Environment

Fox Along the North Shore; Waterfalls and More

Area photographer helps Meteorologist Ken Slama get started behind the lens.

This week for Fox Along the North Shore: Waterfalls and More, Fox21 Meteorologist Ken Slama was at the falls and river at Lester Park with photographer Joe Polecheck. They talked about tips and advice on how to photograph waterfalls. There are dozens of waterfalls to choose from. Starting in Duluth and heading all the way to the northeastern tip of…

Duluth Receives Grant to Design Geothermal Heating District in Lincoln Park Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth is one of 11 communities across the country receiving a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help design a geothermal heating district. “This extremely exciting opportunity to analyze and design a district geothermal and heat recovery possibility—one that hasn’t been designed in the US before—comes to us with a ton of potential to further reduce…

Superior 5th Graders Taking Part in Annual Wastewater Treatment Plan Tours

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It wouldn’t be fifth grade in the Superior School District without a visit to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Over 300 students are getting the chance to see the facilities and learn the seven steps of the water treatment process, plus the two steps for solid treatment, and where it goes afterwards. “5th graders are at that age…

Duluth Council Rejects Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Kinseth Hotel Project

DULUTH, Minn. – The proposed Kinseth Hotel in Duluth will not be delayed for an environmental review that some local residents had petitioned the State of Minnesota for. By a unanimous vote Monday evening, the Duluth City Council reversed a decision made by the Planning Commission back in April to order an environmental assessment worksheet for the hotel that will be…

New Grant To Increase Water Quality Monitoring in St. Louis River Estuary

TWIN PORTS – A lot of action has taken place to clean up the St. Louis River of nutrients and sediment dumped in the past.  A new grant hopes to keep improving that water quality in the future. Scientists with the UW-Madison Extension Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute will use the $400,000 to increase…

Docks In Place, Charter Boats Arrive In Duluth’s Minnesota Slip

DULUTH, Minn. – Capt. Riley Leslie of Happy Hooker Charters, one of Duluth’s premiere charter fishing companies, is back in the water for the season in the Minnesota Slip. Crews got the docks loaded down into the slip Wednesday morning. Some of the spots are rented for personal boats, but most are for charter businesses. Happy Hooker has been serving…

Congressional Hearing on Minerals on Iron Range

Republican lawmakers advocate for permitting reform

The mineral deposits in Northeastern Minnesota brought congressional lawmakers to the area Tuesday. Representative Pete Stauber brought members of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources to Mountain Iron for a hearing. Stauber said it was a chance for members to hear directly from the community. Congressman Rob Wittman of the state of Virginia said the entire country had an…

Superior YMCA Hosts Earth Day Event

  SUPERIOR, Wis. — A collaborative event took place at the Superior YMCA Friday in honor of Earth Day It was to teach students ways to prevent pollution and live a healthy lifestyle. Groups that were there to teach elementary school students from around the area included the Northwest Wisconsin Lung Health Alliance and Superior’s Environmental Services Division, among others….

Frost River In Duluth Honoring Earth Day

DULUTH, Minn. — What better way to honor Earth Day than finding a way to use leftovers? And not food leftovers! That’s what Frost River has going this month. When they make their various bags and leather goods, no matter how careful they are about making good use of their raw materials, there are always still some leftover scraps, or…

Mini Aussie Protects Younger Sister From Coyote In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A doorbell camera in Superior picked up a pretty scary — but proud — moment for some dog parents. Coop Two Mini Aussies recently were approached by a coyote in Superior’s Billings Park neighborhood. Roxie Owner Dennis Johnson told FOX 21 that Coop, the 1.5-year-old male, sprang into action to protect his 10-month-old sister, Roxie. Coop did…

Wildfire Season Begins In Wisconsin, National Guard Deployed

Wildfire season has begun in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin National Guard Black Hawks have been deployed to multiple large wildfires in the southern part of the state. Juneau and Monroe counties are being affected. The Jake Pine Fire is affecting more than 80 acres, as of Thursday. Residents have been evacuated there. The fire is contained. The second fire is near…

City Of Duluth Parks And Recreation Announces Trail Closures

DULUTH, Minn. — The spring thaw has caused trail conditions to be vulnerable to damage if walked or ridden on during this time. Because of that the City of Duluth Parks and Recreation has announced they are closing all natural surface trails for the time being. Trails closed include the Duluth Traverse, Superior Hiking Trail, and other dirt trails in…

Wisconsin Governor Evers Declares State Of Emergency Due To Wildfire Conditions

Current Wisconsin Fire Situation – Wisconsin DNR WISCONSIN — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order #191 declaring a state of emergency in response to elevated wildfire conditions. “Protecting Wisconsinites from the destructive danger of wildfire is a top priority. Although northern Wisconsin still has considerable snow cover, the danger is extreme across much of the state today,” said Gov….

Voyageurs National Park Maintenance Team Receives Award Post 2022 Flood

INT’L FALLS, Minn. — Following a summer of massive flooding on the outskirts of International Falls, the Voyageur National Park maintenance team has been recognized for their contributions to protect and preserve park grounds and beyond. The park, located just outside of International Falls overcame a range of challenges amidst a record-setting flood. This leading the Midwest Regional Office of…

Maple Syrup Tapping Underway At Longtime Brule River Farm

BRULE, Wis. – The state known for its cheese is moving full swing with another popular food product–maple syrup. FOX 21 photojournalist Nathaniel LeCapitaine takes us to the Brule River Farm where maple tapping is underway as long as temperatures cooperate.     Categories: Business, Community, Environment, News, News – Latest News, Weather in the News, Wisconsin

Minnesota Department Of Agriculture Teaching People How To Find Emerald Ash Borer

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — A type of beetle known as the Emerald Ash Borer was first identified in Two Harbors last spring. The species can be a huge problem as they can kill trees. Tuesday experts from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture were teaching people outside of Seagren’s Home Hardware how to find trees becoming sick from beetles. They hope…

The Way We Eat Could Add Nearly 1 Degree Of Warming By 2100

(AP) — Greenhouse gas emissions from the way humans produce and consume food could add nearly 1 degree of warming to the Earth’s climate by 2100, according to a new study. Continuing the dietary patterns of today will push the planet past the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) limit of warming sought under the Paris climate agreement to avoid the…

International Fly-Fishing Film Festival Gathered Anglers To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The film industry in Duluth has been growing in recent years, but one winter festival in particular looks to reel in some action. Over at Clyde Iron Works, more than a dozen films directed by fly fishermen were shown in the International Fly-Fishing Festival. This year’s event was hosted by Gitchee Gumee Trout Unlimited in partnership with…

Minnesota Sets Goal Of Having 100% Carbon-Free Energy by 2040

Duluth, Minn. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law on Tuesday that mandates Minnesota’s public power companies become 100% carbon-free by 2040. Power companies and political leaders are not sure how this will be accomplished. What is clear, is that there is a need for many more solar, wind and biomass facilities to be added to replace…

Minnesota Moves Toward 100% Carbon-Free Electricity By 2040

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota utilities would be obligated to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 to step up the fight against climate change under a bill speeding through the Legislature. The bill was slated for a final vote on the Senate floor Thursday night after passing the House 70-60 last week. It’s a top priority for Democrats, who control both chambers, and for…

Brutal Wind Chills Mean Brutal Firefighting Conditions

SUPERIOR, Wis. – With wind chill temperatures at 30, 40 or 50 below zero, it’s probably safe to say nobody likes that type of weather, especially firefighters. The dangerous conditions happened just two days ago for Superior firefighters who were fighting brutally cold air during the Wasabi restaurant fire on Tower Avenue. Battalion Chief Steve Miner described what it’s like…

New Billy’s Bar Owner Excited, Ready For Beargrease Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – Excitement is building for Sunday’s John Beargrease Sled Dog marathon. And that’s especially true for the new owner of Billy’s Bar. Billy’s is the starting line for Beargrease. It’s the prime spot to see all the dogs and mushers getting ready for the big race. For owner Brian Larson, he’s beyond ready to experience his first-ever Beargrease….

Minnesota Boundary Waters: US Moves To Protect Area From Planned Mine

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Biden administration moved Thursday to protect northeastern Minnesota’s pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from future mining, dealing a potentially fatal blow to a copper-nickel project. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed an order closing over 350 square miles (900 square kilometers) of the Superior National Forest, in the Rainy River Watershed around the town of Ely, to…

Record Number of Invasive Spongy Moths Captured in Minnesota in 2022

Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. MINNESOTA — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture caught a record number of spongy moths during 2022, catching over 100,000 with a majority of them in Lake and Cook Counties. The spongy moth, formerly known as gypsy moth, is an invasive species that can eat the leaves of over 300 different species of trees…

Christmas Tree Treecycling

WLSSD has many sites where you can drop off yours.

DULUTH, Minn. — Some of us hang on to our real Christmas Tree until it becomes a fire hazard, but some of us can’t wait to get that tree out the door. If your tree is real–not artificial–you can recycle it at a number of WLSSD sites. The Yard Waste Compost Site will be open every day between now and…

Poinsettias Make Their Yearly Appearance

DULUTH, Minn.–Poinsettias are  popping up all over. In fact, it’s estimated that during the six week, peak season for the plant, 35 million of them are sold. Shelly Tomlin of Engwall Flowers says the poinsettias are very popular in our area as well. This past week has been very busy for the flower shop as people are stopping in to…

Legacy Fund Grants Nearly $1.5 million to Duluth Waabizheshikana, Martin Trail

DULUTH, Minn. – The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission has granted $11.4 million dollars to enhance 14 Minnesota parks and tails. This comes through the commissions Legacy Fund, which granted nearly one and a half million of that total toward the Duluth Waabizheshikana, Martin Trail. The plan is to use this funding to build on the existing 3.3-mile…

Broken Ice Chunk Traps 200 Anglers On Northern Minn. Lake; All Rescued

(FOX 21) –  An estimated 200 anglers became stuck on a broken chunk of ice Monday, according to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office. Courtesy: Kelliher Fire & Rescue, Beltrami Sheriff’s Office The incident was reported around 11:30 a.m. on Upper Red Lake. The sheriff’s office originally reported about 100 people stranded, but officials updated that number to 200 after all…

Native-Owned Farm In Sawyer Celebrates Arrival Of Buffalo

SAWYER, Minn. – A native-owned farm in Sawyer celebrated the arrival of a dozen buffalo to its land on Friday. Native Wise farm sits on 380 acres. Community members gathered with a welcoming song for the buffalo and a meal for all to enjoy. The Nature Conservancy’s preserves in Nebraska helped make the delivery possible to help preserve Native American…

Duluth’s Natural Surface Trails Closed During Annual Freeze, Thaw Cycle

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s that time of the year when the nights reach below freezing temperatures, and daytime stays above. Due to this annual freeze-thaw cycle, Duluth’s natural trails are closed until further notice. The mix of below and above freezing temps, can make the soil wet and vulnerable, ultimately damaging trails with continued use. Because of this, the Duluth…

UMD Students Host Pumpkin Compost Drive

Pumpkin Compost Drive Nov. 2 Through Nov. 4

DULUTH, Minn.–Not sure what to do with your Jack-O-Lantern after Halloween? Well instead of letting it turn to mush, you can add it to a compost pile. UMD students researching Sustainable Food Systems are coming together to collect unwanted pumpkins. There are two dumpsters on campus designated for collecting pumpkins. One is located near the Bagley Nature Center and the…

Duluth Awarded Minnesota Land Trust ‘Partner of the Year’

DULUTH, Minn. – A special honor for Duluth today as the Minnesota Land Trust awarded the city their Partner of the Year for its effort in recognizing the potential of outdoor recreation and green space preservation. This is part of the trust’s 2022 Treasured Places event, and the first time Duluth has received this award. Contributing factors include cleaning up…

City: Reconfigured Parks Fund Referendum Critical, Equals $94 Annually For $200K Home

The Parks Fund levy referendum would replace the current levy from 2012 and will be voted on at the ballot Nov. 8.

DULUTH, Minn. – The November 8th election is just around the corner, and Duluth residents will be voting on whether to approve a new Parks Fund levy that would replace the current levy that took effect in 2012. Jim Filby Williams, the city’s Property, Parks and Libraries director, told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Wednesday that many of Duluth’s 120 invested…

Minnesota DNR Hosts Climate Conversation with Local Farmers, Food Leaders, and Community Members

DULUTH, MN – In recent years, local farmers have been experiencing changing seasonal patterns which are causing concern and forcing them to adjust and adapt some of their farming techniques. In partnership with the Minnesota Sea Grant, The Minnesota DNR is hosted a Climate Conversations at Whole Foods Co-op Denfeld Tuesday with local food leaders, farmers, and members of the…

Hartley Nature Center Celebrates Expansion and Park Improvements

DULUTH, Minn. – “The magic of Hartley Park is getting kids and people outside and connected to the natural world,” Hartley Nature Center Executive Director, Tom O’Rourke said. Hartley Nature Center held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of its building expansion along with other park related improvements. New additions to the building include two classrooms, a restroom, office…