Watch: Documentary traces long legacy of defending the Boundary Waters
‘This Wild Land’ focuses on lessons from past wilderness advocates for people fighting modern threats.
Wilderness Voices
Poem: Rocky Shores
What Wilderness Means to Me Series Submission: “Rocky shores, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, full moon paddles and islands alone, Boundary Waters you are my throne. Great wilderness of untold stories, nature is proof of your glory…”
The Wilderness of Voyageurs and What it Means to Me
“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds…”
Ghosts of the Northwoods
Photojournalist Ben Olson shares his trek to find Minnesota’s elusive lynx. “My obsession with Canada lynx stems from a series of unexpected events and chance encounters…”
Wilderness Voices: Kelly Beaster
“While I create each drawing, I get to re-visit past trips and adventures, and I notice things from the drawing itself that I didn’t from the photograph, details that were always there, but the drawing has brought out new details…”
Don Fraser Remembered (1924 – 2019)
This week we remember and honor Don Fraser – Former U.S. Representative and Minneapolis Mayor, ‘quiet crusader’ for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Wilderness Voices: Travis Novitsky
“Some of my most unforgettable moments are sitting on the shores of a boreal forest lake on a calm night with no wind, watching the northern lights dance overhead while the haunting calls of loons echo across the water.”
Remembering Norman Deschampe – a legacy of building partnerships
This week we mark the loss of Norman Deschampe, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Council Chairman. His love of the outdoors translated into a defense of Minnesota’s natural resources…
“The BWCA is at stake” says former supervisor of Superior National Forest
“We must stop the political do-over on the Twin Metals mine. Experience shows that pollution is probable. It may be catastrophic.”
Wilderness Voices: John Ratzloff
Photographer reveals the role of people in wilderness, from cliff-rimmed lakes in Quetico to ancient trees in the Boundary Waters…
Book Review: Hush Hush, Forest
Minnesota author and printmaker create a children’s book with the northern forest as backdrop. Seriously beautiful, reflecting their deep connection to the northwoods and inspiring …
Book Review: Iron and Water
Grant Merritt’s memoir tracks his life working to protect the lakes and land of Minnesota, describes the lows and highs of his many battles, recalls a pivotal period in Minnesota history, and reminds us why we must continue to fight to protect nature.
Painter captures forest regeneration after the Ham Lake Fire
“Painting that blackened landscape really taught me how to find beauty in an otherwise not so beautiful environment. The shiny silver patterns on a charred tree or stump against a green back ground were fascinating to me….”
Ely business-owners advocate for Boundary Waters during White House event
Wintergreen Northern Wear was invited to a “Made in America” showcase hosted by the Trump administration.
Honoring Veterans with a Boundary Waters wilderness experience
In July, five veterans of our US armed forces gathered to celebrate Independence Day in the BWCAW. The group had never met and most had never paddled before, but they were all ready to leave civilization behind to enjoy peace and serenity, and hopefully some good fishing.
A new generation continues the tradition of Boundary Waters outfitting
Across canoe country, the next generation is taking over outfitting businesses or starting new ones. These outfitters offer a fresh take on what it means to introduce people to the wilderness today.
Wilderness Voices: Layne Kennedy
“There are many reasons why this pristine wilderness along the shared border of Minnesota/Ontario is important. A close encounter with nature can turn into a tremendous learning experience. The fair price for wilderness travel is awareness…”
Sharing the wilderness with women—of any age
“There is a measurable amount of growth with every trip and every person I take out… And it really is empowering, especially for mature women who think that, physically, they aren’t capable anymore,” wilderness guide Peta Barrett says.
Teen heading to the “greatest place on earth” after winning Boundary Waters essay contest
This week, Ely Outfitting Company announced the winner of its first annual Boundary Waters Teen Essay Contest. Julia Ruelle, the 16-year-old winner, was one of more than 70 entries. Her prize? She and up to three teenage friends will go on a fully outfitted, self-guided trip—five days in the wilderness without parents and without a guide.
Meet Amy Freeman, Wilderness Guide
One winter day in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, an otter ran across the path of a dogsled team on Basswood Lake. Excited, the dogs picked up the pace, then Amy saw something else out on the ice: wolves…