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 resource management. Show Notes: About Us | Northern Bedrock Program | Northern Bedrock Halfway Ranger ...
Jun 24, 2025•32 min•Ep. 28
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)
Jun 11, 2025•59 min•Ep. 27
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 decades. We'll talk about the transformation of Chik-Wauk from a beloved wilderness resort to a vibrant mu...
May 26, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 26
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 the arrowhead region of Minnesota. Friends of the Superior National Forest Website Superior National F...
Apr 22, 2025•27 min•Ep. 25
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 Management Forest Service Silviculture...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 24
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 Report Draft Lynx Recovery Plan Report Lynx sightings The Fernberg Project press release...
Jan 28, 2025•58 min•Ep. 23
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. Show Notes: Ojibwe People's Dictionary | the Ojibwe People's Dictionary https://www.nps.gov/grpo/le...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 22
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 Tipline Superior National Forest Regulations
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 21
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
Nov 12, 2024•49 min•Ep. 20
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
Oct 22, 2024•35 min•Ep. 19
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 Trails The Great Minnesota Ski Pass
Oct 08, 2024•47 min•Ep. 18
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://mnspruce.ornl.gov/...
Sep 24, 2024•56 min•Ep. 17
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:
Sep 10, 2024•40 min•Ep. 16
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. Sitting down in studio, Greg Heidi, West Zone Archaeologist, and SCA archaeology intern Daniella Elliott....
Aug 27, 2024•39 min•Ep. 15
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 Green (32:27) Cheron Ferland and The American Goshawk Show Notes: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 14
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 Wilderness Steve 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 Tom Roach Show Notes: Superior National Forest - Planning (usda.gov) (This is the current Forest ...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 13
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 Nation Fire Weather Forecast – Briefing info for daily preperation Minnesota indexes – tell us how likely a fire will start/grow Incident Information System Crew Video – Used for end of season...
Jun 25, 2024•58 min•Ep. 12
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 Stamps: (1:27) Liz Anderson and Matt Santo (36:00) Steve Robertson Show Notes: Lake County AIS Progra...
Jun 11, 2024•59 min•Ep. 11
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, Go Woodland Stewardship Plans (DNR) Find Your DNR Regional Forester Find your Soil and Water Conservation District UofM Guidebook to W...
May 28, 2024•55 min•Ep. 10
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 site Classification & Qualifications (opm.gov) Classifying General Schedule Positions (opm.gov) Superior National Forest Homepage...
May 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 9
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, President of the Kekekabic Trail Club, and Carl Skustad, Kawishiwi Ranger District Recreation/Wilderness...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 created by the Ely Tourism Bureau, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service- Superior National Forest...
Apr 09, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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.
Mar 26, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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) ax2239ad.aw (igbconline.org) - This is the approved list of bear resistant containers (updated 2/2024 f...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 Superior National Forest volunteer.gov Northwoods Volunteer Connection...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 4
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 history Superior National Forest - History & Culture (usda.gov) Arthur Carhart’s 1922 Recreation Plan for the Superior NF-Phot...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 woods. Superior National Forest Ely Tourism Bureau Recreation.gov rec.gov phone - 877-444-6777 Superio...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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.
Jan 09, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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
Dec 19, 2023•1 min0
