Today was all about hands-on learning with some incredible guests! We spent the day with Clare from Sawbill Outfitters, Ranger Richard from the U.S. Forestry Service, and Alison and Sarah from Friends of the Boundary Waters—a powerhouse team of educators and storytellers.

Together, we dug into the Leave No Trace Principles, practicing what it really means to move lightly through wild places. Our crew set up tents and tarps, learned how to safely build a fire, filtered water straight from the lake, and even raised a bear canister to keep food secure in bear country. These skills are more than outdoor tricks—they’re lessons in responsibility, respect, and resilience.

What we love most? Watching students across the country learn through a screen from people who live this work every single day. The passion and care our guests brought made every moment feel alive and meaningful.

Up next: Wednesday at McDougal Lake, where we’ll explore prescribed burns and dive into the fascinating world of Fire Ecology.

What an unforgettable day! Today’s LiveStream took us right into the heart of Ely, Minnesota, broadcasting LIVE from the North American Bear Center. We were honored to collaborate with Rachel from Friends of the Boundary Waters, Spencer from the North American Bear Center, and Jules from the International Wolf Center—what a dream team!

Students from across the country (over 1,000 viewing!) gathered around their screens, eager to learn about the incredible animals of the Boundary Waters. We explored the beaver–moose–wolf–bear trifecta, diving into how adaptations help each species survive in this connected ecosystem.

Of course, the ambassador animals stole the spotlight! Noodle the snake slithered into hearts, and Tuck the painted turtle quickly became the star of the show—students couldn’t get enough of him. And then, just when the excitement was already at its peak, the wolves and bears made their appearances from each center. They were instant favorites with our audience, especially one student from Wyoming who beamed as she shared that wolves are her favorite animal.

We are so grateful to the Friends of the Boundary Waters for choosing us to help tell this story. The joy, curiosity, and passion from today remind us why protecting wild places like the Boundary Waters matters so much.

We’ll see you all again on Monday as we broadcast LIVE from Sawbill Campground. Until then—gigawaabamin naagaj (see you later, in Ojibwe).
​

What a day in Ely!

We started at the American Bear Center with Assistant Director Spencer. Holly, Lucky, and Tasha were out and about, each with a story that shows just how important this place is—Holly came as a cub, Lucky has grown up here, and Tasha reminds us of the challenges black bears face in the wild. While we were there, we even had our “Snow White” moment—feeding the birds right from our hands as they swooped in around us.

In the afternoon, we headed to the International Wolf Center to meet up with educator Jules. She explained how ambassador wolves arrive as pups and live their entire lives at the center, giving people a rare chance to learn from and about these animals. Her insights helped us see the important role wolves play and the care that goes into managing the pack.

Tomorrow’s LiveStream will bring together the American Bear Center, the International Wolf Center, and Friends of the Boundary Waters—a powerful lineup we can’t wait to share with classrooms across the country.

And yes, we did make a Dairy Queen stop. Ice cream just tastes better after a day with bears, wolves, and birds.

Our very first Paddles & Pines LiveStream is in the books—and it went off without a hitch! The weather was hot but beautiful, with the clouds showing off just enough to make Nels Lake sparkle.

We were joined by an incredible lineup of partners:
    •    Alison Nyenhuis and Rachel Hedlund, Outdoor Educators with Friends of the Boundary Waters
    •    Jaylen Strong, Director and Tribal Preservation Officer at the Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum
    •    Rachael Pace, Marketing and Hospitality Director at the Ely Folk School
Together, they helped us explore why water has always been the trail through this wild and wonderful place. From canoe basics and portaging, to the rich Indigenous history of the Boundary Waters, to the craft and tradition of birchbark canoes—every story reminded us that these waters carry culture, community, and connection.

Students across the country joined in to learn paddling strokes, history, and even took on a STEM challenge to design their own model watercraft. I even got the chance to portage a canoe myself—I thought it weighed 100 pounds, but was quickly corrected… only 40! Still heavy enough to make me respect the skill and strength required.

A huge shoutout to our technical crew—Steve and Dave, who keep everything running seamlessly behind the scenes—and to our online moderators, LeAnn, Tiffany, and Rodney, who make sure every student voice is heard.

We can’t wait for LiveStream 2 on Friday at the American Bear Center! Until then, keep paddling, keep asking questions, and keep protecting the places that matter most.

The adventure has begun! 🚐✨

Dave arrived in Chicago today by train and he and Steve picked up our RV. We packed it with all the gear we’ll need, and Oliver gave it his official seal of approval before we hit the road. Tonight, we’re heading halfway to our destination—the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

This is our first project in an RV and our first time exploring the Boundary Waters. Even more exciting, it’s the start of a new partnership with the Friends of the Boundary Waters and the U.S. Forest Service. A huge thank you to Breanna Trygg for recommending us—because good partners really are good friends.

Over the next 15 days, we’ll share where we are, what we’re learning, and why protecting the Boundary Waters is so important. This incredible wilderness is one of the most pristine freshwater systems on Earth and it needs all of us to help protect them for future generations.

We can’t wait to connect with more than 30,000 students in the weeks ahead, bringing them along on this journey of discovery, science, and stewardship.

​