[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/3047464978_3566947aca_c.jpg” title_text=”3047464978_3566947aca_c” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Photo attribution” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” text_text_color=”#7a7a7a” text_font_size=”10px” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Photo by Ray Dumas<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever dipped your toe in Lake Superior, for a brief moment you were swimming in 10% of our planets fresh water supply. It\u2019s a place of superlatives: largest freshwater lake in the world by area, home to record-breaking fish, so large it makes its own weather. The lake has shaped the culture and environment of the mid-west from time immemorable. Having made some memories on the lake as a child and continuing the tradition with his own family, Cafe Imports\u2019s founder Andrew Miller knows a camp spot or two along its shores.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/pictured-rocks-national-lakeshore.jpg” title_text=”pictured-rocks-national-lakeshore” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Photo attribution” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” text_text_color=”#7a7a7a” text_font_size=”10px” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo by Rachel Kramer<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Andrew Miller” quote_icon_color=”#9fba8b” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”Raleway|600|||||||” body_font_size=”16px” author_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The waters and environment of Lake Superior are just one of a kind and spectacular. It\u2019s an incredible place\u2026but the area is facing some real challenges.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The sweeping coastlines and clear waters of Lake Superior have long been significant to Indigenous peoples, particularly the Anishinabe, who relied on the lake’s resources for sustenance and travel. The Ojibwe tribe fished, hunted, and gathered food there, including wild rice, which they referred to as Manoomin, or “the Food that Grows on Water”. This rich cultural history is reflected in the place names that dot the region, many of which are derived from the Ojibwe language. Their heritage is contrasted with the impacts of European colonization, which dramatically altered the dynamics of the region, often leading to long-term environmental degradation and a struggle for recognition of Indigenous rights and land. Environmental pressure from a warming climate impacting wildlife migratory patterns and habitat is shifting contemporary conservation efforts to be increasingly framed within this historical context. This complexity underscores the need for collaboration between Indigenous communities and governmental bodies to safeguard the area’s natural and cultural resources.<\/p>\n Now home to five national parks, The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) plays a pivotal role in fundraising and supporting these efforts, focusing on sustainability initiatives that aim to mitigate climate change impacts on both flora and fauna, preserving the region’s crucial ecosystems for future generations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Andrew Miller” quote_icon_color=”#9fba8b” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”Raleway|600|||||||” body_font_size=”16px” author_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the unique aspects about the foundation is that the projects are driven by the park rangers and scientists doing the research in consultation with local communities\u2026this is a really insightful way to learn more about the lakes and understand what is happening. [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev-cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/jonnelle-yankovich-lake-superior.jpg” title_text=”jonnelle-yankovich-lake-superior” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Photo attribution” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” text_text_color=”#7a7a7a” text_font_size=”10px” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo by Jonnelle Yankovich<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n With Andrew leading the way by volunteering on the Board of Directors, and as part of Cafe Imports’ commitment to donate 1% of net profits to social and environmental causes, we have supported the NPLSF through their Lake Superior podcast for the last few years and watched the podcast grow. For those who love the lake, it\u2019s become a go-to resource for learning more about NPLSF projects, the people making a difference, and the history of this storied place. As we go into 2025 with thoughts of lakeside hammock time, fish on the line, and dipping a paddle in the water, we think you might enjoy the NPLSF podcast too.<\/p>\n Give it a listen on: Spotify<\/a>, Apple Podcasts<\/a>, or the NPLSF website<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_3_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n S4 E3: Anna Deschampe, Chief of Interpretation, Grand Portage National Monument<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Lake Superior\u2019s fur trade dates back to the 16th century and the best place to get an understanding of that rich history is a visit to Minnesota\u2019s Grand Portage National Monument. For most people, the best way to learn is by doing, and since 1972, volunteers have been coming together to commemorate the annual Fur Trade Rendezvous with re-enactments and workshops to experience life in the 1790s. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara learn more about the annual Rendezvous, held the second weekend in August, from Anna Deschampe, Grand Portage\u2019s Chief of Interpretation, and a lifelong Rendezvous participant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n S4 E8: John Shepard, Associate Professor and Assistant Director at the Center for Global Environmental Education, Hamline University<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Lake Superior is one of the fastest-warming lakes in the world. And when it comes to getting people\u2019s attention about the warming, film is a powerful medium. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with filmmaker John Shepard about his upcoming documentary, \u201cA Sea Change for Lake Superior.\u201d John shares what his team at the Center for Global Environmental Education at Hamline University is doing to get the word out and ways we can be better stewards to protect our fresh water.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\nOur top three episodes:<\/h3>\n