Minnesota State Fair 2022 and the Boundary Waters

Aug 25, 2022
Ethan Brown
Environmental activist Sigurd Olson speaks with a group of campers at Camp Voyageurs near the Boundary Waters

There’s a reason the Boundary Waters is America’s most-visited Wilderness.

Not only is it one of the country’s most iconic landscapes, but its 1.1 million acres of pristine lakes and boreal forests offer something for everyone. Whether it be an early morning catching fish, a relaxing day by the shore, or a daring journey down a set of rapids, there’s a place for all of us in America’s Wilderness.

For decades, people from all over the country have found solitude in the Boundary Waters — but that solitude is threatened by proposed sulfide-ore copper mining. The tradition of a summer trip into Boundary Waters is central to Minnesota’s outdoor heritage, and all future generations deserve to take part in it.

We’re rallying supporters from now until Labor Day to call upon Minnesota’s Senators to permanently protect the Boundary Waters from risky copper mining. Join us in telling Senators Klobuchar and Smith that protections for America’s Wilderness can’t wait.

Earlier this summer, we put out a call to Wilderness enthusiasts to send us their Boundary Waters memories to be incorporated into upcoming projects, and we received so many great pictures! These photos have played a critical part in our statewide strategic ad campaign urging Minnesota's elected officials to step up for the Boundary Waters — thank you so much to everyone who submitted pictures.

Nothing shows the importance of preserving our state’s outdoor traditions better than seeing people exploring the Boundary Waters over the years. We hope you enjoy these amazing pictures!

Supporter-submitted Boundary Waters memories

Environmental activist Sigurd Olson speaks with children from Camp Voyageur
Photo Credit: Camp Voyageur
In a single-file line, 6 people cross-country ski on a Boundary Waters lake
Photo Credit: Steve Piragis
On a summer day, 6 people sit in a shallow Boundary Waters section of rapids to cool off
Credit: Greg Lais, Wilderness Inquiry
A woman poses between a portage pack and a canoe next to a Boundary Waters lake
Credit: Alfred Higgins
Two young men paddle in a canoe directly next to a cliff, which rises out of a Boundary Waters lake
Credit: Camp Voyageur
A man in a tan button-up shirt poses as he works on flipping blueberry pancakes over the fire
Credit: Sam Chadwick
A man sits in the stern of a canoe as he pulls a fish out of the water.
Credit: Jim Landwehr
A woman poses with a number of fish caught in the Boundary Waters
Credit: Becky Rom
A woman turns around in the bow of a canoe to pose while paddling past a small cliff jutting out of a lake in the Boundary Waters
Credit: Linda Wood
Two men paddle a canoe directly into rapids in the Boundary Waters
Credit: Tim Stevenson
A man sets up to cook next to a lake in the Boundary Waters
Credit: Janet Montgomery
A man sits on a rock directly overlooking Basswood Falls
Credit: Carolyn Mattern
A man wearing a blue jean jacket and a green ball cap sits in the bow of a boat with his fishing equipment
Credit: George Patterson
A man prepares to put a tray of biscuit dough over a fire at a campsite in the Boundary Waters
Credit: Mark Blanchard
A small, black and brown puppy rests in a portage pack
Credit: Steve Piragis
A man in a blue button up shirt and a grey sunhat poses next to a fully packed canoe in the Boundary Waters
Credit: Becky Rom