invasive species

Participants statewide will be assigned up to five public accesses to search for starry stonewort as well as other aquatic invasive species on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

Plus: Invasive emerald ash borer was confirmed in Itasca County for the first time; Drought is on its way out after multiple inches of rain this week; Sanford Bemidji President and CEO announces retirement and successor; and the state pollution control agency is taking comment on Itasca County's update to its solid waste permit.

The MN Department of Agriculture will treat 24 sites in Aitkin, Carlton, Itasca, Pine and St. Louis counties with nontoxic spray to slow the spread of the destructive pest.

The invasive pest was found in Carlton County near Holyoke, Sawyer and Wrenshall. It was also discovered in Meeker, Murray, Ottertail and Wadena counties.

High levels of the invasive insect prompted the quarantine from the state Department of Agriculture. There will be an informational meeting April 29, 2025.

Plus: A permanent outlet for the Canisteo Mine Pit to Prairie River in Bovey is under construction; extensive construction on Highway 53 in Eveleth this year will include a detour through Gilbert; and Paul Bunyan Communications' GigaZone Gaming Championship returns to the Bemidji Sanford Center on April 12, 2025.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture said it was relying on federal funding for proposed spongy moth management around Grand Rapids, Cloquet and the Fond du Lac Reservation.

The invasive insect was confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in southern Aitkin County, Virginia and northern Pine County. All three areas are quarantined.

Judy and Harry Worms of rural Brainerd produce maple syrup and hay and raise cattle and goats — which help to eradicate invasive buckthorn to bring back native plants and improve water and soil quality.

Freshwater jellyfish are invading MN lakes! Professor Beatrix Beisner discusses their arrival to the area, hidden life cycle, and how to prevent their spread.