles southwest of Schroeder, Minnesota, at milepost 73.3. Founded by Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association in 1993, the center offers forest stewardship learning opportunities to both residents and visitors. Education programs are offered throughout the year on everything from geology to wildlife. Amazing natural beauty can be found at Sugarloaf, including billion years-old lava flows, a beautiful cobblestone beach, nature trails and exhibits on flowers, birds, forests, and more.
Our industrial history can also be explored at Sugarloaf Cove. Prior to becoming a nature refuge, this area was previously owned and used by Consolidated Paper from the 1940’s through the 1970’s as a place for gathering and transporting logs across Lake Superior to Ashland, Wisconsin. Due to the relative protection of the cove, it offered a safe location to gather thousands of cords of trees to be banded together and pulled across our amazing lake.
Last year, over 12,000 visitors came to Sugarloaf Cove between the months of May through October. On most days, however, a sense of quiet and peace can be found on the trails and at the beach. The visitor center is closed from November through May, but during summer months, the center is open 7 days a week, generally from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As with many non-profits in our region, volunteers are critical to the ongoing services offered by Sugarloaf. Volunteers are trained to act as site hosts for the nature center, provide help for special events, help with invasive species control, assist with bird banding and with learning activities.
One dedicated volunteer is Lynda White, a volunteer who commutes weekly in the summer, from the Twin Cities to help naturalist Margie Menzies with bird banding. Lynda is a retired teacher from St. Paul, who grew up in southern Connecticut. After moving to Minnesota with her husband, she fell in love with the Lake Superior region and its boreal forests. An avid outdoorswoman, she and her family hiked, camped, canoed, and explored. After retirement, Lynda became interested in studying birds and bird-centered volunteering.
Lynda’s volunteer work with Sugarloaf consists of setting nets at sunrise, working with the banding team during the morning, and concentrating on three aspects of banding: setting and unsetting nets, safely extracting birds from the nets, and recording data about birds. Many species of birds are observed and banded at Sugarloaf, with the most common species being the Nashville Warbler and the American Redstart.
According to Lynda, there are many things she loves about volunteering and being at Sugarloaf: “The site and its birds are special, providing an ambiance both relaxing and invigorating, especially to a city-dweller. It’s nice to know that the Sugarloaf programming includes educating and supporting local landowners in preserving and enhancing the native habitat in the area, an ultimate benefit for all of us. Bird-banding at Sugarloaf offers variety in its contact with boreal species, and it’s gratifying to be part of a study that contributes to scientific knowledge about these birds and the environment. It’s also very satisfying to experience the camaraderie of this banding team, and Sugarloaf volunteers in general; everyone is supportive and welcoming. Besides that, there’s the appeal of ample opportunity to educate the public and engage the interest of the younger generation.”
While bird banding is one area of involvement, Sugarloaf Cove needs more volunteers to serve as site hosts during the summer and early fall months. Site hosts greet visitors, help them explore the numerous exhibits in the interpretive center, and help keep the center open. Training sessions will be provided (depending on Social Distancing recommendations) in early June, on June 5 and the June 7. More information can be found on the website, at https:// sugarloafnorthshore.org/.
As we continue to navigate this year, look forward to summer months, and seek ways to be healthy, nurtured and positive, no better outlet exists than our natural resources. Please come explore this special place and consider ways to get involved. You can be part of a wonderful heritage of sharing, educating and preserving Sugarloaf Cove. For further information on the volunteering, email sugarloaf@boreal.org
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