Minnesotans from across the political spectrum gathered on May 8th at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda to voice their support for our public lands, waters and the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The event was organized by the Minnesota BHA Chapter, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, and Save the Boundary Waters, and supported by several other conservation partners.
Nearly 300 public land owners made the trip to St. Paul and shared stories of camping, paddling, hunting, and fishing that only the rejuvenating waters of the BWCA can provide. Speakers included Save The Boundary Waters Executive Director Ingrid Lyons, Minnesota BHA chapter leader Tony Jones, Mark Kenyon, author and host of MeatEater's Wired to Hunt Podcast, and U.S. Senator Tina Smith, who authored the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act, which would permanently protect the Rainy River Watershed and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) from the threat of sulfide-ore copper mining.
The passion in the room was palpable. This rally brought together hook-and-bullet conservationists, as well as non-hunting and fishing advocates, both with a common goal of speaking up for our public lands and waters. While the focus of the rally was spotlighting the Boundary Waters, the larger nationwide attacks on public lands and the agencies that managed them was also addressed. This rally came on the heels of a budget reconciliation vote from the House Natural Resources Committee which would rescind protections for our public lands, including the historic 20-year mining withdrawal that is currently in place for the Boundary Waters that BHA has worked hard to help implement.
The proposal also includes a slew of other anti-conservation elements including a midnight amendment to sell over a half a million acres of public lands.
About Minnesota BHA Chapter
Minnesota BHA seeks to ensure our North American heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting on wild, public lands and waters through education, advocacy, and boots on the ground work.