Dr. Nancy Auer of MTU’s Department of Biological Sciences has been studying lake sturgeon in the vicinity of the Keweenaw for almost 15 years.

Great Lakes populations of sturgeon declined markedly in the 20th century and the species is considered threatened in Michigan. More recently, Nancy has been assessing the abundance and tracking movements of wood turtles, another threatened species in Michigan.

This trip will explore habitat used by these two species along the Sturgeon River. Sightings of both species are possible, as the lake sturgeon use this stretch of river for spawning in May.