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Wonders of the Near North

Wonders of the near north.
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Minnesota puts taconite mine permitting “on pause”

By Stephanie Hemphill | May 9, 2016 |

U.S. Steel's Minntac mine near Virginia, MN has a permit that expired in 1992. Photo: Creative Commons.

As the federal government investigates whether it should take away Minnesota’s authority to regulate industry, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says it has put most mining permit activities “on pause.”

Filed Under: Homepage Bottom Features, Homepage Top Feature, Issues, Regional Environmental News, Resource Management, Water quality Tagged With: Economy, environmental review, mining, Northern Minnesota, policy, resource management

Efforts to restore wild rice in the St. Louis River face challenges

By Stephanie Hemphill | April 25, 2016 |

A healthy stand of wild rice, Zizania palustris, at harvest time. Ojibwe people call this important activity “manoominike.” The standing partner uses the “gaandakii’igan” (push pole) to get around and the seated partner uses the “bawa’iganaakoog” (knocking sticks) to collect the rice. Photo by Cheryl Katz.

Efforts to restore wild rice in the St. Louis River estuary face potential challenges from carp, Canada geese, and sulfate pollution from upstream taconite mines.

Filed Under: Homepage Bottom Features, Homepage Top Feature, Issues, Resource Management, Uncategorized, Water quality Tagged With: Lake Superior, Northern Minnesota, resource management, St. Louis River, tribes

Researcher crusades for policies to protect water: profile of Dr. Deborah Swackhamer

By Stephanie Hemphill | March 24, 2016 |

Dr. Deborah Swackhamer

As a graduate student, Deborah Swackhamer made important discoveries about toxic chemicals polluting the Great Lakes; as a researcher she endured a grueling industry investigation; as a public scientist she showed how to make Minnesota’s lakes and rivers cleaner. In retirement she continues her lifelong quest to improve water quality.

Filed Under: Homepage Bottom Features, Homepage Top Feature, Research, Resource Management, Science, Water quality Tagged With: Lake Superior, minnesota, resource management

Diary of an Aquatic Scientist

By Toben LaFrancois | February 22, 2016 |

Sponge close-up by Jon, Namekagon River, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway near Cable.

How an arts-based underwater photography program functions as a platform for student driven scientific inquiry (or) Thirty years after hearing a B-side Iron Maiden song, I finally get it.

Filed Under: Fish, Homepage Bottom Features, Homepage Top Feature, Research, Resource Management

Whitetail deer diminish diversity of Minnesota’s northern forests

By Paul Ojanen | February 6, 2016 |

Sugar maple stand near Grand Portage, free of deer browsing. Photo by Paul Ojanen.

Hungry deer have changed Minnesota’s landscape dramatically, making it difficult to preserve or restore the original northwoods.

Filed Under: Flowers, Homepage Bottom Features, Homepage Top Feature, Resource Management, Science Tagged With: conservation, forestry, Nature

Tribes work harder, gain more influence, on environmental decisions

By Stephanie Hemphill | November 3, 2015 |

Technicians from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa seed wild rice in the St. Louis River Estuary, fall, 2015. Photo by Cheryl Katz.

Over the past few decades, Ojibwe bands have been increasing their ability to work on a broad range of natural resources-related issues.

Filed Under: Homepage Bottom Features, Resource Management, Science Tagged With: tribes

Environmental Impact Statements: Do they work?

By Laurie Allmann | October 10, 2015 |

A conversation with Scott Strand, Executive Director of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.

Filed Under: Homepage Bottom Features, Homepage Top Feature, Resource Management Tagged With: environmental review, policy

PolyMet denies access for wetlands research by U of M scientist

By Stephanie Hemphill | September 20, 2015 |

Company proposing Minnesota’s first potential copper mine objects to scientist’s ties to environmental organization.

Filed Under: Homepage Bottom Features, Research, Resource Management, Science Tagged With: mining, news

Horses Haul Logs for Forest Rejuvenation

By Stephanie Hemphill | March 2, 2015 |

A landowner near Duluth hires horse loggers to selectively cut aging aspen, fostering the growth of young maples and oaks.

Filed Under: Homepage Bottom Features, Resource Management Tagged With: forestry, minnesota, resource management

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