Remembering President Jimmy Carter

The death of President Jimmy Carter marks the loss of one of the Boundary Waters’ most historic champions. President Carter’s leadership was instrumental in protecting this treasured Wilderness. On October 21, 1978, he signed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act into law—a landmark achievement for America’s most visited Wilderness.

This week, we also honor the birthday of former Vice President Walter Mondale, a Minnesotan who shared President Carter’s vision for conservation and was pivotal in preserving the Boundary Waters. Vice President Mondale was a tireless advocate for the environment and a remarkable leader, known for uniting Minnesotans and listening deeply to the voices of northern communities.

The Biden-Harris administration followed in the Carter-Mondale administration’s legacy. On January 26, 2023, the administration enacted the most significant protections for the Boundary Waters in 46 years, implementing a 20-year mineral withdrawal that safeguarded federal lands in the Wilderness watershed.

Both President Carter and Vice President Mondale cherished the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and understood the importance of defending America’s public lands. Their visionary leadership is profoundly missed, and their contributions will forever be a beacon for conservation.