Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
MPR News Staff

After increase in litter and damage in Boundary Waters last year, officials stepping up education efforts

Tree cut down along BWCAW lake
The Superior National Forest posted this photo to Facebook on July 20, 2020, as part of a series of photos highlighting what not to do in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It highlights an incident on the BWCAW's West Pike Lake in which a tree was cut down. It is illegal to damage any living plant in the Boundary Waters wilderness area, or to cut live trees for firewood.
Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

After a surge of visitors brought an increase in litter and damage to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness last year, officials are taking steps to head off similar problems this year.

The Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota announced Friday that because of the pandemic, it once again will offer alternatives to issuing wilderness permits in-person. But in a change from last year, it'll require people acquiring their permit online to watch three leave-no-trace education videos and review BWCAW rules before they receive their permit.

"Last season saw unprecedented visitation to the BWCAW and along with that an unacceptably high amount of resource damage, including cutting of live trees, human waste not being properly disposed, trash left in campfire rings, disruptive and oversized groups, and campfires left unattended," Forest Service officials said in a news release.

"It takes a commitment from everyone visiting these treasured lands to ensure that the lakes, waterways and forests of the BWCAW are protected against resource damage, so the wilderness character is preserved for future generations."

In the past, campers had to watch a leave-no-trace video at a ranger station or at their outfitter, and pass a quiz on BWCAW rules before beginning their trip.

That went away last summer amid social-distancing concerns during the pandemic, even as visitation soared — and Forest Service officials said that might be a reason for the increased damage seen in the wilderness.

People seeking a permit who don't have internet access will need to contact the Superior National Forest to complete the leave-no-trace education requirement.

BWCAW quota permit reservations for 2021 are available starting at 9 a.m. Jan. 27. Find more information here.