REGIONAL— A new Minnesota nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of wilderness trails in the Boundary Waters is now accepting charter membership.
It’s called Boundary Waters Heritage Trails, or BWHT, and the new group is hoping to “to educate and preserve the history of wilderness trails as a resource for all future generations to experience and enjoy,” according to a press statement issued last week.
Safeguarding wilderness trails in the BWCAW through education, lobbying and organizing volunteers for trail maintenance has been vital to keeping the trails open for the public.  While many of the trails have been returned to use, there are still many miles of hiking trails that have been removed from inventory by the U.S. Forest Service and waiting to be reopened for hikers and backpackers.
Volunteers who maintain hiking trails in the BWCAW play a critical role in assisting the Forest Service to meet the legislative requirements of the National Forest Trail Systems Stewardship Act.  On the Powwow Trail itself volunteers contributed in excess of $300,000 in labor to spruce up the trail from deadfalls caused by the Pagami Creek megafire and new jack pine growth.
“One interesting thing we found as we delved into the heritage of the trails, was that before recreation, there were loggers, and before loggers there were trappers and Indigenous communities in what today is the BWCAW and the Superior National Forest,” said Martin Kubik, one of the founders of the new organization. “There were fire lookout towers, and even a proposal for a railroad line from Ely to the Gunflint Trail. This is why we encourage historians, researchers, and those interested in writing or doing field work to become part of this effort by joining the BWHT.” said Kubik.    
BWHT speakers are available to present at schools, to historical societies, folk schools, and outdoor groups alike.
Boundary Waters Heritage Trails invites outdoor and history enthusiasts to a charter membership.  Apply at website  bwheritagetrails.org.  For more information, contact Martin Kubik, email: martin.kubik@bwheritagetrails.org, cell: 651-214 5849.