Senator Smith calls for Biden appointees to finish mining study and consider 20-year prohibition
Letter requests new administration complete its analysis of whether mining can be done safely in Boundary Waters watershed.
Environment/Ecology/Nature
More than 4,000 acres of timber company land protected for public in northern Minnesota
State funds effort to acquire lands and turn them over to county for management and public access.
Minnesota legislature deliberates wolf hunting after removal from Endangered Species List
Competing bills introduced to require or prohibit hunting season as state takes over management.
Quetico Provincial Park receives Dark Sky designation, joins BWCAW protecting and promoting starry skies
Third preserve in canoe country region gets international recognition for lack of light pollution.
Adventurer skiing 250 miles through Boundary Waters to support Lakota people
Expedition raises funds and awareness for Pine Ridge reservation with trek across Border Route Trail from Rainy Lake to Grand Portage.
Incredible journey of collared wolf that left Isle Royale
GPS collar let scientists see where a wolf that was brought to Isle Royale as part of reintroduction effort went after crossing ice back to mainland.
Scientists: Northern Minnesota’s wolves have developed sophisticated methods to hunt beavers
New paper describes detailed ways that wolves use their prey’s sensory abilities against them — with unique research that required extensive exploration of boreal ecosystem.
Falling fisher numbers raise fears about future of enigmatic predator
Population appears to have be declining, as logging and other factors affect their ability to survive and reproduce.
Planting trees to protect North Shore trout
Conservationists are driven by a sense of urgency to restore forests along Lake Superior tributaries degraded by deforestation and climate change.
Lawsuit seeks to prevent unintentional trapping of protected Canada lynx
Wildlife advocates claim state of Minnesota has not taken required steps to prevent accidental trapping of endangered species.
Stars aligned: Voyageurs National Park receives prestigious Dark Sky designation
Northern Minnesota’s National Park follows Boundary Waters in being certified by international organization.
Keeping the skies clear in canoe country
Distant sources of air pollution affect visibility and ecology in the Boundary Waters and beyond — efforts are underway to help.
Researchers call for restoring human-forest connections in the Boundary Waters
New study shows how people shaped iconic canoe country forests with fire, authors say it’s time to get back to those roots.
Biggest jack pine in America discovered in Boundary Waters
Forest surveyors find massive specimen of the boreal tree species in remote area of wilderness.
Study: Wolves alter northern Minnesota wetlands by preying on beavers
New research shows how the hunting habits of this top predator affects the water cycle in Voyageurs National Park.
Federal government removes Endangered Species protection for gray wolves
Department of the Interior says iconic species has met recovery goals, while advocates say the decision is not justified, and pledge legal action.
Federal government rejects effort to protect moose with Endangered Species Act
Agency disagrees with environmental and tribal advocates who say that action is needed to save the massive mammals in canoe country.
Large swath of Superior National Forest lands protected from development
Private landowner and The Nature Conservancy protect 2,100 acres as a “gift to Minnesotans.” Undeveloped lakes and distinctive northwoods bog habitat….
Geologists mapping bedrock of northeastern Minnesota to understand groundwater
Major effort to document geology of the region underway, should help protect drinking water and other resources.
Seeking sustainable timber harvest: when loggers leave a few trees standing, birds can thrive
New research finds that letting a few trees remain in harvested stands can provide big benefits for wildlife.