Along the northern edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) lies an invisible line. The international border stretches over 150 miles of water trail, following the shorelines of Quetico Provincial Park to the north and the BWCA to the south. Careful observers may notice the subtle demarcation of the international boundary as they paddle by. Short metal reference markers are punched firmly into hard granite rock.
Springtime marks the return of migratory birds to northern Minnesota. In 2003, the Superior National Forest was listed under the National Audubon Society’s Important Bird Area Program. Encompassing 3,900,000 acres, the forest shelters the largest number of nesting birds of any national forest.
Minnesota’s moose population continues to be stable, according to a recent survey. Learn more about the findings from the MNDNR report and the ongoing conservation efforts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Boundary Waters Heritage Trails is a new non-profit with the expressed interest in promoting and preserving historic trails within the BWCAW.
Wildfire is a normal part of healthy ecosystems in the Superior National Forest. However, USFS personnel are warning that this spring could see a higher incidence of wildfires due to low snow cover and precipitation. As a result, they encourage those who live and recreate in the Quetico Superior region to be watchful.
Green Bridge Metals and Encampment Minerals are set to launch drilling exploration for copper-nickel and other metals near Lake Superior. Healthcare providers communicate concerns over the long-term impact of sulfide mining near the BWCA.
Beaches, lighthouses, sand dunes, rare plants, and an old-growth forest make Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA one of the state’s most unique hikes.
On July 4, 1999, the sky fell. Or so it seemed. On that day the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was hit by a historic storm unlike anyone had ever seen.
More than a century of lumbering in northern MN didn’t just remove trees, it upset an entire ecosystem. The Rajala Woods Foundation pledged to plant three million seedlings across 30,000 acres of land as a living memorial to Jack Rajala, longtime northern Minnesota lumberman and community leader.
New legislation has been announced at the Minnesota state capitol, seeking to strengthen protections of the Boundary Waters from mining pollution. Chief authors Sen. Kelly Morrison and Rep. Sandra Feist seek to put legal restrictions on four specific mining practices they say represent unacceptable risk upstream of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Two new podcasts explore hot topics from Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters and Quetico. In-depth interviews and key experts talk about everything from the challenges of wind and wilderness tripping, to this year’s ‘go-live’ day for BWCA permits.
Work is underway to ensure Wolf Island’s historic structures are preserved, while also providing a new recreation site.
Projections for an active geomagnetic season mean it’s likely the aurora will be prominent in northern MN and Ontario this year. Learn where to go and when for the best chance to see the skies ablaze.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report finds examples of MN DNR misusing federal funds to facilitate logging in Wildlife Management Areas. They say the effort to increase logging was detrimental to public lands and wildlife.
New management plans for all National Forests in the US seek to ensure mature and old-growth forests are maintained and even expanded.
Concerned about problems with permit “hoarding” and other issues, business owners develop alternative ideas for BWCAW permit quota system.
Gas deposit discovered a decade ago is target of new extraction efforts.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to stabilize population in face of climate change and other threats.
Forest Service seek to create firewall between the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and help protect private property.
Extensive citizen science provides data showing existing mines are dumping sulfate into sensitive waters.