Prehistoric copper mines and long human history earns Isle Royale national historic designation
Designated the entire chain of islands recognizes thousands of years of indigenous connections and creates opportunity to tell new stories.
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Researchers study how snow affects the water cycle in northern Minnesota
University of Minnesota-Duluth project seeks to understand the role of snow and melting in how water moves through the landscape, with climate and population change factored in.
Ely Folk School creates and maintains small town culture on the edge of the Boundary Waters
Ely residents and visitors enjoy learning traditional crafts in a wilderness setting. Build a birch bark canoe, bake a traditional dish, sew a beaver hat, or explore night sky photography, classes connect to the past and to each other…
Watch: Forest Service releases new videos for Boundary Waters visitors
Replacing the previous video that was required viewing for permit-holders, a new series of three short videos is updated in strategy, style, and content.
Scientific symposium will share international research from across the Heart of the Continent region
Duluth event will feature presentations from scientists studying a broad range of topics in northern Minnesota and Ontario.
Interior Department plans to remove wolves from federal protection
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans yesterday to remove gray wolves from Endangered Species Act protections and move management responsibility to states
Boundary Waters permit reservation system reopens in wake of earlier failure
After crashing on its first day at the end of January, the system that lets people plan wilderness trips re-launched successfully, though a key Congressman is seeking to force the Forest Service to bring back the lottery for motorized trips.
Environmental groups and Ojibwe tribe call for new evaluation of PolyMet mine design after Brazil disaster
Mining opponents say PolyMet proposes a dam to hold its tailings that has direct connections to a deadly disaster this January at the Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine in southeastern Brazil.
Young people invited to apply for Washington, D.C. trip to lobby for Boundary Waters protection
Youth organization that works to protect the Boundary Waters from copper-nickel mining pollution is organizing another event to provide high school and college students the chance to tell policymakers their stories and ask for stewardship.
Researchers will track Isle Royale moose movements for first time in decades
Advanced tracking collars will give scientists an intimate look at the animals’ lives on the wild Lake Superior island.
U.S. Senate passes bill to make northeast Minnesota hiking routes part of national trail system
Effort to adjust original route to include state’s premier trails along Lake Superior and through the Boundary Waters takes biggest step in 10 years as Senate includes it in omnibus legislation.
BWCAW permit reservation system re-launch date announced, outfitters say process flawed
A second attempt to open up wilderness permit reservations will take place in late February, while Boundary Waters businesses say they were never consulted while the system was in development.
Remembering Norman Deschampe – a legacy of building partnerships
This week we mark the loss of Norman Deschampe, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Council Chairman. His love of the outdoors translated into a defense of Minnesota’s natural resources…
International body seeks to develop water quality goals for border lakes and rivers
Citizens asked to provide input on process to protect the health of waters in the Quetico-Superior region from a variety of threats.
Less ice cover on Lake Superior could reduce key fish species
Ripple effect of climate change may make it harder for cisco to reproduce and survive, causing problems for lake trout and other species that depend on the cold-water fish.
“The BWCA is at stake” says former supervisor of Superior National Forest
“We must stop the political do-over on the Twin Metals mine. Experience shows that pollution is probable. It may be catastrophic.”
New BWCAW permit system fails on first day, reservations remain unavailable
The web site used to reserve Boundary Waters permits apparently could not handle the traffic of eager wilderness users seeking to reserve permits for this year’s quota season.
Young crews restore historic Forest Service ranger station near Ely
Open house on Feb. 2 will give visitors the chance to check out the Halfway Ranger Station and learn about a program to train young people in preserving such storied places.
Quetico creativity: Park seeks artists for wilderness residency program
Deadline is March 31 to apply to live and work in the Ontario wilderness park at a rustic studio or travel by canoe.
Camping in Quetico-Superior country this winter?
The hardy souls that winter camp in the Boundary Waters and Quetico need to be as conscious of wilderness rules as their summer counterparts. Their reward: the freedom to explore corners of the wilderness that are inaccessible in any other season…