Prove It First bill and a Path to Permanent Protection
Elected officials and environmental groups roll out plans for legislation and other actions to prevent contamination.
Wilderness Protection
MN DNR seeks more specifics about Twin Metals mine proposal and possible impacts
New rounds of correspondence between DNR and mining company tries to nail down details needed for environmental review.
Legislators and advocates call for “Prove It First” copper-nickel mining law in Minnesota
Legislation would require high standard of evidence that a mine can be operated without polluting. “Before they put a shovel into the ground…”
Researchers call for restoring human-forest connections in the Boundary Waters
New study shows how people shaped iconic canoe country forests with fire, authors say it’s time to get back to those roots.
Sixty-year-old seaplanes still serve in the Superior National Forest
Aircraft purchased by the Forest Service in the late 1950s work on everything from wildfire, search-and-rescue, to wildlife management.
Canoe country curriculum: new educational effort connects students to the Boundary Waters
A new program seeks to reach thousands of Minnesota schoolchildren with lessons from and for the BWCA wilderness.
Large swath of Superior National Forest lands protected from development
Private landowner and The Nature Conservancy protect 2,100 acres as a “gift to Minnesotans.” Undeveloped lakes and distinctive northwoods bog habitat….
Superfluous stars: Boundary Waters gets rare “Dark Sky” designation
BWCAW awarded prestigious Dark Sky status from international organization concerned with light pollution.
Lawsuit alleges pro-mining Congressmen pressured Forest Service on Twin Metals decisions
Environmental groups have added a new complaint to their lawsuit about how the federal government decided to renew mineral leases for Twin Metals. The groups say representatives exerted “undue influence” on Forest Service personnel.
Legislation includes measure to block federal review of Twin Metals mine proposal
Rep. McCollum pushes to prohibit action on mining upstream of the Boundary Waters. A bill to provide funding to the Department of the Interior in the next fiscal year would cover everything from the National Park Service to the Environmental Protection Agency…
More visitors to Boundary Waters are breaking rules, damaging wilderness with trash, chemicals, cutting
Forest Service says many first-time visitors aren’t receiving Leave No Trace education, compounding problems caused by busy season.
DNR rejects initial Twin Metals mine proposal as ‘incomplete’
State responds to first environmental review submission with long list of questions and concerns.
Scientists are trying to save Minnesota’s northern forests from global warming
Washington Post article raises alarms and reports on scientific research and Minnesota’s “forests of the future”
Flashback: A New Yorker tried to mine copper inside the Boundary Waters
George St. Clair’s efforts to exercise mineral rights he had inherited set off battles in the courts, the newspapers, and legislative bodies from St. Paul to Washington, D.C.
Numerous lakes and streams in northeastern Minnesota available for citizen monitoring
Volunteers are vital to measure how clear lakes and streams are, providing valuable information to track long-term health.
Coronavirus in canoe country: pandemic precautions affect public lands
While local residents follow social distancing outdoors in the wilderness, the public is asked to not travel to the Quetico-Superior region, as facilities close due to infection prevention measures.
An Obsession with Owls
Photojournalist Ben Olson is fascinated by the owls of northern Minnesota. “While having spent countless hours in the company of these birds of prey, I am always impressed by their ability of silent flight and mastery of camouflage. Boreal forests host an array of different owl species, some relatively common, others rare, and a single transient species that is highly coveted…”
DNR reduces trout stocking in Boundary Waters
Popular pastime of ice-fishing on wilderness lakes is at risk as DNR reduces stocking effort while warmer weather threatens coldwater habitat.
Exhibit shows off Ernest Oberholtzer objects and celebrates historic conservationist
Exhibit at Minnesota History Center features large collection of historical materials connected to the famed early explorer and defender of the Quetico-Superior region.
Forest Service requests input on outfitters, resorts, and other commercial services
Federal officials are examining whether the supply of services meets the public needs, and how to manage contentious issues like crowding and motorized use.