Last spring, representative Chip Cravaack introduced federal legislation to exchange 86,000 acres of state lands embedded inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for an equal amount of federal land outside the wilderness.
Park Management
Volunteer at Voyageurs National Park
This September, get an inside look at Minnesota’s only National Park and help park rangers complete important conservation projects. Voyageur’s National Park is hosting its 2012 Volunteer Rendezvous on September 7 and 8, and nature lovers of all ages are invited to sign up for one or both days.
Lake Vermilion State Park Open House Set
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will hold an open house Friday to gather public input on development plans for Lake Vermilion State Park.
Review Backs Pagami Creek Fire Decisions
An internal U. S. Forest Service review of management of the Pagami Creek Fire supports the decision-making and actions of officials charged with fighting the 93,000-acre blaze.
BWCAW Campfire Ban Lifted
Superior National Forest officials lifted a ban on campfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness today.
Pagami Fire Area Reopening in BWCAW
Most areas in the Boundary Waters burned in last fall’s Pagami Creek fire will reopen to the public starting today, the U.S. Forest Service has announced.
Superior National Forest Supervisor Named
Brenda Halter has been named the new supervisor of the Superior National Forest, replacing Jim Sanders, who retired from the position in December.
Isle Royale Considering Wolf Options
Officials at Isle Royale National Park are considering options to address the decline in the population of wolves on the Lake Superior island.
Extinction for Isle Royale Wolves?
Researchers fear wolves could become extinct on Lake Superior’s Isle Royale in a matter of years now that their population numbers only nine animals.
76 BWCAW Campsites Likley Closed
As many as 76 campsites in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness could remain closed at the start of the paddling season due to the effects of last fall’s Pagami Creek Fire.
Quetico Superintendent Leaving Park
Robin Reilly, the superintendent at Quetico Provincial Park since 2001, is leaving his position to become the superintendent of Sandbanks Provincial Park on Lake Ontario.
DNR Ready to Manage Wolves and Create a Wolf Hunting Season
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will take over management of the state’s wolf population on January 27. The new plan will allow wolves to be killed to protect livestock and other animals, and a hunting season is under development.
Forest Service Reduces 2012 Summer Boundary Waters Permits
The Forest Service has lowered quotas for six entry points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) as a result of damage caused by the Pagami Creek Wildfire.
Voyageurs’ Trails Confounded by Winter
The warm, largely snow-less winter is keeping officials at Voyageurs National Park from opening many seasonal snowmobile and cross-country ski trails in the park.
Parks’ Reservation Site to Close Temporarily
The Minnesota state parks’ on-line reservation system will be shut down from December 27, 2011 until February 29, 2012 for an upgrade and a change in providers, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced.
As BWCAW Fire Slows, Recriminations Flare
After a second day in which weather conditions allowed a growing team of firefighters to hold ground against the fire burning in the Boundary Waters, frustration over the Forest Service’s initial response to the blaze has flared.
Voyageurs Eagle Nesting Areas Re-Opened
Four developed campsites and four undeveloped areas in Voyageurs National Park that were off-limits due to bald eagles nesting have been re-opened, the Park announced recently.
Eagle Nests Prompt Voyageurs Restrictions
Voyageurs National Park announced the closure of four developed campsites and four undeveloped areas due to the presence of active bald eagle nests.
Old Photos Provide a Peek into BWCA History
By Alissa Johnson In our last issue, Wilderness News published photos from an album uncovered in an attic trunk. They once belonged to Big Bill Wenstrom, who was the last private …