New mountain biking trails in northeastern Minnesota
Several new trail systems have opened in past 10 years, bringing thousands of riders to region.
Land and Resource Use
Tracking change in the path of the Pagami Creek Fire 10 years later
Ten years after the biggest wildfire in a century, the forest is full of life, and reminders of the Boundary Waters inferno.
Tribe proposes restoring elk to part of native range in northern Minnesota
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has submitted a proposal to reintroduce elk near Cloquet.
New film covers Isle Royale wolf reintroduction
Wolves, moose, climate change on Isle Royale. New documentary shows how wolf decline is interwoven with ice and exploding moose population, and the debate over what people should do about it.
EPA recognizes PolyMet mine could pollute tribal waters
In significant decision, federal agency says pollution from the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine “may affect” downstream lakes and rivers under the jurisdiction of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Tofte forest management proposal would affect 333,000 acres adjacent to BWCAW
Public comments invited on plans for timber harvest and prescribed burning in eastern Superior National Forest.
Protecting public forests could help reduce climate change and fund Minnesota schools
Minnesota’s school trust lands could generate revenue for education from carbon offsets, studying an alternative to logging, mining.
Superior National Forest picks projects for infrastructure investment funded by recent legislation
First phase of effort to catch up on maintenance backlog will make repairs and improvements possible.
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.
Superior Hiking Trail re-route will restore missing link — if county approves plan
Popular hiking trail proposed re-route will keep hikers in the highlands and away from busy roads
Forest Service adjusts Boundary Waters permit process to improve Leave No Trace education
The Superior National Forest says it will try to educate visitors about responsible recreation when permits go on sale next week.
Cell tower approved on Gunflint Trail, extending service into the Boundary Waters
County commissioners approve relatively short, unlighted tower primarily to serve emergency responders.
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.
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.