Forest North

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

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

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/

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:

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. We also hear briefly from my yellow lab Angus as he chimes in during a particularly intense nap.

Show Notes:

Student Conservation Association

Superior National Forest News

National Forest Jobs

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/guide/American_Goshawk/overview

Accipiter gentilis : Northern Goshawk | Rare Species Guide | Minnesota DNR
(state.mn.us)

• Can read the 1964 Wilderness Act, or the 1978 Boundary Waters Act
• Can learn more about wilderness character
• Lists all 800+ wilderness areas in the country and how to go about recreating within them
  
  

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

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 Program
Project page for the spiny waterflea research
Project page for the rusty crayfish and wild rice research
Minnesota DNR’s AIS homepage
1854 Treaty Authority website

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 Woodland Stewardship 

Tools for Living with Fire Event Registration