Long Lake Conservation Center in Palisade
This report is brought to you by Ella, Dawson and the camp rockers from Camp Nature Rocks.
“Hi, this is Ella and Dawson from Camp Nature Rocks at Long Lake Conservation Center, July 14-18. The temps for our camp week were a high of 95 degrees. The low was 57 degrees. The wildfire smoke rolled in at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
“Here are our observations for this week. There are a bazillion tent moths, one army worm, and dragonflies are laying eggs on the water..
“We saw a Blue Jay, a painted turtle sunning on a log, otters swimming in the lake, a pair of Common Loons, several white-tailed deer, adults and lots of baby bunnies, a mom robin feeding her baby that was the same size as her, three fox kits, a Virginia ctenucha moth on a common milkweed bloom, and the hophornbeam trees are fruiting.
“We had a great week of camp and we want to remind everyone that Nature Rocks! So unplug, get outside and LIVE CONNECTED!”
Roots and Wings Forest School in New York Mills
Julia in Bemidji
Ian in Minneapolis
Chad in Little Falls
Michael Demars
What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.
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Contributed/Daniel DewaldCisco and other cold water fish died by the thousands in the large, shallow lake as water temperatures soared to an average of 77 degrees in late July and early August 2026. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionPublic health experts said states can better prepare for future illness outbreaks by keeping a sharp eye on climate change. -
Contributed/Deborah Rose / Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThirty-three communities received nearly $5 million in funding, including Virginia, Hill City and other Northern Minnesota cities. A new DNR grant closes Sept. 14, 2026. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullThe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds harvesters ahead of the Aug. 15, 2026, season opener that rice must be ripe for legal harvest. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThe Department of Natural Resources reported forest tent caterpillars have damaged the leaves of 60,000 acres of foliage around Aitkin County in 2026. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEBoundary Waters entry points near Big Moose Lake and Big Lake are also scheduled to reopen on Aug. 13, 2026.
