[leadin]The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is an immense wilderness of lakes and forests. A couple is going to make it home for a full year.[/leadin]
Educators and explorers Dave and Amy Freeman will kick off an expedition called simply “A Year In The Wilderness” this September, continuing their efforts to gain permanent protection for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
For this expedition, the Freemans will spend 365 days in the Boundary Waters. Last year, for the pair’s Paddle to DC journey, they canoed and sailed 101 days and 2,000 miles from Ely, Minn., to Washington, DC, to help get the word out on protecting the Boundary Waters.
Their expeditions raise awareness for the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, an organization dedicated to the permanent protection of the wild area from development or mineral exploitation.
“We are wilderness guides and educators, and this is our way of working to help keep this wilderness wild,” said Amy Freeman. “We care deeply about this place and we will do everything within our power to ensure that it remains intact for the next generation.”
Expedition Plan
On Sept 23rd, the couple will launch a canoe in the Kawishiwi River and paddle into the Boundary Waters to become immersed in the wilderness for a full year.
They will camp at approximately 120 different sites during the year and travel more than 3,000 miles by canoe, foot, ski, snowshoe, and dog team.
“This trip is about bearing witness to the very land and water we are fighting to protect,” Amy said.
‘Save The BWCA’
Their expedition will continue efforts to raise awareness to protect the Boundary Waters from the proposed sulfide-ore copper mines on the edge of the wilderness.
“We made a commitment to protecting the Boundary Waters when we took on the Paddle to DC, but we know we still have a lot of work to do,” Amy said.
Dave and Amy Freeman have traveled more than 30,000 miles by kayak, canoe and dogsled through some of the world’s wildest places, from the Amazon to the Arctic. They are 2014 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year.
The Freemans also run the Wilderness Classroom Organization, an educational nonprofit geared toward inspiring kids to get outside.
Get Involved
During the expedition, the Freemans will invite others on resupply missions that will allow them to personally witness the beauty of the Boundary Waters and what’s at risk from the proposed sulfide-ore copper mining.
Dates and locations for A Year In The Wilderness kick-off events, resupply missions and other information will be announced closer to the launch date. Keep tabs by following the expedition on Facebook.
