Sign the Petition Today: Ask the Forest Service to Deny Renewal of Twin Metals Leases 

A public input period announced by the U.S. Forest Service to inform their decision on whether to approve or deny an extension of 50-year-old federal mineral leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota is coming to a close. 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 announced an additional public input session on July 19 in Ely.



#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.

Register Now for the Fall Volunteer Rendezvous 

Every September, Voyageurs National Park Association and the National Park Service host a two-day volunteer blitz in Voyageurs National Park. You’re invited September 16 and 17, 2016.

Space is limited. Click here for additional information and online registration

Volunteers are welcome to sign up for one or both days. There is a suggested donation of $25/person for this event to help cover associated costs. This year, most volunteers will be working at the Ellsworth Rock Gardens with boat transportation provided to the site.

People of all ages and skills are welcome to attend – no experience is necessary. National Park Service staff will provide you with the tools and training required to make a positive impact on the park. Volunteer work will run 9 am – 3 pm Friday and Saturday with fun activities planned in the evenings.

Everybody's Cabin

By Catherine Crawford, Historical Collections Manager, Voyageurs National Park
Dr. Carl B. Peterson, of Minneapolis, loved this northern country so much that, in 1919, he bought what he thought was 120 acres of land on Rainy Lake, sight unseen. In August of that year, Carl and his two sons decided to drive up to explore their new property, but could go no further than Cook before the road became impassable.

Read the rest of the story here.

Upcoming Events

• August 13  Ranier Days
• August 29  National Parks Day at the Minnesota State Fair
• September 16-17 - Volunteer Rendezvous on Kabetogama

Links

• Rendezvous Visitor Guide - Ranger programs, boat tours, and directory of area services and businesses
• Campsite reservations - Click here to make your reservation
• Mark Herman Voyageurs Art Print Series - 10% of the proceeds from these prints benefit Voyageurs National Park Association