How does a forest wildfire affect water quality?
New study says lakes near the 2021 Greenwood Fire saw significant and surprising impacts.
wildlife
Northern long-eared bats in Minnesota declared endangered
Decision will put new rules in place to preserve habitat for species hit hard by white-nose syndrome. Some politicians say protection efforts are a burden to loggers and other industries.
Study: Wolves help moose by preventing spread of deer parasite
“We might be able to keep moose in Minnesota.” Scientists find wolves reduce risk of deadly brainworm carried by whitetail deer.
Scientists: Northern Minnesota’s wolves have developed sophisticated methods to hunt beavers
New paper describes detailed ways that wolves use their prey’s sensory abilities against them — with unique research that required extensive exploration of boreal ecosystem.
Do Minnesotans want wolves? Survey says: mostly.
DNR shares results of public opinion survey as it works to revise the state’s wolf management plan.
‘No better, no worse’ – moose population in northeast Minnesota remains reduced, but steady
Annual DNR survey finds similar moose numbers to recent years, but still precariously low compared to 15 years ago.
New evidence from Voyageurs National Park shows blueberries are a big deal for wolf packs
Field observations in remote areas shed new light on wolf behavior, including how they feed their pups when meat is hard to come by.
Minnesota seeks stakeholders as state prepares to update wolf management plan
DNR invites citizens to apply for advisory committee that will take the lead on revising policies and bridging deeply different goals and opinions.
Den boxes could help falling numbers of fishers in Minnesota’s north woods
Researchers are deploying dozens of artificial tree cavities across the region, hoping the secretive predators will find a suitable substitute for reduced natural habitat next spring.
Microplastics found in Boundary Waters may threaten wilderness wildlife
Researchers find plastic particles at numerous sites in the wilderness, confirming another way humans are affecting the wilderness and its ecosystem.
Study: Bald eagle recovery in Voyageurs National Park comes at cost to other bird species
A comeback for eagles has caused a significant decline of osprey and great blue herons populations nearby, adding valuable understanding for future restoration efforts.
Mosquito-borne disease killing an increased number of Minnesota’s loons
West Nile virus is blamed in at least two loon deaths this summer in the Quetico-Superior region, which scientists say offer an important reminder about dangers of the disease.
‘Beaver believer’ visits Voyageurs National Park and extolls its ecosystem engineers
Environmental journalist who has reported on beavers around the world was awed by the extent of their impacts in northern Minnesota’s national park.
Wolves in Voyageurs National Park to be featured in PBS program
Footage of a wolf den recorded by scientists studying the animals in northern Minnesota’s National Park is included in a special episode of PBS Nature.
Interior Department plans to remove wolves from federal protection
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans yesterday to remove gray wolves from Endangered Species Act protections and move management responsibility to states
Voyageurs National Park researchers record first-ever footage of wolves catching freshwater fish
Scientists tracking and studying wolves in the park on MInnesota’s northern border have documented the animals fishing, and it could be an important food source.
Protecting bald eagle nests in Voyageurs National Park has big payoffs for population recovery
Study says buffer zones around nests improve breeding success and overall numbers, contributing to recovery of the iconic species.
Martens make a comeback: Research explains how Isle Royale wildlife has changed over time
New study used DNA to determine origin of martens that returned to the island after decades of absence.
Scientists say bird species in northern National Parks could be much different in 30 years
New study predicts that an average of 25 percent of bird species in America’s National Parks will change due to global warming.
Annual Minnesota moose census finds numbers low but stable
The latest estimate is about one-third of their peak population, but has quit shrinking over the past several years.