Sturgeonfest 2019

Every year, we look to our calendar to see when we get to return to Sturgeonfest. Today was the day and we are already looking forward to next year.

Sponsored by the Riveredge Nature Center and located at Milwaukee's Lakeshore State Park, this event is a way t celebrate urban nature and history while aiming to improve the future of quite an amazing fish species.

When we arrived, our first stop was at the sponsor tables. Loaded with nature artifacts, recreation information, and games for the little ones, we made sure to visit each one.

We tried on skunk hats,

learned about creatures from the lake,

fed a duck,

acted out the migration of a sturgeon,

befriended a Butler's garter snake,

played a pollination game,

and visited many animal friends.

But the most important activity was next: meeting the sturgeon.

Of course, we completed a sturgeon art project first.

The time for our annual "name the sturgeon" had come. With two sturgeons sponsored this year. Embry decided on Freckleface and Pimpletoes. Oakley even enjoyed picking one up, even if only for a split-second.

After saying goodbye to our fish, we went adventuring along the lakeshore. Embry went for the rocks while Oakley stick to a few logs.

We had to make a return to the children's activity area for some kayaking photos and another game, which we won. What was the prize you might ask?

Sturgeon of course!

Oakley felt compelled to check to see if these new sturgeon were swimmers.  They were not.

Nature followed us to the parking lot. We found a beautiful and friendly butterfly.

Plus, the best bumper sticker I may have ever seen.

Based on the silent ride home, I think all three of my naturalists-in-training enjoyed themselves.