Emerald Ash Borer has forced the city of Minnetonka foresters to remove or treat more than 60,000 ash trees. This leaves a huge surplus of cut branches and logs. Currently, metro-area cities pay a fee to ship their extra mulch to a dump site.
But anyone who has seen the price of lumber lately might wonder: why wouldn’t a city try to make use of these surplus ash logs? KFAI’s Timothy Foss visited some Minnetonka foresters at their new sawmill to learn how they are doing just that.
With its haunting call, its distinctive black and white plumage, and its intense, almost otherworldly red eyes, the Common Loon is an icon of northern Minnesota wilderness. But some researchers believe future generations of the beloved bird in this region may be in jeopardy. A recent study in Wisconsin showed some worrying trends. Chicks are getting smaller, their survival rates are lower, and loons that migrate as juveniles are returning to their birthplace at low rates. Scientists in Canada have simultaneously noticed some of the same trends across the country. Now, there’s a concentrated research effort by the National Loon Center in Minnesota to find out whether the same declines are present there.
While scientists are at the helm of this work, ordinary people with a love for the loons provide passion–and power. People like Captain Starr Bockenthien, who takes groups of visitors out on the water in Crosslake, Minnesota, to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic bird. For her, the loons have provided calm and happiness. And her enthusiasm is infectious. “It is refreshing every day,” she said. “Every day is a new day with the loons. ”Bockenthien hopes if people catch her passion for the loons, they’ll also be motivated to protect them. In this episode of the MinneCulture podcast, Emily Haavik talks to scientists and bird-lovers about their efforts to protect the common loon.
Photo credit: Pam Hickman. Hickman volunteers for Birds Canada, observing the loons on Elbow Lake, attached to Sharbot Lake, about 120 kilometers southwest of Ottawa.
From about 2006 to 2013, the moose population in northeastern Minnesota dropped dramatically, from almost 9,000 animals to about 2,700. And no one knew why.
Dr. Seth Moore began searching for answers, working with a team at the Grand Portage Trust Lands Agency. They started collaring moose, tracking them to find their killers. And they discovered that among all predators, one loomed largest: climate change.
Researchers hope as more people learn about moose, they’ll be motivated to protect them — before it’s too late. KFAI’s Emily Haavik follows researchers and documentarians working to save this iconic species. Listen on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Photo by Katie Mumm.
Originally aired July 20, 2021.
Liz and Marilyn Peterson Haus start the episode discussing Haus’s latest, Half of a Whole, and its depictions of mental illness, twins, and zealotry.
After the break, James Beard Award-winner Beth Dooley joins Annie to discuss the intersections of food education, climate justice, local farming, and great recipes in the context of Dooley’s latest cookbook, The Perennial Kitchen.
In the first half of the hour, Susan Conley joins Annie to discuss parenthood, the limits of personal perspective, and fishing villages in the time of climate change in the context of her new novel, Landslide.
After the break, Dave welcomes Abayomi Animashaun on-air to discuss his new collection of poetry, Seahorses, his career, Wisconsin, and more.
