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About Field Workshops

Field Workshops will take place on Wednesday, May 13 and do not require an extra fee (they are included in a full registration). Lunch and transportation provided for those who register for a Field Workshop.

During registration you will be able to PICK ONE Field Workshop to attend. Space is limited. We also have an option to let us know you WILL NOT attend a Field Workshop.

Times noted for each Field Workshop include traveling to and from the convention center. The start time is when transportation will leave the convention center, and the end time is when attendees are expected back at the convention center. We request attendees to arrive at the transportation pickup area (location will be shared soon) at least 15 minutes before the start time to check in and pick up your box lunch.

Please click on a workshop you'd like to learn more about or scroll down to view all of them! Space is limited for each workshop and registration is first come, first served.

Lakewalk Bike Trail Coastal Tour

TIME: 8:30am - 12:30pm

The trail that balances an urban center with an aquatic wilderness. “Lake Superior (Gitchigami) looks like it goes on forever and Duluth is on the edge of it.” Duluth once had its back to Lake Superior. It was its gutter, its back door, and a means for industrial expansion, a never exhausting resource that needed to be used, controlled. Gitchigami has proven time and time again that she cannot be tamed and that respect is demanded. This is the story of how a once heavily industrial City eventually embraced its alter image as an outdoor/tourism town. It’s a careful balance between built infrastructure and the wild nature of Lake Superior. The workshop starts at Harbor Plaza just outside of the convention center and ends at Canal Park with stops at Bayfront Park, Corner of the Lake Beach, Beacon Pointe, and Brighton Beach. Beginners and adaptive bike riders welcome! 

Equipment Included

Bikes and helmets are included in the workshop and adaptive bikes are available upon request. Please email candace@americantrails.org if an adaptive bike is needed. Attendees will receive a follow up email from SORP inquiring on height and weight so they can be fitted for bikes.

Accessibility note for attendees with mobility disabilities

This field workshop along the Lakewalk Trail in Duluth is mostly flat with some rolling terrain. The surface is asphalt the entire route (with some older segments in rough uneven condition) with 2.5 hours of actual riding on the bikes, 6 stops along the way to see different sections of the Lakewalk and different coastal/landscape design features for a total of 12 miles out and back with plenty of stops. 

There is one significant hill 1.7-miles into the ride before Leif Erickson Park. That hill is approximately 275-feet long and has an average slope of 8.7% with a short segment in the middle that exceeds 10% slope. This ride does have two railroad track crossings at 90-degrees.

Learn more here (more details on the terrain and slope where it is a bit steeper, and railroad track crossings) as well as here (more description of the trail in general and more pictures of the Lakewalk). There are restrooms at the halfway point in Brighton Beach (two buildings for a total of 4 stalls with 36” doors and are unisex badged).

Learning Objectives

• Understand what a calculated retreat is and how it serves as a driving factor in coastal engineering and site design.
• Experience what a "living shoreline" looks like along Lake Superior and understand its ecological function compared to traditional hard armoring techniques, including how and where each method is appropriate.
• Learn how the Lakewalk is maintained and the tourism that has developed around it.
• Discover the best practices for climate adaptation to manage changing lake levels.
• Understand the elements involved in designing a trail close to the shore where there is little to no room.
• Explore the different coastal engineering techniques that have been utilized along sections of this trail.

R to R to R Paddle: Exploring Remediation, Restoration, and Recreation on the St. Louis River Estuary

TIME: 9:00am - 4:30pm

Join us on the water for an immersive paddling experience highlighting the incredible transformation of the St. Louis River. This guided 5-mile intermediate canoe trip will explore how decades of remediation and restoration work are shaping a future of expanded recreation and community connection on this nationally significant estuary. The field workshop will begin at Perch Lake and paddle downriver on the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail ending at Slag Point. Along the way attendees will stop to learn about the St. Louis River’s history, its designation as a National Water Trail, and progress toward delisting as an Area of Concern. Along the route, participants will hear from Tribal leaders, natural resource experts, and project partners about ongoing and future restoration projects—such as manoomin (wild rice) and sturgeon recovery, Mud Lake and Perch Lake restoration, and cleanup of the former U.S. Steel site. The paddle will cover approximately 5 miles by canoe (intermediate activity level—meaning you’re comfortable paddling in a variety of conditions, can control your canoe, and can handle moderate currents or wind. You have experience with basic strokes, steering, and safety skills, and can navigate longer or more challenging routes with confidence). Expect a mix of on-water exploration and a short on-land segment at our final stop for lunch and a brief walk on flat, paved and packed surfaces to discuss future trail connections and recreation opportunities. Attendees will have the opportunity to go on land for bathroom breaks if needed, but the intention is to stay on the water as much as possible to keep the group contained. This session offers a rare opportunity to experience the estuary firsthand while learning directly from those leading its transformation—connecting the dots between remediation, restoration, and recreation. Tandem canoes provided will hold 2 attendees each. Our final destination will be Slag Point, where attendees will learn about the former U.S. Steel site before heading to the Morgan Park Community Center (restrooms available at community center).

Equipment Included

Canoes, paddles, and PFD (personal floatation devices). Attendees will receive a follow up email from SORP inquiring on height and weight and preference on sitting in bow or stern.

Things to Bring

Minimum of 64 ounces of water, sunglasses / eye glasses with retaining strap, sunscreen, warm hat, sun hat, warm gloves, wool socks, shoes that we will try to keep dry, wind breaker layer, a change of warm dry clothes to pack in a dry bag in case of an unexpected spill in the river, and lots of layers to stay warm and comfortable on the water (please avoid cotton clothing and stick with synthetic or wool materials). You might also want to bring a thermos of your favorite hot (and sugary) beverage. If you get chilly, a sugary drink or snack can help your body to warm you up). 

Accessibility note for attendees with mobility disabilities

Perch Lake Landing (starting point) has a gravel and dirt parking area. The launch area has a natural shoreline with no stairs or paved surfaces, and the path to the shoreline is uneven with a slight slope down to the water. Porta-potty toilets are available on site. Boy Scout Landing (first stop) features a paved parking lot and a paved, gently sloped path leading down to the water. A floating dock is available at the launch, though it does not include stabilizing bars. Porta-potty toilets are available on site. Attendees will only be getting out on land if they need to use the restrooms, otherwise we will stay on water. Slag Point (final stop) offers beach access with uneven ground and natural terrain. The walk from Slag Point to the Morgan Park Community Center is approximately 0.5 miles and includes a slight to moderate slope. Restrooms are available at the Morgan Park Community Center. As noted in the description above, attendees will only get out of their canoes for a short on-land segment if they need to use the restroom, otherwise it is requested that we stay on the waterhe workshop has built in time for offloading and loading. If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request accommodations, please let us know ahead of time so we can support you. Accessible transportation is provided if needed. Please make a note when you register under the accessibility needs question

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to describe the ecological and cultural transformation of the St. Louis River Estuary, including its remediation, restoration, and progress toward delisting as an Area of Concern.
• Participants will be able to explain the significance of the St. Louis River’s designation as a National Water Trail and how restoration efforts have expanded recreation and community connections.
• Participants will be able to identify key restoration and recovery projects—such as wild rice and sturgeon restoration, habitat rehabilitation, and cleanup efforts—and discuss how these projects contribute to the estuary’s long-term sustainability and public access.

Presentation Formats

Presentation formats will include the following:

Poster Presentation

Poster that displays selected research and/or other outdoor recreation-focused projects. Presenters are required to be available to discuss their poster during the live session on May 11 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Posters will remain on display for the duration of the event.

Research Presentation

20-minute research-oriented presentation (15-minute presentation plus 5 minutes for questions). The Program Work Group will group research presentations based on conference themes to fit within concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

45-minute sessions that present a case study or topic and which allow time for interaction with the audience (30-minute presentation; 15 minutes for questions or discussion). The Program Committee will group presentations based on similar themes to fit within concurrent sessions.

Panel Discussion

Ninety-minute presentation during which multiple people present or facilitate a discussion or brainstorming session on a specific topic, issue, solution, etc. and which actively provide opportunities for the audience to interact with the presenters.

Workshop or Training Sessions

This year we are inviting proposals for 4-8 hour or multi-day pre- or post-conference education sessions. Full or half day sessions will take place at the conference venue on Monday, May 11 and should align with the conference theme. Multi-day sessions may include technical training with a field component; the NORC planning team will work with you on the timing and location.

CEUs

Learning credits will be available to attendees thanks to a partnership with American Trails and are included in the registration fee. In order to be eligible for learning credits, presentations must run at least 15 minutes to be eligible for AICP CM, and at least 60 minutes in length to be eligible for LA CES and NRPA CEU equivalency petition, as well as CEU/PDH equivalency petition for other accepting organizations. The length of the session will determine the number of hours/credits given. 

American Trails is excited to partner with the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals again and is an approved provider for the American Planning Association (APA) and can offer Certification Maintenance (CM) credits, as well as an LA CES approved provider for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Sessions are also eligible for CEU equivalency petition for park professionals with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and CEU/PDH equivalency petition via other accepting organizations. In order for sessions to qualify for these credits, attendees must fill out an evaluation survey for each session they attend, as well as have their learning credit tracking form initialed by a room host, registration, or an American Trails representative for each session credits are requested for (surveys and forms will be provided to attendees at registration).

Learn more about credits offered here.

Agenda

Schedule subject to change. A detailed list of sessions is expected to be available in February 2026.

Monday, May 11

Tuesday, May 12

Wednesday, May 13

Friday, May 14

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Contact

Please reach out to Candace Gallagher for questions about our conference.