Thank you for a successful Ely Garden Party

Held on Sunday, August 6, the 2023 Garden Party was a tremendous success! We saw our highest turn out for the event ever. Over 250 people gathered at the South Kawishiwi River Campground Pavilion in Ely, Minnesota, to celebrate the Boundary Waters, and more than $30,000 in critical funds was raised for its permanent protection. 

Supporters who attended heard from multiple prominent figures from the Campaign, including National Chair Becky Rom, board member and business owner Steve Piragis, our Executive Director Ingrid Lyons, and Boundary Waters Connect Manager Lacey Squier. 

During the event, Ely resident and Save the Boundary Waters supporter Lindsey Lang had a special surprise for Becky Rom. Lindsey said,

“After the January 2023 order initiating the twenty-year moratorium, a collective sigh of relief rippled us all. Reflecting on this remarkable achievement, a few of us were motivated to take this opportunity to celebrate this accomplishment and honor Becky Rom for getting us where we are today… We have created an endowed scholarship in your name – The Becky Rom Wilderness Advocacy Scholarship – at Northland College, the environmental liberal arts college in Ashland, WI. Northland – even its name invokes our precious wilderness – is the perfect fit for this scholarship. Students, influenced by the legacy of our champion Sigurd Olson, will have the opportunity to pursue their studies aided not only by the financial aid this scholarship will provide, but also by the influence your legacy will inspire, in perpetuity.”

You can learn more about and contribute to the Becky Rom Wilderness Advocacy Scholarship here.

Special thanks to Nashville singer/songwriter Jerry Vandiver and Minnesota singer/songwriter/fiddle player Catrina Campbell who provided fabulous music. As well as Northern Waters Smokehaus for their delicious smoked salmon, Superior Craft Elixirs for their refreshing cider switchels, and Wild State Cider for their tasty ciders.

Thank you to all the sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and supporters for making this year's Garden Party so successful. We will continue to fight against anti-Boundary Waters forces thanks to your support and look forward to celebrating our achievements towards permanent protection.

Click here for more information on future events, including our day at the Minnesota State Fair and our Gala in September.