Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Wilderness Advocacy
The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness’ advocacy work focuses on analyzing proposed state and federal policies that affect the BWCAW, working with natural resource managers to solve issues affecting the BWCAW, collaborating with business and community leaders on sustainable economic initiatives that recognize wilderness as a contributor to local economies, and reaching new audiences through the use of new and traditional media to promote policies that protect, preserve and restore the BWCAW. The primary focus area of the Friends’ advocacy work currently, is preventing proposed sulfide mining within the wilderness watershed and Quetico-Superior ecosystem.
Thomas Flint Canoe Trips
Each year, the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness sponsors wilderness canoe trips for underserved youth. In partnership with YMCA Camp Menogyn, Thomas Flint Campers spend a week in the Boundary Waters Wilderness developing leadership skills, confidence, and experience in wilderness landscapes.
Conservation Fellows Partnership
The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness worked to foster the next generation of conservation professionals, through the Conservation Fellows Partnership program that worked to engage racially diverse urban youth in wilderness experiences and develop professional skills in the conservation and environmental advocacy.
Superior Wilderness Volunteer Connection
The Superior Wilderness Volunteer Connection program works with the Superior National Forest to help maintain recreational resources within the wilderness, providing funding for stewardship work in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and recruiting volunteers to assist with portage and campsite maintenance, visitor education, and controlling the spread of non-native invasive plant species.
Current Goals
In our advocacy work, our goal is to continue to oppose copper sulfide mining within the BWCAW watershed and Quetico-Superior ecosystem and to continue to, collaborate with business and community leaders on sustainable economic initiatives that recognize wilderness as a contributor to local economies, and reaching new audiences through the use of new and traditional media to promote policies that protect, preserve and restore the BWCAW. In our educational work, our goal is to secure state funding to develop a comprehensive educational program about the wilderness for youth in Minnesota. We also plan to continue Thomas Flint Canoe Trips for underserved youth. In our support of wilderness stewardship, our goal is to continue funding volunteers in the Superior National Forest and to recruit more volunteers for the program.
Community or Constituency Served
Visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Underserved youth in Minnesota.
Geographic Area Served
Twin Cities Metro in Minnesota and Northeastern Minnesota
