Friends of the Boundary Waters
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bwca.bsky.social
Friends of the Boundary Waters
@bwca.bsky.social
1.9K followers 49 following 130 posts
Connecting people and protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness since 1976.
Posts Replies Media Videos
bwca.bsky.social
Early giving starts now! Every dollar you give through Give to the Max will be matched up to $300,000, helping stop toxic mining and protect clean water. Together, we can do it again!

Double your impact today ➜
www.givemn.org/bwcaw?referr...

Photo: Bridget Erickson
November 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
bwca.bsky.social
Test your wilderness knowledge at Boundary Waters Trivia Night! Hosted by BWCA author Dan Pauly at
@badweatherbrew.bsky.social!
Free to play, 7 PM start. Prizes for top teams. Grab a beer and show off your Northwoods smarts!
www.friends-bwca.org/event/bwca-t...
BWCA Trivia at Bad Weather Brewing Co. - friends-bwca.org
Join us for Boundary Waters Trivia Night at Bad Weather Brewing Co.! Test your wilderness knowledge, win prizes, and enjoy great beer.
www.friends-bwca.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:16 PM
bwca.bsky.social
Think you captured the perfect Boundary Waters moment? Your best BWCA shots could win big!
Enter our 2025 PHOTO CONTEST:
www.friends-bwca.org/blog/2025-ph...
-8 categories. 8 REI gift card prizes.
-Deadline December 5, 2025
We can't wait to see your shots!
Announcing the Friends' 2025 Photo Contest - friends-bwca.org
Show us your Boundary Waters adventures. Enter our annual photo contest for a chance to compete for one of 8 prizes!
www.friends-bwca.org
October 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
bwca.bsky.social
On this day in 1978, President Carter signed the BWCA Wilderness Act, protecting over a million acres of pristine lakes and forests. Honor this legacy—join the Friends and help protect the Boundary Waters for future generations (wwww.friends-bwca.org/donate/)!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0Z...
Jimmy Carter - BWCA Wilderness Act 1978
YouTube video by FriendsOfTheBWCA
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:59 PM
bwca.bsky.social
It was a beautiful weekend to celebrate Minnesota's waters, land and Indigenous communities with debhaalandnm.bsky.social and our No Boundaries students. Thank you for paddling with us!
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Photos: Friends of the Boundary Waters on Bde Maka Ska
Former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland was in Minneapolis for a Friends of the Boundary Waters fundraiser on Saturday evening. Before the event, she canoed with teenagers on Bde Maka Ska.
www.mprnews.org
October 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
bwca.bsky.social
“In today’s America, it turns out even our remote paddle, flanked by loons and trumpeter swans on pristine lakes, and blooms of colorful mushrooms, was shadowed by the politics of environmental regulation — and which will be affected greatly by the Trump White House.”
thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
bwca.bsky.social
Today we continue "Paddles & Pines: Boundary Waters Adventure!" 🛶🌲 In "Water as Habitat" we explore how species interconnect in this ecosystem with the Wolf & Bear Centers. All ages welcome! YouTube at noon CST ⬇️
www.youtube.com/@Expeditions...

Photo: David Culver
September 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Friends of the Boundary Waters
mattfrantzen61.bsky.social
foggy morning last week at table rock.

BWCA, USA.
September 22, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Reposted by Friends of the Boundary Waters
shmof16.bsky.social
LAST DAY TO COMMENT! Keep the Roadless Rule. Comment here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS...
September 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
bwca.bsky.social
H.R. 4090 would make Trump's fast-track mining orders permanent law, threatening the Boundary Waters.

But what's this REALLY about?

Profits over Public Lands!
@repstansbury.bsky.social

Contact your reps NOW to oppose H.R. 4090.
www.friends-bwca.org/get-involved...
September 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM
bwca.bsky.social
When President Trump and Chilean billionaires come for the Boundary Waters, what will we do?

Stand up and Fight!
indivistwincities.bsky.social Indivisible Twin Cities @indivistwincities.bsky.social · Sep 5
This land is YOUR land; this land is MY land - so we better keep showing up to Defend Our Environment. Great response on the Lake St/Marshall Ave bridge yesterday for Defend The Environment pop-up rally w/ @bwca.bsky.social @sierraclubmn.bsky.social @katyvernon.bsky.social & @re-sisters.bsky.social
Minneapolis and St Paul neighbors show up for the ITC Defend the Environment pop up rally on Lake Street/Marshall Ave bridge with Friends of the Boundary Waters, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, and musicians Katy Vernon and Re-Sisters Drumming Circle. Indivisible Twin Cities speaker, Kate, addresses the crowd Minneapolis and St Paul neighbors show up for the ITC Defend the Environment pop up rally on Lake Street/Marshall Ave bridge with Friends of the Boundary Waters, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, and musicians Katy Vernon and Re-Sisters Drumming Circle. Minneapolis and St Paul neighbors show up for the ITC Defend the Environment pop up rally on Lake Street/Marshall Ave bridge with Friends of the Boundary Waters, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, and musicians Katy Vernon and Re-Sisters Drumming Circle. Minneapolis and St Paul neighbors show up for the ITC Defend the Environment pop up rally on Lake Street/Marshall Ave bridge with Friends of the Boundary Waters, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, and musicians Katy Vernon and Re-Sisters Drumming Circle.
September 5, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Friends of the Boundary Waters
christinempls.bsky.social
Remember to stop by the @bwca.bsky.social booth at the Minnesota State Fair!
✅ Free sporks
✅ Register to win an REI tent
✅ Buy BWCA merch
✅ Mark your favorite BWCA spot on our map
✅ Chat with other outdoor enthusiasts
✅ Learn how to protect Minnesota forests & lakes from foreign mining corporations
Photo of me inside the Friends of the Boundary Waters booth at the Minnesota State Fair.
August 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Friends of the Boundary Waters
bozodeluxe.bsky.social
New band name just dropped in the 4H building
In the 4H building at the Minnesota State Fair, we see a blue board with yellow squares. On the yellow square are photos of terrain, beavers, and two men with a beaver. A block of text reads: In 1948 McCall, Idaho was overrun by beavers. They flooded lakes, basements, and roads. A man named Elmo W. Hetter thought of a solution for this problem. He decided to parachute them from an airplian to a place where they could feel free to do whatever beavers do. He tied the parachutes to boxes with air holes. The boxes opened once on the ground. This worked and the place where the beavers were dropped is now more fire resistant and has more plants. The beavers made dams, making lakes bigger so more plants can grow. The beavers made it a much more beautiful place. Above this is a yellow block with the handwritten title card that reads: "Skydivig Beavers!". On either side of this are two, little stuffed beavers, glued to the blue board. Attached to the beavers is some string that runs to circles of paper. YES YES: The beavers are parachuting!
August 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
bwca.bsky.social
The Minnesota State Fair is upon us🎡
How are we celebrating?

Come by our tent between bites of fried foods and delights.

We have sporks, merch, and a tent giveaway!

Located near the Eco Experience, about 2 blocks from our previous spot! 👉
www.friends-bwca.org/event/minnes...
August 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
bwca.bsky.social
What a celebration! Our No Boundaries program brought 150+ students to the Boundary Waters this summer. Honored incredible Buoy Award winners & gathered families for canoeing, portaging & s'mores. Here's to more boundary-breaking adventures ahead! 🛶✨
August 19, 2025 at 1:20 PM
bwca.bsky.social
Don't miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet celebrated author Alex Kotlowitz next week at the Friends' office in Ely, MN!
www.friends-bwca.org/event/ely-au...
Ely - Author's Roundtable with Alex Kotlowitz - friends-bwca.org
August 25, 2025 5:30 – 7 PM8 E. Sheridan St., Ely, MN, 55731 Join us for an Author’s Roundtable with acclaimed author Alex Kotlowitz. As the bestselling author of There Are No Children Here and longti...
www.friends-bwca.org
August 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
bwca.bsky.social
NEW PODCAST: Bear attack survivor Alex Messenger shares life-saving wilderness tips.
www.friends-bwca.org/podcasts/pod...
Alex survived a 600-pound grizzly attack at age 17 during a remote Canadian expedition. Here, he relays the hard-won lessons that could save your life in the Boundary Waters.
Podcast: Bear Safety in the Boundary Waters - friends-bwca.org
Writer Alex Messenger describes a 600-pound grizzly attack and discusses essential bear safety and food storage for the Boundary Waters.
www.friends-bwca.org
July 30, 2025 at 6:41 PM
bwca.bsky.social
HEARTBREAKING. The Trump administration is moving to open land near BWCA for copper-sulfide mining. Hidden in 2026 appropriations bill: provision reinstating Antofagasta's mineral leases at BWCA's doorstep. Contact Congress to say "Hands Off Boundary Waters!"
www.friends-bwca.org/take-action-...
Take Action: Protect the Boundary Waters from Toxic Sulfide Mining! - friends-bwca.org
Help protect the Boundary Waters by calling on our elected officials to protect this unique wilderness for this and future generations.
www.friends-bwca.org
July 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM
bwca.bsky.social
The Boundary Waters rewards those who come prepared!
From sudden lightning storms to curious bears, the BWCA demands respect and preparation. Don't let poor planning turn your wilderness adventure into a survival story!
www.friends-bwca.org/blog/8-safet...
8 Safety Concerns in the BWCA - friends-bwca.org
Getting clear on the dangers associated with traveling in the Boundary Waters (along with related safety protocols) will allow you to plan and manage any risks. Threats like lightning, wind and nosy b...
www.friends-bwca.org
July 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Friends of the Boundary Waters
mccollum.house.gov
The pristine lakes of the Boundary Waters — our nation’s most-visited wilderness — must be protected. Secretary Rollins put no thought, logic, or analysis into her decision to potentially expose the Rainy River watershed to highly toxic sulfide-ore copper mining.
June 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM
bwca.bsky.social
Great news! Thanks for your work to protect these waters!
smith.senate.gov Tina Smith @smith.senate.gov · Jun 11
Buried in the Big Beautiful Bill was a provision that gave a foreign mining company permission to build a copper-nickel sulfide mine on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters.

I’m relieved to announce that we were successful in forcing Republicans to drop this language from the bill.
BOUNDARY WATERS VICTORY — Provision which would have issued perpetual leases to a foreign mining company to pursue sulfide ore mining on the doorstep of the BWCA has been removed by Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
June 12, 2025 at 6:04 PM
bwca.bsky.social
URGENT! Hidden in the Senate Budget Bill (sections 80131 & 80151) are provisions that would allow toxic mining next to the Boundary Waters — and prohibit legal review of this action.

It's a corrupt giveaway, not budget policy! Please contact your Senator!
www.friends-bwca.org/take-action-...
Take Action: Protect the Boundary Waters from Toxic Sulfide Mining! - friends-bwca.org
Help protect the Boundary Waters by calling on our elected officials to protect this unique wilderness for this and future generations.
www.friends-bwca.org
June 6, 2025 at 3:14 PM
bwca.bsky.social
🛶Check out No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters program feature in Duluth News Tribune!🛶 We helped teacher Elina Gilsvik's "Exploring Outdoor Education" students get out on the water, "putting some of what they learned in class into practice"!
www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/north...
Duluth students trade classrooms for canoes in new class
Middle schoolers in Exploring Outdoor Education visited the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center.
www.duluthnewstribune.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
bwca.bsky.social
Yesterday's Lunch with Friends featured U.S. Senator Tina Smith discussing the urgent threat to the Boundary Waters from a hidden provision that would be a giveaway to foreign mining companies near the BWCA.
youtu.be/vdSfjeOx4f4
Boundary Waters Protection with Senator Tina Smith
YouTube video by FriendsOfTheBWCA
youtu.be
May 29, 2025 at 5:07 PM
bwca.bsky.social
Rep. Pete Stauber and mining proponents claim copper sulfide mining is safe. But the evidence tells a different story. All it takes is one mining disaster to poison Minnesota’s clean water forever. Our clean water is not for sale.
Take action - join us!
www.friends-bwca.org/get-involved/
May 27, 2025 at 3:57 PM