Carpenter Nature Center notes: August means crisp apples and migrating birds

August in the river valley means crisp apples, migrating birds, less extreme heat and one of the best seasons to get out and enjoy nature. A ‘river of birds’ is now working its way down the Mississippi flyway and it is not unusual to watch hundreds of hawks flow over in a day.

Volunteers sought for Spring Lake Park cleanup

This weekend, volunteers will join the Hastings Environmental Protectors to clean up Spring Lake, both by boat and on land. It’s an effort to not only remove the trash from the lake, but also to educate people about the dangers of litter in the water.

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Very muddy buddies: Race at Afton Alps featured obstacle course and mud pit

They ran about three miles each, biked three miles each, conquered five different obstacles, and before the race was over, Aaron Hagen of Hastings and his cousin crawled through a sloppy mud pit.

• Muddy Buddy
• Aaron Hagen
• Mini Muddy Buddy
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Men escape after truck, trailer slide into Mississippi River at boat launch in Hastings

For good friends Randy Johnson and Jim Hunt, Monday morning was supposed to be spent floating on the St. Croix River and catching walleyes. Instead, the two Farmington men escaped tragedy, then spent the new few hours watching from shore as crews fished their truck and trailer out of the water.

• Waiting
• Divers
• Truck surfaces
• Progress
• Success

Officials consider fish passageway at Lock and dam in Red Wing

Since the construction of U.S. Lock & Dam No. 3 near Red Wing, only the strongest fish have been able to force their way past the dam's gates. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan, however, proposes a first-of-its kind project for the upper Mississippi River: a passageway for other fish to swim upriver.

Petition asks to let wolf population expand across U.S.

A national environmental group is asking the federal government to keep Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountains until wolves have returned across much more of the U.S.

Hunting season set for sandhill cranes

Minnesota will hold its first-ever sandhill crane season this fall, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Monday.

Black bear and cub reunite in Ely

An Ely black bear and her cub have reunited after 1½ months apart. Researchers Sue Mansfield and Lynn Rogers of the North American Bear Center confirmed to the News Tribune on Monday that Lily and her 5-month-old cub, Hope, reunited Sunday after the mother wandered into the cub’s area.

Dramatic Lake of the Woods rescue saves man trapped in the cabin of capsized boat

For awhile Monday afternoon, Lake of the Woods County Sheriff Dallas Block thought authorities were going to be dragging the bottom of Lake of the Woods for a body.

Baby ’loopers theory leads to a big laker on Superior

Don Zirbes knows when it’s time to catch big lake trout. It’s always a few days after the little Kamloops rainbows are stocked along the North Shore.

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Field reports: Peregrine Watch begins

Peregrine Watch 2010 is up and running — or flying — at Duluth’s Lake Place Park on the Lakewalk.

Environmental group sues to stop AT&T cell tower near BWCAW

The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness filed a lawsuit Tuesday against AT&T Mobility to stop the construction of a telecommunications tower.

Lake Vermilion State Park deal finalized

ST. PAUL — Don’t pitch your tent just yet at Lake Vermilion State Park, and don’t even think about driving that motor home to a campground there, but state officials say activity will pick up this summer now that Minnesota owns the land.

Building a biking destination in Woodbury

Mountain biking enthusiasts say a new trail at Carver Lake Park will be a regional destination for off-road riders clamoring for more trail options.

Pawlenty vetoes game and fish bill

ST. PAUL -- A governor's veto means Minnesota landowners will not be paid to allow hunters on their property. Also, anglers will not be allowed to use two lines to fish and spearing northern pikes in Cass Lake will not be allowed. And controversial walleye regulations for a lake where an influential state senator has a cabin will not happen.

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