June 11 Update: In a win for wilderness and conservation efforts, Congress is set to remove Section 80131 from the draft budget bill. This section would have directed officials to move forward with reinstating copper-nickel mining leases near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
After more than three decades of service, Superintendent Bob DeGross retired from Voyageurs National Park. He joined Minnesota’s only national park in 2016, inspired by early conservationists Sigurd Olson and Aldo Leopold. As he steps into retirement, he reflects on the challenges facing the National Park Service and emphasizes the vital role the park plays for both visitors and surrounding communities.
Experience Minnesota’s dark skies during International Dark Sky Week, April 21-28. Minnesota is home to two certified dark-sky sanctuaries – the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park.
Earlier this week, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith introduced the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act, a bill that would permanently safeguard the BWCAW. If passed, it would mark a major victory for those fighting to block sulfide-ore copper mining near the wilderness in northern Minnesota.
Voyageurs National Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Minnesota’s only national park was established in 1975. It’s a water-dominated landscape that borders the northern part of the state and Canada. People have traveled through and lived within the region for thousands of years. The park will celebrate its history, people, and landscape throughout the year and open a new visitor center this summer.
Chief Randy Moore, who announced his retirement as head of the U.S. Forest Service yesterday, previously worked on the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Superior National Forest. He is stepping down at a time when the agency faces significant budget reductions and job cuts.
A four-person paddling crew will tackle 1,200 miles of historic routes between Minnesota and Canada. Their journey will take them from Grand Portage on Lake Superior to York Factory on Hudson Bay this summer and is expected to take 85 days. Through their journey, they aim to inspire young women and girls while advocating for gender equality in paddlesports.
Northern Minnesota is experiencing an influx of owls this winter due to an “irruption,” a phenomenon where food availability in their usual habitat declines. This forces them to expand their range. Environmental factors, such as deep snow or limited cover, can also play a role. We’ve listed some of the top locations for spotting these quiet raptors.
Multiple environmental groups traveled to Washington D.C., recently for the latest appeal by Twin Metals Minnesota. The Chilean-owned mining company has been seeking to reinstate two mineral leases near the BWCAW and other critical watersheds. The company appealed to a panel of judges, aiming to reinstate two preferential rights applications that would allow the company to build a mine south of Ely.
A private land acquisition has expanded Voyageurs National Park by 51 acres. The National Park Service and Voyageurs Conservancy partnered with the Ramsey family over the past year to secure permanent protection for the property. Located on an island in Rainy Lake, the park service sees this as a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to protect natural habitats and parklands for outdoor enjoyment.
“Hey, bear,” I said after noticing the plump black bear sitting in the middle of the trail bingeing on that season’s abundant wild blueberries. I’m unsure whether she didn’t hear me …
Planning a trip to Voyageurs may seem daunting at first, but it’s one of the most beautiful of our National Parks and a must-see. Check out our deep dive into maps, hiking trails, reserving permits, paddling big water, protecting your food from bears, where to camp and more.
Voyageurs is unique in that it is a water-based national park. Of its 218,000 acres, 84,000 of those are water. This includes 655 miles of undeveloped shoreline and more than 500 islands. All campsites and many of the sites within the park require the use of watercraft to visit.
This trail is a delight year-round with raging water during the spring melt, wildflowers and berries in the summer, spectacular colors in the fall, and a wintery wonderland in the colder months. You’ll find the trailhead to the Vermilion Gorge Trail…
Last week, Representative Pete Stauber attached five amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act. These aim to overturn the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). While four of those amendments were defeated, one remains under review.
Springtime marks the return of migratory birds to northern Minnesota. In 2003, the Superior National Forest was listed under the National Audubon Society’s Important Bird Area Program. Encompassing 3,900,000 acres, the forest shelters the largest number of nesting birds of any national forest.
Its a new era at Voyageurs National Park – reaching students of all ages with mobile classroom, virtual sessions, teen ambassadors. Young people can learn about the park from near and far, and throughout their educational careers.
Minnesota’s moose population continues to be stable, according to a recent survey. Learn more about the findings from the MNDNR report and the ongoing conservation efforts in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Wildfire is a normal part of healthy ecosystems in the Superior National Forest. However, USFS personnel are warning that this spring could see a higher incidence of wildfires due to low snow cover and precipitation. As a result, they encourage those who live and recreate in the Quetico Superior region to be watchful.
Logging, roads, and residences all affect where wolves look for favorite prey.