Stars aligned: Voyageurs National Park receives prestigious Dark Sky designation
Northern Minnesota’s National Park follows Boundary Waters in being certified by international organization.
Land and Resource Use
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.
Forest Service seeks input on infrastructure repairs to prioritize with Great American Outdoors Act
Agency asks for public comments on how to spend money from the Great American Outdoors Act recently signed into law to catch up on maintenance backlog.
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.
Court rules that Minnesota pollution regulators obeyed law when working on PolyMet permit
Decision in lawsuit finds that agency tried to keep criticisms from public, but did not violate any statutes.
Forest management project will have noticeable impact on Gunflint Trail in years ahead
The Kimball Project will consist of logging, burning, and planting in popular areas along the scenic National Forest highway.
Rainy River restored after decades of abuse
Once badly polluted, the river that drains much of the Quetico-Superior region now boasts clean water and good fishing.
Do Minnesotans want wolves? Survey says: mostly.
DNR shares results of public opinion survey as it works to revise the state’s wolf management plan.
Voyageurs National Park releases environmental analysis of Kettle Falls redevelopment proposal
The public is invited to submit comments on the environmental impacts of updates and upgrades to historic part of the park.
Scientists are trying to save Minnesota’s northern forests from global warming
Washington Post article raises alarms and reports on scientific research and Minnesota’s “forests of the future”
Northeastern Minnesota environmental projects in jeopardy as state senate refuses to spend lottery funds
Republicans refuse to approve funds dedicated to science and conservation in a dispute over budget.
Lutsen ski area expansion could include 400 acres of public hills
Comments are currently being accepted as part of the first phase of review for proposal to develop new terrain next to existing runs.
Clean Water Act rollback could make it difficult to protect BWCAW water from mining pollution
Proposal from federal government could block MN from protecting lakes and rivers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Prescribed fires on Superior National Forest cancelled to protect virus victims and firefighters
Federal agency calls off all spring burning plans as officials seek to reduce connected risks of fires and health.
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.
Minnesota plan to increase annual timber harvest includes proposed logging in wildlife areas
DNR leaders will meet with conservation groups about logging in wildlife management areas, and potential harms to habitat.
Den boxes could help falling numbers of fishers in Minnesota’s north woods
Researchers are deploying dozens of artificial tree cavities across the region, hoping the secretive predators will find a suitable substitute for reduced natural habitat next spring.