Outside in MN

No experience required. From Minnesota Public Radio and MPR News, Outside in MN provides timely weather updates, events and how-to guides to prepare you for your next outdoor adventure. Download the app and get outside!

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A big, hairy solution to restoring Minnesota's prairies
Bison will again roam a 170-acre swath of land at Belwin Conservancy near the Twin Cities this summer, where their presence benefits the restored tallgrass prairie.
A primer on life jackets: Especially in cold water, they can save your life
Just a few weeks ago, many of Minnesota's lakes and rivers were covered with ice. And wearing a life jacket can make a critical difference in the chances of survival for boaters and anglers who fall overboard into cold water, officials say.
A conversation with DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen
A conversation with DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen about her priorities, the role of the DNR and how to get more Minnesotans outside.
Photos: In defiance of winter, Duluthians skate the 'People's Rink' on frozen Superior
About a quarter-mile offshore from Duluth's Leif Erikson Park, a hearty band of volunteers has carved a skating rink unlike any other on the frozen surface of Lake Superior.
BWCA online permitting relaunched; frustrations remain
The U.S. Forest Service on Monday restarted its system for people to get Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits, but some users are reporting problems with the reworked online reservation system.
Beat the cold at its own game: Build a snow fort
It's prime snow fort building time in most places across Minnesota. Here are a few different proven approaches.
Photos: Wilderness newbies develop an 'I Can!' attitude outdoors
If you haven't gone fishing, camping or mountain biking, and don't have a friend or family member who has, you are highly unlikely to take full advantage of outdoor life in Minnesota. The DNR hopes to change that.
Social media are causing scenic spots to be 'loved to death'
Outdoors advocates say the way some social media users share their adventures online is hastening the deterioration of scenic spaces around the world, including Minnesota.
A brief history of the s'more, America's favorite campfire snack
Huddling around a campfire and eating gooey marshmallows and warm chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers may feel like primeval traditions. But every part of the process is a product of the Industrial Revolution.
The dangers of searing your skin with this summer's sun
We know you're eager to get out and enjoy the summer, but don't forget the sunscreen!