Spring Cattail Burns in Voyageurs National Park

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: Voyageurs National Park staff will conduct prescribed burns in
selected wetlands in and near Black Bay Narrows, Cranberry Bay, and Alder Creek in Rainy Lake
and Tom Cod, Irwin, and Daley Bays in Kabetogama Lake. 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 will occur in March and
April 2023.
Burning operations will only occur during daylight hours. 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 Minnesota Environment and Natural
Resources Trust Fund, Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy
Amendment, Voyageurs Conservancy, National Park Foundation, and the National Park
Service.www.nps.gov