Voyageurs National Park

Beaver floatplanes carried Idaho hotshots into Boundary Waters to fight Bear Trap Fire

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Wildfire season in the Boundary Waters is easing, partly because of rain and cooler temperatures, with many fires becoming more contained. Throughout the season, numerous agencies and wildland firefighting crews from across the United States have helped manage the incident, which has affected communities and dominated much of the summer news. One of the tools they use, the Beaver plane, has been instrumental in getting crews into remote, rugged areas.

The camper’s guide to outsmarting bugs in Northern Minnesota

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Bugs are a fixture of the northern Minnesota landscape, chasing bare-legged campers into their tents as the sun sets. As early as March, they can begin to appear, starting with ticks. By June, black flies, gnats, and mosquitoes are common. Find our top tips to beat the bugs or at least co-exist safely with them.

A rare glimpse: Lynx kittens caught on camera in Voyageurs National Park

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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. 

New technology may fight sulfate pollution near BWCAW

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Near Birch Lake Reservoir, Jeff Hanson’s mobile lab is testing a potentially proven, cost-effective method to remove sulfate from watersheds flowing into the Boundary Waters. This pollution, a byproduct of taconite mining, harms humans and contributes to toxic mercury levels in fish.

Legislation fast-tracks mining leases near BWCAW

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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.

Bob DeGross retires as Voyageurs National Park Superintendent

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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.

Historic Boundary Waters legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate

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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 celebrates 50 years

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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.

All-women expedition from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay

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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.

Increased owl sightings draw birdwatchers to northern Minnesota

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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.

Twin Metals headquarters in Ely.

Twin Metals Minnesota appeals sulfide mining leases in court

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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.