This opportunity is sponsored by the Save Our Sites grant program through Tourism Cares, a national nonprofit organization with the mission to preserve the travel experience for future generations. Help us preserve the Voyageurs National Park experience for visitors of today and tomorrow.

VOTE HERE for VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION

Each vote counts. We have a 1-in-5 chance to win for Voyageurs, determined 100% by citizen voting! You can vote once every day, until May 14th. Please help us out and share the news with friends.

Your help today supports an important conservation program that engages youth and adult volunteers in hands-on conservation of Voyageurs National Park. Last year, our program volunteers planted 1,000 new trees and wildflowers on sensitive Park shorelines. You can join us in fall 2010! Learn more about volunteering.

Vote Here.

With sincere thanks, 

Kari Volkmann-Carlsen
Advancement Director

From the National Park Service, 3/11/10: Final Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report

Is a fox sly or just shy?
Can you out run a fox or jump as high?
Whose sniffer sniffs the best?
When a fox is tired, where does it rest?

Join park naturalist, Megan Wilkins, to learn about the fox family. Meet at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center on Sunday, March 14, 2010. The program runs from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Voyageurs National Park. No fee or registration is required to attend.

Visitors are encouraged to come early to browse through the museum, check out the winter displays in the interactive area, and go snowshoeing or skiing.

-NPS-
Voyageurs National Park –Celebrating 35 years!
1975-2010

From the National Park Service, 3/8/2010: Voyageurs National Park Presents the Wily Fox

In response to this national day of convening for Voyageurs National Park priorities, Minnesota state legislators have signed resolutions recognizing March 10th as Voyageurs National Park Day in Minnesota, as well.

View the Senate and House Resolutions HERE (PDF) declaring March 10, 2010 as Voyageurs National Park Day in Minnesota.

Text of resolutions, dated February 17, 2010:

A Senate/House Resolution

recognizing March 10 as Voyageurs National Park Day

WHERAS, the United States Congress has recognized the significance of Minnesota’s northern waterways for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, Voyageurs National Park was created to preserve , for the inspiration and enjoyment of present and future generations, the outstanding scenery, geological conditions, and waterway system which constituted a part of the historic route of the Voyageurs; and

WHEREAS, Voyageurs National Park is the only water-based national park in the 48 contiguous states and provides unique opportunities for year-round enjoyment, appreciation, and recreation; and

WHEREAS, new partnership between local governments, nonprofit organizations and Voyageurs National Park have resulted in significant achievements for the benefit of area residents and the public at large; and

WHEREAS, Koochiching and St. Louis Counties, the city of International Falls, and nonprofit organizations Destination Voyageurs National Park and Voyageurs National Park Association have joined together with Voyageurs National Park to host Voyageurs National Park Day in the nation’s capitol and have come together in the effort under the theme of working together to realize the economic benefits of Minnesota’s only national park; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the event is to keep the Minnesota delegation informed of the latest issues affecting the park and its neighbors and to celebrate recent accomplishments and successes; and

WHEREAS, state legislators, including the late Representative Irvin N. Anderson, have long sought increased economic benefits from the establishment of a national park in northern Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, legislators representing the region surrounding Voyageurs National Park wish to recognize the great potential for benefit in the cooperative efforts of the sponsoring entities; and

WHEREAS, Voyageurs National Park Day will take place on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on March 10, 2010; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration of the Senate/House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that it recognizes March 10 as Voyageurs National Park Day in Minnesota.

February 17, 2010

Signed

House of Representatives:
Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker
House of Representatives

Tom Anzelc
State Representative

Anthony “Tony” Sertich, Chair
Rules and Legislative Administration

David Dill
State Representative

Senate:
Peter S. Wattson
Secretary of the Senate
(Legislative)

Lawrence J. Pogemiller
Chair, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

Tom Saxhaug
State Senator, District 3

Voyageurs National Park is proud to announce the 7th Annual Kids Art Contest in honor of National Park Week. Children from pre-school through sixth grade are invited to enter the contest by creating a new painting or drawing that illustrates the 35th Anniversary theme: Remembering the Past – Celebrating the Future.

First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in four age groups based on creativity, skill, and theme.The age groups are pre-school – kindergarten, first – second grade, third – fourth grade, and fifth – sixth grade. Prizes for the art contest are sponsored by the Friends of Voyageurs National Park.

All art entries will be on display at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. The park will host an award ceremony on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to celebrate National Park Week (April 18 – 25). Fun activities for the whole family are planned around the award ceremony. Artwork may be picked up after the award ceremony at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.

How to Enter

For all age groups, artwork should be no smaller than 8 x 10 inches and no larger than 18 x 24 inches. Please write the child’s name, grade, school, teacher, and family contact information on the back of each entry.

Drop off artwork at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, or mail entries to:

Kids Art Contest/Kids in Parks Program
Voyageurs National Park
3131 Highway 53
International Falls, MN 56649

*** The deadline to enter the contest is Friday, March 19. ***

KIDS IN PARKS PROGRAM

In 2008, the park started the Kids in Parks Program. The first place winner of the Youth Art Contest in the 5-6 grade group will become the third annual participant in the Kids in Parks Program. The first place winner will receive FREE lodging for a weekend in the park for a family of four, plus FREE tickets for the Otter tour boat and North Canoe Voyage. The goal of the Kids in Parks Program is to share a park experience with a family from one of the park’s surrounding communities. The winner of the Kids in Parks Program must meet the criteria outlined below.

• Artwork must be entered by the deadline
• Must be in the 5 – 6 grade group
• Must live in Koochiching or northern St. Louis County, MN (north of Cook) or Fort Frances, Ontario
• Must have a signed guardian approval form on the back of the submitted artwork
• Must be available to stay in the park the weekend of July 9-11, 2010
• Must be able to meet the following requirements during his/her stay:

* Complete one volunteer service project
* Accompany a Park Ranger for one hour
* Accompany a Park Naturalist for two hours

National Park Week is proclaimed each year by the President of the United States to recognize and celebrate our national parks. America’s National Park System contains living examples of some of the best things our nation has to offer—magnificent natural landscapes and places that reflect our heritage.

From the National Park Service, 2/26/2010: Voyageurs National Park Announces the Seventh Annual Kids Art Contest and Kids in Parks Program

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Voyageurs National Park. No fee or registration is required to attend.

Visitors are encouraged to come early to browse through the museum, check out the winter displays in the interactive area, and go snowshoeing or skiing.

From the National Park Service, 3/2/2010: Voyageurs Presents the Night Sky

With the recent snowfall, the best snowmobiling of the winter season is now occurring in Voyageurs National Park and the surrounding community.  All snowmobile trails in the park, including the Chain of Lakes Trail, are open and in excellent condition. With the addition of the new ice road that circumvents Dryweed Island, Voyageurs National Park staff would like to remind visitors that the intent of the ice road is for day use enjoyment of the area.  The overnight placement of fish houses along that portion of the new ice road around Dryweed Island and within the boundaries of the park is discouraged.

Please remember that the snowmobile speed limit within Voyageurs National Park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages.  Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and overland portages.  Weekly winter trail conditions reports are available on our website at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails  
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open & Staked
Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River – Open, Staked & Groomed
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open, Staked & Groomed
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Open, Staked & Groomed
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open, Staked & Groomed
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open, Staked & Groomed

Rainy Lake Ice Road  – OPEN  (from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat access)

Ski Trails
Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open, Packed, & Tracked
Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, Packed & Tracked
Tilson Connector Trail – Open, Packed & Tracked
KabAsh Trail – Open

Snowshoe Trails
Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open  
Sullivan Bay Trail – Open
Oberholtzer Trail – Open

Full Moon Hike at Voyageurs National Park

Join park naturalist, Kim Reich, for a program on the moon phases.  After the program, Kim will lead the group on a full moon snowshoe trek along the Oberholtzer Trail. The program will conclude with a gathering around a campfire. Snowshoes will be provided.

Meet inside the Rainy Lake Visitor Center on Sunday, February 28, 2010. The program runs from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Voyageurs National Park. No fee or registration is required to attend.

Voyageurs Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report

Some of the best snowmobiling of the winter season is now occurring in Voyageurs National Park and the surrounding community.  All snowmobile trails in the park are open and in excellent condition.  The Chain of Lakes Trail on the Kabetogama Peninsula is the only trail in the park that is in fair condition.  The Rainy Lake Ice Road is open from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and circumvents Dryweed Island on to the entrance of Diamond Island.

Please remember that the snowmobile speed limit within Voyageurs National Park is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages.  Speed limit signs are posted at trailheads and overland portages.  Weekly winter trail conditions reports are available on our website at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open & Staked
Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River – Open, Staked & Groomed
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open, Staked & Groomed
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Open & Staked
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open, Staked & Groomed
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open, Staked & Groomed

Rainy Lake Ice Road – OPEN (from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat access)

Ski Trails
Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open, Packed, & Tracked
Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, Packed & Tracked
Tilson Connector Trail – Open, Packed & Tracked
KabAsh Trail – Open

Snowshoe Trails
Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open
Sullivan Bay Trail – Open
Oberholtzer Trail – Open

REMEMBER
“STAKED TRAILS MAKE SAFETY SENSE”
ORANGE IDENTIFIES HAZARD

Voyageurs National Park Announces New Park Partner — Jefferson National Parks Association

Lake States Interpretive Association (LSIA) has been Voyageurs National Park’s cooperating association for the past 34 years. Over the years LSIA managed and oversaw the park’s three visitor center bookstores, helped support the winter interpretive programs, helped support festivals, and helped produce many of the park’s publications. LSIA is a non-profit organization pledged to aid in the interpretation of nature and history in the national parks and national forests of the northern Midwest.

This past fall, LSIA board members decided it was time to close their doors and turn over operating the park’s bookstores to a new association. LSIA was a local organization with board members from International Falls, Twin Cities, Ash River, Crane Lake, and the Grand Rapids area, to name a few. Voyageurs would like to thank all the board members who spent a great deal of their time and talent over the many years to help make Voyageurs a better place and a great experience for visitors.

In 2010, Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA) will take on the role of being the park’s new cooperating association. JNPA’s home is in St. Louis, Missouri. JNPA currently serves as the cooperating association for the following parks and forests:  Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota, Mississippi River Visitor Center in St. Paul, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Ulysses S. Grant in Missouri, National Great River Museum in Illinois, Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, and Lewis and Clark Recreation Area in South Dakota.

With the change over in operation, JNPA will be shutting down the bookstore at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center from January through mid-April 2010. This time will allow JNPA to inventory and evaluate stock and reorganize. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center will stay open Wednesdays through Sundays 10 – 4:30pm. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center bookstore will reopen in mid-April and will be joined by the opening of the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center and Ash River Visitor Center and bookstores on May 22, 2010.

JNPA will offer some of the same publications but also an array of new items that complement the park’s six interpretive themes:  water, scenery, people, geology, voyageurs and the fur trade, and plants and animals. Voyageurs is pleased to have a new park partner who will help us create a great experience for visitors coming to Voyageurs.