Forest North is a podcast from the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, created by the Ely Tourism Bureau in partnership with the USDA Forest Service. It explores the Superior National Forest and shares ways to learn more about this public land. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, share episodes, leave reviews, and send comments or questions to the tourism bureau.
Episodes
Dreaming of Paddling in January: Boundary Waters 2026 Permit "Go Live Day"
It’s January, and winter in the Northwoods, but if you’re dreaming about paddling, its time to get excited because Boundary Waters permits go live at the end of the month! Cathy and Mason from the Superior National Forest join this episode to talk about everything you need to know for “Go Live Day” on Wednesday, January 28th.Show Notes:BWCAW Trip Planning GuideBWCAW pageSuperior National Forest we
Restoring the Boundary Waters: Conservation Corps & Superior National Forest Partnership
In the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, every portage and campsite tells a story — of paddlers, of time, and of the people who care for this place. In this episode, we hear from Brian Miller and Zac Bair from Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa, and Cathy Quinn from the Superior National Forest, about their partnership to restore and maintain trails, portages, and campsites deep in the BWC
Collaborations for Healthy Forests: Dovetail Partners and The Nature Conservancy
Forests thrive when people work together. In this episode, we talk with Kes Ebbs of The Nature Conservancy and Teresa Floberg of Dovetail Partners about partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to keep Northeastern Minnesota’s woods healthy and resilient.Show Notes:Dovetail PartnersThe Nature Conservancy in MinnesotaSuperior National ForestMinnesota Arrowhead Region - Fire Adapted CommunitiesEnviro
Wilderness Inquiry: Breaking Barriers, Building Connections
On this episode of the Forest North Podcast, we hear from Willy Tully, External Relations Director of Wilderness Inquiry, about breaking down barriers to the outdoors. We explore how their programs connect people to nature, public lands, and each other through stories of inclusion and adventure. Discover how Wilderness Inquiry is making wild places accessible for all.Show Notes:Wilderness Inquiry
Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps
Charley Langowski is the Executive Director of Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps, a Minnesota-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving historic structures and landscapes while developing the next generation of preservation professionals. Through hands-on training and meaningful service projects, Northern Bedrock provides young adults with pathways into traditional trades and cultural res
Jenkins Creek Fire and the National Incident Management Organization
On this episode, Kawishiwi District Ranger Aaron Kania returns, along with Nickie Johnny, and Brian Leitinger who are both part of the Forest Service’s National Incident Management Organization, or NIMO. They join me to talk about the Jenkins Creek Fire that touched off in early May on the Forest, southeast of Hoyt Lakes.Show Notes:National Incident Management Organization (NIMO)
Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center
Bonnie Schudy is Campus Director at the Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center on the Gunflint Trail, a place rich with both cultural heritage and natural wonder. Bonnie has spent more than thirty years on the Gunflint Trail, paddling the Boundary Waters and Quetico, fishing through hard and soft water seasons, and witnessing the challenges and progress of the Gunflint Trail over the last few decade
Friends of the Superior National Forest
On this episode, Jo Swanson returns. Jo was part of our fourth episode, talking about her role as Executive Director of Northwoods volunteer connection, a forest stewardship organization that partners with the US Forest Service. After ten years in operation, they have a new name -friends of the superior national forest- and a renewed commitment to helping care for or public public lands here in th
Silviculture on the Superior
Carl Layman, is a Silviclturist on the Laurentian Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. We talk about the challenges and rewards of managing a forest, and how silviculture helps shape the landscapes we love.Integrated Vegetation ManagementForest Service Silviculture
Tracking the Canada Lynx
Dan Ryan is a Wildlife Biologist on the Laurentian District of the Superior National Forest, and Taylor Brannock is a Biological Science Technician on the Kawishiwi District. They join this episode to talk about tracking and researching that iconic and elusive Northwoods cat, the Canada lynx. Show Notes:Annual Lynx Monitoring ReportDraft Lynx Recovery PlanReport Lynx sightingsThe Fernberg Project
Ojibwemowin Place Names
Erik Redix, Ojibwe Language Coordinator with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa joins this episode, along with Superior National Forest Archeologist Lee Johnson who returns to Forest North, to talk about the Ojibwe language, or Ojibwemowin, and some of the original place names in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest and the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Forest Service Law Enforcement
Teddy Mullins is a 24 year veteran Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer. He currently serves as Patrol Captain on the Chippewa and Superior National Forests in Minnesota.Show Notes:National Forest Law Enforcement TiplineSuperior National Forest Regulations
Ruffed Grouse Society
Jeremy Collard and Stefan Nelson from the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society talk about the society's mission to promote forest stewardship and improve habitat for these popular game birds, along with the whole diversity of Forest wildlife.Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Website
Changing Climate on the Autumn Forest
Steve Robertsen drops by to talk about the slow transition to Autumn in the Northwoods, and what a changing climate can mean for the flora and fauna on the Superior National Forest.https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior
Friends of the Flathorn-Gegoka Ski Trails
Nancy Schultz, George Lokken and Jeremy Pischke, with Friends of the Flathorn-Gegoka Ski Trails, drop in to talk about the history and evolution of the oldest ski trail system on the Superior National Forest.Show Notes:Flathorn-Gegoka Ski TrailsThe Great Minnesota Ski Pass
The Dirt on Soil Science
US Forest Service Soil Scientists Randy Kolka, Jeff Kroll and Dave Morley stop by to talk about their research into how increasing wildfires, and their severity, effect critical peatland ecosystems on the National Forest. Show Notes:Drone footage and story from WDIO - https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/discovering-the-impact-of-wildfire-on-peatlands/SPRUCE climate project -> https://mn
Fall is Afoot on the Forest
Steve Robertsen, Interpretation and Education Specialist, returns to Forest North talk about the transition to Autumn on the Superior National Forest: birds going south, squirrels going nuts and just why the trees end their season of leaves with such a stunning display of colors.Show Notes:
The Student Conservation Association partnership with the Superior National Forest
On this episode, we’re discussing the Student Conservation Association, the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults. Today we talk about the SCA partnership with the superior National Forest, as we’re joined by Amina Kovacevich, Forest Technician on the LaCroix district. She joins remotely along with SCA administrative intern Kylie Tatarka. Sitti
MobilizeGreen Youth Conservation and the American Goshawk
Jon Benson, Assistant Recreation Program Manager for the Superior National Forest talks about the MobilizeGreen Youth Conservation partnership, along with Fatihah Muhammad and May Crews, two recent MobilizeGreen interns.Wildlife Biologist Cheron Ferland joins Forest North to talk about studying the American Goshawk, one of our larger birds of prey here in the Northwoods.Time Stamps:(1:17) Mobilize
Dream Job: Wilderness Monitoring on the BWCAW
Dan Disch returns, along with Tom Roach to talk about the Superior National Forest Wilderness Monitoring Program, and what the data tells us about the modern experience in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area WildernessSteve Roberts returns to talk about tiny pond critters, and the variety of berries that are thriving in our wet Northwoods summer.Time Stamps:(1:20) Steve Robertson(33:02) Dan Disch and T
Fire On The Forest Part 2: The Logistics of Wildland Fire Fighting
Jamie Chopp, West Zone Fuels Planner on the LaCroix District, and Kawishiwi District Engine Captain and Wildland Firefighter Luke Macho talk about the logistics on the ground and in support of wild land firefighting.Episode Links:National Situation Report – Fires across the NationFire Weather Forecast – Briefing info for daily preperationMinnesota indexes – tell us how likely a fire will start/gro
Summer's arrival in the Northwoods and the fight against Aquatic Invasive Species
Liz Anderson from Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Matt Santo from the 1854 Treaty Authority join Forest North to talk about Aquatic Invasive Species in our area waters and how to help stop their spread. Steve Robertsen returns to talk about the arrival of summer on the Superior National Forest and some of the new baby critters making their appearance in the Northwoods.Time St
Fire on the Forest: Superior National Forest Fire strategies and Fire Adapted Communities
Nicole Selmer, Fire Prevention Specialist with the Kawishiwi Ranger District and Gloria Erickson, Fire Adapted Communities Project Manager with Dovetail Partners, talk about fire strategies on the Superior National Forest.Episode Links:Minnesota Fire Adapted Communities: https://minnesotafac.org/index.php Minnesota DNR Firewise Program Wildland Fire Ready, Set, GoWoodland Stewardship Plans (DNR)Fi
Make a Living on the Forest: US Forest Service Jobs
Administrative Operations Specialist Renee Frahm joins Forest North to talk about how to apply for a US Forest Service job and begin a career working on the forest.Episode Links:USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment siteClassification & Qualifications (opm.gov)Classifying General Schedule Positions (opm.gov)Superior National Forest Homepage
North Country Trail Update and Songbird Migration
The North Country Trail which will stretch 4,800 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont and will traverse the superior national forest along the border route trail, through the wilderness on the Kekekabic Trail and a new section that will bring hikers directly to Ely. We're joined by Matt Davis, Regional Trail Coordinator for the North Country Trail Association, Eric Campbell
Life of the USFS Wilderness Crews
Forest service wilderness crews are a vital part of the management of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.Tom Yankowiak from the LaCroix ranger district and Chris Maher from the Kawishiwi District manage those wilderness crews, and today they join us to talk about some of the nitty gritty of the job.A podcast from the Superior National Forest in Northeastern Minnesota, Forest North is create
All About Owls on The Superior National Forest
Wildlife Biologist Dave Grosshuesch joins to talk about owl monitoring efforts and shares field recordings of the key owl species on the Superior National Forest.
Camping, Leave No Trace Practices and Seasons in Transition
This week, Wilderness Operations Lead Megan McClanahan and East Zone Wilderness Specialist Dan Disch join us to talk all things camping on the Superior National Forest. Steve Robertsen also stops by to talk about some sure signs of spring in the Northland.Episode Links:Home - Leave No Trace - Leave No Trace (lnt.org) Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) - ID, MT, WY, WA (igbconline.org) ax22
Volunteers Help the Forest Go Round
Partnership Coordinator Emily Munter, along with Retired Forest Supervisor Jim Sanders and Northwoods Volunteer Connection Director Jo Swanson discuss the value of volunteerism on The Superior National Forest. Plus, Steve Robertson returns to share an update on his outreach efforts, the early sap run for maple trees and some skunk behavior that’s right on time.Episode Links:Volunteer in the Superi
Forest History, Archaeology, and the Role of a District Ranger
February 13th, 2024 is the 125th birthday of the Superior National Forest. In honor of that, Forest Archeologist Lee Johnson joins us to talk forest history. Aaron Kania talks about the role of the District Ranger and gives some updates on the Kawishiwi Ranger District.Episode Links:Timeline of Superior National Forest History-Includes some the relevant legislative historySuperior National Forest
"Go Live" Day for 2024 BWCAW Permits
On Episode 2 of Forest North, we hear from Maggie Whiting, Visitor Services Information Assistant with the Kawishiwi Ranger District, as she talks about the ins and outs of “Go-Live” day for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits, which happens on January 31st. Steve Robertson is back to talk about how low snow cover impacts wildlife, and how our winged friends manage winter in the north wo
Managing 3.9 million acres of Woods and Waters + Wildlife in January on the Superior National Forest
On this premier episode, Superior National Forest Supervisor Tom Hall gives an overview of the multitude of roles played by members of the the USDA Forest Service – Superior National Forest team. Interpretation and Education Specialist Steve Robertsen talks hibernation and wintertime animal behavior on the National Forest.
Episode 1 Preview
Episode 1 of Forest North Premiers on January 9th! Featuring Superior National Forest Supervisor Tom Hall, along with Interpretation and Education Specialist Steve Robertson. Forest North is created by the Ely Area Tourism Bureau, in Partnership with the U.S. Forest Service - Superior National Forest
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