TOP STORY:

Feds propose increasing Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness user fees 

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The U.S. Forest Service–Superior National Forest is inviting public comments on a proposal to increase recreation fees in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The Forest Service would use the additional revenue to improve campsites and portage trails, expand outdoor education programs, and support Search and Rescue operations.

Help count loons in Minnesota this summer

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Volunteers are needed to count loons this summer. The Minnesota DNR is seeking people to observe and count the state bird between July 4-14 for their monitoring project. The information gathered will help protect and support the continued health of the birds. Current populations hover around 12,000, more than any other state besides Alaska.

Legislation fast-tracks mining leases near BWCAW

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June 11 Update: In a win for wilderness and conservation efforts, Congress is set to remove Section 80131 from the draft budget bill. This section would have directed officials to move forward with reinstating copper-nickel mining leases near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Bob DeGross retires as Voyageurs National Park Superintendent

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After more than three decades of service, Superintendent Bob DeGross retired from Voyageurs National Park. He joined Minnesota’s only national park in 2016, inspired by early conservationists Sigurd Olson and Aldo Leopold. As he steps into retirement, he reflects on the challenges facing the National Park Service and emphasizes the vital role the park plays for both visitors and surrounding communities.

Closure order issued near the Horse River in the BWCAW

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A lightning strike sparked a wildfire near the Horse River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This comes after an active wildfire season has scorched nearly 30,000 acres in the Superior National Forest this year. The Forest Service has issued a closure order for the route along the Dog Sled Portage and has encouraged visitors to avoid the area.

Wildfires burn in the southern part of the Superior National Forest

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Crews are battling three wildfires in St. Louis County, Minnesota. The fires, which are burning in a mixed forest, are partially contained. Ground and air support, along with suppression efforts, will continue in the Superior National Forest until further notice. We will continue to share updates.

Hiking one of the BWCA’s most remote trails: The Sioux-Hustler

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Tucked deep within Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, just miles from the Canadian border, the Sioux-Hustler Hiking Trail offers a truly remote experience. This 32-mile loop winds through rugged boreal forest, quiet lakes, and historic logging paths, giving hikers a rare opportunity to experience true solitude. Learn more about the experience and tips for planning your adventure.

Conservancy aims to obtain 12,000 acres north of Two Harbors

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The Nature Conservancy is actively working to acquire 12,350 acres north of Two Harbors. It would be their largest land acquisition in over 20 years. This property lies near the Sand Lake/Seven Beavers Preserve and just north of the Finland State Forest. If it moves forward, it will connect with neighboring preserves, expanding a continuous ecosystem of protected forest and wetlands.

Towboat regulations for BWCAW are back in court

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Wilderness Watch, an advocacy group for the National Wilderness Preservation System, recently filed another lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service—Superior National Forest—regarding towboat management in the BWCAW. In an ongoing dispute, they claim that the agency failed to enforce towboat rules and regulations in the wilderness.

Isle Royale updates food storage rules for campers and boaters

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Isle Royale National Park has updated its food storage regulations, following similar actions taken by remote areas across the country. All campers, backpackers, and boaters must now use an approved animal-resistant container. To further reduce human-wildlife conflicts, park staff are installing new bear lockers at select locations across the island.

USFS staff performs controlled burn

Prescribed burns begin in Superior National Forest

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The Superior National Forest (SNF) will conduct multiple prescribed burns across the forest over the next month. They play a key role in supporting a healthy ecosystem by reducing overgrown vegetation while helping to protect nearby communities from wildfires.

8 must-see waterfalls in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

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Waterfalls and cascades appear throughout many parts of the BWCAW. These natural features, often found between lakes and rivers, add excitement and beauty for paddlers and anglers exploring by canoe. Many portage trails follow these dynamic stretches of moving water. In fact, these waterfalls are a big reason portages exist in the first place.

Historic Boundary Waters legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate

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Earlier this week, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith introduced the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act, a bill that would permanently safeguard the BWCAW. If passed, it would mark a major victory for those fighting to block sulfide-ore copper mining near the wilderness in northern Minnesota.