Mission: Before we get started we would love to know where you are from. Please let us know below!

• St. Germain/Boulder Junction

Mission: The southern basin of Allequash Lake is known for its shallow waters that support the growth of wild rice. The picture above is of a woven portrait made by a local artist named Mary Burns who has partnered with Trout Lake Station for multiple art exhibits. You will see many of her art pieces throughout the scavenger hunt. This portrait is of Native Americans harvesting wild rice. While having a meal with wild rice is most likely an uncommon meal for non-tribal residents of the state, wild rice was a staple food for the Ojibwe and Menominee people. Many food sources for these Native American tribes would not be able to be stored for a while, so it would be eaten during the season of its harvest. Rice, however, has a long storage time and was able to be saved for times when other food sources were not as plentiful. Wild Rice was so important to the survival of the Menominee that they took their name from the word for wild rice, manomin, and were often referred to as the “WildRice People” by Europeans. Think about a staple food in your diet that you commonly eat. What is it? Why do you eat it so often? Type your answer.

• Potatoes, broccoli, and coffee, for the energy and because dad makes it

Mission: If you haven't already, locate the big blue information sign to the left of the boat landing. On the sign there is a poem called "In the Black Muck" written by John Bates, which is also in the picture above. Take the time to read the poem about the particular experience with wild rice and the environment around you. After you have read the poem, think about your own connection to this lake or others similar it in the area. Now it is your turn to write a short poem about nature! Your tone can be funny, serious, happy, sad, reflective, childish, or any other emotion you would like it to be!

• Roses are red Violets are blue Native Americans harvested rice So you can too

Mission: This portrait, by Mary Burns, is of Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, a First Nation's women from Ontario, Canada. This portrait is one of many in Mary Burns' newest exhibit called "Women and Water." Grandmother Josephine is credited with expanding the Water Walks. Through her extensive walks she educated and raised awareness for the conservation of water. She often left time for reflection on the importance of water in our lives and the beauty of lakes as well. Take some time to reflect on the beauty of Trout Lake in front of you and all of the ways water is a part of your every life. Then write your answer the following questions below: What is one beautiful thing that stands out to you about the lake or shoreline around you? Why does that particular things stand out to you? What is unique about it?

• The water glistens in the sunlight

Mission: We are now going to explore a research project being conducted by Holly Embke, Aly Andersen, and Levi Feucht on McDermott Lake, located about 45 minutes west of station. Because the lake is 45 minutes away you are going to travel to this lake virtually, instead of driving that far. The picture above shows a bit of McDermott Lake as well as Holly and her crew's boat they use when they are doing their field work. To get more familiar with the lake and learn a bit about it please click on the following link that will direct you to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website: McDermott Lake Information The Wisconsin DNR website has information on every lake in the state and is a great resource for information on how to find lake boat landings, the types of fish that are in lakes, and other basic information. Once you have explored McDermott Lake online for a bit write one thing you learned that was different between McDermott Lake and Trout Lake, and one thing you read about that seemed similar.

• They both have water and are being studied currently, Trout Lake is much larger and deeper

Mission: Now that you have found the plant, gently remove one of its leaves. Then take the leaf and rip it down the center vain. Hold the ripped leaf up to your nose and smell it. What does it smell like? Record what it smells like below.

• Mint gum

Mission: David Ortiz, a Ph.D. student living at Trout Lake Station this summer, is working with Kevin Gauthier, a graduate student also living at Trout Lake Station. They are collecting data about water chemistry in 26 lakes throughout northern Wisconsin this summer, one of which is Mann Lake. Stand out on the dock at the boat landing and look all around at the water. How does it look? Does the water seem to be the same color as Trout Lake when you visited it earlier? Write your observations below.

• It's disgusting and scuzzy

Mission: As you worked through the scavenger hunt you most likely learned something new about the lakes you visited, animals that live in the Northwoods, or research projects currently taking place. Reflect on how much you learned today and then provide one new fun fact you learned during the scavenger hunt below.

• There's a lot of fish in sparkling lake and a lot of cool plants in a bog

Mission: Please write any suggestions or feedback you have for us below about how to make the scavenger hunt better!

• Mann lake location was slightly off