In a narrow 50-49 vote, the U.S. Senate passed H.J. Res. 140, effectively overturning a 20-year moratorium on mineral leasing in the Superior National Forest. The move clears a major federal hurdle for the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine.
Each spring, the Forest Service plans prescribed burns throughout the Superior National Forest. The work is expected to begin this month and, depending on conditions, will go through June. This is done annually to help safeguard communities from wildfires and reduce fuel loads. See which areas are scheduled for burning.
From the successful restoration of the fire-ravaged Powwow Trail to an ambitious new project rebuilding boardwalks on the popular Eagle Mountain Trail, BWAC volunteers are the boots on the ground keeping wilderness paths open. Crews paddle or hike in, and use traditional hand tools to clear deadfalls and protect the trail experience for thousands of hikers.
Moose populations continue to be stable, according to the most recent survey by the Minnesota DNR. The state, along with tribal, federal, county, and other partners, plans to implement a new, long-term plan to improve moose habitat across three counties and 50,000 acres.
Most people think of Quetico as a paddler’s paradise with over 1 million acres to explore. But the land has played an important role in the lives of the Anishinabeg people for thousands of years, as they lived, hunted, and travelled in the region, and continue to do so.
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.
Permit reservations open on Jan 28. Planning a trip to the BWCA and not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to help plan your canoe trip and secure your permit so you can create memories that last a lifetime.
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.
A new Isle Royale study reveals that wolves closely track seasonal habitat shifts made by beavers—an insight that could reshape how we plan ecological restoration. Researchers from Michigan State University found that this predator–prey relationship may influence the island’s wider ecosystem, especially following the 2018 reintroduction of wolves.
A new bill could permanently alter how the Boundary Waters’ border with Canada is patrolled. Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah recently introduced the Border Lands Conservation Act, which would allow the federal government to expand border patrol operations using tactical infrastructure and surveillance systems.
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.
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.
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.
The USFS has proposed increasing BWCAW recreation fees. Members of the public weighed in at an open house at the Kawishiwi Ranger Station.
While the overall number of visitors has remained steady since the pandemic, the number of visitors increased between May 1 and September 30 last year. This was largely due to a rise in day-use (non-motorized) permit reservations. Off-season visits also grew, though summer continues to draw the most traffic.
For those who truly want to get off the beaten path, the BWCAW’s twelve Primitive Management Areas (PMAs) offer the most remote and untouched wilderness experience. Exploring these areas involves risk and demands strong outdoor skills with proper planning. Help may be hours or even days away, and local resources are limited.
The U.S. Forest Service–Superior National Forest is inviting public comments on a proposal to increase recreation fees in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The Forest Service would use the additional revenue to improve campsites and portage trails, expand outdoor education programs, and support Search and Rescue operations.
After more than three decades of service, Superintendent Bob DeGross retired from Voyageurs National Park. He joined Minnesota’s only national park in 2016, inspired by early conservationists Sigurd Olson and Aldo Leopold. As he steps into retirement, he reflects on the challenges facing the National Park Service and emphasizes the vital role the park plays for both visitors and surrounding communities.
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.