News Release

winter 2025 cattail burns in voyageurs national park

Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: Erik Ditzler, 218 283 6636

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn.-- Voyageurs National Park staff plan to conduct prescribed burns in selected wetlands in and near Black Bay and Cranberry Bay on Rainy Lake in March of 2025. 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 operations will only occur during daylight hours. Operation will be dependent upon ice conditions that allow access to burn areas. 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 Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, Voyageurs Conservancy, National Park Foundation, and the National Park Service.