When the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness decided to publish a comprehensive report on the state of the BWCAW, they hired Carolyn to help.
At sixty pages in length and with more than a year of research and writing behind it, the “State of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness” was the organization’s first comprehensive report on the health and future of the Boundary Waters since the passing of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act of 1978.
The report included an assessment of risks of global warming and sulfide mining; status reports on the health of moose, lynx, wolves, black bear, fish, birds and wild rice; an assessment of ecological risks from invasive species, air quality, and fire; visitor impacts on campsites, water quality, and trails; damage from the 1999 “blowdown”; and the regional economic impact of BWCAW visitors. The report was distributed to Friends’ members, lawmakers, and other stakeholders.
The challenge presented to Carolyn was to design, organize, and present information in a way that would ensure readers remained engaged throughout this comprehensive report. The solution involved creating multiple custom maps, the use of compelling photography and custom lettering, and included surprises such as footprints of an elusive vole scampering across the page. A few design elements, such as the tree pattern seen at the bottom of some pages, visually coordinated with the Friends’ newly-redesigned website (website work completed by separate vendor).
This report was shortlisted for a 2019 Communication Arts award in the Annual Report category.
Click to see a book Carolyn designed that featured stunning nature photography.
“As always, Carolyn Porter’s design is beautiful, smart, and full of surprises.”
– ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS