The climate is changing in Voyageurs National Park, according to scientists.
A new book entitled, “Voyageur Skies: Weather and Wilderness in Minnesota’s National Park,” chronicles the seasons in Voyageurs National Park through University of Minnesota Extension climatologist Mark Seeley’s account of how weather and climate has shaped the park’s pristine landscape.
Retired Extension photographer Don Breneman shows the many stunning facets of the park as they appear through his own lens.
How has the climate in Voyageurs National Park changed in recent years and what does this mean going forward? Climate change is already impacting Minnesota’s water resources. While celebrating the spectacular beauty to be found in Minnesota’s only national park, Voyageur Skies facilitates wider discussion and understanding of implications for the future if the quality of the state’s resources is to be preserved.
Seeley, who is heard frequently on Minnesota Public Radio, concludes the book with his remarks on the changing climate in VNP.
“Greater attention to these climate trends and their implications may be necessary to adapt and manage Voyageurs National Park to ensure that its pristine waters and beautiful landscapes are preserved for generations,” writes Seeley.
VNP Superintendent Mike Ward calls the book “absolutely fantastic.”
Ward said the book’s author allowed park staff input into factual information, which he said was appreciated.
“Don’s photos are fantastic combined with Mark’s expertise in climate makes it a pretty outstanding book,” said Ward.
Ward noted that Breneman attended the July 2 dedication of the park facilities and offered to autograph the newly released book.
While other books have been produced about Voyageurs, this book provides a different look at the park, said Ward.
“This has history and weather, and the photos bring it out so incredibly and the way Mr. Seeley walks through it explaining what happens in each season is incredible, too.”
Seeley’s expertise in climate lends credibility to the book, said Ward.
“Mark is a very well known climatologist,” Ward said, “and he makes some very strong statements at the end of book about the climate of Voyageurs National Park.”
Ward said Voyageur Skies should serve as a standard for other parks to consider climate change.
“Whether folks agree with climate change or not, the simple fact is that the more we look at this issue, the more we find changes over time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ward said people come to Voyageurs, as they do other iconic national parks, to look for the one thing every one has to see. As an example, he pointed to Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park in Montana.
“I always tell people, at Voyageurs there isn’t just one thing, it’s the entire park. As they experience the park, they will find instances looking out over Anderson Bay, or Grassy Bay, with sunshine or even on cloudy days and have a remarkable experience — that’s why people fall in love with Voyageurs.”
Ward said people’s relationship with Voyageurs is similar to marriage, in that over the years they find more and more to love.
And the photographs in the book capture the feel that there is more than one remarkable place within the park.
Ward noted that as people look at the book, they recognize places that they, too, have photographed.
“A lot of people say, ‘I took that picture, too,’” he said.
