Outdoors

Photos, video: Street snowboarders take flight in Duluth
Snowboarders launched themselves off a 20-foot drop from a park pavilion and navigated obstacles including picnic tables and staircase railings on Sunday during a "street snowboarding" competition in Duluth.
Northwest Angle ice road is back open for a second winter
The slickest way to get from Warroad to the Northwest Angle in far northern Minnesota is back this winter. It’s a 37-mile ice highway to the northernmost point in the contiguous United States.
Enough of COVID and school closures? Take to the outdoors
It’s a double whammy weekend. Snow is back and record illness from the omicron variant of COVID-19 has shut down many schools the next few days to few weeks. What better time to pack up the little ones and head outside. This round-up of outside fun is easily adaptable for anyone.
Duluth hosts extreme 'street snowboarding' competition 
Extreme "street snowboarders" are converging on a Duluth city park this weekend for a Red Bull-sponsored competition in which they’ll hurl themselves off a 20-foot ledge from a pavilion, jump off picnic tables and slide down steep stairway railings. 
Forest Service announces 13 percent cut in Boundary Waters entry permits
About 23,000 fewer people will be allowed to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area each summer starting this year, according to newly released changes the U.S. Forest Service says are needed to relieve crowding and congestion and protect natural resources.
Apostle Islands ice caves access not looking promising this winter
While there still are weeks of winter ahead, officials at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in northern Wisconsin say it's not looking promising for access to the park's famed Lake Superior ice caves.
Ann Bancroft Foundation inspires big dreams for girls
Ann Bancroft is the first woman to have crossed the ice to reach both the North and South poles. For 25 years, her foundation has also helped Minnesota girls reach their ambitious goals. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Bancroft and the foundation’s new executive director about encouraging a new generation of strong women. 
Efforts to reintroduce bison to Dakota County park advancing this winter
Work continues at Dakota County’s Spring Lake Park Reserve to prepare for the arrival next fall of new residents: bison. It's a new part of a statewide effort to maintain a self-sustaining bison herd in Minnesota.
Mama bear, 3 cubs climb tree, take nap in urban Virginia
Wildlife officials say a mama black bear and her three cubs clambered up a tree and napped in the middle of a Virginia neighborhood before voluntarily ambling on hours later. 
Mobile bike fleet in Duluth, accessible playground in Rochester among projects in line for state grants
A mobile fleet of mountain bikes in Duluth, an accessible nature-based playground in Rochester, and a new park in Sherburne County east of St. Cloud are among 20 parks and trails projects around Minnesota to be recommended for state Legacy Fund grants.