What We Achieved in 2020

2020 was a challenging year for BWAC. After COVID-19 restrictions cancelled our public Spring trips, we spent the spring developing a new COVID policy and performing small survey trips to plan for the fall. This allowed us to have more limited public trips in the fall.

Advocacy 2020 Highlights

• February - Wilderness trails advocacy letters were sent to Senators Smith and Klobuchar and Representatives Stauber, Omar, and McCullum

• March - Negotiated a new 3-year Volunteer Service Agreement with the US Forest Service to maintain the Powwow Trail in the BWCAW, Superior National Forest

• August - Coordinated the Powwow Trail Hiker Guide publication with the USFS

• November - Filed the required BWAC USFS fiscal year annual report; total volunteer service hours 8584

2020 BWAC Year-in-Review

• January - The BWAC board of directors, club steering committee, and bylaws were reorganized to more clearly reflect our 501c3 obligations.

• February - The BWAC Annual meeting was held at REI Bloomington, attended by 70, featuring keynote speaker Cary Griffith.

• March - The 5th Annual Wilderness Trails Backpacking event was held at Lebanon Hills Dakota County Regional Park, featuring a pizza lunch and presentations by all BWCAW hiking trail advocacy groups; attended by 50.

• January to March - Ten spring work crews (72 volunteers) were organized and filled, but subsequently canceled due to covid19.

• March and April - Crew member safety training and orientation, and crew leader training, were held virtually for the first time. A Crew Leader Resources website was developed and put into use for 2020 trips.

• May through November - Clearing and survey trips resumed.

  • 22 trips from May to November; 88 volunteers

  • Season finale trip November 6-8, USFS/BWAC collaboration to complete Diana Bridge replacement project

  • No serious injuries for the 2020 season.

  • 5689 trail clearing volunteer hours = value of $154,741 (Independent Sector Research July, 2020 value of volunteer hours; travel time and club administrative hours are not included)

• June - Club Founder and President Martin Kubik semi-retires; Susan Pollock is installed by the BWAC Board of Directors as BWAC president.

• December 2 - Livestreamed volunteer appreciation event. 2020 volunteers were mailed a gift packet, and volunteer awards were presented to 2020 Volunteer of the Year Zach Thorson and to Junior Trail Advocates: Jennings Jurmu, Logan Kurth, Trent Raudabaugh, and Daniel West.

2020 Financial Summary

Revenue: $8311

Our Invaluable Sponsors

The following businesses provide reduced or free services or gear to BWAC for use on work trips, as volunteer awards, and as event door prizes. BWAC could not accomplish our mission without their committed support and endorsement.

Buck’s Hardware • Frost River • Kawishiwi Lodge and Outfitting • Keith Myrmel Maps • Kollath Graphic Design • Lake Superior Trading Post • McKenzie Maps • Midwest Mountaineering • Piragis Outfitting • REI • Trailtopia™ Foods • True North Maps

2020 Clearing Trip Overview

This was done with the help of many volunteers over the course of 22 trips.

Thank you to all the volunteers who came with us on these trips. Your help is making it possible to keep this trail available for all to enjoy.

Spring Trips

Summer Trips

Fall Trips