More wolves, fewer moose on Isle Royale
Annual reports reveal wolf reintroduction is part of reason for steep drop in moose.
Environment/Ecology/Nature
New lawsuit alleges changes to Minnesota’s water quality rules put wild rice at risk
Fond du Lac and Grand Portage Bands file lawsuit over approval of revised state rules.
Lake trout no longer stocked in northeastern Minnesota waters
Fishery managers say population is stable where possible, and not feasible in other lakes.
MN DNR accepting comments on new wolf management plan
Minnesota DNR requests feedback on first changes to wolf management in 22 years. Public can submit input about goals and strategies for state’s population of gray wolves.
Researchers say wolves have personalities
New research from the Voyageurs Wolf Project has found that wolves have drastically different personalities when it comes to hunting beaver.
Crews plant thousands of trees where Greenwood Fire burned
Public and private groups plant more than 100,000 trees in areas burned in last summer’s Greenwood Fire. The blaze, which burned about 26,000 acres near Isabella, was the worst in several years.
Voyageurs National Park launches effort to contain zebra mussels
Portages out of infested Rainy Lake will require precautions to prevent spread of invasive species.
Signs of hope for Minnesota’s moose population
Annual report says moose decline of past decade may have leveled off for now.
Ten years after Pagami Creek Fire, groups share lessons learned
In just a few days, it burned 93,000 acres of wilderness, and threatened the lives of Forest Service personnel and visitors. A series of events based in Ely covers forest management, the fire’s aftermath, and wildland firefighting.
Study: Wolves help moose by preventing spread of deer parasite
“We might be able to keep moose in Minnesota.” Scientists find wolves reduce risk of deadly brainworm carried by whitetail deer.
Creature feature: Black-backed woodpeckers need forest fires for their survival
Uncommon and unique birds depend on forest fires for food and habitat.
Lessons from the Wilderness: K-12 students learn from Isle Royale wolf reintroduction
New materials help teachers share challenges and hopes of restoring wolves to unique National Park in Lake Superior.
Experts report on Greenwood Fire: minor ecological impacts, significant public safety threats
A specialized Forest Service team quickly examined fire’s effects and recommended most urgent steps.
Federal judge puts Minnesota’s wolves back on Endangered Species list
Gray wolves in Minnesota have been a topic of controversy for years. In 2021, they were removed from the Endangered Species Act, but this decision was recently reversed, once again granting them protection. Learn more about the history and current status of gray wolves in Minnesota and other states.
Environmental groups sue to stop PolyMet over endangered species
A coalition of northern Minnesota environmental groups has sued the federal government citing a failure to protect critical habitat for endangered Canada lynx and the northern long-eared bat.
Study: Beaver behavior provides broad benefits for North Shore streams
Innovative research reveals return of aquatic rodents changed water and ecology in ways never before understood.
Partners study how to manage northern forests for moose and a changing climate
The participants are trying to answer the question, “What actions can forest managers take to improve moose habitat in the near-term, while also planning for future forest conditions?”
Creature feature: Rare lemmings in Northwoods bogs
Little-known peatland rodents could soon be listed as federally endangered.
“We badly need good fire” New film: Oshkigin Spirit of Fire
A new short film produced by the University of Minnesota and partners including tribal fire specialists, seeks to regenerate respect for the positive impacts of fire on northern Minnesota’s ecosystem. In …
Warm summers mean more ticks on moose
Researchers use two decades of moose observations to understand how climate and harmful parasites interact.