Explore the Northern Wilds
Firewise in Our Communities
Many homes were lost to the 2007 Ham Lake Fire early this season. Many homes were also saved, thanks to wildfire sprinkler systems and people practicing firewise principles.
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Many homes were lost to the 2007 Ham Lake Fire early this season. Many homes were also saved, thanks to wildfire sprinkler systems and people practicing firewise principles.
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Scientists Discover Surprisingly Rapid Warming
Lake Superior is warming at a rate faster than the climate around it, according to a study conducted by two UMD scientists.
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Lake Superior is warming at a rate faster than the climate around it, according to a study conducted by two UMD scientists.
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Thunder Bay’s National Wonder
Canadians recently voted on-line for their top “Wonder of Canada” and the overwhelming #1 People’s Choice was the legendary land formation that stretches into Lake Superior--the Sleeping Giant.
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Canadians recently voted on-line for their top “Wonder of Canada” and the overwhelming #1 People’s Choice was the legendary land formation that stretches into Lake Superior--the Sleeping Giant.
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Looking for Gypsy Moths
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is placing over 2,800 gypsy moth traps Cook and Lake counties, including the areas of Grand Marais and Grand Portage where high concentrations of the destructive moth were found last summer.
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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is placing over 2,800 gypsy moth traps Cook and Lake counties, including the areas of Grand Marais and Grand Portage where high concentrations of the destructive moth were found last summer.
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E. coli May Not Indicate Contamination
University of Minnesota researchers say that the bacteria used to justify beach closings don’t always come from harmful sources. Mounting evidence suggests that Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria live as natural residents of the beach environment.
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University of Minnesota researchers say that the bacteria used to justify beach closings don’t always come from harmful sources. Mounting evidence suggests that Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria live as natural residents of the beach environment.
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Groups Sue Shippers to Stop Invasives
Conservation groups led by the National Wildlife Federation have announced their intent to file a citizen suit against several shipping companies that operate in the Great Lakes, demanding compliance with the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit aims to shut the door on aquatic invasive species.
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Conservation groups led by the National Wildlife Federation have announced their intent to file a citizen suit against several shipping companies that operate in the Great Lakes, demanding compliance with the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit aims to shut the door on aquatic invasive species.
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A Fiery Opener on the Gunflint Trail
I spent opening weekend on the Gunflint Trail, but not fishing. Up in that country, a fire is burning. Local volunteer firefighters such as myself were called in to assist the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department with structure protection.
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I spent opening weekend on the Gunflint Trail, but not fishing. Up in that country, a fire is burning. Local volunteer firefighters such as myself were called in to assist the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department with structure protection.
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Is Minnesota’s Fishing Tradition on the Wane?
A steelheader spent the night in our guest cabin last week. It had been two or three years since we’d last seen him. Prior to that, we’d seen him at least once—and likely two or three times—every fishing season for about 15 years. He was happy to be back and not sure why he’d missed a couple of springs.
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A steelheader spent the night in our guest cabin last week. It had been two or three years since we’d last seen him. Prior to that, we’d seen him at least once—and likely two or three times—every fishing season for about 15 years. He was happy to be back and not sure why he’d missed a couple of springs.
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Ham Lake Fire: Gunflint Trail Forest Fire
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HAM LAKE FIRE-RELATED INFORMATION
Following is information that may be helpful for citizens who are affected by the Ham Lake Fire on the Gunflint Trail.
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More About Northeast Minnesota Moose
A recent column about the 23 percent one-year decline in the Arrowhead moose herd prompted responses from a small handful of folks who are knowledgeable about moose and aspects of the present situation. Some of their views are shared here. With one exception, I’ve identified folks with a description of their background rather than a name.
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A recent column about the 23 percent one-year decline in the Arrowhead moose herd prompted responses from a small handful of folks who are knowledgeable about moose and aspects of the present situation. Some of their views are shared here. With one exception, I’ve identified folks with a description of their background rather than a name.
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Moose decline merits priority concern
Our northeastern moose herd is very likely in serious trouble, but I think the best we can expect from the powers that be is population monitoring and perhaps a study or two by graduate students as Minnesota's largest free-ranging mammal slips toward nonexistence. When it comes to the politics of Minnesota wildlife management, moose have two strikes against them: They live way up north someplace and they don't quack.
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Our northeastern moose herd is very likely in serious trouble, but I think the best we can expect from the powers that be is population monitoring and perhaps a study or two by graduate students as Minnesota's largest free-ranging mammal slips toward nonexistence. When it comes to the politics of Minnesota wildlife management, moose have two strikes against them: They live way up north someplace and they don't quack.
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Minnesota Anglers Should Unite…Soon
Minnesota needs a fishing coalition. Not another Carpsuckers, Inc. or Bullhead Foundation, but an honest-to-goodness umbrella organization that represents all anglers. Today’s fishing organizations are for anglers who are enamored of a certain species or a particular fishing method. There are roles for these single purpose groups—primarily in lobbying for stocking programs, species-specific fishing regulations, and local habitat projects, or coordinating like-minded souls, such as tournament anglers—but they cannot speak for anglers as a whole and are bit players in “big picture issues.”
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Minnesota needs a fishing coalition. Not another Carpsuckers, Inc. or Bullhead Foundation, but an honest-to-goodness umbrella organization that represents all anglers. Today’s fishing organizations are for anglers who are enamored of a certain species or a particular fishing method. There are roles for these single purpose groups—primarily in lobbying for stocking programs, species-specific fishing regulations, and local habitat projects, or coordinating like-minded souls, such as tournament anglers—but they cannot speak for anglers as a whole and are bit players in “big picture issues.”
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If the warm and dry conditions continue into summer, the warm waters in streams will stress trout living there, including juvenile steelhead. Fish kills likely occurred last winter when severe cold completely frozen drought-stricken streams.
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Minnesota Assumes Wolf Management
Minnesota’s wolf population has been officially removed from the federal endangered species list and will be managed by the state DNR. Wolves were removed from the endangered species list in Wisconsin and Michigan as well.
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Minnesota’s wolf population has been officially removed from the federal endangered species list and will be managed by the state DNR. Wolves were removed from the endangered species list in Wisconsin and Michigan as well.
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Quagga Mussels Confirmed in Duluth-Superior Harbor
The presence of the quagga mussel, a cousin to the zebra mussel, was confirmed for the first time in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.
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The presence of the quagga mussel, a cousin to the zebra mussel, was confirmed for the first time in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.
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Moose populations are declining in Minnesota, according to results of aerial surveys by the state DNR. Moose in Minnesota are at the southern limits of their North American range.
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Summertime Tips to be Firewise
Although summer is a great time of year, don’t forget to do regular maintenance around your home. Simple everyday chores outside are not only good for you physically, but it is also a great way to keep your yard maintained and out of fire danger.
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Although summer is a great time of year, don’t forget to do regular maintenance around your home. Simple everyday chores outside are not only good for you physically, but it is also a great way to keep your yard maintained and out of fire danger.
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Sue Prom of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters has begun selling pink canoe paddles to raise money for breast cancer research.
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Wilderness Camps Get Kids off the Couch
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What will your kids do on their summer vacation? Watch TV? Play video games? Spend hours on the Internet? For most kids, the answer is probably "all of the above." But if they go to a wilderness camp, their answers might be different.
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