Minnesota Ruffed Grouse Numbers Rising
The annual drum count of the ruffed grouse indicates that the population is increasing steadily. This is good news for the state’s most popular game bird.
Environment/Ecology/Nature
Quetico Provincial Park Sturgeon Study Receives Funding
Canada’s Ministry of Natural Resources is funding a new study of the sturgeon population in Quetico Provincial Park. Once abundant, the sturgeon is now considered a “species at risk.”
Weather Hampers Voyageurs Burn Efforts
Rainy weather has confounded Voyageurs National Park’s efforts to conduct four prescribed burns this spring to further pine and oak regeneration in the International Falls-area park. While the window for spring burning may have passed, burning during the summer months is still a possibility.
New Book Spotlights BWCA Wildflowers
Betty Vos Hemstad’s new book spotlights Boundary Waters area wildflowers in a new way. “Wildflowers of the Boundary Waters: Hiking Through the Seasons” depicts northern Minnesota’s wildflowers in various stages of development — from bud, to flower, to seed.
Minnesota DNR Looking for Loon Counters
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to count loons on lakes in Cook and Lake county. The one-day count by volunteers is part of the Minnesota Loon Monitoring Survey, now in its 15th year.
Namakan Sturgeon Study Enters Third Year
A study examining the health of the Namakan Reservoir’s sturgeon population has entered its third year. The study, which could have an impact on proposed hydroelectric projects on Ontario’s Namakan River, seeks to establish baseline information on health of the species of “special concern” in both Minnesota and Ontario.
State Wolf Population Declassified
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has assumed management responsibilities for the state’s gray wolf population following the delisting of the wolf as a threatened species.
Gunflint Green Up Sprouts New Life In Forest – And Community
Hundreds of people descended upon the Gunflint Trail outside of Grand Marais last weekend to plant thousands of pine seedlings and green up the fire impacted forest. Wilderness News Online caught up with Quetico Superior Foundation board member and Gunflint Trail property owner Dyke Williams, who had the opportunity to join the annual event. Read our Q&A.
2009 Superior National Forest Prescribed Burn Plan
The US Forest Service recently released its Superior National Forest Prescribed Burn plan for 2009, including several locations in the Gunflint and Tofte Ranger Districts.
Gunflint Green Up 2009
Third annual Gunflint Green Up is gearing up to plant thousands of white pine and coniferous seedlings in areas of Superior National Forest impacted by the Ham Lake Fire of 2007. Register now for a spring weekend of outdoor work and great fun! May 1-3, 2009.
Moose Population Steady in Voyageurs National Park
According to a Voyageurs National Park press release, a recent survey of the park’s moose population revealted that it is holding steady. The aerial survey sited 45 moose–a pleasant surprise for park officials given the decline of other moose populations acrosss northeastern Minnesota and southern Ontario.
Critical Habitat of Canada Lynx Expanded in Minnesota
Critical habitat for the endangered Canada Lynx has been expanded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including parts of northern Minnesota.
Artist in Residence at Quetico Provincial Park
In August of 2007 watercolor artist Geri Schrab spent two weeks living her passion in Quetico Provincial Park as part of the new Artist in Residence program. Schrab was the second …
Transformation of a Landscape
What Global Warming Could Mean for the Boundary Waters By Alissa Johnson, Wilderness News Contributor Mention canoe country to any canoeist familiar with the Quetico Superior region, and an array …
One Big Fire
In July of last year, a lightning strike ignited the Cavity Lake fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Over 32,000 acres burned in what was then called …
Lake of the Woods Watershed – Pristine or Just Wild?
By Charlie Mahler, Wilderness News Contributor In early 2008, when the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency releases its updated list of impaired waters in Minnesota, it is likely that Lake of the …
White Pine: Can What Once Was–Ever Be Again?
Bold against the sky, the feathery branches of an old white pine have a distinctive silhouette. Although not the most abundant species in the Quetico-Superior forest today, generations have strongly identified …
Using Science for Sustainable Forest Management
The long-range health of Minnesota’s forests will some day be improved by management decisions that better recognize the opportunities for restoring ecological forest health while maintaining economic productivity. The Minnesota Center …