Consider Donating to Toys for Tots this Holiday Season 

The Marine’s Toys for Tots organization is in the midst of their holiday campaign, and they are encouraging residents across the country to consider making a donation for a child in need. Col Ted Silvester of the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation says if you want to make a donation, consider purchasing a gift for an older child, as they are often overlooked when it comes to donations.

Silvester also explains why he feels it’s important for people to make a gift donation to child in need during the holidays. 

More information about the Toys for Tots Foundation can be seen on their website at www.toysfortots.org.

Minnesota DNR Protects 16,000 Acres in Landmark Deal

This fall, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources finalized one of its largest land acquisitions in recent history, resulting in the permanent protection of nearly 16,000 acres of forested land across a ten-county area in northern Minnesota. This action ensures these lands will remain forested into the future, securing the broad range of habitat, recreation, economic and other benefits these lands provide.

In one transaction, with funding from the Minnesota Legacy Outdoor Heritage Fund, the DNR collaborated with NWLT and the counties to strategically select 10,675 acres within Aitkin, Becker, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and Wadena counties. These lands will expand existing wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and state forests.

In the second transaction, the DNR acquired 5,120 acres in St. Louis County using Reinvest in Minnesota dollars. These lands will expand and consolidate ownership in existing state forests, creating larger, contiguous blocks of DNR land.More information about Minnesota’s state-managed public lands can be found on the DNR website.

Minnesota Could Have a ‘Real’ Winter This Year

People hoping for a “real” winter in Minnesota are getting their wish this year. Pete Boulay with the State Climatology Office says December is off to a cool and snowy start and that pattern is expected to continue the entire month. Boulay added that we’ve had the earliest below-zero temperatures since 2014.

Boulay says there is a blanket of snow statewide which makes the average air temperature 11 degrees cooler. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is among those predicting colder-than-average temps and more snowfall than usual for our state.

Ice Fishing Season Underway at Some Area Lakes

The early Ice fishing season is expected to get underway this weekend. Nathan Olson of the Minnesota DNR Fisheries Department says that some lakes across the region are reporting ice thick enough for walking.

While the ice may be safe to walk on in some areas, Olson says that you still need to take extra safety precautions, because all ice does not freeze the same. 

You can see more information about the Minnesota Ice Fishing season, and other ice fishing materials on the Minnesota DNR website.

Winter Recreation at Itasca State Park

December and snow has arrived at Itasca State Park, which means that it’s just about time for their trails to open for different recreational activities. Itasca State Park Lead Naturalist Connie Cox says some of these trails will open, as soon as they get enough snow.

Cox says the Minnesota DNR has a resource available to you to check on the condition of the trails in both Itasca State Park, and trails across the entire State of Minnesota. 

Minnesota Snow Trail Conditions map can be seen on the DNR website. That full story is online at kq92.com.