10 questions to ask before booking your first (or twenty-first) Boundary Waters permit
Ready for the solitude and challenge of the BWCAW? Here are some key questions to ask yourself before booking your first Boundary Waters permit.
TOP STORY:
Calling on volunteers for Boundary Waters wilderness hiking trails
The BWCAW isn’t just for canoeing. Volunteers help clear and maintain 200 miles of hiking trails in the Boundary Waters annually.
A winter weekend at Lake Vermilion State Park
“There are so many wonderful winter getaways in Minnesota – on our bucket list: the new camper cabins at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park…”
Study: Wolves help moose by preventing spread of deer parasite
“We might be able to keep moose in Minnesota.” Scientists find wolves reduce risk of deadly brainworm carried by whitetail deer.
Proposal would add more of Quetico-Superior to prestigious Canadian Heritage Rivers
A coalition of groups is seeking national designation for the historic canoe routes near the Minnesota-Ontario border.
Creature feature: Black-backed woodpeckers need forest fires for their survival
Uncommon and unique birds depend on forest fires for food and habitat.
Beautiful beginner snowshoe route – George Washington Pines
“George Washington Pines is the best trail I know of for beginner snowshoers. At two and a half miles, it’s short and easy to complete in about an hour. The trail itself is flat, so other than making your way over the banks created by snowplows, there are no challenging hills or obstacles to maneuver.”
Lessons from the Wilderness: K-12 students learn from Isle Royale wolf reintroduction
New materials help teachers share challenges and hopes of restoring wolves to unique National Park in Lake Superior.
Pottery found in Boundary Waters at least 1,600 years old
More than a thousand years ago, people living in what is now the BWCAW made a vessel from clay and stone, and cooked a meal in it. Then, a few years ago, archaeologists found fragments of the pot…
Experts report on Greenwood Fire: minor ecological impacts, significant public safety threats
A specialized Forest Service team quickly examined fire’s effects and recommended most urgent steps.
Voyageurs National Park launching new tour boat on Kabetogama Lake
The 42-foot craft will be based at the Kabetogama Visitors Center and provide access to popular parts of the park that are only accessible by water.
Federal judge puts Minnesota’s wolves back on Endangered Species list
Gray wolves in Minnesota have been a topic of controversy for years. In 2021, they were removed from the Endangered Species Act, but this decision was recently reversed, once again granting them protection. Learn more about the history and current status of gray wolves in Minnesota and other states.
Duluth woman will cross Boundary Waters to support wilderness education
Emily Ford will follow up inspiring trip last winter with trip along the frozen Border Route.
Environmental groups sue to stop PolyMet over endangered species
A coalition of northern Minnesota environmental groups has sued the federal government citing a failure to protect critical habitat for endangered Canada lynx and the northern long-eared bat.
Federal officials revoke key Twin Metals mining leases near Boundary Waters
Biden administration revokes Twin Metals mineral rights for proposed copper-nickel mine. Secretary Deb Haaland stated: “After a careful legal review, we found the leases were improperly renewed in violation of applicable statutes and regulations, and we are taking action to cancel them.”
Rock snot: harmful algae sneaks into North Shore rivers
Scientists study Didymosphenia geminata, a nuisance species of algae called “rock snot,” in Lake Superior and North Shore rivers and streams.
Forest Service finalizes BWCAW entry point permit cuts
After pressure on lakes and campsites in recent years, the Forest Service decided to cut about 37 BWCAW permits per day across 27 entry points.
Invasive plant species encroach on canoe country
Scientists, citizens, land managers, and others track sightings of non-native plant species in a joint database. The near real-time sharing of observations can help prevent the spread and manage infestations.
Study: Beaver behavior provides broad benefits for North Shore streams
Innovative research reveals return of aquatic rodents changed water and ecology in ways never before understood.
Partners study how to manage northern forests for moose and a changing climate
The participants are trying to answer the question, “What actions can forest managers take to improve moose habitat in the near-term, while also planning for future forest conditions?”