Forest North – Details, episodes & analysis

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)

 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 from IGBC)

Superior National Forest - Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (usda.gov) Link to direct info on the BW including Rules and Regs as well as our trip planning guide.

Wilderness Connect - Great info for all things “Wilderness”

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

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-Photos and summary
Superior National Forest - News & Events (usda.gov)

 BLM Government Land Office Survey/Patent Records-Search a Township and Range to see the original patent holders for lands in the Superior NF
Search - BLM GLO Records

 Evolution of the Superior NF-John Wesley White
fseprd532398.pdf (usda.gov)

Faces in the Wilderness 2019 Article on Culturally Modified Trees in the BWCAW & 2021 BWCAW Fire History Article
Faces in the Wilderness: a New Network of Crossdated Culturally-Modified Red Pine in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Northern Minnesota, USA | Human Ecology (springer.com)

 Human augmentation of historical red pine fire regimes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - Kipfmueller - 2021 - Ecosphere - Wiley Online Library

Careers | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site
Agency Organization | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

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
Superior National Forest Permit Manager - 218-626-4314

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 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

• 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