Lev and Ben's Climate Fundraiser

This summer, Ben and I will be completing 960 miles of self-powered travel across North America. We’ll be canoeing the full length of the Missinaibi River in Ontario, from its source at Missinaibi Lake to where it ends in James Bay, and thru-hiking the world-renowned, 486-mile Colorado Trail, through the heart of the Colorado Rockies from Denver to Durango. Throughout this journey, we’ll spend more than 50 days in the backcountry, and will explore a variety of different landscapes, including boreal forests, alpine tundras, and sagebrush deserts. 

We’re sharing this because we are both deeply concerned about the future of our public lands and communities as the climate continues to change. As people who spend much of our lives on public lands, and as young people who will live with the impacts of climate change firsthand, we feel a responsibility to dedicate our trips this summer to causes working to protect them. 

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is a 1.1 million-acre haven of lakes, rivers, and forests along the Minnesota-Canada border — one of the most critical regions for climate resiliency. Protected for over a century, it holds 20% of all the freshwater in the National Forest System. With 1,100 lakes and 237 miles of hiking trails, it’s a place where millions reconnect with nature, from paddling to hiking to just soaking in the quiet. Home to wildlife like wolves, moose, and loons, the Boundary Waters is one of the last truly wild places left — and it needs protection now more than ever.

Toxic sulfide-ore copper mining has been proposed just upstream of the Boundary Waters. This type of mining is known as one of the most polluting industries in the U.S., and if it’s allowed to happen here, it could permanently harm the clean water, wildlife, and sense of wild we all treasure. Once the damage is done, there’s no going back.

That’s why we're raising money to help protect the Boundary Waters — not just for us, but for everyone who loves it now and in the future. The funds we raise will support legal action, advocacy, and grassroots organizing to fight back against mining threats and push for permanent protections.

If you’ve ever dipped a paddle in this place, heard the echo of a loon call, or just believe in protecting our public lands — we hope you’ll consider making a donation.

Here’s how it works: you can sponsor us per mile of backcountry traveled (see suggested amounts below).  In return, we’ll send you trip reports, photos, and updates from the river and the trail. 

1 cent/mile = $9.60

2 cents/mile = $19.20

3 cents/mile = $28.80

4 cents/mile = $38.40

5 cents/mile = $48.00

10 cents/mile = $96.00

15 cents/mile = $144.00

20 cents/mile = $192.00

50 cents/mile = $480.00

Thank you for following along, and for supporting an important and worthwhile cause. Let's keep the Boundary Waters wild.

Sincerely,

Lev and Ben