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Monthly Archives: February 2008
Paddlemaking by Murat
Murat makes gorgeous custom paddles, often drawing inspiration from various traditional styles I never knew existed. He then adorns them with both photorealistic and native drawings of wildlife he encounters in his travels.
And to think that I actually feel proud of myself after assembling an Ikea bed without losing any hardware…
More protection for the lynx in the Arrowhead?
As today’s Duluth Tribune reports, Minnesota is among several states under consideration for more designated critical habitat lands for the Canada lynx. How much more? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is wanting as many as 8,266 square miles. This, up from 317, as proposed in 2006.
Furthermore, these areas would cover much of the Arrowhead, whereas the ’06 proposed lands were all within Voyageurs National Park.
Critical habitat designation means that while logging, hunting and other land uses may continue, the federal government will be able to step in and restrict activities deemed as a threat to the lynx habitat.
They are accepting public comments on their proposal until April 28, so send them soon and often, here.
Meet the Bushcraft Boyz
From the Land of 10,000 Lochs, I give you The Bushcraft Boyz. Equipped with minimal gear, mad skills (and the occasional shot of malt,) these young Scots exemplify a simple message: Bushcrafting is Fun. And they do so, sans the “expert outdoorsman” egotism that one often tires of seeing. City slickers, take heed! Watching the Bushcraft Boyz just might put the bug in you.
ASIDE: Actually, Scotland has about 31,460 lochs, which American Heritage defines as “narrow arm[s] of the sea similar to a fjord.”
Green up the Gunflint
When’s the last time you got to plant 150 red and white pines along the Gunflint Trail, to enjoy them decades later with your great-grandchildren? That’s right, you never have, but you’ll get that chance on May 2-4. From the organizers of the Gunflint GreenUp:
The residents, resort owners and outfitters realize that while we are lucky enough to call the Gunflint Trail ‘home’ — it is also the place that Minnesotans and others call ‘home’ in their hearts. We are hosting the Gunflint Green Up for everyone who knows the uniqueness of this pristine place; this place where we all reconnect and recharge.
Volunteers (like you) will spend one sweaty, dirty weekend re-foresting several sites along the trail. And a lifetime, reaping the benefits. Registration details, here.
“Paradise Lost” exhibit at Bell Museum
A collaboration between artists, scientists and educators, “Paradise Lost: Climate Change in the North Woods” does more than spread awareness about climate change. On exhibit through April 11 at the Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis, it’s inspiring as much as it is, sobering. And in a more digestible format than Al Gore’s PowerPoint. Details on the exhibit, here.
Do-it-yurtself
Couldn’t believe this when I saw it: A tutorial on how to build your own portable Mongolian yurt. I’d also found a similar DIY using mostly using salvaged materials (that’s right: ‘how to green your yurt’.) However, judging from the picture on that one, I’d recommend the first tutorial.
Mors Kochanski making a survival bow
It’s impressive to see him assemble this tool with the ease of preparing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Despite all the din of ‘survival’ shows and celebs nowadays, Kochanski has quietly remained one of the true masters of bushcraft over the years. Watch and learn.
Nutritional guidelines for winter campers
Planning your menu? This article provides some solid tips on what kinds of foot to eat—and not to eat—when you’re camping in the cold.
The search to save Minnesota’s moose population
The Star Tribune covers a renewed effort this year to determine why the state’s moose are dying off at an alarming rate. Parasites? Global warming? So far, there are no clear culprits nor pat answers. I’ve read about these concerns before, but the numbers in this article are rather disconcerting.
Commuting by canoe
In a move that’s sure to win points with everyone from Greenpeace to the Vatican (I’m pretty sure that’s an historical precedent), a UK man is giving up carbon emissions for Lent. Among other eco-friendly changes of routine, he’ll endeavor to canoe whenever he might normally use his car. You can follow this pilgrim’s progress on his MySpace page.
This is an awesome idea—I sure do hope MN-DOT takes a cue from this and puts a ‘boat lane’ on the new 35W bridge over the Mississippi! Via Canoeing.com.
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