Superior Hero Tale: Many Rivers Montessori

September 22, 2026

A Many Rivers Montessori elementary student uses loppers to cut back brush on their adopted section of the Superior Hiking Trail. Photo courtesy of Many Rivers Montessori.

The Superior Hiking Trail’s Rock Knob Spur, located in Duluth’s Hartley Park, has a new group of adopters: the students at Many Rivers Montessori. The school is Pre-K through 8th grade, and about a year ago, the middle schoolers decided they wanted to lean into their collective value of getting involved in the community. They thought it would be great to adopt a section of the SHT, and reached out to the Superior Hiking Trail Association. Rock Knob was a perfect fit!

Five classrooms at a time walk over to the section of Trail and their teacher brings the tools and equipment. It is a great opportunity to explore the outdoors, learn new skills, combine outside time with related lessons like geology, and do some lopping to keep the Trail clear.

 Rock Knob Spur adopters from Many Rivers Montessori team up to lop a twig on the Trail. Photo courtesy of Many Rivers Montessori.

How do the students like being SHT section adopters? “The transformation of the students is the best part,” shares Many Rivers Outdoor Educator Jen Bushmaker, “At first they don’t really want to do it. They hear ‘trail maintenance’ and think it is going to be hard. But once we go outside, learn about it, and have the experience of using tools (like loppers) that they don’t typically use at home, they end up thinking it’s a lot of fun. They end up loving it actually, and want to go back again and again.”

Thank you Many Rivers Montessori students and teachers for keeping the Trail in great shape!