Restoring Native Plants in Voyageurs

by Claire Kissane, National Park Service This summer, Voyageurs National Park will begin removing exotic cattails and restoring natural wetlands. The invasive cattails seen throughout the park are actually hybrids of non-native narrow-leaved cattails and native broad-leaved cattail, which has out-competed both parents species, resulting in the vast majority of cattails found in the park being hybridized. These have in turn begin to dominate the landscape because they are more aggressive and can occupy a wider range of water depths than their parent species. Over the past 20+ years, more and more Voyageurs wetlands have been affected by the growing hybrid cattail populations. The invasion has reduced native plant and animal diversity, impaired cultural resources like wild rice, reduced fish and wildlife habitat, and limited the use of waterways for recreation and navigation. Stands of invasive hybrid cattails are also replacing native vegetation such as sedges, wild rice, rushes, pondweeds, and native cattails, causing an overall decline in plant diversity within the park. As boaters are well-aware, these cattails can also form dense floating mats expanding outward from the land. At Voyageurs, most of these dense stands and mats are located on Kabetogama shorelines, with smaller stands on Namakan and Rainy Lakes.

Here is a helpful guide on who to tell cattail species apart.

Here is a great FAQ on native vs. non-native species.

There are an estimated 500 acres of hybrid invasive cattails in Voyageurs National Park. The goal of this project is to control at least half of them in the next 2-3 years, with a long-term plan of controlling the rest of the invasive cattails within the next 5-10 years. This will allow native species to repopulate the bays, restoring natural diversity and habitat to the park area. The project is supported by multiple partners including VNPA and is funded by a variety of sources including the National Park Service and matching donors, VNPA, settlement funds, and the Minnesota Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment administered through the Initiative Foundation.

Several methods will be used to eradicate the cattails:

1. They will be removed mostly using harvesting barges and smaller equipment.
2. Any cattails not accessible by heaver equipment will be removed by hand.
3. Burning may also be used as a tool to thin cattail areas before harvesting.
4. Additionally, native muskrats will be reintroduced to help control the cattails.

Muskrats have the ability to reduce the density of wetland vegetation by eating the plants and making channels through the water, and may be the best long-term method to naturally limit cattail populations before they expand. Since native muskrat populations have decreased in recent years however, animals from outside the park will be introduced to the densest cattail areas within Voyageurs. With an improved habitat, a healthy population of muskrats may help to keep the cattails in check once they are removed.

After the thick mats of hybrid cattails are eliminated, wild rice and other native aquatic plants can take hold without any further effort. Many native seeds can remain in the soil under cattails for years and natural vegetation will return when given the chance. To help the process along, staff will collect and distribute seeds from healthy wetlands in the park, and will go even further by purchasing seed mixtures from local nurseries. The VNPA Volunteer Rendezvous weekend in September will be an important part of the native seed collection, with a goal of collecting 300 pounds of wild rice seed and up to 50 pounds of sedge and rush seed during the volunteer weekend, all from within the park. Within a few days of collection, the seed will be distributed at sites recently cleared of cattails.

Wildlife and plant species living around the cattail mats will be monitored before, during, and after the cattail removal, restoration, and muskrat reintroduction. This will help determine the effectiveness of the restoration methods, and it will help identify any impacts the project might have on wetland ecosystems. Through the efforts of this project, the wetland habitats throughout Voyageurs will once again be healthy and thriving.

Park officials will be primarily working in Black Bay on Rainy Lake outside of the main boating channel this summer. Visitors should inform park staff is they come across a floating mat blocking a campsite or in or near a boating channel.

Voyageurs National Park Announces Resurfacing of Entrance Roads and Boat Launch Areas

Voyageurs National Park would like to inform the public about the resurfacing of the Rainy Lake and Ash River Visitor Center's entrance roads and boat launch parking lot on Rainy Lake. Starting mid-June through July, visitors will experience one-lane closures with a pilot car escort provided during business hours.

Park staff would like to remind visitors, the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch ramp will be restricted to one-lane use during the construction period.

Effective Tuesday, June 20, over-night parking will not be allowed in the lower lot of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch. This no-parking notice will be in affect through the end of the project. Violators will be towed at the owner's expense.

National Park Service

Seeking Experts to Help Reconstruct the Kettle Falls Overlook

Voyageurs National Park Association is seeking pro bono landscape architecture services as Voyageurs National Park begins planning the reconstruction of the Kettle Falls overlook in Minnesota's National Park.

Voyageurs National Park's Kettle Falls has been a crossroads of travel and history for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Kettle Falls was a main artery of the travel route along the wilderness border region. Native peoples gathered, hunted, and speared sturgeon at the falls, voyageurs paddled and portaged through the area carrying their goods and furs, and prospectors traveled to the picturesque resting place on their way to the Rainy Lake gold mines.

The park's Kettle Falls Historic District is a large area with multiple historic, natural, and recreational features, access points, and types of visitors. The Historic District retains several significant historic features, including the Kettle Falls Hotel and associated buildings, the Kettle Falls Dam, a log damkeeper's cabin built in 1910, and numerous other historic and archeological features. Kettle Falls is a unique place offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the rich stories of the people and time periods that passed through these waterways.

Over 40,000 visitors come to Kettle Falls annually. Boat launch ramps and visitor docking are located on both Namakan and Rainy Lakes. Food, lodging, gas, and portage services are available.

This project involves rehabilitating the 30-year-old visitor overlook and surrounding area at Kettle Falls. The wood observation deck and walkways have shifted and settled over the years and now pose numerous tripping, splintering, and falling hazards for park visitors. The overlook offers rich opportunities for scenic views as well as historic and environmental education to visitors.

Can you help?

Professional landscape architecture or architecture services are needed to develop construction drawings for the new Kettle Falls overlook.

Project Timeline

●  August/September 2017 - Landscape architect site visit to Voyageurs National Park ●  August 2018 - Draft construction drawings prepared for NPS review ●  January 2019 - Final construction drawings to NPS ●  September 2019 - Site demolition; construction begins

Contact If you are interested in learning more about ways you can support this project through donated services, please contact: Christina Hausman chausman@voyageurs.org

Voyageurs National Park Announces Summer Hours of Operation

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center hours of operation are:

• May 5 - May 27, 2017: Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 4:30pm
• May 28 - September 30, 2017: Open seven days a week, 9am - 5pm

The Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center hours of operation are:

• May 27 - May 28, 2017: 9am - 5pm
• June 3 - June 4, 2017: 9am - 5pm
• June 10 - September 30, 2017: Open seven days a week, 9am - 5pm

The Ash River Visitor Center hours of operation are:

• June 10 - September 30, 2017: Open seven days a week, 9am - 5pm

This reduction in days and hours of operation is due to delays with hiring our summer workforce that are beyond our control. Visitors can expect boat tours to start June 25, 2017 and should call ahead for scheduled ranger-led programs.

For a complete list of up-to-date programs visit www.nps.gov/voya. To make a reservation for boat tours visit www.recreation.gov. For all other ranger-led programs visitors should inquire at the visitor center they wish to explore.

• Rainy Lake Visitor Center: 218-286-5258
• Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center: 218-875-2111
• Ash River Visitor Center: 218-374-3221

Voyageurs National Park staff encourages you to come out and explore the opportunities available this summer and enjoy the North Woods.

Voyageurs National Park Begins Buoy Placement

Voyageurs began placing hazard markers and other buoys within park boundaries on April 20, 2017. Park staff will make every effort to place buoys in a timely manner for the upcoming 2017 summer season.

Voyageurs National Park encourages boaters to use extreme caution when traveling waterways due to low water levels. Low water levels may expose hazards that are not typically visible or marked during the summer or higher water-level months. Boaters should remember throughout the summer that various hazards may develop without warning and may not be properly marked.

As a reminder, Lamplighters from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) will soon be repairing and placing navigational aids in the park's four main lakes - Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point Lakes.

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National Park Service

Tourism to Voyageurs National Park creates $24,601,600 in Economic Benefits

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 241,911 visitors to Voyageurs National Park in 2016 spent $19,780,200 in communities near the park. That spending supported 310 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefits to the local economy of $24,601,600. "Voyageurs National Park welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Bob DeGross. "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning more than $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it's a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping sustain local communities."

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service. The report shows $18.4 billion of direct spending by 331 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 318,000 jobs nationally; 271,544 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $34.9 billion.

According to the 2016 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.2 percent) followed by food and beverages (27.2 percent), gas and oil (11.7 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) souvenirs and other expenses (9.7 percent), local transportation (7.4 percent), and camping fees (2.5 percent).

Report authors this year produced an interactive tool where users can explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data.

To learn more about National Parks in Minnesota and how the National Park Service works with Minnesota communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/Minnesota.

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National Park Service

National Park Week at Voyageurs National Park

National Park Week begins on Saturday, April 15 and runs through Sunday, April 23. Voyageurs is celebrating by offering a series of events for park visitors!  All events take place at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. It is open 10am - 4:30pm Wednesday - Sunday.

All Week

Voyageurs National Park Kids Art Show: View art and writing samples created by local elementary students centered on this years theme: "Plants and Trees are Important Because..."

Saturday April 15

Junior Ranger Day: Junior Ranger activities are a great way to connect kids to our National Parks. Bring your child to Voyageurs and complete one of three different activity booklets to earn a badge!

Friday April 21

2:00 pm - Native Foods Cooking Demonstration: Enjoy the tastes and smells of North Woods cooking in the great outdoors. Come learn about locally available food sources the Ojibwe Indians relied on in the past and people still enjoy today. High School students from the Indus ProStart Foods Class will be preparing a delectable meal using locally available native foods. Samples provided!

Saturday April 22

1:00 pm - Ojibwe Ethno-botanical Garden Tour: Join Park Ranger Lisa Maass for a spring plant walk in the Ojibwe Ethno-botanical Garden and discover the importance of native plants to the Ojibwe culture.

2:00 pm - The Cattail Invasion-Why Did This Happen and What Can We Do?: Park Biologist Bryce Olson will discuss the reasons behind this cattail invasion and a multi-year project aiming to reduce cattail abundance and restore delicate wetlands in Voyageurs.

Sunday April 23

National Park Prescription Day: National Parks are a great place to be active and support a healthy lifestyle! Pick up a Hike to Health passport, hit the trails, and start logging the miles to keep your mind, body, and spirit in good health.

Why Voyageurs Should be Next on Your National Park Bucket List

Voyageurs National Park, located in northern Minnesota, might not be the most recognized public land in the NPS, but that's just one of the many reasons it's so great and deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.

Camping

Every National Park has a campground, so what makes Voyageurs' camping experience unique?

All designated sites are Voyageurs are only accessible by water and were hand-picked to provide seclusion from other visitors, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the magic on northern Minnesota. You might even be lucky enough to have an entire island to yourself! Every site includes a tent pad, bear box, pit toilet, and picnic table. Many, but not all, also have a dock, so tying up your watercraft, from kayak to houseboat, is a breeze.

For an extra-secluded experience, consider floating out to the Kabetogama Peninsula and exploring some of the park's interior lakes (you'll get a whole lake to yourself for the night!) Remember: All campsites must be reserved in advance through the recreation.gov portal or by calling park headquarters.

The gateway communities are full of friendly faces

You'll feel right at home driving into any number of the towns that are sprinkled around Voyageurs' outer limits. From cozy coffee shops and home-cooked food to rustic cabins and lifelong residents of the area, you'll enjoy the true Minnesotan feel of the area, and hopefully bring a little bit of it back home with you.

Boating

Voyageurs National Park offers you the unique opportunity to experience the sparkling waters of Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point lakes much the same way that french fur traders and Ojibwe indians did centuries ago. In fact, you will have a hard time exploring the park any other way. With over 40% of the park being water and only five miles of roads in the park, a boat is absolutely necessary to discover Minnesota's only National Park.

While motorboats are allowed on Voyageurs' lakes, you're sure to enjoy a quiet day on the water. Kayaking and canoeing are excellent ways to view park wildlife like loons and eagles, and even to fish from! Non-motorized options are becoming evermore popular and are definitely something to check out. However, motorboats are great too, providing more space and a little power if you have less time and want to cover more ground (or water haha) at the park. There are many resorts and outfitting services in gateway communities with rentals available for you to try something new.

You'll Get Hooked on Fishing

Didn't see that one coming did you? Lots of water means lots of fish which means lots of happy fisher(wo)man. People visit from all corners of the country to experience Minnesota's abundant aquatic life. And not just in the summer! If sitting in a hut bundled up and listening to the radio sounds like a good time, ice fishing might be the activity for you.

The History Might Surprise You

Voyageurs National Park is probably most well known for its role in the fur trade and the French-Canadian voyageurs for whom the park is named, but there's so much more to this place than beaver pelts and baguettes.

The Ojibwe were here long before the fur traders, paddling birchbark canoes, traveling in hand-made snowshoes, and planting gardens for summer sustenance.

If you're interested in happenings a little less ancient, the relatively recent designation of Voyageurs as a National Park means many areas in the park are full of family histories, personal dreams, and capitalist ventures left to add to its unique narrative.

The Sky

From firey sunrises and pastel sunsets to sparkling stars and dancing northern lights, the skies of Voyageurs are quite simply breathtaking. Let this awesome video by More Than Just Parks blow your mind.

https://vimeo.com/189932180

So now I challenge you to #GetOutside and #FindYourPark in serene Minnesota.

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by Ella Rausch

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!