The Trump administration and Rep. Pete Stauber are using the Congressional Review Act in an unprecedented effort to undo a 20-year mineral leasing withdrawal in the Superior National Forest. Critics warn the move sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the Boundary Waters watershed.
The USFS has updated the regulations concerning food storage in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Hanging items in a tree or using approved bear-resistant containers has been a part of the regulations and rules, and now violations can bring penalties. Learn how to hang a food pack from a tree and travel safely through bear habitat.
The Minnesota DNR has approved a plan by Franconia Minerals, a Twin Metals Minnesota subsidiary, to drill for metallic minerals near Birch Lake, about nine miles south of Ely. The approval allows 19 exploratory drill sites along the shoreline and beneath the lake, which drains into the BWCA—prompting concerns about pollution risks to the protected watershed.
Cougars, sometimes called mountain lions, historically roamed through Minnesota. The state now considers them transient and rare. However, sightings have increased in recent years, especially in the northern parts of the state. This could be due to a rise in technology, such as trail cameras, and greater public awareness, rather than actual population growth.
We’re revisiting our most-viewed posts of 2025! Throughout the year, we shared important updates on ongoing protection and preservation efforts in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Popular stories highlighted conservation initiatives, revealed hidden spots to explore, and provided updates for crossing remote areas along the Minnesota–Canada border.
Canadian authorities have provided an update to the Remote Area Border Crossing Permit program (RABC). They announced the introduction of a telephone reporting system in areas previously covered by the RABC program. The new system will begin September 14, 2026. Until then, those who currently have a valid RABC permit can use it until September 13, 2026.
Minnesota DNR recently made history by acquiring one of its largest land holdings. The purchase protects thousands of acres of forested land across multiple counties, in partnership with The Conservation Fund, Northern Waters Land Trust, and ten counties.
The University of Minnesota recently reached an agreement in principle to return the Cloquet Forestry Center’s land holdings to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in northern Minnesota. The state of Minnesota still owns some of the property, which means the legislature must approve the transfer to complete it. If finalized, Fond du Lac will own all 3,400 acres, but the Forestry Center will continue to provide education and research in collaboration with the Band.
For years, visitors to Tettegouche State Park had to detour around the High Falls. This was due to record storms over the past few years that destroyed the bridge over the Baptism River. After several years of closure, a new, higher, and stronger bridge now carries foot traffic across the river.
Plastics continue to impact Minnesota lakes, including those in the Superior National Forest. Environment Minnesota recently surveyed lakes and found microplastics stemming from four different sources in all the locations they sampled. To combat the issue, the organization has developed a blueprint for state, federal, and community leaders.
In an important move, The Nature Conservancy has purchased more than 12,000 acres of dense forest and wetland north of Two Harbors, marking its largest land acquisition in over 25 years. Conservation efforts will focus on sustainable management that supports the health of forests, wildlife, and clean water.
A federal judge has ruled in favor of the U.S. Forest Service in a lawsuit over motorized towboat use in the Boundary Waters, bringing a resolution to the legal challenge filed …
Does the government shutdown have you worried about your travel plans? If you’re heading to Minnesota’s North Shore and Boundary Waters region, you’re right to wonder how it might affect your trip.
Scientists and environmentalists regard estuaries as some of the most biologically diverse yet endangered ecosystems on Earth. A new film, Estuaries in the Balance: Freshwater Nurseries of Lake Superior, highlights both the human impact and ongoing restoration of North America’s largest freshwater estuary.
The USFS–Superior National Forest began prescribed burns on 3,600 acres across the forest in mid-September. The agency will continue burning through early winter in areas identified as high wildfire risk or near communities. These efforts support a healthy ecosystem while reducing wildfire danger.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins recently announced plans to withdraw the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protects 59 million acres of National Forest from new roads and timber harvests. In Minnesota, many of these areas border the BWCA. If implemented, the change could significantly affect how parts of the National Forest are managed.
South of Duluth, volunteers launched canoes and cast 4,200 pounds of wild rice seeds across the St. Louis River Estuary. The seeds will settle, sprout in spring, and help restore a plant that once dominated these waters.
Near Birch Lake Reservoir, Jeff Hanson’s mobile lab is testing a potentially proven, cost-effective method to remove sulfate from watersheds flowing into the Boundary Waters. This pollution, a byproduct of taconite mining, harms humans and contributes to toxic mercury levels in fish.
Small aircraft equipped with advanced mapping technology are flying over northern Minnesota to survey geology and update maps of critical minerals. Led by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Minnesota Geological Survey, the project aims to improve understanding of resources vital for clean energy and national security. Whether the findings will encourage new mining in the region remains unclear.
A slight chill hangs in the air. Maple trees begin turning deep red at their tips. Fall settles into the BWCA, bringing solitude and silence. Our top tips to help you plan a canoe trip and enjoy one of the best times to explore the northwoods.