North Notes
This fall, two Minnesota residents completed a 1,200-mile, 97-day circumnavigation of Lake Superior by kayak. Greg Petry and Lucas Will left Park Point in Duluth on June 26 and returned on Oct. 3. They called the expedition “Superior Dream” and documented the journey in photos, blog posts and video.
more...
After Twenty Years, “The Kek” Still a Wild Challenge
more...
This November, Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWA Committee) held a dinner event to celebrate 20 years of reopening the Kekekabic Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
more...
Banadad Trail Boasts Brand New Equipment
The Banadad Ski Trail System should look extra-spiffy this winter, thanks to a $6,000 Minnesota DNR/Federal Equipment Grant and a matching low-interest loan from Cook County, which provided the required matching funds.
more...
The Banadad Ski Trail System should look extra-spiffy this winter, thanks to a $6,000 Minnesota DNR/Federal Equipment Grant and a matching low-interest loan from Cook County, which provided the required matching funds.
more...
Speedy Musher to Win New Purse (Money, Not Handbag)
Trail Center Lodge, located about halfway up the Gunflint Trail on Poplar Lake, is offering a $2,000 purse to the first musher to reach the Trail Center checkpoint during the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.
more...
Trail Center Lodge, located about halfway up the Gunflint Trail on Poplar Lake, is offering a $2,000 purse to the first musher to reach the Trail Center checkpoint during the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.
more...
When a DNR officer or county sheriff’s deputy checks a boat and finds a child under 10 wearing a US Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD), the youngster is awarded a “PFD Panda” certificate redeemable for a sweet treat at Dairy Queen. As per a 2005 law, children under 10 are required to wear life jackets in boats at all times except in specific circumstances, including being below decks on a cruiser, on a boat with a licensed captain, or on an anchored boat used as a swimming platform. But if the child is wearing an unapproved device, or if the boat fails to meet overall safety equipment requirements, the adults on board can get hit with fines of over $100 for each violation.
more...
Bear Head Lake State Park voted “America’s Favorite”
In early September, Bear Head Lake State Park just south of Ely took the top spot in a nationwide “America is Your Park” campaign sponsored by Coca-Cola, receiving over 1.6 million votes. The honor comes with a $100,000 gift from America’s State Parks Foundation.
more...
In early September, Bear Head Lake State Park just south of Ely took the top spot in a nationwide “America is Your Park” campaign sponsored by Coca-Cola, receiving over 1.6 million votes. The honor comes with a $100,000 gift from America’s State Parks Foundation.
more...
Next time you catch crayfish for bait, check to make sure you haven’t caught any rusty crayfish, an aggressive, invasive species with rust-colored patches and green and rust-colored claws. If you do catch or spy a rusty crayfish, dump it in the trash and report the encounter to the DNR or Ministry of Natural Resources, depending upon where you are.
more...
Basswood Blitz Results in Tickets
During a two-day “enforcement blitz,” Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers checked 125 individuals on a single border country lake and issued 78 warnings, demonstrating that many people are unaware of—or consciously break—fishing and boating regulations.
more...
During a two-day “enforcement blitz,” Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers checked 125 individuals on a single border country lake and issued 78 warnings, demonstrating that many people are unaware of—or consciously break—fishing and boating regulations.
more...
Center Opens with Drums, Dancers
The new Grand Portage State Park Visitor Center opened on Sept. 25 with appropriate fanfare, including a pipe ceremony, family-oriented activities, and local dancers and drummers from the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa. Situated half a mile from Minnesota’s highest waterfall, the 5,800-foot center replaced a seasonal facility and serves triple duty as a year-round highway rest area, state travel information center, and park visitor center.
more...
The new Grand Portage State Park Visitor Center opened on Sept. 25 with appropriate fanfare, including a pipe ceremony, family-oriented activities, and local dancers and drummers from the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa. Situated half a mile from Minnesota’s highest waterfall, the 5,800-foot center replaced a seasonal facility and serves triple duty as a year-round highway rest area, state travel information center, and park visitor center.
more...
Gonzalez Ingredient In Chicken Soup
A story by Northern Wilds assistant editor Shelby Gonzalez is featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners: 101 Inspirational Stories of Energy, Endurance, and Endorphins, a recent released title in the bestselling anthology series.
more...
A story by Northern Wilds assistant editor Shelby Gonzalez is featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners: 101 Inspirational Stories of Energy, Endurance, and Endorphins, a recent released title in the bestselling anthology series.
more...
A familiar face will be missing next time you hike the trail that snakes along the edge of the cliffs at Tettegouche State Park: the sea arch, which curved over Lake Superior adjacent to Shovel Point. The oft-photographed arch collapsed sometime between August 20-21. The arch did not fall in response to a specific stimulus, such as stormy waves or a freak Midwestern earthquake—it simply surrendered to erosion and gravity.
more...
If statistics are any indication, the blare of video games, school, television and the Internet is drowning out the still, silent beckoning of the great outdoors. The Minnesota DNR hopes to reverse the falling per-capita outdoor recreation participation rates amongst children and young adults by making it easier to plan an outdoor trip—and capitalizing on the human fascination with bright, shiny objects. Four new DNR touch-screen kiosks are now operational, three of them in busy Twin Cities locations: the IDS Crystal Court, the Minnesota Zoo, and Southdale Center. One more kiosk will be nomadic. Currently “living” in the DNR building at the Minnesota State Fair, it will travel throughout the year to community and sporting events.
more...
New Online Tax and Registration Guide for Boaters
Navigating sales taxes, “use” taxes, registration periods, and other bureaucratic requirements of boat ownership can be tricky—and costly, if you make a mistake or miss a deadline. A recently released guide aims to help boat owners stay informed. The free online “State Boating Tax and Registration Guide,” developed by the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), offers an intuitive state-by-state graphic interface that gives users basic tax, registration and contact information, including:
more...
Navigating sales taxes, “use” taxes, registration periods, and other bureaucratic requirements of boat ownership can be tricky—and costly, if you make a mistake or miss a deadline. A recently released guide aims to help boat owners stay informed. The free online “State Boating Tax and Registration Guide,” developed by the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), offers an intuitive state-by-state graphic interface that gives users basic tax, registration and contact information, including:
more...
A recent photo shoot for Brunton outdoor products took place in Grand Marais with local models posing in less than perfect conditions. The theme of the photo shoot was “Pay the Price,” meant to showcase Brunton’s products being used in challenging conditions.
more...
Better Bee Habitat
A new poster highlighting the critical importance of bees and butterflies and pointing out ways in which landowners can enhance pollinator habitat is now available from the Minnesota DNR.
more...
A new poster highlighting the critical importance of bees and butterflies and pointing out ways in which landowners can enhance pollinator habitat is now available from the Minnesota DNR.
more...
Emerald Ash Borer in Minnesota
In 2009 the emerald ash borer was found in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul. This year it was found in the Prospect Park East River Road neighborhood of Minneapolis and the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Area of Houston County.
more...
In 2009 the emerald ash borer was found in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul. This year it was found in the Prospect Park East River Road neighborhood of Minneapolis and the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Area of Houston County.
more...
Mining Project Scrutinized
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, along with the U.S. Forest Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will prepare a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for PolyMet Mining’s proposed NorthMet mining project, located near Hoyt Lakes, Minn.
more...
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, along with the U.S. Forest Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will prepare a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for PolyMet Mining’s proposed NorthMet mining project, located near Hoyt Lakes, Minn.
more...
Ruffed Grouse Counts Drop After ‘09 Peak
Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring drumming counts were significantly lower than last year across most of their range, according to the Minnesota DNR.
more...
Minnesota’s ruffed grouse spring drumming counts were significantly lower than last year across most of their range, according to the Minnesota DNR.
more...
Firewood Restriction in Effect
Minnesota DNR reminds campers that only firewood purchased at a state park or from a DNR-approved vendor may be brought onto any DNR-administered lands. This is to prevent the spread of forest pests, such as emerald ash borer (EAB), which can catch a ride to new locations.
more...
Minnesota DNR reminds campers that only firewood purchased at a state park or from a DNR-approved vendor may be brought onto any DNR-administered lands. This is to prevent the spread of forest pests, such as emerald ash borer (EAB), which can catch a ride to new locations.
more...
Piragis Takes Steps To Solar
Steve Piragis, owner of Piragis Northwoods Co., has taken a step towards energy independence with an 11.04KW solar electric system.
more...
Steve Piragis, owner of Piragis Northwoods Co., has taken a step towards energy independence with an 11.04KW solar electric system.
more...
