Educator-explorers Dave and Amy Freeman, sometime residents of Lutsen, will kick off “A Year in the Wilderness” with a celebratory event at 5 p.m. Sept. 20 in Ely.
The Freemans, 2014 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year, will leave to spend an entire year in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Sept. 23. The occasion will be marked with a public launch at 1:30 p.m. at River Point Resort in Ely.
This expedition continues their efforts to gain permanent protection for the area from proposed copper nickel mining on the edge of the wilderness and support the “Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters.”
Last year, for the pair’s Paddle to D.C. journey, they paddled and sailed 101 days and 2,000 miles from Ely to Washington, D.C. to call attention to potential mining with sulfide byproducts near the Boundary Waters.
On this new expedition the Freemans will camp at approximately 120 different sites and travel more than 3,000 miles by canoe, foot, ski, snowshoe and dog team.
“We are wilderness guides and educators and this is our way of working to help keep this wilderness wild,” said Amy Freeman. “We care deeply about this place and we will do everything within our power to ensure that it remains intact for the next generation.”
Dave and Amy Freeman have traveled more than 30,000 miles by kayak, canoe and dogsled through some of the world’s wildest places. The Freemans also run the Wilderness Classroom Organization, an educational nonprofit geared towards inspiring kids to get outside and explore.
The kick-off event will take place at Piragi’s Northwoods Outfitting, N. Central Avenue in Ely. For more information call (612) 616-2149.
The Freemans will also celebrate this week in the Twin Cities with a send-off event on Friday, September 18, at Patagonia, 1648 Grand Avenue, St. Paul from 6:30-9 p.m.
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