The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW or BWCA) is a 1,090,000-acre (4,400 km2) wilderness area within the Superior National Forest in a northeastern part of Minnesota. A mixture of forests, glacial lakes, and streams, the BWCAW's preservation as a primitive wilderness began in the 1900s and culminated in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act of 1978. While a destination for canoeing, hiking, and fishing, it has also been a focus and debate for its resources in both the forest and mining industries.
Notable Minnesota figures tied to the BWCAW area include conservationist Sigurd Olson, resident Dorothy Molter ("Rootbeer Lady"), and outdoorswoman Justine Kerfoot.
January 29, 1993 - On this Voices from the Heartland, Laurie Allmann reads a version of her essay on the sub-boreal forest of Minnesota later collected in "Far from Tame: Reflections from the Heart of a Continent," published by University of Minnesota Press.
June 22, 1995 - MPR’s Catherine Winter interviews northern Minnesota forest rangers Jo Barnier and Art Wirtz about fires in the Grand Marais and BWCA area, and the different strategies and criteria in fire management.
July 21, 1995 - Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on fishing in the BWCA, titled “The Next Best Thing to Nobody.” Essay was later collected in "Cold Comfort: Life at the Top of the Map," published by University of Minnesota Press.
August 16, 1995 - MPR’s Paul Schroeder interviews authors Rip Rapson and Kevin Proescholdt about their book “Troubled Waters: The Fight for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.” Rapson and Proescholdt, both environmentalists, detail the historical controversies of logging, mining, and recreation of the Boundary Waters.
March 25, 1996 - On this Voices of Minnesota segment, Catherine Winter interviews Justine Kerfoot, an author notable for her stories about the Boundary Waters. Kerfoot speaks to her experiences of wanting to be a doctor and not being able to pursue it because of the Great Depression, and her work as a hunter, fisher, and guide at her family's lodge in Gunflint, Minnesota.
March 25, 1996 - On this Voices of Minnesota segment, Catherine Winter continues interview with Justine Kerfoot, an author notable for her stories about the Boundary Waters. Kerfoot speaks to her experiences as a hunter, fisher, and guide at her family's lodge in Gunflint, Minnesota, and how the area and the lodge has changed over time.
May 6, 1996 - Congressman Bruce Vento has introduced legislation to provide greater wilderness protection for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyaguers National Park. The bill is intended to counter legislation introduced by Representative James Oberstar to increase motorized use of the two areas.
June 7, 1996 - MPR’s Gary Eichten presents a retrospective of 1978 Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party State Convention. It was noted for a fierce battle within the DFL party over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. It fractured the party and paved the way for a Republican sweep in the November general election.
July 26, 1996 - Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on the BWCA, titled “The Backroad to Ely.” This is part one of two segments. Essay was later collected in "Cold Comfort: Life at the Top of the Map," published by University of Minnesota Press.
August 2, 1996 - Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on the BWCA, titled “The Backroad to Ely.” This is part two of two segments. Essay was later collected in "Cold Comfort: Life at the Top of the Map," published by University of Minnesota Press.