News Release

spring 2023 cattail burns in voyageurs national park

Prescribed cattail burn

NPS Photo

News Release Date: March 1, 2023

Contact: Tawnya Schoewe

Contact: Jerry Warmbold

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: Voyageurs National Park staff will conduct prescribed burns in selected wetlands in and near Black Bay Narrows, Cranberry Bay, and Alder Creek in Rainy Lake and Tom Cod, Irwin, and Daley Bays in Kabetogama Lake. Activities include burning floating and rooted invasive hybrid cattails as well as other wetland areas to remove dead vegetation, rejuvenate wetland plant communities, and reduce woody plant encroachment. Burning will occur in March and April 2023.

Burning operations will only occur during daylight hours. Visitors are reminded that smoke will be generated by the burning operations and to avoid areas of active burning.

Hybrid cattails have invaded approximately 500-acres of wetlands in Voyageurs, displacing native communities of plants such as wild rice, sedges, rushes, and native cattail. The Voyageurs Wetland Restoration Project is a long-term project to improve habitat for wildlife, provide enhanced fishing opportunities, and support natural wetlands through increased native plant diversity. More information on the project can be found at: Voyageurs Wetlands - Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

This project is funded by a variety of organizations including the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the

Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, Voyageurs Conservancy, National Park Foundation, and the National Park Service.