Today is National Beaver Day! 🦫
To celebrate, we’re launching our brand new “Give a Dam!” sticker designed by Kimberly Boustead. 🛶

Get your sticker today:
www.savetheboundarywaters.org/beaver-sticker

Sigurd Olson: champion for Wilderness protection Sigurd Olson is a legend among conservationists, paddlers, and those who love Canoe Country. He was one of the most influential advocates for protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Today is Sigurd Olson's birthday. Sig is a legend among conservationists, paddlers, and those who love Canoe Country. 🛶 He was one of the most influential advocates for the designation and protection of the Boundary Waters. Learn more about Sigurd Olson's legacy:
open.substack.com/pub/savetheb...

Local View: Hunters, anglers, Roosevelt IV all defending the Boundary Waters From the column: "In Minnesota, U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Hermantown, is leading the charge to turn public lands over to a foreign mining company owned by a billionaire from Chile."

"As hunters, anglers, and conservationists, we stand on the shoulders of giants from past generations, like President Roosevelt. This is our opportunity to show future generations they, too, stand on the shoulders of giants from this generation."
www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/colu...

The dogs in this household also advertise for @savetheboundarywaters.org

How can the State of Minnesota protect the Boundary Waters? To protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from toxic sulfide-ore copper mining, we need permanent protection at both the state and federal levels.

How can the state of Minnesota protect the Boundary Waters?

The federal government is moving to roll back protections for the Boundary Waters, and the state of Minnesota has the ultimate power to stop a mine from being built next to the Wilderness.
savethebwca.substack.com/p/how-can-th...

Can you drink straight from a Wilderness lake? To dip or not to dip? That is the question many people ask when venturing into the Boundary Waters.

Do you ever “dip” or do you treat your water while you’re in the Boundary Waters? While drinking straight from the lake comes with risks, here are some things for you to consider when treating water in the Boundary Waters!
open.substack.com/pub/savetheb...

The Boundary Waters Backstory - Yellowstonian Our interview with Minnesota conservationist Becky Rom frames the debate over a controversial copper and nickel mine proposed for the BWCAW.  She mentions rejection of science, potential conflicts of ...

This recent piece features interviews with Theodore Roosevelt IV and our board chair, Becky Rom. The discussion draws parallels to the 1990s battle to stop a Canadian company from building a gold mine just outside Yellowstone National Park.

Read more: yellowstonian.org/the-boundary...

Teddy Roosevelt’s Family Urges G.O.P. to Protect Public Lands

In a rare letter to Republican senators, four descendants of the former president oppose mining near a wilderness area in Minnesota.
Read more: bit.ly/4rOgr2B

Burcum: The House betrayed the BWCA. The Senate is next. Congress could hand over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the Trump administration, which has already shown its contempt for science and conservation.

Great editorial from Jill Burcum in the Star Tribune on why strong protections for the Boundary Waters matter now more than ever and why the Senate’s vote in the coming days is critical in the fight to protect the Wilderness.
www.startribune.com/burcum-the-h...

🚨 URGENT: Senate vote next week. Your senators need to hear from you NOW!

The bill to overturn the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters is heading to the Senate floor next week. This is a make-or-break moment. Call your senators today: www.savetheboundarywaters.org/action-center

Opinion | Don’t forget ― the Boundary Waters are still under threat "Behind the smoke bombs and tear gas and rubber bullets (and real bullets), another assault is happening, an assault on our public lands," Tony Jones writes.

A bill just passed the House that would undo the 20-year mining ban in the BWCAW watershed and could bring toxic copper mining right to its doorstep. Next, the bill moves to the Senate. Read this strong opinion piece from Tony Jones.

www.startribune.com/bwca-copper-...

Anniversary of mining ban, Antofagasta fined for non-compliance

Today marks the third anniversary of the 20-year mining ban, which is under threat in Congress. ⚠️ Also, the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta was just fined about $775,000 for failing to comply with regulations in Chile.

Call your senators now: www.savetheboundarywaters.org/anniversary-...

HJ 140 has passed the House and now heads to the Senate. This does not mean a mine will be built tomorrow, but it does mean we have even more important work ahead of us. Right now, we need you to take the next step and contact your Senators! www.savetheboundarywaters.org/SaveBWCA-Sen...

Thank you, @mccollum.house.gov, for your leadership and for being a Boundary Waters champion!

Photo of canoes that includes this text: Webinar, Planning a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip, Jan 21, 12pm CST and Jan 22, 6:40pm CST

Planning a Boundary Waters canoe trip? Permit day is almost here—quota permits open Jan 28!

Have questions about entry points, permits, packing, or meals? Join our special webinars for expert tips and trip-planning insights.

Registration and details: savetheboundarywaters.org/trips-webinars

🚨The Boundary Waters faces an urgent threat. 🚨
Congress is expected to vote NEXT WEEK on Rep. Stauber’s bill to overturn the 20-year mining ban that protects the Boundary Waters. Contact your representatives today and demand they VOTE NO on Joint Resolution 140.
savetheboundarywaters.org/actnow26

Bill introduced to overturn Mining ban near Boundary Waters

🚨URGENT: Rep Stauber introduced a bill to overturn the 20-year mining ban in the Boundary Waters watershed. If passed, it would reopen the door to copper mining near the Wilderness and block future administrations from using the same safeguards. ACT NOW:
www.savetheboundarywaters.org/bill-introdu...

New congressional plan to overturn Mining ban near Boundary Waters

Breaking: A congressional plan to overturn the 20-year mining ban near the BWCA emerges. This unprecedented step could trigger a fast-track congressional vote. We will keep you updated as we learn more:
www.savetheboundarywaters.org/new-congress...

We’re back in Washington, D.C. Save the Boundary Waters was in Washington, D.C., and met face-to-face with members of Congress and their staff to defend America’s most-visited Wilderness.

Last week, our team visited Capitol Hill to meet in person with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for the Wilderness. @savetheboundarywaters.org serves as the voice for the Boundary Waters in Washington, D.C. Learn more:

www.savetheboundarywaters.org/were-back-wa...

We’re in Washington, DC! This week, we're meeting with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advocate for the protection of the Boundary Waters. The threats are real and escalating. Donate now to help us continue to fight to protect the Wilderness: savetheboundarywaters.org/donate2025

Exploratory drilling near Birch Lake highlights state-federal divide in Boundary Waters | WTIP Exploratory drilling near Birch Lake has renewed attention on the differing policies governing state and federal lands in and around the Boundary Waters watershed. Franconia Metals, a subsidiary of Tw...

Exploratory drilling near Birch Lake has brought renewed attention to mining policies near the Boundary Waters. While federal lands are currently off-limits, companies can still pursue projects on state land.

Read more: bit.ly/4q3OxPc

In Response: Editorial brushed off mining's threat to BWCAW From the column: " Minnesotans support mining in general but agree that some places are too special, too unique, and too important for mining to be allowed."

The Duluth News Tribune criticized a border bill from Sen. Mike Lee, which would include allowing permanent infrastructure in the BWCA. Becky Rom, chair of Save the Boundary Waters, said the editorial overlooked a more immediate threat: a nearby sulfide-ore copper mine.

Read more: bit.ly/4rIBapp

Opinion | Mind your wilderness. Because others definitely have designs on it. From Trampled by Turtles' Dave Simonett: "The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River, the gem of the Midwest and under constant threat of ru...

Dave Simonett, who lives in MN, is on the board of directors of Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters and is the singer of the band Trampled by Turtles. He recently shared this piece with the Strib.

Read more: bit.ly/4iGCLrQ

Minnesota nears deal to sell 80,000 acres of Boundary Waters land to Forest Service The state has held on to the BWCA land for decades, hoping to trade with the Feds for timberland.

Minnesota is working to sell and transfer 80,000 acres of state School Trust land in the Boundary Waters to the Federal Government to be managed, like the rest of the Boundary Waters, by the U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest.

Read more: bit.ly/4rtcfWM

“Suddenly the air is white with drifting flakes, and the tension is gone … Then almost magically the ground is no longer brown … Swiftly the whiteness spreads, then the earth is sealed and autumn is gone” — Sigurd Olson

❄️Who else got out to enjoy the snow this weekend?

📷 Angleworm Trail, Jan 2025

One week left to apply! 🛶

Save the Boundary Waters' Wilderness Equity Initiative grants program is open for applications! We provide modest trip or project grants to individuals or groups to help overcome barriers to experiencing the outdoors.

Application deadline: Dec 1, 2025 bit.ly/3LW48BW

Yesterday was incredible. Thanks to more than 2,000 people who love the Boundary Waters, we raised over $526,000 for Give to the Max Day. ✨Your support gives us the strength to meet every challenge ahead — and we’re so grateful to have you with us. 🌲🛶

Thank you for showing up!

📷 Jeff Anderson

Twin Metals submits plan for exploratory drilling to pursue mining underneath Birch Lake just south of the Boundary Waters

UPDATE: Twin Metals Minnesota has just submitted a proposal to the Minnesota DNR to conduct exploratory drilling on state and private lands next to Birch Lake — a beloved recreation lake that flows directly into the Boundary Waters.

Learn more:
www.savetheboundarywaters.org/twin-metals-...

Veterans Day, Whitetails, And Public Lands For many Veterans, public lands serve as a source of recreation, as well as a reminder of the great freedom our country represents. This is especially true for the Boundary Waters, one of the most tre...

Today, we honor all who have served our country.

Many veterans find peace and healing in wild places, including the Boundary Waters. Read the blog from veteran, sportsman, and author David Lien. www.savetheboundarywaters.org/veterans-day...

What our research is revealing in the Boundary Waters Continued protection for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness depends on ongoing, science-based research led by a dedicated team of staff, interns, and volunteers. Andrew Gardon, Conservation Bio...

Our water quality monitoring team has been tracking sulfate pollution in Birch Lake for six years. In our latest blog, Conservation Biologist Andrew shares why this work is essential to protecting the Boundary Waters—and why it needs your support.
www.savetheboundarywaters.org/what-our-res...