By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
In this continuing series on species identification, we will explore the three wild cats found in Minnesota. I will begin with the species that stands out from the other two: the cougar (Puma concolor), which is the most distinct in size and color/pattern. The cougar is widely distributed across North, Central, and South America and has many common names, including mountain lion, panther, puma, and catamount.
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
This month, we will focus on the two largest canid species found in Minnesota: wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). These canids belong to the same genus and can easily be confused, as they share many overlapping traits. Even experts sometimes find it challenging to positively identify them.
To simplify, here are some key identification markers most often used:
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
Working with wildlife for as long as I have, I’ve found that animal ID is one topic that comes up often. Some animals are easy to tell apart, others not so much. There may not be one key element to focus on that will allow you to make an accurate ID. It is usually a combination of physical characteristics, behaviors, and habitat that allow for an ID with higher confidence. This article is the first in a short series where I will explore some of the key differences between commonly confused species.
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
I am surprised it took me this long to write about my favorite Minnesota snake, the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). It is the only venomous snake in Minnesota that was found in surveys in the last several decades, and has been confirmed to have a breeding population. Minnesota is at the northern most end of its range.
By Barb Spears, Past President
The past couple of weeks, I’ve not only had the pleasure of getting out to a couple of my favorite spots in MN, but I’ve also been able to enjoy them with long-time MNWWN members (and friends!) Linda Haugen, new MNWWN Steering Committee member Janet Erdman, and Chris Komarek.
By Therese Zemlin, MNWWN member
In 2018, my husband and I took ownership of my family’s cabin and property on Indian Lake in Brimson, MN. Spruce budworm was heading our way, and we didn’t think too much about it. It had happened before, and the woods had survived. But this was worse, and by 2020, it was bad. Large swaths of our meandering, lakefront forty acres had turned the copper-oxide green of lichen and the ominous gray of dead spruce and balsam. Then on August 15, 2021, the Greenwood fire broke out approximately 30 miles north of Brimson, burning close to 27,000 acres. We knew this fire absolutely could have been us, and that our luck just might be running out.
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
When you make a list of large mammals found in Minnesota, black bears (Ursus americanus) are right at the top. Black bears in Minnesota are 5- 6 feet long and weigh from 150-500 pounds, the heavier end of the scale favoring males. Although they are called black bears, their coloring can range from black to dark and light brown, with less than 10% brown color phase documented in Minnesota.
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
Minnesota has fourteen species of frogs and toads that employ three primary overwintering strategies that help them survive our typical winters. The first is to dig down below the frost line, the depth varies from year to year based on the temperatures and amount of snow. The depth that allows them to be below the frost line can range from 6 inches to 3 feet deep. Second, some species spend their long winters brumating (hibernating) on the bottom of lakes, rivers and ponds. That does not mean that they sleep all winter but are less active. At times, you may see them swimming around if you look through the ice.
Article by Barb Spears, MNWWN President
On a chilly Tuesday, October 17, I took a lovely fall drive to Carlton, MN to see the Carlton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Oregon biochar kiln demonstration and share MNWWN information. I dressed for the cold morning, but I also knew there would be a large fire – a biochar fire – to help keep me warm!
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
In mid-September my good friend Angela and I went to Hawk Ridge Observatory in Duluth. I have visited multiple times, but this was Angela’s first. Although she frequents Duluth and the North Shore, she had never heard of the observatory before.
Written by Barb Spears, MNWWN President
In September, MNWWN partnered with Dovetail Partners Inc. and UW-Madison Forestry Extension to host three workshops geared towards female woodland owners with little or no experience using a chainsaw. The principal focus was on safety: safe posture, safe practices, safe clothing, and safe habits. These workshops empowered women to be comfortable with running a saw and increase saw knowledge. The workshops were at Northland College in Ashland, WI; MNWWN member Cheryl Jirik’s property in Webster, MN, and the UMN Hubacheck Wilderness Research Center in Ely, MN providing an opportunity for women from southern and northern Minnesota to attend. Each workshop was at capacity with 15 participants, providing a 1:5 ratio of instructors to participants, ideal for ensuring that each participant had ample opportunity to work with an instructor.
By Angela Gupta, UMN Extension Forester, agupta@umn.edu
Emerald ash borer, EAB, is still causing problems for community and forest ash trees and the people that care about those trees. As always, there’s a lot of good EAB information at the University of Minnesota Extension EAB webpage. Below are a few EAB updates.
Article by Barb Spears, MNWWN President
I attended the Minnesota Forest Resources Council (MFRC) North Central Landscape Committee (NCLC) Summer Field Tour on Monday July 31. It was my first tour like this in a very long time and my first opportunity to connect with the North Central Landscape Committee members since moving to Grand Rapids in June. It was a fun and educational day!
Article by Jaimé Thibodeaux, Minnesota Forest Resources Council, Landscape Program Coordinator
The Minnesota Forest Resources Council is inviting interested landowners to participate in regional committees in the West and East Central parts of Minnesota’s forests. The Minnesota Forest Resources Council (MFRC) is a 17-member board created to develop policy recommendations to the Governor and federal, state, and local governments and to encourage the adoption of sustainable forest management policies and practices.
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
There has been a lot in the news about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in recent months, so it seems timely to write an article on the topic and discuss its impacts on Minnesota’s wildlife. CWD is part of a group of neurological diseases called spongiform encephalopathies (TSE’s) which are believed to cause abnormal proteins to form called prions. Proteins become abnormal and contagious when the protein material folds incorrectly.
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
Although there are about 150 native and non-native species of lizards found in North America, only three are hardy enough to survive in the Bold North, also known as Minnesota. In fact, the farther north you go, the conditions become less favorable to reptiles and amphibians because of the harsh climate, and the overall number and diversity of species decline.
Minnesota Master Naturalist Submission: Cheryl Batson
Morels are considered a choice edible mushroom with a nutty, earthy flavor. It is a good start for beginners since they can be easy to identify. The Minnesota Mycological Society is a low-cost option for beginners in Minnesota to learn mushroom identification and the club holds forays (mushroom hunting) throughout the harvesting season. Also essential, is getting a good Minnesota mushroom identification book such as Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest by Teresa Marrone and Kathy Yerich. Being certain of your identification before eating any wild mushroom will help you prevent food poisoning and death. As with any wild food, only a small amount should be eaten to ensure you are not allergic, and check with your doctor before eating any wild foods when you are pregnant (especially mushrooms).
By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society
Lichens are fascinating, complex organisms that seem to be everywhere. They are found worldwide, from deserts to forests to tundra and many more habitat types. There are an estimated 20,000 species worldwide and approximately 3,600 species in North America. Lichens occur as the result of a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungus, and in some lichens, there are cyanobacteria that are part of the relationship.
**Do not consume anything from the wild that a professional has not verified or accurately identified. Always be sure of the identification of the plant/fungi before consuming and avoid foraging in potentially contaminated areas. Misidentification can lead to serious illness or even death. Also, be sure to check local regulations and do not take more than you need.
Minnesota Master Naturalist Submission: Cheryl Batson
Willow bark from Salix varieties contains salicin which is a chemical similar to aspirin. In fact, initially, aspirin was derived from willow. Some of the cultivars of willows contain less salicin than the non-Salix varieties. Native Americans used to cut off willow bark and chew the inner bark as a pain reliever and to reduce inflammation. It can be used in the same way today. Willow bark can also be harvested to make tea.
Adapted from the Woodlands of Minnesota Landowner Handbooks
Invasive plants can cause big problems for woodlands when they displace native species. For example, shrubs such as buckthorn, garlic mustard, and honeysuckle can crowd the understory of your woods or proliferate along your trails, degrading wildlife habitat and making recreational access difficult.