Border Lakes and Pine Forest - Photo by Chris Williams.

Forests of the Far North
 
The Temperate Forest's Dance with the Boreal North Woods
Exploring the Border Lakes from Ely, Minnesota

July 14-21, 2012

"In the saving of places of natural beauty and wildness we are waging a battle for man's spirit." ~Sigurd F. Olson

What will you learn on this trip?

• Ability to identify the primary conifers of the North American boreal forest; their ecology, natural history & folklore.
• Knowledge of the boreal forest world-wide, and its major conservation challenges.
• First-hand field knowledge of major ecosystems and natural succession in the North Woods: floating mat bogs, jack pine forests, black spruce wetlands, balsam fir-white spruce forests, deciduous woodlands, and upland scrub.
• Understanding of the role of fire in sculpting North Woods ecosystems.


Paddling the Border Lakes - Chris Williams
• Ability to identify primary fern, shrub, and wildflower species of the North woods -- ecology, natural history and folklore.
• Knowledge of the natural history North Woods flagship species, including wolves, loons, and beaver.
• Ability to recognize by sight and songs the distinctive North Woods warblers and other breeding songbirds.
• Ability to recognize the habitat and species of the most distinctive lichen species of the North Country.
• Deeper knowledge of the great diversity of dragonflies and damselflies that inhabit the North Woods.
• Appreciation for art and literature of the North.
• Understanding the effect of global warming on northern ecosystems.
• Recognizing ancient tectonic geologic processes and igneous rocks of the Canadian Shield and the Border Lakes region.
• Lots of blueberry eating!

Border Lakes Sunset - Courtesy Chris Williams

Course Summary and Overview 

 Two of Earth’s major terrestrial biomes, the eastern temperate and boreal forests, dance in transition in northeastern Minnesota. Here, glacially carved, crystalline lakes serve as southern gateway of the majestic boreal forest, where it begins its circumpolar domination.  This is the forest of the Ojibwe, the voyageur, author Sigurd Olson, and modern day polar explorers -- with all the legends they inspire.  Beyond that, it is home to the largest population of gray wolves in the Lower 48, as well as moose, loon, and black bear. It attracts and captures outdoor adventurers and naturalists with its biodiversity, sheer vastness, and unparalleled solitude.  In the North Woods, we can hold wilderness in our eyes, hear it with ears unaccustomed to stillness, touch it with our souls. 

We will be staying at a rustic & remote resort known as Smitty's on Snowbank, located on the shores of 4600-acre Snowbank Lake. Two thirds of this lake stretches into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, an immense 1-million acre sanctuary preserved within Superior National Forest. The Boundary Waters offers over 1500 miles of canoe routes and more than 1000 lakes and streams. Lying just five miles south of the Canadian border and Quetico Provincial Park, itself well over a million acres, Snowbank is truly end-of-the-road wilderness. Whereas the forest will be our inspiration, world-class forest experts will be our guides -- drawn from the University of Minnesota, MN Department of Natural Resources, Vermilion Community College and local naturalists.

Who is the Course Designed For?

Teachers, nature enthusiasts, naturalists, professors, outdoor educators, biologists, adventurers, home school parents, and students of biodiversity. No previous experience necessary except an undying curiosity about the natural world. This is an excellent opportunity for deep, holistic, field-oriented cross-disciplinary education.

Next: Course Schedule