Friends of the Superior National Forest

08/27/2026

We're looking forward to our upcoming project with the Cook County Invasives Team at Pincushion Mountain on September 22 (rain date September 23). Morning and afternoon shifts are available, or come for the whole day! Link in comments. 🌿

08/19/2026

A little late sharing this one, but we’re excited to have been featured by the Duluth News Tribune last month!

A big part of what makes Friends of the Superior National Forest possible is the people who show up, pitch in, and care about the Forest. We’re incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers who give their time to help make a difference.

Thanks for being part of it!

Read the full story here: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/northland-outdoors/volunteerism-is-the-lifeblood-of-friends-of-the-superior-national-forest

For Executive Director Jo Swanson, donating time to the trails led to a rewarding career where she now encourages others to roll up their sleeves.

08/05/2026

There is still time to sign up for August projects! We're seeking adventurous volunteers to paddle into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Join us as we steward South Lake Trail:
📅 August 14–17
📍 Gunflint Trail
💲 $75 to cover food and direct expenses (made possible through support from the American Trails Legacy program)
Link in the comments!

07/27/2026

🛶 Adventure with a purpose.

Join Friends of the Superior National Forest for a canoe-in volunteer project on the South Lake Trail. We’ll paddle into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and spend the weekend improving this beautiful remote trail for future hikers and paddlers.

📅 August 14–17
📍 Gunflint Trail
💲$75 (made possible through support from the American Trails Legacy program)

We’ll provide the canoes, permits, meals, tools, safety gear, training, and experienced trip leaders. All you need is a sense of adventure and a willingness to give back.

Learn more and register in the link in the comments below.

07/16/2026

The wildfires have impacted people across the region, and many are asking how they can help.

If you're looking for a way to support the communities, firefighters, and organizations responding to the wildfires, Ely Community Response has gathered a list of trusted places to give.

Whether you choose to donate, share resources, or simply help spread accurate information, every act of support makes a difference.

Find ways to help:

The ongoing fires affecting the Ely area have impacted far more than the forests.

07/14/2026

The Superior National Forest means so much to so many of us. We're thinking of the communities, firefighters, Forest Service staff, and everyone impacted by the current wildfires. For the latest updates, this story from WTIP is being updated as new information becomes available:

As of Tuesday afternoon, there are 17 active wildfires throughout the Superior National Forest, with five inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Quetico Provincial Park and Ontario also have numerous fires. Local authorities are monitoring a Canadian wildfire, called FOR028, burni...

07/12/2026

Sometimes the wilderness has other plans.

Our first canoe volunteer project as Friends of the Superior National Forest was cut short after multiple wildfires forced us to evacuate the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. While we weren’t able to complete the planned section of the Sioux Hustler Trail, our volunteers still cleared hazards and maintained campsites before safely paddling out.

A huge thank you to the U.S. Forest Service rangers and firefighters who work tirelessly to keep us safe and protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness during challenging fire conditions. Their dedication and professionalism make all the difference.

Stewardship means adapting to changing conditions, and we’re grateful for the incredible volunteers who kept smiling through the adventure. It may not have been the trip we planned, but it was an unforgettable one.

🎥 Two Beaver aircraft making water drops over one of the fires that changed our plans.

06/29/2026

Sometimes the best rewards for volunteering aren’t the ones you expect. 🫎

While paddling the Royal River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on a recent wilderness maintenance trip, we were treated to an unforgettable sight… a moose quietly feeding in a marsh as we floated past. Moments like this are what make these trips so special.

There’s still time to join us this summer! We have a couple of volunteer opportunities left, including our Sioux Hustler Trail maintenance trip beginning July 9.

Check out the link in the comments to learn more. Who knows… maybe you’ll spot a moose, too. 🌲🚣

06/25/2026

Did you know U.S. Forest Service rangers regularly take light measurements to help keep the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness a Dark Sky Sanctuary?

On a recent wilderness service trip, we had the chance to tag along for one of these readings. Stick around to the end to see the long-exposure photo from the measurement site. Even on a night lit only by the stars, a faint glow of light pollution from Thunder Bay, Ontario can still be seen.

Can you spot it? 🌌✨

06/08/2026

The work of caring for the BWCAW takes a community.
We’ve been training alongside U.S. Forest Service rangers, to help maintain the trails, portages, and campsites we all love.

From pouring rain to chest-deep flooded portages, every challenge has come with plenty of laughs, learning, and unforgettable experiences.

Want to give back to the wilderness and have an adventure while you’re at it? Join us on an upcoming volunteer trip!
Learn more at the link in our bio.