Voyageurs National Park Selected as a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight

VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kate Severson, (218) 283-6670, katherine_severson@nps.gov  

Voyageurs National Park Selected as a 2025 Leave No Trace Spotlight

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — The Leave No Trace organization has selected Voyageurs National Park as a 2025 Spotlight site. As outdoor areas nationwide face growing pressures from increased use, this new initiative highlights communities rising to meet these challenges through multi-day, onsite education and restoration efforts. From July 24–26, Leave No Trace will join National Park Service and Voyageurs Conservancy staff to work with local land agencies and the public to deliver impactful Leave No Trace education and partner on stewardship projects throughout the park.

Local land agencies or community groups nominate sites for the Leave No Trace Spotlight initiative. The diverse sites chosen in 2025 span the country, each with unique environmental challenges. The program equips each Spotlight area with tailored Leave No Trace tools that address specific site impacts and foster long-term stewardship.

“The Spotlight program is an amazing way to highlight the power of a community and the steps they can take to protect the outdoor areas they love,” states Dana Watts, the Executive Director of Leave No Trace. “This program puts conservation into action and the 3-day Spotlight led by Leave No Trace staff, focuses on workshops, Leave No Trace education, and community engagement to ensure that every Spotlight host is left with the tools necessary to continue to protect and conserve the areas around them.”

“As Voyageurs National Park celebrates 50 years of parkhood, this is a perfect moment to reaffirm our commitment to protecting this remarkable landscape,” said Kate Severson, Program Manager for Education and Interpretation at Voyageurs National Park. “By shining a spotlight on our park and the principles of Leave No Trace, we honor our past and invest in the future. We are ensuring the pristine forests and lakes of northern Minnesota remain protected for generations to come.”

Public Events – Free and Open to All

We encourage visitors of all ages to attend and participate. More information is available here: Voyageurs National Park, MN - July 24-26, 2025 - Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace Pop-Up Education + Park After Dark Program
Thursday, July 24th  | 8:00 – 11:00 PM; Night Sky Program Begins at 9:30 PM  | Kabetogama Visitor Center

Experience the beauty and wonder of the night sky at Voyageurs! Starting at 8:00 PM, learn about the park’s role in reducing light pollution and what you can do to protect dark skies. Enjoy an evening of learning, stargazing, and inspiration.

Leave No Trace Pop-Up Education
Friday, July 25th | 1:00 – 4:00 PM  | Ash River Visitor Center

Join Leave No Trace, the National Park Service, and Voyageurs Conservancy for interactive activities, games, and educational fun. Discover simple ways to protect wildlife, keep our lakes clean, and be a good steward of nature.

Leave No Trace Trail Workday
Saturday, July 26th  | 9:30 AM-12:00 PM  | Kab-Ash Trailhead

Give back to Voyageurs by volunteering for a rewarding trail maintenance project. Activities include light trail brushing, maintenance, and restoration. Volunteers will also be introduced to Leave No Trace principles and stewardship education. Advance sign-up is encouraged but not required. RSVP here.

About Leave No Trace

Using the power of science and research, education for all, and stewardship to support and protect nature, Leave No Trace is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. The Spotlight program is the newest education offering from Leave No Trace. Learn more at: www.LNT.org.

Facebook: @LeaveNoTraceCenter | Instagram: @LeaveNoTraceOrg | LinkedIn: @LeaveNoTrace

About Voyageurs Conservancy

Founded in 1965, the Voyageurs Conservancy (formerly known as Voyageurs National Park Association) represents a community of people committed to the future of Minnesota’s National Park. As an independent charitable organization, the Conservancy works with the National Park Service to support recreation and conservation projects, advance education and public engagement, and protect the wild nature of the park for future generations