438: What Do We Lose When We Lose Our Wilderness?
Guest
David Meier is the Marketing and Communications Manager for Friends of the Boundary Waters, engaging and growing a tremendous community of BWCA enthusiasts who enjoy and protect this wilderness. He also hosts the "Big Red Canoe" podcast and recently returned from a transformative first solo trip in the Boundary Waters.
Summary
David explores how wilderness fosters solitude, self-reliance, and a deeper connection to the natural world. Drawing on his first solo canoe trip, he describes how slowing down and observing wildlife helped him reset and reconnect with himself. He also discusses the threats facing Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, particularly proposed sulfide mining and climate change, and the organization’s efforts to protect public lands and educate young people. David’s central message is that wilderness is both a personal source of renewal and a shared natural treasure that demands active protection. Through conservation advocacy and youth education, he hopes to inspire future generations to become wilderness stewards.
Social Media Links
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness:
https://www.friends-bwca.org
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/friendsBWCAW/
https://www.instagram.com/friendsbwcaw/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@friendsbwcaw
Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/bwca.bsky.social
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/friends-of-the-boundary-waters-wilderness/
Big Red Canoe Podcast
https://www.friends-bwca.org/podcast/
Miguel’s solo trip
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alone-on-the-water-miguel-garcia-gosalvez-on-solo/id1597988931?i=1000779735457
Show Credits
"Getting Unstuck" is commercial-free. It’s brought to you by Jeff Ikler, his amazing guests, and Neil Hughes, the best engineer a podcaster could ask for.
"Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.


