Minnesota Master Naturalist

Course Registration

NWGL - Sailing with Nature on Lake Superior, Bayfield WI

Cancelled due to COVID-19 website

112 Wilson Avenue
Bayfield, MN 54814

Sailing course on Lake Superior for three to five participants. Live aboard a 35' sailing sloop for three days. The platform of the sailboat will be utilized as a silent, non-invasive neutral carbon vehicle from which to observe the fauna of Lake Superior. We will explore one or more of the 22 islands of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Anchorages may include Stockton Island, where we will hike trails through three different biomes or Sand Island, where we will explore a historic lighthouse and sea caves. While hiking we will use the iNaturalist app to identify plant and animal species. We will use a secchi disk to measure water turbidity at various sites. At night we will play card games on the topic of invasive species and interactive games exploring the activities and motivations of white settlers to the area, including missionaries, lumberers, fur trappers and miners, and discuss the motivations and activities of the Native peoples of the area, specifically the Red Cliff Ojibway.

Participants will learn crewing and liveaboard skills including assisting with sailing, docking, anchoring and cooking aboard. One day will be spent hiking and exploring the environs of Bayfield, Wisconsin including Dobson Gardens, the Brownstone Trail, Bayfield Trails and Maritime Museum, all within walking distance of our marina. One night will be spent anchored out in the the Apostle Islands.

All participants must be in good physical condition with excellent balance. Activities include climbing down a vertical ladder into the dinghy, rowing the dinghy, lifting the anchor and walking on deck while the boat is sailing.

Participants will be sent a packing list, which includes warm clothing and sleeping bag. All food while underway is included: One dinner while anchored out and 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches are included. Fresh produce and Lake Superior trout and whitefish will be on the menu, along with bottled water, coffee, tea and juice. Participants may bring snacks and any special dietary requirements. Dinners at Bayfield area restaurants while berthed at the marina are not included in price. You will arrive at 7PM or later on the first day and sleep aboard that night and every night. Two days will be spent sailing and one day will be spent on land exploring and hiking the Bayfield area. Specific schedule of sailing days and land days will depend on weather forecast. We will clean the boat on the last day and disembark around 4PM.

Please contact trip coordinator if you would like to carpool with other course participants. Bayfield, Wisconsin is about a 4-hour drive from the Twin Cities. This course starts at 7PM Saturday, June 13 and ends 4PM Tuesday, June 16, 2020.

The course cost is $685 and includes course manuals and supplies.

If the course cost is a hardship, please fill out the scholarship application. After the scholarship is fully processed, you will receive a code to be entered in the on-line registration process. Please wait until you receive that code to complete registration.

Course Dates:

Meeting from 7:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on:

Instructor Information

Joan Gilmore

Sponsor Information


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