Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness works to protect, preserve and restore the wilderness character of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Quetico-Superior Ecosystem. While more than 200,000 people visit the BWCAW each year, many factors threaten the wilderness character of the area, including haze, noise, logging, mining, development, fire suppression, and loss of native species. The organization formed in 1976 to protect this vulnerable area and two years later shepherded legislation through Congress that brought full protection to the Boundary Waters. By partnering with other conservation groups and activating its membership, the Friends ensures that a “voice of wilderness” is always heard during policy debates.