News
DNR now taking reservations for state park summer tours
Three Minnesota state parks offer guided tours, giving participants opportunities to learn about fascinating features of the parks and the history behind them.
Learn to camp, paddle, fish and mountain bike in Minnesota’s great outdoors with DNR’s I Can! programs
Registration is now open for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ summer 2025 I Can! outdoor recreation programs in Minnesota state parks and recreation areas.
Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! session talks spring forecast and corn crop best practices
On March 26, Dennis Todey, USDA Midwest Climate Hub Director and Jeff Coulter, UMN Extension corn agronomist, joined UMN Extension Crops Educator Angie Peltier for a discussion about current and forecasted weather conditions and considerations for a successful 2025 corn crop. This was the final weekly episode of the 2025 Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! series of webinars.
Bear hunt lottery applications available
Prospective bear hunters have until Friday, May 2, to apply for a bear hunting license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Applications for the 2025 season can be submitted online, at any license agent or by telephone at 888-665-4236.
Ask a Trooper: Hand-held radio…
Question: I know there is a lot of discussion on distracted driving. I have a question how does the law apply to amateur radio devices? For example, trained storm spotters sometimes use hand-held and vehicle mobile radios during a weather emergency.
Generally normal temperatures expected throughout the week
Much of the snow we picked up last week continues to melt away. With the sun angle so high this time of the year, temperatures even in the 30s and 40s can melt the snow away very quickly.
Highway 23 and Highway 71 left-turn lane project begins April 14
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin a project to construct left-turn lanes near Raymond and Svea beginning April 14. A left-turn lane will be constructed for both east and westbound traffic at Highway 23 and County Road 1, northeast of Raymond. Also, a left-turn lane will be constructed for both north and southbound traffic at Highway 71 and County Road 3 near Svea.
Lakeview Campground at Sibley State Park to reopen May 16
On May 16, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will reopen Sibley State Park’s Lakeview Campground, a popular camping destination in west central Minnesota. The campground was closed in 2024 for a large-scale renovation project. Campsite reservations for overnight stays beginning May 16 or later can now be made online (mndnr.gov/reservations) or by calling 866-857-2757.
Minnesota DNR FalconCam pair preparing for eggs
A pair of peregrine falcons have returned to the nest box featured on the popular Minnesota Department of Natural Resources FalconCam (mndnr.gov/falconcam). The webcam has captured this pair of falcons demonstrating courtship displays and preparing for eggs by creating a nest in the gravel, called a scrape.
Quieter weather pattern for the weekend
We’ve had an active weather of late. Over the weekend much of the area saw some freezing rain and snow. The most snow on Saturday fell in Nisswa where 3.3 inches of snow fell. Also, north of Camp Ripley 2.2 inches of snow was reported.