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Sled Dogs to St. Paul

260 miles, 8 days, 1 musher with a message

Frank Moe loves northern Minnesota. Frank and his wife, Sherri live in Grand Marais, where he continues his 20-year career as a guide. Whether it’s canoeing in the Boundary Waters, sea kayaking on Lake Superior, introducing climbers to Carleton Peak, or leading a group of ice climbers up the Cascade River, each experience is gratifying. “Bringing new people to the places that I've visited all my life”, says Frank, “is like seeing them again for the first time, through the eyes of someone whose life may be transformed the way that mine was”.

Frank Moe also loves to teach. He worked at Bemidji State University for 10 years, running the Outdoor Program Center and introducing young people to environmental studies. His two terms as a state legislator were also spent teaching, helping colleagues from other parts of the state understand the unique heritage, economy, and needs of his northern Minnesota home.

There is one more thing you can’t miss when visiting Frank and Sherri in their small home on the edge of Superior National Forest. Frank Moe loves each and every one of his 38 sled dogs. He has been mushing and racing since 1999. But even when they don’t come in first, Frank and Sherri’s team often gets noticed. In a recent race, they won the Tom Cooley Award, given by the race veterinarians to the musher and handler with the best cared for team.

This week and next, Frank is combining his love of northern Minnesota, his love of teaching, and his love of sled dog racing. The result is a 260-mile adventure to raise awareness about sulfide mining pollution. The team of dogs that once delivered him across a frozen Lake Bemidji to announce his first bid for elected office is now being asked to deliver him from Grand Marais to the steps of the state capitol.

Frank’s goal when he arrives in St. Paul, and at stops along the way, is to let Minnesotans and their leaders know how sulfide mining pollution would change Minnesota forever – impacting the Boundary Waters, Lake Superior, and the economy of northern Minnesota. He points out that “most people aren’t aware that this new type of mining is nothing like traditional iron mining.” When iron is exposed to air and rain, you get rust. When sulfide ore is exposed to air and rain, you get sulfuric acid that contaminates ground water and can eliminate all life from the lakes and streams that it touches. “We have important choices to make that impact every Minnesotan,” said Frank. “The more people who have the facts and participate in these decisions, the better off we will all be.”

If you would like to follow Frank’s progress or see the team at one of the stops, Conservation Minnesota will be covering his trip and providing daily check-ins. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or at ConservationMinnesota.org for the latest reports and photos.

Frank's Stops:

March 1 - 11:30-12:30

Grand Marais Send-off

Harbor Park

March 3 - 9-11 AM

Finland Pancake Breakfast

Finland Community Center

6866 Cramer Road

March 4 - 3-4 PM

Duluth Rally

Lester Park

61st Ave East & Superior Street

March 5 - 9:00-10:00 AM

Munger Inn Rally

7408 Grand Avenue, Duluth

March 8 - 10:30-11:30 AM

State Capitol Rally

St. Paul

 

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