New Invasive Plant Raises Concerns and Questions as it Nears Northern Minnesota
Starry stonewort grows underwater and drives out native plants and fish habitat.
Invasive Species
Interview: Artist David Luke Shows the Boundary Waters’ Warm, Dry Future
New collection of images illustrates how scientists say climate change will affect canoe country.
National Forest Forecast Favorable for Fishing Opener
Minnesota milestone finds conditions should be good for this weekend.
How Humans Affect the Boundary Waters’ Woods
Researcher Lee Frelich says wilderness forests are being changed in several ways.
Invasive Zooplankton Found In Basswood Lake
Spiny waterflea discovery is bad news for native fish and canoe country anglers.
Zebra Mussels Found in Lake Near Boundary Waters
Discovery of invasive species means Superior National Forest lake 10 miles from the wilderness will be designated as infested.
MN DNR Updates Endangered and Threatened Species Lists
For the first time since 1996, the Minnesota DNR has updated the list of endangered and threatened animals and plants in the state, adding over 180 species. Listed species are categorized …
Northern Forests Threatened by Global “Worming”
In the March 25 Minneapolis Star Tribune, Lee Frelich, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Forest Ecology notes that the lowly earthworm, often thought of as a friend to …
Warming Water and Invasive Species Changing the Character of Quetico-Superior Lakes
The Lake Superior summer water temperatures are increasing more rapidly than regional air temperatures. According to an article in the Ely Timberjay, the surface water temperatures of Lake Superior increased approximately …
Climate Change and the Quetico Superior Wilderness
The St. Paul Pioneer Press warns that climate change will have a serious impact on the Midwest. Because the Quetico-Superior region is at a crossroads of forest communities: the boreal forest …
Ballast Treatment Strategy Advances
A technique to kill invasive aquatic species found in the ballast water of Great Lakes ships made its real-world debut on a vessel traveling from Gary, Indiana to Duluth, Minnesota recently.
Invasive Species in the Boundary Waters—A question of what, not if
In July, University of Minnesota forest ecologist Lee Frelich and Doug and Peggy Wallace, coordinators of a citizen’s monitoring group, bushwhacked up a ridge in the Wolf Lake inventoried roadless area …
Comments Sought on BWCAW Invasives Project
Managers of the Superior National Forest are seeking comments on a project that seeks to combat the spread of non-native invasive plants in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
North Shore to be Gypsy Moth Battle Zone
This summer, Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior will again be the front-line in the battle between agriculture officials and the exotic invasive insect known as the gypsy moth.
The Changing Forest of the Quetico-Superior Region
Last year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Quetico Park and Superior National Forest. In reality, this anniversary commemorated the 100-year fight to protect this patch of earth. Throughout the twentieth …
“Savannification” Still Expected in North Woods
University of Minnesota forest ecologist Lee Frelich continues to foresee a transition from forest to savanna taking place at the margins of Minnesota’s north woods. Newly published research suggests that within the century, the climate and ancillary factors will make significant changes to the state’s prairie/forest border.
Invasive Spiny Waterfleas Discovered Near Boundary Waters
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that spiny waterfleas were discovered by anglers in Burntside Lake near Ely last week. Burntside Lake is a popular entry point into motorless …
Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Found in Minnesota
Minnesota’s first gypsy moth in caterpillar form was found recently in Duluth, confirming that the exotic pest which can defoliate wide swaths of forest is reproducing in Minnesota.
Gypsy Moth Fight Begins Anew
Minnesota’s battle against the gypsy moth is ready to resume. The state’s Department of Agriculture is about to set 23,000 traps for the moths across the eastern border of Minnesota to note where new outbreaks of the invasive pest are occurring.