09/29/2024 to the fest
Why the sturgeon?
Alive since the time of the dinosaurs, sturgeon have thrived for over 150 million years. Until recently, that is. With almost all 27 species of the world’s sturgeons on threatened or endangered lists, the IUCN recently declared sturgeon to be "more critically endangered than any other group of species". In Wisconsin, lake sturgeon once numbered in the millions in the waters of Lake Michigan, with many of those returning to spawn in the Milwaukee River.
Stunningly, at the start of this project, it is believed only a few thousand remained in Lake Michigan and not a single sturgeon had been spotted in the Milwaukee River since the 1890s. With thousands of hours of dedicated volunteer work, the Wisconsin DNR and Riveredge are working together to ensure this prehistoric species, with profound cultural and ecological ties to the state, thrives again.
An annual initiative
Sturgeon take their time. With many individuals living up to one hundred years or more, it can be twenty to forty years before a female first spawns! That’s why this project is built on a long-term scale, too. Each year, 1,000 to 1,500 eggs are raised in a streamside rearing facility on Riveredge Nature Center’s grounds. There, the eggs are immersed in circulating water straight from the Milwaukee River, allowing them to imprint on the river, or in other words, be more likely to return there when they are finally ready to begin the spawning process. Ultimately, the partnership initiative is designed to last 25 years, enough time to stock a breeding population of over 25,000 fish and study the long term results (when those long term voyagers might finally return home to the river)! Perhaps the coolest part? The project is almost entirely volunteer led: amazing community members devote huge amounts of time to feeding and caring for the sturgeon and ensuring they are ready for release!
Like what you see?
The Milwaukee River Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Program is just one example of Riveredge's passion for connecting our communities to the natural world. When you become a Riveredge member, you're joining a family that offers education, adventure, and relaxation all year long. Riveredge members support our work and enjoy amazing benefits, including: