Artists invited to spend time this summer living and creating in Quetico Provincial Park
Rustic residency program provides time and support to find inspiration in the Ontario wilderness.
Inspiration
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…”
Just stopping by – checking in on the Evening Grosbeak
This bright and brilliant winter finch is a familiar sight to many in the northwoods of Minnesota, sometimes arriving in unexpected flocks of dozens or hundreds. But are they disappearing?
Ghosts of the Northwoods
Photojournalist Ben Olson shares his trek to find Minnesota’s elusive lynx. “My obsession with Canada lynx stems from a series of unexpected events and chance encounters…”
Choose Your Own Adventure – Fall Hike on the Upper Gunflint Trail
A fall hike along the edge of the Boundary Waters. Ada Igoe shares one of her favorite trails, easily accessible from the Gunflint, on marked ski trails through aspen and jackpine to incredible vistas…
Museum on Gunflint Trail opens for summer with new facilities and exhibits
Chik-Wauk Museum invites visitors to learn about regional history and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Wilderness Voices: Travis Novitsky
“Some of my most unforgettable moments are sitting on the shores of a boreal forest lake on a calm night with no wind, watching the northern lights dance overhead while the haunting calls of loons echo across the water.”
Ely Folk School creates and maintains small town culture on the edge of the Boundary Waters
Ely residents and visitors enjoy learning traditional crafts in a wilderness setting. Build a birch bark canoe, bake a traditional dish, sew a beaver hat, or explore night sky photography, classes connect to the past and to each other…
Quetico creativity: Park seeks artists for wilderness residency program
Deadline is March 31 to apply to live and work in the Ontario wilderness park at a rustic studio or travel by canoe.
Camping in Quetico-Superior country this winter?
The hardy souls that winter camp in the Boundary Waters and Quetico need to be as conscious of wilderness rules as their summer counterparts. Their reward: the freedom to explore corners of the wilderness that are inaccessible in any other season…
Teenagers invited to enter wilderness essay contest for a chance to win a “no parents” Boundary Waters trip
An essay contest for high school students seeks to encourage outdoor experiences and promote paddling to a new generation.
Somali youth explore winter in the BWCAW
A collaboration between Wilderness Inquiry and youth advocacy group Ka Joog takes kids into the Boundary Waters to share new experiences…
Wilderness Voices: John Ratzloff
Photographer reveals the role of people in wilderness, from cliff-rimmed lakes in Quetico to ancient trees in the Boundary Waters…
Book Review: Hush Hush, Forest
Minnesota author and printmaker create a children’s book with the northern forest as backdrop. Seriously beautiful, reflecting their deep connection to the northwoods and inspiring …
What is Wilderness? Examining tree rings, researchers reconsider the history of human influence in the Boundary Waters
“By examining annual growth rings in increment cores taken from tree trunks, we found that many pines at this site were more than 250 years old. Distinct injuries recorded within their rings denoted the passage of multiple low-severity surface fires that damaged but did not kill many of these trees…”
Boundary Waters canoe trip provides courage, strength, and starry nights to young East African women
Minneapolis entrepreneurship program takes group of women from immigrant community to the wilderness in search of canoe country’s unique challenges and rewards.
Painter captures forest regeneration after the Ham Lake Fire
“Painting that blackened landscape really taught me how to find beauty in an otherwise not so beautiful environment. The shiny silver patterns on a charred tree or stump against a green back ground were fascinating to me….”
Honoring Veterans with a Boundary Waters wilderness experience
In July, five veterans of our US armed forces gathered to celebrate Independence Day in the BWCAW. The group had never met and most had never paddled before, but they were all ready to leave civilization behind to enjoy peace and serenity, and hopefully some good fishing.
Watch the Boundary Waters video made by teenage essay winner
Teenagers who enjoyed a free trip to the Boundary Waters with no parents share glimpses of their trip — and celebrate recovery from cancer.
Duluth man embarks on year-long solo trip to Quetico Provincial Park
Nature photographer leaves today on year-long expedition in the million-acre canoe country wilderness in Canada.