The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota has big proponents and protectors in the form of Dave and Amy Freeman, whose recent year-long canoe trip was designed to help protect it from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining…
While the past year held many milestones for Boundary Waters Wilderness federal protection, none perhaps resonates with paddlers better than the exploits Dave and Amy Freeman, who returned in September from their Year in the Wilderness campaign, and a December decision by the feds to deny a controversial mine planned near the area.
The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters follows the Freeman’s year of success in their efforts to protect Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining. In December of 2016, federal agencies denied Twin Metals mining lease adjacent to the Wilderness and initiated an environmental review to determine if the watershed of America’s most visited Wilderness is the wrong place for sulfide-ore copper mining and should be removed from the mining program all together.
This news comes after the campaign gained momentum and grassroots support through a yearlong adventure advocacy expedition called A Year in the Wilderness, which concluded on September 23, 2016. For 366 days, Dave and Amy Freeman (2014 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year), traveled the Boundary Waters raising awareness about the risks facing the Wilderness from sulfide-ore copper mining and showcasing the beauty of this amazing landscape. The Freemans’ journey was documented in the recently released short film, Bear Witness. CLICK HERE
The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is a growing national Campaign that includes 35 partner organizations and many allies, including the Conservation Alliance and Outdoor Industry Association; more than 200 businesses comprising the Boundary Waters Business Coalition, such as Patagonia, Frost River, Klean Kanteen, Osprey and Granite Gear; as well as veterans, health professionals, hunters, anglers, youth, faith leaders, and paddlers. Dedicated supporters have formed Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, Veterans for the Boundary Waters and Gophers for the Boundary Waters (University of Minnesota students and alumni).
About: The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is a broad coalition of 35 partner organizations, including conservation, sportsmen, and veteran’s groups. The Campaign is also supported by more than 200 local and national businesses. The Campaign is led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and is based in Ely, Minnesota. For more information, visit: www.SavetheBoundaryWaters.org