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.

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.

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 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

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. 

MN Invasive Terrestrial Plants & Pests Center (MITPPC)

Summary by Angela Gupta, UMN Extension Forester, agupta@umn.edu

Last June the MITPPC produce a white paper, Managing Invasive Buckthorn, summarizing buckthorn management research that can help woodland owners and land managers. The report includes buckthorn identification, types of removal options including goats, and prevention strategies.

By Chrissy Shaw, FFCP Senior Forestry Manager for Wisconsin and Minnesota

My family owns a cabin near Backus, Minnesota. Every June, we load the car and head up north for a week of non-stop fishing. The fishing is always good, but the cabin is truly an experience. We are always graced with the sounds of the loon, a swooping bald eagle that lands in a towering white pine hanging over the lake, a beaver that announces we are too close to the den, and if we are lucky, we see some curious fox kits roaming about. It all seems majestic, and the trip is inevitably nothing short of rejuvenating. 

By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society

Fishers (Pekania pennanti) are curious critters for many, partly because sightings are considered rare, even though they are thought to be common, with an estimated population of 10,000 in Minnesota. They are found throughout the northern forested areas of Minnesota, with additional documented animals in the prairies to the west and the river valleys in the southeast.