The U.S. Forest Service is gearing up to launch a spruce budworm response project in Cook County this summer as the prevalence of the spruce budworm expands across northeastern Minnesota. As a preventative mitigation effort, this summer, the Forest Service intends to implement a Blue Cascade Spruce Budworm Response and Restoration Project stretching from the Caribou Trail to County Road 14, east of Grand Marais. The entire project will encompass over 2000 acres and focus on vegetation management, reducing hazardous fuels, and minimizing the density of spruce plantations to allow for more ecolo ..read more

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There was a strong showing of Minnesotan's during the 52nd annual historic Iditarod race in Alaska this year.  Three northern Minnesota individuals, two mushers and a photographer, participated in the 2024 Iditarod. The two mushers, Anna Hennessy and Erin Altemus have Grand Marais connections and each raced as a rookie in the historic race. Another individual, Ryan Rumpca, a landscape and outdoor lifestyle photographer based in Duluth was part of the Iditarod Insider crew. He shares a behind-the-lens look of the Iditarod in this week's Outdoor News Podcast episode.  ..read more

The prevalence of spruce budworm across northeastern Minnesota, particularly in the Superior National Forest, is increasing. Efforts are ongoing in northeastern Minnesota to monitor, manage, and mitigate the impact of the spruce budworm, a native insect that feeds on the needles of spruce and balsam fir. In this week's episode, host Kalli Hawkins is joined by Brian Sturtevant, a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, who provides an in-depth look at spruce budworm. Brian Sturtevant shares insights into the life history of spruce budworm and the ongoing forest management practices and ..read more

As electric vehicles become increasingly prevalent nationwide, including along the North Shore, numerous fire departments are enhancing their training protocols and acquiring advanced extinguishing tools as the lithium-ion battery poses unique challenges for firefighters. In recent weeks, the Grand Marais Fire Department added a new extinguishing tool to the repertoire to prepare for an EV fire in Cook County, thanks to the expertise of a skilled Grand Marais resident. Matt Stone, owner of UniMoose Enterprises, built an EV extinguishing unit for the Grand Marais Fire Department that resembles ..read more

Minnesota’s moose population remains relatively stable, following the results of the 2024 moose survey in northern Minnesota. After wrapping up the moose survey in early Feb., the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the recent population estimate is approximately 3,470 animals. Nancy Hansen, the Minnesota DNR’s area wildlife manager in Two Harbors, said the number is not a “highly precise population estimate.” Still, it gives the DNR an overall sense of the current status of moose in northern Minnesota. The 2024 results are a 5 percent increase from the estimated 3,290 moose i ..read more

With the minimal snow conditions and warmer temperatures experienced across much of northern Minnesota this winter, fire management officials at the U.S. Forest Service and Minnesota DNR are keeping a close eye on the upcoming fire season. Forest Service officials estimate that wildlife activity will occur earlier in the spring, lasting longer into the fall, and involves more intense, difficult-to-control large wildfire activity. In this week's episode, host Kalli Hawkins speaks with Nick Petrack, the Superion & Chippewa National Forest Fire Management Officer for an outlook for the 2024 s ..read more

Canada Lynx research is ongoing in Northeast Minnesota and the Superior National Forest. In this week's Outdoor News Podcast, host Kalli Hawkins speaks with Ron Moen, senior wildlife biologist at UMD's Natural Resources Research Institute about the current status of Canada Lynx ..read more

The warmer El Nino temperatures & conditions is influencing lake ice formation on Lake Superior and many of the other Great Lakes. This year, Lake Superior experienced approximately 10 percent ice coverage, compared to an average 30 percent. In this week's Outdoor News Podcast, host Kalli Hawkins speaks with Jay Austin, a professor of physics and astronomy with the Large Lakes Observatory and the University of Minnesota - Duluth about the relationship between warmer air temperatures and Lake Superior ice formation and the resulting ecological and cultural impact ..read more

A 2022 project to replace the Stairway Portage wooden staircase in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has won national recognition. Superior National Forest officials announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, that the Stairway Portage Replacement project in the BWCA was awarded the 2023 National Wilderness Award for best use of ‘traditional skills and minimal tool leadership.’ The Stairway Portage Replacement project involved replacing the two sets of wooden staircases between Duncan Lake and Rose Lake in the BWCA with stone steps, or ‘rock check dams.’ The project also involved replacing a smalle ..read more