Partnership Creates Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center

Chippewa National Forest Marcell Ranger District begins transformation into the Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center.

This summer a transformation begins at the Chippewa National Forest's Marcell Ranger District. The district office will remodeled and become the "Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center", thanks to the diligent work of a partnership involving the USDA Forest Service, MN Highway 38 Leadership Board, Northern Itasca Joint Powers Board and The Edge of the Wilderness Lodging Association. Funding for the project has come from Federal Highway Project Funds and Scenic Byway Grants, the Blandin Association and Itasca County.

The center is located off of Highway 38, in Marcell, Minnesota. Highway 38 earned national status as one of the first 20 National Scenic Byways and is now called the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway. The office will be remodeled turning it into a destination point for tourists, locals, scenic byway visitors, local school children and other clubs and organizations. Activities at the "Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center" will focus on natural resource education, interpretation and customer service. Seasonal staff and volunteers will help run the center through a unique partnership that share in the management and maintenance responsibilities.

The partners anticipate the center will bring more tourists and visitors to the Edge of the Wilderness area, as well as enrich the local economy. The center will offer services to outdoor enthusiasts and visitors to increase their appreciation of the lands, waters and history of the Edge of the Wilderness region and National Scenic Byway. It compliments the Chippewa Adventure Tour, Laurentian Divide Wayside Rest, the Edge of the Wilderness Natural Scenic Byway Discovery Tour, and other area opportunities and attractions.

Future plans are to build a fishing pier and an amphitheater on Ranier Lake that is adjacent to the new center. Another special feature will be interpretive tours of the historic Civilian Conservation Corp structures on the property behind the center.

The project is becoming a reality because of a strong partnership that has been committed to the mission and the goals of the center.