Boundary Waters (Northern Minnesota) designated "Dark Sky Sanctuary" 9/11/2020 - 13th in the World.

[mysteryowl]

The BWCA is exquisite beyond belief!

Listen to the 4-min audio at the link.

Boundary Waters designated a dark sky sanctuary
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/09/11/boundary-waters-designated-a-dark-sky-sanctuary

Anyone who’s spent the night in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness already knows that the night sky overhead is spectacular.

"The Milky Way just fills the sky. It literally is a river of stars,” said Joel Halvorson, a consultant and science educator. He lives part time along the Gunflint Trail in far northeastern Minnesota, just outside the wilderness.

Now, the whole world will know what tens of thousands of paddlers have already discovered.

Late last month the Boundary Waters was named a dark sky sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association, a nonprofit that works around the world to reduce light pollution and protect night skies. It's one of just 13 such designations in the world.

To qualify, a place has to have exceptional starry nights, and a “nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural or education value, its cultural heritage and/or public enjoyment.”

1-MILLION ACRES OF WILDERNESS & LEAVE NO TRACE CAMPING

BWCA NORTHERN LIGHTS

[judeling]

1. Truly magical

And if you can catch the Northern Lights transcendent.

It has been a couple of years but was up there in the winter and it was even better.

[mysteryowl]

3. The winter in BWCA is amazing!

Once, I spent a week snowshoeing in the BWCA.
The skies are amazing!!! Nighttime skies are pristine beauty with so MANY stars!!
The utter silence at night, in the winter, in the BWCA was beyond stunning. I have no words for the utter silence!!!

Thank you for bringing me down memory lane.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

2. oh man. some good news. much needed.

used to do a lot of camping, esp when my kids were small. not many places you can see the milky way.
one was at my fave haunt to camp alone- horicon marsh.
i was usually too tired from hiking and birding to stay up late enough to see it. but it is, indeed, a glorious sight.

[Bayard]

4. So beautiful...

I would love to go.

[mysteryowl]

5. It requires physical stamina.

This is no light camping trip and you are exhausted by the end of the day. If you do it right, you canoe for miles and trek your gear and canoe through walking portages between the lakes and rivers. If you go deep into the BWCA, you will not see another human the entire time you are there!

So worth it, if you can go at least once.

[LittleWoman]

6. This area must be protected

I hate to bring up such a nasty subject after the wonderful videos, but this area could be in danger in the next few years. Twin Metals is pushing to mine copper and other metals in an area adjacent to the Boundary Waters. President Obama's administration had put the kibosh on the project but of course the Trump administration has given the go ahead. There is still something to be done to block this disaster in waiting. For a pretty good summary of what is going on see <https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2019/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-twin-metals-mine-plan/>

Given my age and accompanying physical problems I doubt I am up to visiting the Boundary Waters again, but this must be preserved for all our children, grandchildren and the generations to follow. To me these areas are sacred.

[mysteryowl]

7. 100% agreed!!!!