Outdoors

Little Free Sled libraries provide the slides for winter rides
The idea behind the Little Free Library is pretty common throughout the country. If you need a book, pick a book. That idea has bloomed into a new cold weather version, the "Little Free Sled Library." MPR News host Tom Crann had a chance to speak to Tim Hereid of Minneapolis, the originator of this new twist on the idea.
Alaska musher wins Beargrease marathon by 7 seconds
Erin Letzring won the 37th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Tuesday ahead of fellow Alaskan Ryan Redington. Letzring is the first woman to win the marathon since 1998.
Hunting group sues to force Wisconsin wolf season
A national hunting group filed a lawsuit Tuesday to force an immediate start to Wisconsin's wolf season before President Joe Biden's administration restores federal protections for the animals.
DNR proposes state park fee hike to help plug budget deficit
The annual state park vehicle permit fee would go from $35 to $45, while the daily permit cost would rise from $7 to $10. Without the increases, the state’s park account is scheduled to go into the red by the end of the 2023 fiscal year, something the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources warns would result in shortened camping seasons and less frequent bathroom cleanings.
Wisconsin DNR board refuses to set early wolf hunt
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources policy board narrowly refused Republican legislators' request Friday to implement a wolf hunt immediately, citing concerns that the department can't move that fast and Wisconsin's Native American tribes haven't been consulted as per treaty rights.
After increase in litter and damage in Boundary Waters last year, officials stepping up education efforts
After a surge of visitors brought an increase in litter and damage to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness last year, officials are taking steps to head off similar problems this year.
A cool piece of art: Minnesotans flock to Mpls. park in search of frozen cave man sculpture
It was originally a commissioned piece for an ad agency. But once the agency was done with Zug Zug (that’s the cave man’s name), one of the artists decided now was the perfect time for him to go out into the world. Zug Zug gives people “something else to talk about, and also something to explore and look at, besides what's going on with our TVs and phones," Zach Schumack said.
Black women's groups find health and healing on hikes, but sometimes racism, too
A Black sisterhood of hikers in Colorado now has chapters across the U.S. and Canada, and includes other sports. "Being around nature, it's like grounding yourself," a founder says. "That is vital."