New mountain biking trails in northeastern Minnesota
Several new trail systems have opened in past 10 years, bringing thousands of riders to region.
TOP STORY:
DNR asks hunters to help study climate change effects on spruce grouse
Feathers from harvested birds can provide information that will help track population.
More skiing in the forest? Lutsen ski area seeks to expand on public land
Public input invited on significant expansion sought by popular resort. Considering increased opportunities for recreation and tourism with potential impact to old-growth forest.
Tracking change in the path of the Pagami Creek Fire 10 years later
Ten years after the biggest wildfire in a century, the forest is full of life, and reminders of the Boundary Waters inferno.
Report: water quality “pristine” in Boundary Waters watersheds needs protection
New reports detail pristine waters of northeastern Minnesota, threats to the health, and strategies to protect them.
Zebra mussels confirmed in Rainy Lake
Discovery of juvenile invasive mussels indicates population is reproducing in iconic border lake and potentially within Voyageurs National Park.
Fire FAQs: Critical context for canoe country wildfires
Questions and answers about the wildfires consuming parts of northern Minnesota. Where do the animals go? How much of the BWCA has burned?
Boundary Waters Wildfires 2021
Superior Hiking Trail closed, Boundary Waters closed due to fires. Updated maps, photos from fires in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest as official information is available. Greenwood Fire grows, Moose Lake Fire detected…
Greenwood Fire grows quickly, areas evacuated
Fire increases to over 19,000 acres creates a pyrocumulus cloud resulting in fire-created lightning, new evacuations but weather conditions could be more favorable soon.
Fires force full Boundary Waters closure for first time in 45 years
Forest Service shuts down wilderness area as large wildfires burn and drought continues, efforts to find visitors by canoe, float plane.
Wilderness Voices: John A. Spelman III, Artist and Printmaker
One artist’s view of our impact on a place casts light on the wilderness nearby.
Voyageurs National Park removing invasive cattails and restoring ecosystem
Project seeks to manage a growing threat to the park’s wetlands.
Celebrations of northern Minnesota’s dark skies feature meteor shower shows
Shooting stars will light up the night as public programs help visitors learn and enjoy the region’s dark skies.
Superior National Forest orders bear precautions
Rise in conflict between campers and bears has led Forest Service to require visitors keep their food safe.
Drought impacts northern Minnesota’s ecosystem
Low water levels, cyanobacteria, wildfires, stressed forests due to extremely dry conditions.
Court rejects PolyMet air pollution permit
Judges rule that state agency must consider company’s true plans for proposed copper mine.
Quetico closes parts of park as wildfires grow
Several fires are burning in Quetico, across a large area, near the border with Minnesota.
Tribe proposes restoring elk to part of native range in northern Minnesota
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has submitted a proposal to reintroduce elk near Cloquet.
Boundary Waters permits will be issued in person starting mid-July
Forest Service will return to near normal permitting process as the public health threat passes.
Northern Minnesota’s warming winters possibly affecting flying squirrels
The region may be losing its northern species as climate change makes it more suitable for southern species.