U of M Experts Predict “Savannification” of Northern Minnesota Forest
University of Minnesota forestry experts recently published findings predicting the transformation of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to Oak Savanna.
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Wilderness News Profile: Frederick Winston
In 1964, Fred Winston received an inquiry following Wilderness News’ inaugural publication: “I can see that there are many sides to Minnesota’s wilderness problem. But which side are you on? What are you trying to prove?” In his reply, Fred Winston set the tone for the Quetico Superior Foundation’s role in the ever changing wilderness debate and set an example of activism.
Columnist Concerned About Moose
A northern Minnesota resident writes about her concerns over the declineing moose population in northeastern Minnesota. She outlines the steps moose experts believe are needed to support one of the Quetico-Superior’s signature species.
City to Build Voyageur’s Park Headquarters
In a city-park partnership that would have been unthinkable a decade ago, plans are set for the city of International Falls to construct a headquarters building for Voyageurs National Park. The city intends the building to be the starting point for a multifaceted recreational development.
Groups Request More Action to Reduce Haze in National Park and Wilderness Areas
Last week several environmental groups asked federal agencies and the state of Minnesota to take a more active role in preventing air pollution that contributes to haze over Voyageurs and Isle Royale National Parks and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Forum to Discuss Non-Ferrous Mining
Non-ferrous mining in Minnesota will be the topic of an afternoon-long discussion hosted by the Minnesota Environmental Initiative on September 15. Registration for the program is open until September 8, as space allows.
Quetico Visitor Numbers Down Again
Despite 100th anniversary activities, the number of people visiting Quetico Provincial Park is down some 10% this year. It’s the second straight year that Quetico visitor numbers have declined.
Protecting a Scenic Entrance to the BWCAW
Fall Lake Property on the Edge of the Boundary Waters to be Protected An 11-acre parcel of land on Fall Lake outside of Ely, Minnesota, will be protected thanks to the …
Forest Service Taking Comments on South Fowl Trail
The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the development of a new snowmobile trail from McFarland Lake to South Fowl Lake in far northeastern Minnesota. The new trail was necessitated by the closure of the Tilbury Trail which crossed land included in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
VNP Eagle Nesting Areas Reopened for Visitor Use
As Voyageurs National Park reopens eagle nesting sites closed to visitor use, the park reports a general increase in successful breeding and the overall health of the VNP eagle population.
DNR Extends Comment Period for Forest Resources Management Plan
The Minnesota DNR has allowed for an additional thirty days of public comment on a resources management plan intended to promote forest health in four northern Minnesota ecological subsections.
Minnesota’s Regional Haze Plan Open to Public Comment
A regional haze plan developed by the Minnesota Pollution Control agency seeks to address visibility impairment and haze in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. The plan is open for public comment until September 3.
Moose Advisory Committee Releases Report
A Moose Advisory Committee charged with making recommendations for the management of Minnesota’s moose population released its report yesterday in Duluth.
Public’s Help Sought to Track Minnesota Moose Population
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a web site where the public can report moose sightings in northeastern Minnesota.
Namakan River Dam Report Delayed
Environmental Assessment report for the Namakan River Dam Project proposed by Ojibway Power & Energy Group has been delayed.
Voyageurs Plans Burn for Thursday
Voyageurs National Park officials plan to burn an area on Tar Point near Blind Indian Narrows in Namakan Lake Thursday. The burn is intended to help determine what effect fire has on archeological artifacts and help determine the effects of fire on vegetation.
Road Ban in National Forests Upheld
A federal appeals court recently reversed a Bush administration ruling allowing commercial activity in more than 50 million acres of pristine national forests.
No Impacts Yet from Spiny Water Flea
Invasive spiny water fleas have been present in northern Minnesota waters since 2006, but scientists have yet to see negative impacts from the plankton of European origin.
McGuffins Release Quetico: Into the Wild
The celebration of Quetico Provincial Park’s 100th Anniversary continues … in book form! Renowned nature photographers Gary and Joanie McGuffin have produced Quetico: Into the Wild after nearly three years of photographic and paddle-and-portage effort.
July Adds Up to Cold, Dry
Temperatures in the Quetico Superior region were colder than normal in July, with International Falls breaking a record for lowest average temperature for the month. July was also a dry month across the region.