Mesabi Trail nears finish line with new 6.5-mile section
The Mesabi Trail is nearing completion as crews finish another section of Minnesota’s longest paved trail. Once complete, the trail will connect Grand Rapids and Ely with a continuous route.
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Volunteers push Kekekabic Trail closer to Ely, one mile at a time
A new section of the Kekekabic Hiking Trail is being built east of Ely. by volunteer crews. Eventually, the trail will reach Kawishiwi Falls, eliminating a road walk along Fernberg Road.
BioBlitz week at Voyageurs National Park encourages visitors to document plants and animals
Between August 1-9, everyone who visits the park is encouraged to document as many species as possible using the app iNaturalist. The goal of the project is to provide opportunities for the public to contribute to the scientific knowledge of the area, helping to inform park management and conservation efforts.
Dark Sky Week emphasizes more stars, less light pollution
Experience Minnesota’s dark skies during International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20. Minnesota is home to two certified dark-sky sanctuaries – the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park.
Preserving the path: how BWAC volunteers maintain 200 miles of wilderness
From the successful restoration of the fire-ravaged Powwow Trail to an ambitious new project rebuilding boardwalks on the popular Eagle Mountain Trail, BWAC volunteers are the boots on the ground keeping wilderness paths open. Crews paddle or hike in, and use traditional hand tools to clear deadfalls and protect the trail experience for thousands of hikers.
Public weighs in at Forest Service open house on BWCAW fee increase
The USFS has proposed increasing BWCAW recreation fees. Members of the public weighed in at an open house at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station.
Help count loons in Minnesota this summer
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.
Voyageurs National Park celebrates 50 years
Voyageurs National Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Minnesota’s only national park was established in 1975. It’s a water-dominated landscape that borders the northern part of the state and Canada. People have traveled through and lived within the region for thousands of years. The park will celebrate its history, people, and landscape throughout the year and open a new visitor center this summer.
The Fond du Lac Band and DNR partner to restore elk on native land
A plan is in place to return elk to some of their native range as early as 2026. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in partnership with the Minnesota DNR, plans to move 100-150 elk from northwestern MN to the Tribe’s reservation and surrounding areas in Carlton and southern St. Louis counties.
Top stories of 2024
We’re revisiting our most viewed topics of 2024! These include stories on forever chemicals in Lake Superior, continued efforts to protect wilderness, the possibility of full mobile phone coverage in the BWCAW, and a peak Northern Lights season.
Riding the Mesabi Trail – Minnesota’s longest paved bike route
Biking the Mesabi Trail between Tower and Ely, part of 165 miles of jaw-dropping beauty, connecting 28 communities in MN’s wild north.
Remediating mercury and sulfur pollution in Upper Great Lakes
Since 2021, the USFS Northern Research Station’s Mercury Sulfur Initiative Working Group has been studying mercury and sulfur pollution in the Upper Great Lakes region. They will be hosting a webinar series on reducing these harmful chemicals in water and soil. Innovative research includes using trees, plants and microbes to remediate pollution.
Teens enter essay contest for chance to win “no parents” BWCA trip
The entry deadline is just a few days away. The writer of the winning essay receives a parent-free, fully outfitted five-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for themselves and up to three friends.
Connecting students to the dark skies of Voyageurs and Boundary Waters
Bringing natural night skies to more people is the goal of a mobile classroom and online camera.
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.
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.
Numerous lakes and streams in northeastern Minnesota available for citizen monitoring
Volunteers are vital to measure how clear lakes and streams are, providing valuable information to track long-term health.
Near-perfect weather conditions for 2020 Gunflint Mail Run sled dog race
The dogs were eager, ready and pulling on their leads, when the 2020 Gunflint Mail Run sled dog race officially began early on Saturday, January 11, spectators and mushers expected great weather and optimal trail conditions.
Exhibit shows off Ernest Oberholtzer objects and celebrates historic conservationist
Exhibit at Minnesota History Center features large collection of historical materials connected to the famed early explorer and defender of the Quetico-Superior region.
Numerous Naturalist programs on the North Shore this summer
Forest Service educators will lead hikes, activities, campfires and more at campgrounds, resorts, and other sites in Cook County.