Legislative Kickoff: Defending the Boundary Waters in 2025
Join us to launch into 2025 and help protect Minnesota’s clean water. Free food and drinks provided.
Since 1976
Victory is Temporary
Defeat is Forever
Trump has vowed to roll back hard-won victories that protect the Boundary Waters from toxic sulfide mining, and congress is preparing to push through legislation that would be a gift to foreign mining interests.
We’ve stopped them before. With your support, we will stop them again.
Stop Toxic Mining near the Boundary Waters
Two proposed copper-sulfide mines — PolyMet and Twin Metals — risk contaminating some of the cleanest water on earth and permanently polluting the BWCA. If these mines open, they would produce acid mine drainage and cause irreparable harm to our beloved wilderness. Learn more about how we are beating back these toxic mines and how you can join a movement.
Plan Your Boundary
Waters Adventure
From a searchable route library with BWCA maps to information on permits, we have the resources you need to explore the Boundary Waters. With more than 1,100 lakes, 1,200 miles of canoe routes, a dozen rugged hiking trails and over 1.1 million acres, the BWCA offers endless opportunities for adventure.
Thriving Communities
The future of the BWCA is deeply tied to the economic prosperity and wellbeing of the communities that surround the Boundary Waters. We work with local businesses, organizations, and individuals on projects that build thriving communities to ensure people have a stable and viable livelihood.
Wilderness education that promotes equity in the wild
Young people who grow up in our hyper-connected, digital world need the wilderness more than ever. Through our No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters program, we introduce students from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities to the splendors of the wilderness, both in the classroom and through week-long trips into the BWCA.
Upcoming Events
ELY: Monthly Movie Night – Wilderness Day
Step back in time to explore a wilderness canoe trip in 1954 at our monthly movie night!…
Ely Presentation: Winter Camping on a Budget
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, 7pm8 Sheridan St., Ely, MNExperience the thrill of winter camping – it’s not just…
Boundary Waters Day at the Capitol
Join us January 23 at the Capitol to rally for clean water and meet up with your legislators.
Explore Our Blog
Breaking news, in-depth stories, tips for wilderness travel, and insights into America’s most popular Wilderness Area.
A Catastrophe for the Boundary Waters
There’s no other way to put this: The reelection of Donald Trump is a disaster for the Boundary Waters. This…
Announcing the Friends’ 2024 Photo Contest
Our annual photo contest is back! Send us your best Boundary Waters photos for a chance to win one of…
It Takes a Community: Building an Outdoor Education Program in the North
Connecting local youth with wilderness experiences through partnerships, day trips, and overnight adventures.
How To Help
The wilderness needs people. It needs you.
Learn more about how you can give back to the Boundary Waters.
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness acknowledges that the land and water we are dedicated to protecting is on the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe people, who continue to live in the area and exercise treaty rights on this land and water. We humbly work to honor this living history and learn how the Anishinaabe relationship with this land and water continues to grow and evolve. Together, we strive to build mutual respect, trust and understanding around what it means to protect the Boundary Waters.