Dave and Amy Freeman set out Wednesday for a one-year trip through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota, according to聽. The Freemans, who were named the聽2014 National Geographic 国产吃瓜黑料rs of the Year, hope聽to raise awareness about聽imminent sulfide mining operations in the Voyageurs National Park region that could聽impact the wild public lands of northern Minnesota. When exposed to air or water, sulfide mines can produce acid, which can聽contaminate lakes and rivers, according to the .
The couple will explore remote areas of northern Minnesota by foot, canoe, and dogsled. Last year, the Freemans paddled from Ely, Minnesota, to Washington, DC, to petition for legislators to oppose sulfide mining operations in Minnesota, according to the .
The Freemans pushed off from Ely at 2:15 p.m. CDT, accompanied by family, friends, and supporters聽who will paddle聽with them for the first leg聽of their expedition.