ELY– Dave and Amy Freeman are about to embark on another adventure. This time they will spend a year in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as they continue their efforts to protect the area from proposed sulfide-ore copper mines and to support the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters.

The Freemans, 2014 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year, will leave to spend an entire year in the BWCA starting on Wednesday Sept. 23.

Last year, the couple paddled and sailed 101 days and 2,000 miles from Ely, to Washington, D.C., to help protect the BWCA.

Several activities are planned to mark the event:

‰A kick-off celebration for their journey will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Pirgais Northwoods Outfitting Co. in Ely.

‰The couple will be talking about their mission at the Ely Tuesday Group gathering on Tuesday, Sept. 21, starting at noon at the Grand Ely Lodge.

‰A launch party will be held on Sept. 23, starting at 1:30 p.m. at River Point Resort and Outfitting Co., 12007 River Point Road, with a flotilla paddling out with the Freemans.

On this new expedition the Freemans will camp at approximately 120 different sites during this Year in the Wilderness and travel more than 3,000 miles by canoe, foot, ski, snowshoe and dog team.

“We are wilderness guides and educators and this is our way of working to help keep this wilderness wild,” said Amy Freeman. “We care deeply about this place and we will do everything within our power to ensure that it remains intact for the next generation.”

The Freemans have traveled more than 30,000 miles by kayak, canoe and dogsled through some of the world’s wildest places. They also run the Wilderness Classroom Organization, an educational nonprofit geared toward inspiring kids to get outside and explore.

The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is a broad-based campaign led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, and is based in Ely. For more information, contact Communications Director Ellie M. Bayrd at ellie@savetheboundarywaters.org or 612-616-2149.