Poem: Low Water Mark

Steve Piragis went out paddling into the early evening yesterday. His picture reflected some of the most subtle afternoon light we've seen so far this year.  It is hard to believe that November is already upon us.  This poem came to mind.  Enjoy.

Low Water Mark

Rising from dark water;

spires climb,

the green trees of years

gone by.  Now like 

bannerless flag posts

rooted in the wetland soil.

Sentinels of the lake

silent, watching.

Reaching through gray.

blue and pink toward

the retreating sun.

Arms entreating dead

grasses to join in the dance.

Canoe bow splits

reflection’s perfection.

Abandoned wood duck

house rocking slowly

to the rhythm of the 

dead wind.

Redwing blackbird

calls from the cattails.

Beaver tail slaps to 

the North.  Pileated beak

strikes home and keeps

the beat, hidden in the 

dark, jagged line of pines.

The colors deepen.  No

one is home, or,

are they?  Paddle pushes

us into the night.

© Timothy James Stouffer, 11/04/2015

All Rights Reserved

Save the Boundary Waters: Give to the Max Day November 12th

Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters Announces $77,000 Match for Give to the Max Day 

The Campaign hopes to raise $165,000 toward its efforts to protect the Boundary Waters 

from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining.

Ely, MN (November 2, 2015) -- Advocates for preserving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota will be able to double their Give to the Max Day donations to the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters on November 12. The Campaign, which is a project of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, has received $77,000 toward its match.

“We are grateful to the community of supporters who continue to raise their voices in support of permanently protecting this amazing canoe country. This year’s Give to Max Day will help us continue a legacy of efforts to protect America’s most visited wilderness area and preserve it for future generations,” said Becky Rom, national campaign chair.

The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is a national Campaign dedicated to gaining permanent protection for the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining proposed by Twin Metals and other companies. The Campaign has been working to bring this issue to the attention of federal decision makers; grow a large grassroots movement; and educate people about the risks posed by this type of mining.

Last year, with the support of more than 600 donors, the Campaign raised more than $102,000 in combination with a $50,000 matching pledge. This accomplishment earned the Campaign recognition in the top ten of Give MN’s medium category for nonprofits. The Campaign has a $77,000 match this year and hopes to raise a total of $165,000.

Since last year’s Give to the Max Day, the Campaign has continued to grow, taking regular trips to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and delivering more than 60,000 petition signatures in support of permanent protection for this wilderness. In April, three supporters rode 850 miles on the Bike Tour to Save the Boundary Waters to raise awareness about the issue in communities and campuses from Winona to Ely. On September 23, 2015, Dave and Amy Freeman, 2014 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year, launched A Year in the Wilderness, their latest expedition in support of protecting the Boundary Waters.

Please visit the Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness Give to the Max page for the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters for more information.