Voyageurs National Park (Episode 60)

Send us Fan MailGuest: Kate Severson, Program Manager for Interpretation, Outreach, and PartnershipGrab your life jacket and your sense of adventure! In this episode, we head to Northern Minnesota to explore Voyageurs National Park, a landscape defined by its interconnected waterways, ancient geology, and the spirit of the French-Canadian fur traders who gave the park its name.Host Missy Rentz sits down with Kate Severson to discuss the park’s unique 50-year history and why this "difficult to get to" destination is a must-visit for any national park enthusiast. We dive into the grueling daily life of the historical Voyageurs (who paddled up to 18 hours a day!), the delicate balance of wetland conservation, and the legacy of the artists and conservationists who fought to protect this wilderness.In this episode, you’ll learn:The History of the Voyageurs: Why these "commercial truckers of the 1700s" had to be short, strong, and incredibly resilient.Indigenous Roots: How the knowledge and technology of the Ojibwe and Anishinaabe people made the fur trade possible.Conservation in Action: What "floating islands" of invasive cattails are and how the park uses fire and machinery to restore native marshes.Planning Your Visit: The difference between front country and backcountry camping (hint: they both require a boat!) and how to experience the park in the winter via its famous Ice Road.Hidden Gems: From the Ellsworth Rock Gardens to the photography of June Fujita.Support the show