Photo: Boreal Community Media files

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 15, 2026

The Superior National Forest has scheduled several public open houses in April 2026 to provide community members with updates on local forest management, upcoming projects, and other work. Forest Service officials and project staff will be present, covering a range of topics from infrastructure improvements to environmental management.

Gunflint Ranger District

The Gunflint Ranger District will host an open house on Thursday, April 23, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Schaap Community Center in Grand Marais along the Gunflint Trail. Forest Supervisor Tom Hall, along with district rangers and project staff, will share information regarding road and trail construction, prescribed fire plans, and active recreation projects. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries staff and learn about Forest Service careers and volunteer programs.

Learn more: fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/events/gunflint-ranger-district-open-house

Tofte Ranger District 

The Tofte Ranger District will host an open house on Monday, April 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Isabella Community Center. Forest Supervisor Tom Hall and Tofte District Ranger Ellen Bogardus-Szymaniak will be present to discuss upcoming work, including road and trail construction, active management initiatives, and recreation projects. 

Learn more: fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/events/tofte-ranger-district-open-house

A third open house will take place in Ely, MN, on April 23. 

These community events follow a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding a nationwide reorganization of the Forest Service. Under the new model, the agency is shifting from a regional management system to a state-based structure, which moves the oversight of Northern Minnesota from a regional office in Milwaukee to a new Great Lakes & Midwest State Office in Madison, Wisconsin. Despite these changes, a USDA spokesperson confirmed that staffing levels and operations at local forest offices will remain unchanged; two research and development entities will close. 

Last week, the Forest Service issued an updated statement from a USDA spokesperson regarding the closing of research and development offices, stating:

 "These reorganization changes do not eliminate scientists, end research programs, or reduce our broader geographic presence; research will continue across the country. In many cities, the “closures” refer only to individual buildings where small groups of scientists sit today, and those staff and programs are simply moving into fewer facilities."

The USFS has also stated that wildfire operations and active forest management will continue uninterrupted.