Boundary Waters Gala 2023

Thank you for a successful 2023 Boundary Waters Gala!

On September 20, 2023, we held our annual Boundary Waters Gala at Nicollet Island Pavilion. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate America’s most visited Wilderness. Together, we raised over $240,000, which will go directly towards protecting the Boundary Waters ecosystem from sulfide-ore copper mining permanently.

We hope you had a wonderful evening hearing Campaign updates from Ingrid Lyons and Becky Rom, Adventure Advocate Amy Freeman, and Kids for the Boundary Waters' past and next generation of leaders, Henry Holcomb and Elsie Falconer.

At this year’s event, we:

Celebrated 10 years of our Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters. Including the historic and long-fought January 2023 Public Land Order banning mining on all federal lands and minerals in the Boundary Waters watershed for 20 years - the most significant Boundary Waters protection in 45 years.
Heard from Adventure Advocate Amy Freeman on her work to call attention to the threat of copper mining near the Boundary Waters and how every person can use their own talents to connect with others and be a voice for special places.
Welcomed Elsie Falconer as the new President of Kids for the Boundary Waters.
Honored two extraordinary Wilderness Defenders - United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Robert Bonnie and retired United States Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell with Boundary Waters Conservation Awards.
Looked forward to what it will take to protect this Wilderness forever and our vision to keep building the community of Boundary Waters defenders together.

Thank you to all the sponsors, partners, speakers, attendees, supporters, and planning team for making this year’s Boundary Waters Gala a huge success! We will continue to fight against anti-Boundary Waters forces thanks to your support and look forward to celebrating our achievements towards protecting this Wilderness forever.

If you didn’t get a chance attend there is still time to join us by making a gift today.

A special thank you to our silent auction donors and event sponsors!

Abode Outside, Arc Initiatives, Barb Ryan, Bent Paddle, Birch's on the Lake, Boreal Bliss Yoga Retreats, Bryant Lake Bowl, Bubbly Crock Pottery, Camp Craft Cocktails, Can Can Wonderland, Chrissie McKinnon, Clear Waters Outfitting, Copperwing Distillery, Country Ways, Crapola Granola, Crooked Water Spirits, Dakota Jazz Lounge, DAM Goods and Gear, Dells Watersports Rentals, Driftless Glen Distillery, Duluth Grill Family of Restaurants, Duluth Pottery, Earth Rider Brewing Company, EarthJustice, Ebenezer Stone, Ely Film Festival, Ely Outfitting Co, EXPED, Fontana Sports, Frost River, Gear West, Geri Schrab, Gondola Romantica, Granite Gear , Gray Duck Spirits, Hostel du Nord, Hotel Crosby, Idea Mountain, International Crane Center, Jack Liebo, Jimmy Chin, Juniper Ridge, Keith Miesel Photography, Klean Kanteen, Lake and Company, Lakes & Legends Brewing Co., Lakewinds Co-op, Lift Bridge Brewing Company, Littlbug, Little Ember Co, Lolita Cantina, Loppet Foundation, Love Creamery, Marty's Deli, Matchstick, Milk and Honey Ciders, Minneapolis Bouldering Project, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota Orchestra, MN United, Modist Brewing, NEMO, New Scenic Cafe, North Face, North Mallow, Northern Coffeeworks, Northstar Canoes, Number 12 Cider, Oboz, Old Mustache Canoe Paddles, Parks Project, Patagonia, Peak Design , Piragis Northwoods Company, Pryes Brewing Company, REDBUDSUDS, Riverview Theater , Sea to Summit , Seek Outside , Seven Sundays, Sociable Cider Werks, SOL Paddle Boards, Spyhouse Coffee, Steady Pour, Sven Saw, Sweet Haven Tonics, Swiftwater Adventures, Tangletown Gardens, The Daily Page, The Great Northern Festival, True North Map Co. , True North Maps Co, Ugly Biscuits BnB, Uptown Woodworks, Urban Boatbuilders, Va Bene, Wenonah Canoe, Wild Mountain , Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge, Wintergreen Northern Wear, Women's Wilderness Discover, EXPED, and Zenith Bookstore.

Photos by Keith Miesel Photography