Forest North

It’s January, and winter in the Northwoods, but if you’re dreaming about paddling, its time to get excited because Boundary Waters permits go live at the end of the month! Cathy and Mason from the Superior National Forest join this episode to talk about everything you need to know for “Go Live Day” on Wednesday, January 28th. Show Notes: BWCAW Trip Planning Guide BWCAW page Superior National Fores...

In the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, every portage and campsite tells a story — of paddlers, of time, and of the people who care for this place. In this episode, we hear from Brian Miller and Zac Bair from Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa, and Cathy Quinn from the Superior National Forest, about their partnership to restore and maintain trails, portages, and campsites deep in the BWC...

Forests thrive when people work together. In this episode, we talk with Kes Ebbs of The Nature Conservancy and Teresa Floberg of Dovetail Partners about partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to keep Northeastern Minnesota’s woods healthy and resilient. Show Notes: Dovetail Partners The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota Superior National Forest Minnesota Arrowhead Region - Fire Adapted Communities...

On this episode of the Forest North Podcast, we hear from Willy Tully, External Relations Director of Wilderness Inquiry, about breaking down barriers to the outdoors. We explore how their programs connect people to nature, public lands, and each other through stories of inclusion and adventure. Discover how Wilderness Inquiry is making wild places accessible for all. Show Notes: Wilderness Inquir...

Charley Langowski is the Executive Director of Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps, a Minnesota-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving historic structures and landscapes while developing the next generation of preservation professionals. Through hands-on training and meaningful service projects, Northern Bedrock provides young adults with pathways into traditional trades and cultural res...

On this episode, Kawishiwi District Ranger Aaron Kania returns, along with Nickie Johnny, and Brian Leitinger who are both part of the Forest Service’s National Incident Management Organization, or NIMO. They join me to talk about the Jenkins Creek Fire that touched off in early May on the Forest, southeast of Hoyt Lakes. Show Notes: National Incident Management Organization (NIMO)

Bonnie Schudy is Campus Director at the Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center on the Gunflint Trail, a place rich with both cultural heritage and natural wonder. Bonnie has spent more than thirty years on the Gunflint Trail, paddling the Boundary Waters and Quetico, fishing through hard and soft water seasons, and witnessing the challenges and progress of the Gunflint Trail over the last few decade...

On this episode, Jo Swanson returns. Jo was part of our fourth episode, talking about her role as Executive Director of Northwoods volunteer connection, a forest stewardship organization that partners with the US Forest Service. After ten years in operation, they have a new name -friends of the superior national forest- and a renewed commitment to helping care for or public public lands here in th...

Carl Layman, is a Silviclturist on the Laurentian Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. We talk about the challenges and rewards of managing a forest, and how silviculture helps shape the landscapes we love. Integrated Vegetation Management Forest Service Silviculture

Dan Ryan is a Wildlife Biologist on the Laurentian District of the Superior National Forest, and Taylor Brannock is a Biological Science Technician on the Kawishiwi District. They join this episode to talk about tracking and researching that iconic and elusive Northwoods cat, the Canada lynx. Show Notes: Annual Lynx Monitoring Report Draft Lynx Recovery Plan Report Lynx sightings The Fernberg Proj...

Erik Redix, Ojibwe Language Coordinator with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa joins this episode, along with Superior National Forest Archeologist Lee Johnson who returns to Forest North, to talk about the Ojibwe language, or Ojibwemowin, and some of the original place names in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest and the North Shore of Lake Superior....

Teddy Mullins is a 24 year veteran Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer. He currently serves as Patrol Captain on the Chippewa and Superior National Forests in Minnesota. Show Notes: National Forest Law Enforcement Tipline Superior National Forest Regulations

Jeremy Collard and Stefan Nelson from the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society talk about the society's mission to promote forest stewardship and improve habitat for these popular game birds, along with the whole diversity of Forest wildlife. Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Website

Steve Robertsen drops by to talk about the slow transition to Autumn in the Northwoods, and what a changing climate can mean for the flora and fauna on the Superior National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior

Nancy Schultz, George Lokken and Jeremy Pischke, with Friends of the Flathorn-Gegoka Ski Trails, drop in to talk about the history and evolution of the oldest ski trail system on the Superior National Forest. Show Notes: Flathorn-Gegoka Ski Trails The Great Minnesota Ski Pass

US Forest Service Soil Scientists Randy Kolka, Jeff Kroll and Dave Morley stop by to talk about their research into how increasing wildfires, and their severity, effect critical peatland ecosystems on the National Forest. Show Notes: Drone footage and story from WDIO - https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/discovering-the-impact-of-wildfire-on-peatlands/ SPRUCE climate project -> https://...

Steve Robertsen, Interpretation and Education Specialist, returns to Forest North talk about the transition to Autumn on the Superior National Forest: birds going south, squirrels going nuts and just why the trees end their season of leaves with such a stunning display of colors. Show Notes:

On this episode, we’re discussing the Student Conservation Association, the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults.  Today we talk about the SCA partnership with the superior National Forest, as we’re joined by Amina Kovacevich, Forest Technician on the LaCroix district. She joins remotely along with SCA administrative intern Kylie Tatarka. Sitt...

Jon Benson, Assistant Recreation Program Manager for the Superior National Forest talks about the MobilizeGreen Youth Conservation partnership, along with Fatihah Muhammad and May Crews, two recent MobilizeGreen interns. Wildlife Biologist Cheron Ferland joins Forest North to talk about studying the American Goshawk, one of our larger birds of prey here in the Northwoods. Time Stamps: (1:17) Mobil...

Dan Disch returns, along with Tom Roach to talk about the Superior National Forest Wilderness Monitoring Program, and what the data tells us about the modern experience in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Steve Roberts returns to talk about tiny pond critters, and the variety of berries that are thriving in our wet Northwoods summer. Time Stamps: (1:20) Steve Robertson (33:02) Dan Disch a...

Jamie Chopp, West Zone Fuels Planner on the LaCroix District, and Kawishiwi District Engine Captain and Wildland Firefighter Luke Macho talk about the logistics on the ground and in support of wild land firefighting. Episode Links: National Situation Report – Fires across the Nation Fire Weather Forecast – Briefing info for daily preperation Minnesota indexes – tell us how likely a fire will start...

Liz Anderson from Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Matt Santo from the 1854 Treaty Authority join Forest North to talk about Aquatic Invasive Species in our area waters and how to help stop their spread. Steve Robertsen returns to talk about the arrival of summer on the Superior National Forest and some of the new baby critters making their appearance in the Northwoods. Time S...

Nicole Selmer, Fire Prevention Specialist with the Kawishiwi Ranger District and Gloria Erickson, Fire Adapted Communities Project Manager with Dovetail Partners, talk about fire strategies on the Superior National Forest. Episode Links: Minnesota Fire Adapted Communities:  https://minnesotafac.org/index.php  Minnesota DNR Firewise Program   Wildland Fire Ready, Set, Go Woodland Stewardship Plans...

Administrative Operations Specialist Renee Frahm joins Forest North to talk about how to apply for a US Forest Service job and begin a career working on the forest. Episode Links: USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site Classification & Qualifications (opm.gov) Classifying General Schedule Positions (opm.gov) Superior National Forest Homepage

 The North Country Trail which will stretch 4,800 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont and will traverse the superior national forest along the border route trail, through the wilderness on the Kekekabic Trail and a new section that will bring hikers directly to Ely. We're joined by Matt Davis, Regional Trail Coordinator for the North Country Trail Association, Eric Campbell...