Photo Blog: Wilderness Action Day with REI Co-op

The coalition for permanent Boundary Waters protections grew even stronger in the last month, as major outdoor retailer REI Co-op and Save the Boundary Waters announced a new level to their long-standing partnership, just in time to work for Congressional action to ban sulfide-ore copper mining near the Wilderness this year.

To celebrate our partnership, as well as the release of a major draft environmental study from the Forest Service, we held a Wilderness Action Day at the REI Bloomington Flagship store on Friday, June 24. The event included multiple Boundary Waters action opportunities, giveaways from REI, and a screening of the Webby Award-winning film Boundary Waters Traverse with a Q&A from Campaign Manager and trail-runner Alex Falconer.

Near the conclusion of the event, REI announced that it had awarded our Campaign a $10,000 grant — thank you so much to REI for supporting this fight for a permanently protected Boundary Waters!

REI is also encouraging its members to send a message to members of Congress urging passage of permanent Boundary Waters protection through its new Cooperative Action Network. Have you taken action yet?

A large inflatable loon sits in front of the Bloomington REI Co-op — Our unmissable, inflatable loon was on-site to greet supporters and customers for a photo-op before they reached our action tables and the screening location for Boundary Waters Traverse. (Photo: Ethan Brown)

Two Save the Boundary Waters supporters sign our petition for the Forest Service — REI customers and Campaign supporters alike had the opportunity to sign our comment petition supporting the Forest Service’s recommendation for a 20-year ban on sulfide-ore copper mining near the Boundary Waters. Additional action opportunities included contacting Senators and U.S. Representatives to support Rep. Betty McCollum’s Boundary Waters Protection and Pollution Prevention Act (HR 2794). (Photo: Ethan Brown)

Before the screening of Boundary Waters Traverse, Campaign Manager Alex Falconer and REI Brand Engagement Coordinator Mikaela Swanlund provided updates on the fight for Wilderness protections. Swanlund also announced REI’s $10,000 donation to the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters. (Photo: Ethan Brown)

Campaign Manager Alex Falconer answers a supporter's question during his Q&A session — Following the film’s screening, Falconer fielded questions from attendees about his record-setting 110-mile run in the Boundary Waters, the Forest Service’s recent environmental study, and progress on Rep. McCollum’s Boundary Waters Protection Bill. (Photo: Ethan Brown)

Campaign Manager Alex Falconer speaks with a supporter after the end of the event — Supporters stuck around after the film screening to speak with each other, Falconer, and other members of the Campaign about opportunities to get involved as we reach a crucial moment for the Boundary Waters. (Photo: Ethan Brown)

Supporters pose in front of an inflatable loon at the REI Co-op Wilderness Action Day — In just 3 hours, our event gathered nearly 100 signatures supporting the Forest Service’s recommended 20-year ban on sulfide-ore copper mining! Thank you to REI for hosting the event, as well as all our supporters who joined us to celebrate the news and take action! (Photo: Ethan Brown)