Where the Road Ends, the Journey Begins: Lake One and the Boundary Waters

Driving down the Fernberg Road, just outside Ely, you’ll eventually pass a sign that reads “Road Ends 500 FT.” At that road’s end, Lake One comes into view. Where the pavement stops, the journey into the Boundary Waters begins.

The Boundary Waters is a place like no other. Just as the road ends and Lake One begins, so too does a new adventure – a perfect metaphor for what this Wilderness represents.

For Minnesotan and Boundary Waters enthusiast Ryan Ruud, his moment at the end of Fernberg Road held both peace and irony: the end of the road marking the beginning of something bigger. Inspired by that symbolism, he named his company Lake One after this gateway lake.

As founder and CEO of Lake One, a digital transformation firm, Ryan leads a team that helps purpose-driven organizations cut through technology chaos, focus on what they do best, and amplify their impact. They describe Lake One as “a gateway into the Boundary Waters, and for us, it represents the start of something bigger. A journey. One that can be challenging, but always worth it. That spirit guides how we work with clients navigating transformation.”

This National Public Lands Day (September 27, 2025), Save the Boundary Waters is partnering with Lake One to host a matching gift challenge. Lake One will match every gift, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000 from September 25th to September 27th.

Ryan explained it best: “Lake One borrows its name directly from Lake One in the Boundary Waters – a gateway into a place that transforms everyone who experiences it. Just as this lake represents the start of a challenging but rewarding journey, it inspires how we guide organizations through digital transformation. On Public Lands Day, we’re proud to honor that connection by matching donations to Save the Boundary Waters, helping protect this wild treasure for generations to come.”

National Public Lands Day is about celebrating the lands and waters we love – and recommitting to protect them. This year’s theme, “Together for Tomorrow,” reminds us that when we come together as a community, we can ensure these places thrive for generations to come.

We’re grateful to Ryan and the entire Lake One team for their generosity and their commitment to permanently protecting the Boundary Waters.

If you would like to participate in the flash match and double your impact this Public Lands Day, make a 2X gift by Saturday, September 27 at 5PM.