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.
Park Management
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 …
Voyageurs Moving to New Headquarters
In a move that reflects the warmed relations between Voyageurs National Park and its gateway community, park officials are set to move their headquarters to a new complex leased from the city of International Falls.
Bat Disease Causes Soudan Mine Concerns
A disease responsible for the death of more than a million North American bats is a cause of concern for managers of Soudan Mine Mine State Park in northeastern Minnesota.
Ontario Parks Launches Online Reservation System
Ontario Parks has launched a real-time, online system which will allow visitors to reserve specific campsite or yurts with a few clicks of their computer and a valid credit card.
DNR to Host Vermilion Park Open Houses
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will host two public open houses to solicit public comment on the draft master plan for the Vermilion and Soudan Underground Mine State Parks.
Quetico Plan Comments Due Friday
The initial public comment period for proposed changes to the Quetico Provincial Park management plan will close on Friday. Park managers are considering designated campsites and defined travel routes in the park as well as commercial dog-sledding operations and the development of a long-distance hiking trail.
Superior National Forest Survey Planned
The in-depth survey that National Forests undertake every five years to track visitor numbers and recreation trends is about to commence in the Superior National Forest.
Vermilion Park Comment Period Ending
The initial opportunity for public input for Lake Vermilion State Park’s master plan will end on September 30, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding citizens.
New Quetico Plan in Review Stage
Proposals for changes to Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park’s management plan — possibly including designated campsites and defined travel routes — are in the public comment stage until mid-October. Park managers are also considering development of a long-distance hiking trail in the park as well as authorizing commercial dog-sledding operations.
Minnesota DNR Seeks Vermilion Park Input
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input as part of its Lake Vermilion State Park planning process. The DNR is asking citizens to respond to a short questionnaire on its web-site this month.