All are welcome at the annual North House Folk School Northern Landscapes Festival on June 2-4, 2023 at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Spring is an explosion of life in the North! Discovering the birds, wildflowers, insects and more of this dynamic and rich northern landscape is the focus of this festival. Participation in the festival is open to anyone interested in hands-on learning and curious about the dynamics of the northern landscape.

This year, we turn our attention to the aquatic landscapes of the north, with evening presentations on beavers and their impacts on the boreal forest and the Lake Superior fishery. We are pleased to welcome many returning instructors and favorite offerings, and happy to introduce new instructor Dr. Cynthia Lane, offering a multi-day course in basic botany.

Public Presentations Event Details

Friday, June 2, 7pm: Beaver Crafted Wetlands: Amphibian and Invertebrate Communities in the Boreal Forest with Talon Stammen
Cost: Free | Venue: Blue Building

It’s no secret that the humble beaver is a builder by trade, and can have a serious impact on the northern landscape (even in downtown Grand Marais!). Beavers are considered both ecosystem engineers and keystone species because their dam building activities affect the hydrologic conditions and vegetation of wetlands, providing important habitat for many wildlife species. Talon Stammen, long time student of craft at North House, is completing his PhD research on the impacts of beavers on amphibian and invertebrate species in Voyageurs National Park. Talon will share his findings and his explorations of the Kabetogama Peninsula over a four year period.

Saturday, June 3, 7pm | A History of Fish, Fishing, and Fisheries Management in the Minnesota Waters of Lake Superior
Cost: Free | Venue: Blue Building

The history of fish, fishing, and fisheries management in Lake Superior is complex and has been impacted through time by the absence of fishery regulations, changes to habitat, invasive species, and climate change. In this presentation, Minnesota DNR’s Lake Superior Fisheries Supervisor Cory Goldsworthy will highlight many of these impacts as well as provide insight into changes to the fish community and ecosystem through time and the current science and management behind Minnesota’s Lake Superior fishery.

View Northern Landscapes Festival website for more detail.

Event Location
North House Folk School
500 W Highway 61
Grand Marais, MN 55604

For More Information: Call (218) 387-9762; Email info@northhouse.org