Ask the Forest Service to Deny Renewal of Twin Metals Leases 

Recently, the U.S. Forest Service announced they will hold a public input period to inform their decision on whether to approve or deny an extension of 50-year-old federal mineral leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota. Twin Metals is a proposed sulfide-ore copper mine project that lies within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. 

VNPA is committed to ensuring that our National Park remains protected for its surrounding communities, visitors, and future generations. The effects of acid mine drainage from sulfide mine development leave the potential for permanent damage to the park’s delicate natural resources, particularly our waters and wildlife. Learn more here.

Together we can show the Forest Service we value clean water at Voyageurs National Park. Ask the Forest Service to deny extensions of mineral leases that would allow sulfide mining on federal lands within the watershed of Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Wilderness.

Sign Voyageurs National Park Association’s petition to the U.S. Forest Service.

This petition will be submitted to the Forest Service as part of a public input period that runs through July 20, 2016. The Forest Service will also host a listening session on July 13 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.



#ProtectYourPark 
Walter F. Mondale and Theodore Roosevelt IV recently wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times on the risks of sulfide (copper-nickel) mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters and Voyageurs National Park.

National Park Teen Ambassadors Return from Learning Expedition in Voyageurs

Our national parks are our greatest outdoor classrooms. We are fortunate to have the resources to experience Voyageurs but many youth do not. The National Park Teen Ambassador program is a free program that introduces a young and diverse audience to national park sites in Minnesota and sparks a love for conservation and the outdoors. By the end of this summer, we will connect our 100th Minnesota high school student to the park through this program. Here's what two Ambassadors had to say after returning from Voyageurs last week:

“The hiking was long but it was better than any video game I’ve played.”
– Jolon, Harding High School

“I learned that I really do enjoy being outdoors and was surprised at how beautiful the scenery was.”
– Griselda, Kennedy High School

Read more about their trip here and see a few more photos here.

Support Voyageurs National Park Association

Thank you for your ongoing support of Voyageurs National Park Association. It is because of amazing people like you that we can count so many recent successes in partnership with Voyageurs National Park. From serving as a voice for the park to protect its amazing wild character and connecting the next generation of park stewards through programs like the National Park Teen Ambassador project, to raising special funds for park projects like the restoration of the Cruiser Lake Trail and the longterm restoration of park wetlands. If you haven't already done so this year, please consider renewing your membership support today. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

• July 7-10   Voyageurs Days on Crane Lake
• July 8   Voyageurs Night at Fjällräven St. Paul
• August 12   Ranier Days
• August 29  National Parks Day at the Minnesota State Fair
• September 16-17 - Save the Date for the Volunteer Rendezvous! Registration coming soon.

Links

• Wilderness News Magazine - Voyageurs featured in recent issue
• Rendezvous Visitor Guide - Ranger programs, boat tours, and directory of area services and businesses
• Campsite reservations - Click here to make your reservation