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.
For decades, wildlife biologists assumed that because the snowshoe hare population was down in Voyageurs National Park, it was unlikely any lynx were reproducing in the area, until now. In trail cam footage, researchers spotted two lynx kittens being trailed by their mother. This sighting is encouraging as it means that the rarely seen animals are finding prey in the southernmost areas of their range.
A recent analysis of lake trout and walleye from the EPA’s Duluth laboratory reveals a rare environmental bright spot: PFAS levels in Great Lakes fish have declined significantly since the late 2000s. While Lake Superior can take almost two centuries to ‘flush,’ this study suggests the biological food web is responding much faster to industrial phase-outs than previously thought.
The Minnesota DNR is seeking public comment on the state’s Lake Superior Coastal Program. They have provided a draft plan that evaluates the program’s effectiveness and suggests priorities for future improvements. …
Minnesotans have become increasingly interested in winter camping, particularly in the BWCA. But, as in other seasons, it’s essential to minimize your impact and practice good etiquette. We’re sharing both written and unwritten guidelines to help everyone enjoy a positive experience while protecting the natural environment.
The Trump administration and Rep. Pete Stauber are using the Congressional Review Act in an unprecedented effort to undo a 20-year mineral leasing withdrawal in the Superior National Forest. Critics warn the move sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the Boundary Waters watershed.
Ely has many great trail systems, some of which are especially fun in the winter. A favorite winter hike is the Secret Blackstone Trail. Located near Moose Lake, quiet trails loop around scenic lakes flanked by thick woods. It has a wilderness feel, though it’s not far from town. Here’s what you’ll need to know before you go.
To promote diversity and support the reforestation of Minnesota forests, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges individuals to collect black spruce cones this winter. Foresters at the State Forest Nursery will receive some of these cones, extract seeds, and grow seedlings.
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 Minnesota DNR has approved a plan by Franconia Minerals, a Twin Metals Minnesota subsidiary, to drill for metallic minerals near Birch Lake, about nine miles south of Ely. The approval allows 19 exploratory drill sites along the shoreline and beneath the lake, which drains into the BWCA—prompting concerns about pollution risks to the protected watershed.
Cougars, sometimes called mountain lions, historically roamed through Minnesota. The state now considers them transient and rare. However, sightings have increased in recent years, especially in the northern parts of the state. This could be due to a rise in technology, such as trail cameras, and greater public awareness, rather than actual population growth.
Once a network of logging roads, the Banadad Ski Trail has become a beloved winter route through the BWCAW. Groomed since the early 1980s and maintained by volunteers, the 27-kilometer trail connects skiers to both the region’s past and its quiet, snow-covered present.
If giant ridges flanked with red and white pines towering over crystal-clear, undeveloped lakes sound like your happy place, make sure to visit the Bass Lake Trail. The elevation changes and rocky footing makes this rewarding for experienced hikers, while the varying route options make it accessible for families and those with less experience. Hike, snowshoe or paddle, for a true choose-your-own-adventure.
For years, visitors to Tettegouche State Park had to detour around the High Falls. This was due to record storms over the past few years that destroyed the bridge over the Baptism River. After several years of closure, a new, higher, and stronger bridge now carries foot traffic across the river.
Hiking the Kadunce River canyon is a magical experience any time of year, and that’s a big part of what makes it a Minnesota North Shore bucket list hike. From enchanted forests to tumbling waterfalls and all the life that thrives on land, water, and in between.
Cinematographer Alex Horner captures the wild beauty of watersheds near the proposed Twin Metals mine, just south of the Boundary Waters. His short films document what could be lost if copper-nickel mining reshapes one of Minnesota’s most pristine regions.
Hike to scenic vistas with fabulous foraging. Known as the Cove Point Loop, this six-mile lollipop loop section was built in 1996. While the trail begins across Highway 61 from the lodge, there’s no public parking on-site. Cove Point Lodge guests can walk across Highway 61 to access the trail. If you’re not staying at the lodge, consider these two alternative routes…
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.
Plastics continue to impact Minnesota lakes, including those in the Superior National Forest. Environment Minnesota recently surveyed lakes and found microplastics stemming from four different sources in all the locations they sampled. To combat the issue, the organization has developed a blueprint for state, federal, and community leaders.