Former Teen Ambassador Interview

Every year, VNPA sends 30 Minnesota high school students to Voyageurs National Park and out on the Mississippi River as part of the National Park Teen Ambassador Program. While participants spend time paddling, camping, fishing, hiking, doing service projects, and learning about conservation-related careers from National Park Service staff, they become environmental stewards for our public lands. We had a chance to sit down with one of our past ambassadors to catch up and find out what this program means to her.

Faizah, it is great to see you - what are you up to these days?

I'm actually fasting for Ramadan right now. I just graduated from high school and am looking for a summer job, I think I'll line something up soon. I actually have registration for St. Kate's later so I'll be heading there to sign up for classes. More generally, I've been trying to make camping more of a traditional thing since my experience with Teen Ambassadors.

What kind of job are you looking for?

Initially I wanted to do something outside, but I'm looking for more of a traditional summer job I think.

St. Kate's is a great school. Do you know what you want to study?

I'm not totally sure. I've spent a lot of time over the past few years trying to figure that out because I don't want to get there and spend a lot of extra effort and money figuring it out. I've had so many people in my life telling me, "You don't need to know right now," but there is still a part of me telling me "you need to know now." So we'll see. I think I want to do people things. It's a nursing school so that is an option.

Would you have considered yourself an "outdoorsy" person before your trip to Voyageurs?

Not really - I was in 3rd grade the first time I went camping so I had some experience on what it was, but through my middle school and even into my first few years of high school it wasn't something I thought about. But I think this trip sort of highlighted a part of me I had put in a box and forgotten about. Now it is something I'm grateful for and I wouldn't trade it for anything. When I think about all of the experiences I've been fortunate enough to have with people, this one sticks out because we have stayed in touch. I would say I still talk to about half of the people from that trip. Some people obviously disappear or are hard to track down but I think this experience has been great for a lot of us.

I remember the highlight, well not THE highlight but one really cool part happened at Voyageurs when they asked us what we wanted to do and I said I wanted to see the sunset from a sort of elevated spot. And you know how there are a bunch of little islands out in Voyageurs? Well, I named one after myself and one evening we went out late in the afternoon and I asked where we were going and they said we were going to my island to watch the sunset and when we got there we were like a little village of people and we watched the sunset. It was amazing.

Has your time in the Teen Ambassador Program changed you?

I think so. I love taking walks out in nature and around the parks here. It's not exactly like camping where you're surrounded by nature and everything is green but I would say I don't look at things the same way. I feel more in touch with nature here at home and if I see someone messing with a tree or littering I'm more prone to tell them to knock it off.

I also don't think a lot of people know Fort Snelling State Park is here and when I show them pictures they're in disbelief because when you're there, it feels so far out of the city. I think with the Voyageurs trip, I had no idea about the place and of course I looked up some photos and sort of said, well there's no way it will look like that, but then we went and what I experienced with my own eyes was even more incredible than those images.

What has the Teen Ambassador Program meant to you?

In a way I'm a different person than people expect me to be because I'm a girl and I'm Somali. It can be a little frustrating because I know that a lot of my friends were interested in going on this trip but just couldn't get past those barriers. I mean, I didn't know Voyageurs and I probably wouldn't have ever hear about it if I hadn't been in College Possible. I think more now about how to introduce more people to what I have experienced in an inclusive way and how to breach those barriers.

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VNPA is currently working with partners like College Possible, AVID, and Wilderness Inquiry to recruit 30 Teen Ambassadors for summer 2017 programming. Read what other students have to say about the program, learn about program goals, and apply!

Voyageurs Welcome New Superintendent, Honors VNPA with Special Reception

In collaboration with Voyageurs National Park, Voyageurs National Park Association formally welcomed new superintendent Bob DeGross to the Voyageurs community on January 27.

Community leaders including International Falls Mayor Bob Anderson and Representative Rob Ecklund, park staff, and local residents gathered at the Ranier Community Hall to meet Bob over hot chocolate and coffee. More than 50 people were in attendance.

A brief program began with More Than Just Parks' "Voyageurs 8k" short film, followed by welcoming remarks from Rep. Ecklund and VNPA Executive Director Christina Hausman. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, unable to attend the reception, sent her regards:

Bob, although I can't be there to welcome you in person, I want to take this opportunity to say congratulations on your new position as Superintendent of this beautiful park that is a treasure.

I also want to take this time to congratulate Voyageurs National Park Association for being recognized by the National Park Service and receiving a Partnership Champion Award. The work you do with youth, introducing them to the beauty of our national parks, is so important. You are helping preserve our national park system and you all deserve many thanks for that.

I believe our national park system is such an integral park of who we are in the United States of America and I will continue my efforts to protect our national parks. Again, I wish to welcome Bob to northern Minnesota. I am honored to represent you all in the U.S. Senate.

Following, Bob DeGross spoke of his desire to continue working closely with the local gateway communities, finding ways to encourage new visitations to the area while ensuring the on-going protection of the cultural and natural resources of the park. Most recently the Chief of Interpretation and Public Affairs at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, Bob has more than 25 years of experience in the National Park Service, serving in a range of management and filed positions. A native of Wisconsin, Bob stated, "This is like coming home."

DeGross has already explored the park by snowmobile and looks forward to spending time hiking, fishing, and watching the Northern Lights.

Chief of Interpretation Tawnya Schoewe then presented Voyageurs National Park Association with three awards recognizing their strong commitment to partnerships and improving the park, the Director's Partnership Award and two Midwest Region Champion Awards. National Park Service Regional Director Cameron Sholly noted in a letter accompanying the awards -

You exemplify the best in partnerships and your dedicated work has had a positive impact on the park and its surrounding communities.

VNPA board chair Jeff Brown and board members Lindsey Remakel, Doug Franchot, Burgess Eberhardt, and Eric Johnson accepted the awards with VNPA's Executive Director.

Mike Ward, the previous superintendent, went to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial for a temporary position over a year ago, but was then hired full time. Since then, Maintenance Supervisor Bill Carlson has been acting superintendent at Voyageurs. We would like to take a moment to thank him for all of the work he and other park staff have done during this period of transition.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! View more photos here.

Comment period opens for environmental review of sulfide-ore copper mining

Environmental review will determine whether sensitive lands should be removed from the federal mining program Recently, the U.S. Forest Service announced a two-year pause on mining activities in approximately 234,000 acres of the Superior National Forest, a vital portion of the Rainy River Watershed, which flows into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. The announcement starts a 90-day public comment period on the Forest Service’s application for withdrawal of these lands and minerals from the federal leasing program. This period will help determine the scope for the two-year science-based environmental study of the region's unique water-based ecosystem. The environmental review will guide the decision by the Secretary of the Department of Interior on whether to approve the U.S. Forest Service's application for a 20-year withdrawal. A public meeting for citizen input will be held during the 90-day comment period on March 16, 2017, in Duluth, MN, at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

The review period will ultimately help determine whether our watershed is the wrong place for sulfide-ore copper mining.

Submit your comment during this critical watershed environmental review by April 15, 2017. Comments may be addressed to Connie Cummins, Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest, 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808-1122, via e-mail to comments-eastern-superior@fs.fed.us, or via fax to 218-626-4398.

A 2015 hydrology study commissioned by National Parks Conservation Association and Voyageurs National Park Association found that pollution from sulfide mines in the Rainy River Watershed as far away as 100 miles will flow into Voyageurs impacting its waters and wildlife. A two-year environmental review of the proposed withdrawal is essential to allow federal agencies and the public to examine science to determine whether copper-nickel mining should be allowed in this watershed.

Don't Be a Sissy, #OptOutside! Activities at Voyageurs National Park this Winter

The lack of consistency in weather can only mean one thing in Minnesota: Winter is here. Some people have a certain distaste for the winter months. We get it - it's cold, it's dark, and everyone from out of town is making Fargo references. It can be grueling to say the least. And now that the holidays are over, all we really have to look forward to is Spring. Or so you thought.

Minnesotans are a hardy folk, and even if the weather does bother us from time to time, we really don't like being questioned for living in the arctic tundra. So if you're having trouble coming up with fun outdoor activities you can enjoy in freezing temps, you've come to the right place.

Here are some of the best ways to experience Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park this winter.

 

Voyageurs National Park's Winter Event Series

Voyageurs National Park Association is sponsoring Voyageurs National Park's Winter Event Series to help you embrace the cold, play, and learn.

Sledding

Did you know Voyageurs National Park has an official sledding hill? To get there, take the Kab-Ash Ice Road from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center and take a left onto the Sphunge Island Loop. NPS staff place picnic tables and a fire ring by the parking lot, so come out and stay a while. Always check the park's website for current ice and trails conditions to see if the sledding hill is open.

BONUS:The sledding hill consists of a small hill for younger children and a larger hill for older children and adults (kids at heart).

Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing

Snowshoeing and skiing offer many possibilities for solitude and enjoying majestic winter landscapes. And falling down is an excellent opportunity to say "Uff da." Win-win. Click here to see what trails at the park are open to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.

BONUS: The Rainy Lake Visitor Center has snowshoes and skis you can use for free! This is the only visitor center open through the winter. Hours: 10 am - 4:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday until mid-May.

EXTRA BONUS: Join Voyageurs National Park on January 20 for a family friendly moon-lit snowshoe hike at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center as part of International Falls' Icebox Days festivities. Snowshoes will be provided, but you should bring your own headlamp.

EXTRA EXTRA BONUS: Are you ready to craft your own? Jim DeVries, Senior Naturalist from the Laurentian Environmental Center, is leading a workshop where you will lace your very own set of snowshoes! We are accepting registration on a first-come, first-served basis until January 13.

Look for Animal Tracks

Snow is a really awesome way to observe and learn about animal behaviors because tracks are so much easier to see! Go out with a bingo card, or just make a "want to find" list, and start searching!

BONUS: The park has some pretty fun winter programs that you might want to check out if you're interested in learning about winter wildlife at Voyageurs. Head to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for one of the Winter Event Series talks on wildlife in and around Voyageurs National Park, including a children's fun day and discussions about wolves and moose decline in northeastern Minnesota.

Keep a Daily Record of the Temperature and Snow Depth

Yes, it might be old-fashioned, but it gets you interacting with the landscape at a time when you probably kind of resent that is happening outside of your blanket cocoon.

BONUS: Add a few sentences of personal reflection or notable moments once in awhile, you'll enjoy looking back at it.

Investigate Snowflakes

Here's what you need: 1. A snowy day, 2. something black to use as a backdrop, 3. a magnifying glass, and 4. a sense of wonder.

We've been told that every snowflake is unique, but have you ever looked for yourself? I got the opportunity to do this in kindergarten - we each got a piece of black paper and a magnifying glass and went about our merry ways catching snowflakes and looking at them. That's literally all we did, was look. It was awesome.

BONUS: When you go back inside, try to replicate what you saw by making paper cutouts to decorate your home!

Ditch the Car

The park maintains oodles of snowmobile trails for just this - over 110 miles! But be safe, and please remember that ice roads aren't intended for snowmobiles. You can also enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing (as mentioned above), or plain old hiking!

BONUS: If you're looking for some hiking tips, join Park Ranger Eric Grunwald at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center on March 26 where he will lead a discussion about some of the best places of hike in Voyageurs and throughout Minnesota. He will also talk about the proper gear to carry with you, whether you're planning a short afternoon hike or a multi-night backpacking trip.

Or don't!

One of the most unique features of Voyageurs are the ice roads that are maintained by park employees Rainy and Kabetogama during the winter, allowing you to see more of the park than you can from your car in the summer.

Always check the winter ice and trails conditions report to see if the ice roads are open. You can access the Rainy Lake Ice Road from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch, and the Kabetogama Lake Ice Road from the boat launches of the Ash River and Kabetogama Lake Visitor Centers. Routes depend on conditions so be prepared for changes or closures (especially when heavy snow, slush, or thin ice exists) and remember that traveling beyond plowed areas is unsafe. The speed limit on these roads is 30 mph, and only vehicles of less than 7,000 lbs gross vehicle weight are permitted on the roads.

Explore the Park's Gateway Communities

International Falls has some awesome family-friendly events that you should definitely attend if you live in the area, including Ice Box Days and the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run 5K and 10K. You can also join us on January 27 to welcome Voyageurs National Park's new Superintendent Bob DeGross. Please RSVP for this informal event at the Ranier Comunity Hall.

Ice Fishing

Ghostly winter quiet, rugged piney shorelines, and outstanding angling make Voyageurs National Park an ice angler’s dream. Place icehouses at least 50-feet from the center of snowmobile trails and the ice road. Check ice conditions before going out. Fishing license and ice house registration is required.

Winter Camping

Read more about this in our next post (coming soon)!

No matter what you choose to do on these winter days, take some advice from our good friend Garrison Keillor, and "Don't Be a Sissy." It could always be colder.

Voyageurs National Park is Hiring for Upcoming 2017 Summer Season

The National Park Service has seasonal employment available for the summer of 2017 at Voyageurs National Park! Vacant positions will begin posting in January and February for the following positions: Visitor Use Assistants Park Guides (open until 1/13) Park Rangers for Protection Wildland Firefighters (open until 2/21) Forestry Aids Small Craft Operators (Tour Boat Captains) (open until 2/10) Biological Science Technicians in both Wildlife and Vegetation (open until 1/13) Maintenance Workers

Many of the temporary jobs run from mid-May through early September and require work in an outdoor setting (which is awesome if you ask us). Some positions are only open to "contiguous to the local area" candidates and require applicants to live for two years within 45-miles of Voyageurs National Park.

It's truly rewarding to know you are helping maintain the beauty and history of a place deemed special and unique enough to BE a National Park.

Note: If you are entering into the wildland fire arena without any previous experience, there are some basic classes that may be able to complete locally which will increase your chances of being hired. You must be at least 18 years of age in order to work as a firefighter for the National Park Service. Applications are already being accepted for these positions.

To search for available positions and learn more about the job duties, go on-line, type in "International Falls, MN", in the City/State block, click on the link for the particular positions advertised and follow the instructions on how to apply. All application materials must be submitted on-line by the closing date of the job announcement. Applicants with questions regarding the application process should refer to the Help section on www.usajobs.gov.

www.nps.gov/voya

Federal Agencies Halt Sulfide Mine on the Edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Upstream of Voyageurs

Yesterday the Obama Administration announced it would not renew federal mineral leases critical to the development of the Twin Metals copper-nickel mine. Citing broad concerns from thousands of public comments and input about potential impacts of sulfide mining on the watershed, fish and wildlife, and the recreation economy, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture took actions that denied an application for renewal of expired leases, as well as initiated steps to withdraw key portions of the watershed from new mineral permits and leases. This major move could be the beginning of long-term protection for the watershed from sulfide-ore copper mining.

It is well established that acid mine drainage is a significant environmental risk at sulfide ore mine sites like the one proposed for these leased lands. Even small amounts of mine contamination leaking into the Rainy River Drainage Basin would impact Voyageurs National Park’s ecosystem for decades and threaten its pristine waters and wildlife, world-class fishing, and the family-owned small businesses that serve park visitors.

Read the announcements from the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as additional coverage of this landmark watershed moment by: Wilderness News, MinnPost, and The Wall Street Journal.

The expired mineral leases held by Twin Metals were initially issued in 1966, before the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts existed, as well as other laws requiring review of environmental impacts. As a result, these leases never underwent environmental review.

The upcoming environmental review initiated by the US Forest Service and BLM will be a comprehensive analysis to determine whether this watershed is the wrong place for sulfide-ore copper mining and should be removed from the federal mining program for 20 years. Significant public input and scientific review lie ahead. The voices of BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park neighbors and visitors will be critical in the next two years.

Voyageurs National Park Winter Ice and Trail Conditions Report

Due to the lack of safe ice at this time, all snowmobile and ski trails are closed with the exception of the Echo Bay Ski Trail, which has been packed, but not tracked. Snowshoe trails are open but not packed. Park staff has started checking ice conditions and found there is not significant ice to stake trails. Please remember to think twice during this time of thin ice, and when in doubt, stay off the ice. For information on general ice thickness safety guidelines, please visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

This winter season, the most up-to-date information regarding Voyageurs' ice and trail conditions will be posted each Wednesday to the park's Facebook page and on the park's website.

Future winter ice and trail condition press releases will be issued only during major changes in conditions.

Snowmobile Trails: International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) CLOSED Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) CLOSED Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) CLOSED Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) CLOSED Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) CLOSED East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) CLOSE

Rainy Lake Ice Road: CLOSED

Kabetogama Lake Ice Road: CLOSED

Ski Trails: Echo Bay Ski Trail PACKED NOT TRACKED Black Bay Ski Trail CLOSED Tilson Bay Ski Trail CLOSED KabAsh Trail CLOSED

Snowshoe Trails: Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail CLOSED Blind Ash Bay Trail OPEN NOT PACKED Oberholtzer Trail OPEN NOT PACKED Sullivan Bay Trail OPEN NOT PACKED Rainy Lake Recreation Trail OPEN NOT PACKED

"STAKED TRAILS MAKE SAFETY SENSE" ORANGE IDENTIFIES HAZARDS

www.nps.gov/voya

Congress Passes National Park Service Centennial Act

After an all-night voting session, Congress closed the Centennial year with a significant investment in the future of our National Parks. The last-minute passage of the National Park Service Centennial Act (H.R. 4680) last weekend will have long term benefits for Voyageurs National Park, Voyageurs National Park Association, and parks and their partners across the country. And, it boasts significant bipartisan support.

The NPS Centennial Act will help address some of the $12 billion backlog in needed repairs to park infrastructure; expand the Centennial Challenge Fund, a public-private funding partnership; establish and seed a national parks endowment; and provide additional opportunities for youth and volunteers.

The expansion and continuation of the Centennial Challenge Fund builds on the proven success of leveraging private dollars with federal funds for projects and programs throughout the National Park System. In the past two years, Congress invested $25 million in the program, while partners raised over $45 million in matching funds. Locally, Centennial Challenge funds matched by Voyageurs National Park Association and other funding sources helped to rehab Voyageurs National Park's Cruiser Lake Trail and launch a wetland restoration project. VNPA looks forward to this continued opportunity to leverage future funds to engage youth, offer learning and recreation opportunities, and protect and restore historic sites.

Read what our partners at National Park Foundation, National Parks Traveler, and the Outdoor Industry Association have to say about this legislation.

Public Comments Sought for Environmental Assessment to Remove Hybrid Cattails in Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park staff seeks public comments regarding an EnvironmentalAssessment to Remove Hybrid Cattails and restore native marsh plant communities in Voyageurs National Park.

Typha x glauca is a hybrid type of cattail that is formed when the native broadleaf cattail naturally crosses with the non-native narrowleaf cattail. The resulting hybrid has traits that allow it to thrive in a wider range of environmental conditions and make it highly invasive. These hybrid cattails have become dominant throughout Voyageurs National Park and have crowded out entire bays, leading to habitat degradation. This degradation includes the reduction of muskrat and other wildlife habitat, weakened fish spawning areas, a reduction in vegetation biodiversity, and compromised visitor experiences. The Environmental Assessment explores various methods for treating invasive cattails and analyzes the impacts of those treatments.

The Environmental Assessment is now available for public review and comment on the National Park Service website. You may also call park headquarters at (218) 283-6600 to request a hard copy. Comments can be submitted online, via email, or mailed/hand-delivered to the Superintendent at Voyageurs National Park 360 Highway 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649.

Comments must be postmarked or submitted by December 9, 2016. If you wish us to withhold you name and/or address or other personal identifying information, you must state this at the beginning of your comment.

A visually stunning journey through Voyageurs National Park

Take a break and get inspired by the beauty of Voyageurs National Park. VOYAGEURS 8K is now LIVE! Voyageurs National Park Association is proud to sponsor this epic short film by More Than Just Parks.

The crew spent several weeks filming in peak fall color at Voyageurs National Park. Journey with More Than Just Parks to discover (or re-discover) a land where eagles soar, wolves howl, and the northern lights dazzle with magnificent displays.

Click here to view additional photos and information about their route and filming locations.

VOYAGEURS 8K from More Than Just Parks on Vimeo.

More Than Just Parks | Voyageurs is the culmination of several weeks spent filming in Minnesota's northernmost regions along the Canadian border. Encompassing more than 340 square miles, Voyageurs National Park is a watery wonderland almost exclusively accessible by boat. Journey with us as we explore a land blanketed in pristine lakes, ablaze with kaleidoscopic fall foliage, and home to the most spectacular displays of the northern lights on the planet. This is Voyageurs.

Your gift helps us ensure that Voyageurs National Park is just as beautiful for future generations. Click here to make a donation online

Voyageurs National Park and VNPA Complete Renovation of Cruiser Lake Trail System in Celebration of NPS Centennial

Voyageurs National Park and its charitable partner Voyageurs National Park Association (VNPA) recently completed the renovation of the crown jewel of the park’s trail system on the Kabetogama Peninsula – the Cruiser Lake Trail – as their signature project for the National Park Service Centennial.

Offering perhaps the best opportunity to spot the park’s large mammals including moose, wolves, and black bears, the 9.5- mile Cruiser Lake Trail winds its way through the heart of the Kabetogama Peninsula, from the northern edge of Kabetogama Lake to what is perhaps the park’s most iconic vista atop Anderson Bay. Hikers traversing this stretch are able to truly experience Voyageurs country, from tranquil wetlands and rugged shorelines to windswept cliffs.

Through the generosity of private funding from donors, VNPA provided matching support to leverage $20,000 in federal Centennial Challenge funds to replace boardwalks, level bridge sections, fix signs, and clear overgrown brush.

From Seth Nelson, Voyageurs National Park Maintenance Supervisor: “Prior to this project we had regular complaints of visitors getting lost or turned around on the trail due to the vegetation overtaking the trail or misleading and missing markers.”

Park staff completed: ●      Brushing, limbing, and clearing on 6.3 miles ●      Replacing 24-feet of boardwalk ●      Releveling the bridge ●      Replacing three rotten waterbar timbers ●      Restacking 32 rock cairns and adding 10 additional rock cairns ●      Replacing the signs at the Mica Bay intersection and all hiking symbol signs

Acting Superintendent and Facility Manager, Bill Carlson stated, “The Trail is ready for use and is in great condition for visitors to explore. This project would not have been possible without the generosity of VNPA’s supporters.”

In 2015, park partners like VNPA pledged to raise private funds to match a special $10 million Congressional Centennial appropriate to improve the facilities, accessibility, and park programs, resulting in a $26 million total investment in national parks in 2016. Under this initiative, more than 100 special projects across the U.S. were completed to improve visitor services, support outreach to new audiences, and leverage partnerships to reinvigorate parks while foraging connections with communities.

“VNPA was proud to help our park celebrate the Centennial, inspire community engagement, and connect new visitors to Voyageurs this year. A crucial part of this partnership year was being able to provide matching funds to leverage federal funding for the Cruiser Lake Trail. Thank you to our generous donors, especially the WM Foundation, who make this exciting and important work possible,” said Christina Hausman, VNPA executive director.

Voyageurs National Park Announces Next Superintendent

  Robert (Bob) DeGross, a Wisconsin native, has been selected as the next Superintendent of Voyageurs National Park. He'll start this December.

"I'm excited to make the move to northern Minnesota and Voyageurs National Park, and am looking forward to working with the staff and adjacent communities." DeGross said. "I've always had an affinity for the water and woods of the northern forest. The human history and natural beauty of the area is truly spectacular."

DeGross has been active in the National Park Service for 25 years, currently the Chief of Interpretation and Public Affairs at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. In his career, he has served in a range of park management positions including acting superintendent of Biscayne National Park in 2016, acting deputy superintendent of Big Cypress National Preserve in 2014 and 2015, and acting superintendent of Canaveral National Seashore in 2007 among numerous other supervisory and field positions.

"We are pleased to welcome Bob as the superintendent of Voyageurs National Park," stated Regional Director Cam Sholly. "He has a proven track record of solving complex problems and working to build strong community relations and park operations."

DeGross said he is looking forward to moving back home to the upper Midwest, where he plans to enjoy canoeing, hiking, fishing, riding his motorcycle, and watching the northern lights.

"Bob has an impressive background working with parks and park partners. We look forward to learning from his partnership experience and continuing our efforts jointly with Bob and park staff," said Christina Hausman, VNPA executive director.

Voyageurs National Park Association would like to thank Bill Carlson, who served as acting superintendent, for his dedication and service to the park this year. We welcome Bob to the Voyageurs community!

Voyageurs National Park Association Receives NPS Midwest Region Director's Partnership Champion Award

Voyageurs National Park Association Recipient of the 2016 Midwest Region Champion Award Voyageurs National Park Association is excited to announce that they have been chosen for a 2016 NPS Midwest Region Director's Partnership Champion Award. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements carried out by national park partners nationwide.

"Their commitment to youth and visitor outreach and their passion for preservation has been a catalyst for exciting initiatives at Voyageurs National Park. Through their Landmark Grant, Land Preservation Initiative, and National Park Teen Ambassador program, VNPA has engaged teens in transformational outdoor experiences, enabled critically important wetland restoration, and increased visitor engagement opportunities through the expansion of programming and visitor center staffing."

Read about other honored partner organizations.

Regional Director Cameron Sholly stated, “You exemplify the best in partnerships and your dedicated work has had a positive impact on the park and its surrounding communities. I appreciate your accomplishments and recognize your work with this 2016 Midwest Partnership Award.”

The award will be presented to Christina Hausman, Executive Director of Voyageurs National Park Association during the Community Welcome Reception for Park Superintendent Bob DeGross. The Reception will be held at the Ranier Community Building on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Read about other honored partner organizations.

Thank you to our members, partners, and volunteers who make this possible!

More Than Just Another Sunset

It's been wonderful to see all of the photographs that have already been submitted to our #VoyageHere photo contest in the past week. It will never cease to amaze me how many colors a single sunset boast, how an experience can be captured in a single frame, and that each person meets and views Voyageurs in a way that is utterly unique.

Photography has directed me to a deeper appreciation and understanding of nature, relationships, moments, people, and beyond. Until I started taking pictures for myself, I didn't "get" why moms are always trying to capture every moment of their children's youth, instagram, or the value of carrying a camera with you wherever you go.

I wasn't really even interested in attempting the art, but my mother had different ideas.

Enter: my very first digital camera. I was 14 year old, reluctant, and ungrateful.

My mom enrolled me in a beginners photography class - the influx of jargon and technique had me slowly warming to the idea of photography as an art form. And then she took me out on one of those February mornings where the snow sticks to every tree branch and you feel like you live in a wonderland.

I went home and downloaded all of the pictures to my computer. As I scrolled through them I realized that something in my attitude about photography had profoundly changed.

Every image elicited an emotion. I knew where I was when I took it, the temperature, what day of the week it was, who I was with, and how I felt. I never had these reactions when just looking at photos. I discovered that the act of choosing your subject, framing the image, and taking the shot yourself immensely alters the way you experience photography.

Now, when my eyes are open, I am actually seeing the world - in all of its forms. Good, bad, tragic, beautiful, happy, disappointing, mediocre, awesome.

We sometimes joke that a submission to the contest is "just another sunset." Beautiful, yes, but nearly identical to every other sunset that has been shared with us.

Which is why I decided to make captions an integral part of the contest this year. Nine out of ten photos may be nearly interchangeable, but the stories behind them never will.

Needless to say, I've come around to instagram, and am now guilty of always carrying a camera.

Take a gander at already submitted images on our Facebook page and share your own before it's too late! Details can be found here.

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Ella Rausch, Youth & Outreach Coordinator

AmeriCorps VISTA for Voyageurs National Park Association

Buoy Removal And No Hunting Reminders In Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park staff will be conducting hazard marker and regulatory buoy removal within the park starting October 1, 2016. In addition, Voyageurs National Park reminds visitors - hunting and trapping of any type or manner is prohibited on Federal lands and all waters within the boundary of Voyageurs National Park. This includes the removal of animals that have entered the park boundary after being shot outside the park.

Park rangers enforce hunting and trapping laws under Federal regulations. These regulations carry a maximum penalty up to $10,000 and/or 6-months in jail for misdemeanor violations and $20,000 and/or 5-years in jail with forfeiture of hunting equipment for felony violations.

Park officials remind hunters to know where they are hunting. Maps showing the park boundary and area information are available at visitor centers, boat launch kiosks, and at park headquarters (218) 283-6600.

www.nps.gov

Volunteer Rendezvous at Ellsworth Rock Gardens A Success

The first time I saw a picture of Ellsworth Rock Gardens, the phrase "Stonehenge of Minnesota" immediately popped into my head. I realize this isn't completely accurate because these rocks were placed by a real man, not an alien (or whoever was crazy enough to take on the arduous task of moving those giant stones in England) and were created many centuries apart, but it still has an eery yet enchanting quality about it that leaves you inspired to do whatever daunting task is next on your list once you step foot off the dock.

As we rode in a Park Service pontoon to the Ellsworth Rock Gardens for the annual Volunteer Rendezvous last weekend, I had to squint pretty hard to see where exactly we were headed. I was told there was a garden there, and had seen photographs of a large meadow. But from the water, all I saw were trees. I didn't even realize there was a dock until our boat had just about arrived.

The gardens didn't always have this much privacy from Lake Kabetogama. Early photos show a vast clearing along the shore now camouflaged by pine trees, where Jack and his wife had a clear view of the lake from their cabin that was set back quite far on their property. Jack constantly performed maintenance and improvement on the site, but when he became ill, the gardens fell by the wayside. If you don't have access to old images for reference, the gardens look just fine and dandy, but a little digging will tell you that the space has transformed significantly since the couple left.

Our volunteers, along with help from park staff, made an impressive effort to bring the gardens back to their appearance as Jack intended. 27 people, ranging in age from 8 to 80, worked a total of 311 hours over the two days of the Rendezvous, filling 3 barges with excess brush and compost, thinning the dying balsam trees around the guest cabin, sweeping cobwebs and debris from the exterior of buildings, weeding many of Jack's iris beds, arranging the sculpture stones in the guest cabin in numerical order and labelling them for proper storage, and cleaning and organizing Mr. Ellsworth's original work shed. On Saturday night, a volunteer appreciation dinner was help at Arrowhead lodge, where poetry was read, much-needed IPA's were drank, and family stories were told over a delicious meal of pulled pork orchestrated by the one and only Betsey Warrington.

Catherine Crawford, the Collections Manager at Voyageurs, also presented an interpretive program on Friday night in conjunction with VNPA's event, generously hosted by the Kabetogama Lake Association at their town hall, covering the concrete and not so concrete facts of Jack Ellsworth's life and sharing exclusive photos of the gardens. Attended by nearly 40 people, there was great interest from local residents in this program.

Doug Lowthian, a seasonal ranger at Voyageurs who helped coordinate the event, said of the weekend, "It was very uplifting to experience the enthusiasm, energy, and care all the volunteers brought to the park. The park staff appreciates the partnership of the VNPA and the work of these volunteers. We truly benefit in ways both tangible and intangible."

The park began this large-scale restoration process in 2001, involving not only weeding, planting, and brush removal, but also repairing sculptures and integrating interpretive signage among many smaller projects. There is no end-date to this project - watching over the gardens will be a continuous process carried out by numerous park staff and enthusiastic volunteers for years to come.

Great work was done there from 1944 to 1966 by Jack Ellsworth. Great work was done there last weekend by our park staff and volunteers. Great work is done there every week by wonderful long-term gardeners who have volunteered their time for the past eleven years. It truly is a beautiful and enchanting place.

If you haven't been there, go. If you have been there, go back! The scenery is always changing thanks to Mother Nature, dedicated gardeners and volunteers, and the critters that think lilies are snacks!

But for me, it will always be the "Stonehenge of Minnesota."

We would like to thank all of our volunteers for their effort and enthusiasm throughout the event, along with supporting staff members of the park, including Catherine Crawford, Mary Graves, Doug Lowthian, Bill Johnson, Candy Bruers, Steve Schultz, Jason Christenson, Kevin Grossheim, and Gary Whipple for all their hard work through the planning process and day-of work that goes into these weekends.

More Links

NPS Ellsworth Rock Gardens Page

Mapping the Mystery of Jack Ellsworth

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Ella Rausch, Youth & Outreach Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA for Voyageurs National Park Association

Voyageurs National Park Announces Fall Visitor Center Hours and Fall Color Updates

Voyageurs National Park visitor centers begin new fall operations this weekend. The Kabetogama Lake and Ash River Visitor Centers will be closed for the season beginning Sunday, September 25, 2016. Both visitor centers will reopen in mid-May 2017. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center will have the following fall and early winter hours:

September, 26,2016: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays September 25 – early January 2017: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fall Color Update for the week of September 18th As days grow shorter, and nights grow longer and cooler, leaves are starting the process of changing colors. Typically, fall color peaks at Voyageurs National Park in mid to late September. Be sure to follow the Voyageurs National Park Facebook page for the latest updates on fall colors.

Voyageurs National Park staff encourages you to come out and explore the park this fall and enjoy the colors of North Woods.

Voyageurs National Park Announces Reduced Hours at the Ash River Visitor

Due to a number of staffing changes at Voyageurs National Park, the Ash River Visitor Center will have reduced hours for the remainder of the summer season – through September 24, 2016. Hours of operation at Ash River Visitor Center will be:

• Thursdays: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Fridays: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Saturdays: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Sundays: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center and the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center will continue to be open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm through September 24, 2016 with no reduction in hours.

www.nps.gov

Kettle Falls Archeology

By Drew LaBounty, Voyageurs National Park Many who have visited Kettle Falls will remember the familiar sights of the dam tender’s cabin, the company house, trading post, hotel, and the dam itself – all bustling with activity in the wilderness of Voyageurs National Park.  Many others know the complex and colorful history of this place, and some lucky few have lived it personally.  But there are even older stories at Kettle Falls, stories that have been buried over time and passed completely out of memory.

Starting in the fall of 2015, Voyageurs National Park began an archeological inventory of Kettle Falls.  In contrast to other kinds of inventories, archeologists document information about the past using evidence buried in the ground.  The study will resume this fall, 2016, and is intended to add a new dimension to what we know about this place.

Last year, VNP worked with the NPS’ Midwest Archeological Center in Lincoln, NE to run geophysical instruments across the front yard of the company house at the Namakan landing.  These tools measure the soils’ magnetic fields (magnetometry), their ability to conduct electricity (conductivity), their ability to resist electricity (resistance), and the soils’ permeability to radio waves (ground penetrating radar).  Each of these instruments records something about the soils and what objects may lie underground.  Magnetometry, for example, is so sensitive that it can detect the stronger magnetic field of soil or rocks that have been burned by a campfire.  Conductivity meters, like those used in the construction industry, can locate the metal in buried utility lines – or the metal of a small machined nail used to hold an historic structure together.  One of the best known instruments, ground penetrating radar, identifies shifts from looser to denser soils, and can reveal the packed earth resulting from a structure.

In addition to all these geophysical instruments, small-scale archeological excavations were placed along the shorelines above and below the dam.  By slowly digging smaller holes and carefully examining the soils for artifacts, archeologists hope to piece together the past environment and people’s activities before recorded history.

Early findings from Year 1 will guide further archeological work this fall.  Last year, the geophysical instruments revealed shapes and corners at the Namakan landing that suggest the location of the original Monson’s trading post.  These so-called “geophysical anomalies” will be carefully uncovered to learn whether they represent a building, how and when it was built, and ultimately what happened to it.  The remaining evidence will then be preserved underground and interpreted with photos, maps, and historical accounts.  Meanwhile, dirt-and-shovel investigations along the shore suggest a history of small fires previously unknown at Kettle Falls, and in other places, there is evidence of a Native presence whose activities may be among the first at Kettle Falls.  Each of these clues reveals a deeper history of the land that will be teased out in Year 2.

If you visit in the fall, you may see crews out digging in the lawn at the Namakan landing and carefully sifting through the soils, mapping foundation ruins in the woods, and matching up historic photos to the modern landscape.  All of these activities (and more!) will add even greater time-depth to the rich and colorful history that has always fascinated visitors and residents alike at Kettle Falls.

Franken, Klobuchar and Nolan Announce Legislation to Streamline Voyageurs National Park Land Management Passes Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, along with Congressman Rick Nolan, announced that their legislation to ensure all of the lands within Voyageurs National Park will be managed consistently passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today. “Voyageurs Park is a national treasure that should be preserved for generations to come,” said Franken, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “And that starts with how the park is managed. I’m pleased that our legislation giving the National Park Service the ability to more effectively care for Voyageurs took a critical step forward today. I’ll keep working to make sure that our commonsense measure becomes law.”

“Voyageurs National Park is our nation’s premier water-based Park and we must preserve it so visitors can continue to experience it for decades to come,” said Klobuchar. “This action moves our legislation to provide more consistency to the land management of Voyageurs Nation Park while also saving taxpayer dollars forward. We’ll keep working to make Voyageurs National Park an even better place to visit and enjoy.”

“I’m pleased that our measure to improve land management at one of Minnesota’s crown jewels, Voyageurs National Park, has passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,” said Nolan. “Our legislation will ensure that all of Voyageurs National Park will be managed consistently to provide thousands of visitors with an even better experience here in our beautiful Minnesota north country.”

S.2805/ H.R.4944 codifies a Department of Interior inter-agency land transfer and will save staff time and taxpayer dollars by eliminating the need for a duplicative land management renewal procedure that has required publication and notice in the Federal Register – a burdensome process for lands that were originally intended to be administered by the National Park Service when Voyageurs National Park was established.

The measure also proposes to exchange certain tracts of State and Federal land for more beneficial and mutual management.

According to the National Park Service, there are no anticipated costs associated with the inter-agency land transfer itself.