News

Wildfire burning trees in Northern MN

Wildfires burn in the southern part of the Superior National Forest

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Crews are battling three growing wildfires that ignited over the weekend in St. Louis County, Minnesota. The fires, which are burning in a mixed forest, were reported on Sunday and Monday. Ground and air support, along with suppression efforts, will continue in the Superior National Forest until further notice. As of May 13, the USFS has closed part of the Laurentian Divide Ranger District to recreational use. We will continue to share updates.

Conservancy aims to obtain 12,000 acres north of Two Harbors

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The Nature Conservancy is actively working to acquire 12,350 acres north of Two Harbors. It would be their largest land acquisition in over 20 years. This property lies near the Sand Lake/Seven Beavers Preserve and just north of the Finland State Forest. If it moves forward, it will connect with neighboring preserves, expanding a continuous ecosystem of protected forest and wetlands.

Towboat regulations for BWCAW are back in court

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Wilderness Watch, an advocacy group for the National Wilderness Preservation System, recently filed another lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service—Superior National Forest—regarding towboat management in the BWCAW. In an ongoing dispute, they claim that the agency failed to enforce towboat rules and regulations in the wilderness.

Isle Royale updates food storage rules for campers and boaters

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Isle Royale National Park has updated its food storage regulations, following similar actions taken by remote areas across the country. All campers, backpackers, and boaters must now use an approved animal-resistant container. To further reduce human-wildlife conflicts, park staff are installing new bear lockers at select locations across the island.

USFS staff performs controlled burn

Prescribed burns begin in Superior National Forest

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The Superior National Forest (SNF) will conduct multiple prescribed burns across the forest over the next month. They play a key role in supporting a healthy ecosystem by reducing overgrown vegetation while helping to protect nearby communities from wildfires.

8 must-see waterfalls in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

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Waterfalls and cascades appear throughout many parts of the BWCAW. These natural features, often found between lakes and rivers, add excitement and beauty for paddlers and anglers exploring by canoe. Many portage trails follow these dynamic stretches of moving water. In fact, these waterfalls are a big reason portages exist in the first place.

Historic Boundary Waters legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate

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Earlier this week, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith introduced the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act, a bill that would permanently safeguard the BWCAW. If passed, it would mark a major victory for those fighting to block sulfide-ore copper mining near the wilderness in northern Minnesota.

Voyageurs National Park celebrates 50 years

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Voyageurs National Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Minnesota’s only national park was established in 1975. It’s a water-dominated landscape that borders the northern part of the state and Canada. People have traveled through and lived within the region for thousands of years. The park will celebrate its history, people, and landscape throughout the year and open a new visitor center this summer.

Trump’s executive order could impact copper-nickel mining plans near BWCA

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President Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at increasing mineral production within the United States, focusing on minerals such as copper-nickel. Though the order does not specifically target regions, it could impact areas near the BWCAW, potentially challenging land protections established by the previous administration.

All-women expedition from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay

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A four-person paddling crew will tackle 1,200 miles of historic routes between Minnesota and Canada. Their journey will take them from Grand Portage on Lake Superior to York Factory on Hudson Bay this summer and is expected to take 85 days. Through their journey, they aim to inspire young women and girls while advocating for gender equality in paddlesports.

Remote Area Border Crossing permits on pause for Quetico

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Canadian authorities released an update on the temporary paused new for renewal applications for Remote Border Crossing Permits (RABC). This impacts visitors traveling between the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park.

Wildfire plan proceeds for the Fernberg Corridor near the BWCAW

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The Kawishiwi Ranger District is developing a forest plan to reduce the risk of wildfires near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounding communities. The goal is to support a diverse and healthy forest, reducing combustible fuel, and to assist wildland firefighters in managing forest fires more effectively.

Reintroduced bills leave BWCAW protection in the balance

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Two bills have been reintroduced to the legislature to address wilderness protection and mining practices near the BWCAW. Supporters of mining highlight its positive impact on local revenue and economic growth. However, opponents continue to advocate for protecting the wilderness and surrounding areas, noting that they contain some of the cleanest waters on Earth.

Minnesota DNR urged to reconsider environmental review for Mile Post 7 tailings project

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The Minnesota Court of Appeals sided with an environmental group over a mining expansion project along the North Shore. They ruled that the MNDNR must reconsider whether an EIS is necessary for the proposed expansion of the Mile Post 7 tailings pond. Northshore Mining is working to fulfill a permit to expand the basin just 3 miles from Lake Superior.

MN elk

The Fond du Lac Band and DNR partner to restore elk on native land

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A plan is in place to return elk to some of their native range as early as 2026. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in partnership with the Minnesota DNR, plans to move 100-150 elk from northwestern MN to the Tribe’s reservation and surrounding areas in Carlton and southern St. Louis counties.