Protecting the Boundary Waters during the COVID-19 Pandemic
In this challenging time, the team at Save the Boundary Waters hopes you and yours are safe and healthy. Just like so many people around the globe, our lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic and its continued fallout. Times like these remind us how critical good health is. It is also a reminder of how important the Boundary Waters is to our physical and emotional health, and we all long to get back there soon.
As we work to maintain our personal and community health, we are also working to maintain the health of America’s favorite wilderness. The federal government and Antofagasta are working overtime to get this mine approved; we cannot slow down our work.
We are so grateful for you, our passionate and dedicated supporters, and we know that our work to protect the Boundary Waters can and must go on. Campaign staff are working remotely from their homes as we continue our scientific, legal, advocacy, outreach and organizing work to protect the Wilderness from sulfide-ore copper mining.
Here are a few ways you can stay connected to this Wilderness, its surrounding communities, and the fight to protect it for generations to come.
Staying Connected:
- Attend our weekly “Opt Inside” webinars for supporters with different topics each week. RSVP here.
- Check out this page of Boundary Waters activities you can do from home on our OptInside resource page.
- Reach out to any of our staff or through social media.
- Join us as a Digital Volunteer during these more isolated (and digital) times. Learn more here.
Supporting the Boundary Waters Community
Small businesses and our wilderness-edge communities need your support right now. Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate to the food shelves Ely Area Food Shelf and Cook County Food Shelf in Grand Marais.
- Support community non-profits such as Voyageur Outward Bound School through current program closures.
- Spend your dollars with the local, regional, and national businesses in the Boundary Waters Business Coalition who we work alongside to protect the Wilderness.
- Check our Shop to Support page for deals with partner businesses that directly donate part of sales to Save the Boundary Waters
- Donate to the Grand Marais Fire Relief Fund. On April 13 three family-owned small businesses were lost in a devastating fire.
Trip planning questions
We all want to go to the Boundary Waters and are looking forward to paddling season. But you might be asking - can I go on my trip?
- If you have Boundary Waters entry permit reservations, please check with local and federal authorities for the latest information. Permits and information: https://www.recreation.gov/
- The Superior National Forest line for BWCA permit questions is 218-626-4395.
- Watch our recent Trip Planning Webinar w/ Granite Gear & Ely Outfitting Company here.
- Read our recent Trip Planning blog here.
We hope you are staying safe during these unprecedented times.