Q: What aspects of Voyageurs National Park resonate with you the most? Is there a particular feature or activity that holds special significance for you?
Rose: The aspects of Voyageurs National Park that resonate with me the most are its vast waterways and its ability to provide a connection to nature. It offers a sense of freedom and adventure, while also allowing for moments of quiet reflection. There’s a certain type of silence that I’ve found at the park, and it’s the only place I’ve found where I can shut off my busy brain and focus on being present. I love listening to the water lapping up against the rocks, the unique bird sounds, and hearing “fish on!” The water is where we spend our days paddling around, fishing, and observing beaver, deer, and black bears. It’s a rich experience, and I’m so thankful I get to share it now with my nieces and nephews. My hope is that Voyageurs National Park is a resource for not just them but for their kids.
Q: How has your connection to Voyageurs National Park evolved over time? Have there been any pivotal moments or experiences that deepened your appreciation for the park?
Rose: Over the years, my connection to Voyageurs has only deepened. Each visit brings new discoveries and moments of awe. But a pivotal moment for me was when I joined the board of the Voyageurs Conservancy. Being able to contribute to the preservation and stewardship of this incredible place has given my visits a new sense of purpose and meaning.
Jackson: Particularly over the pandemic, I and many others experienced a renewed appreciation and connection to wild places. The feeling of being stuck or limited made the access to Voyageurs so critical to physical and emotional health and well-being. It was during this time that I realized just how much this park means to me, not just as an artist, but as a human being.
Q: What values or principles do you associate with Voyageurs National Park, and how do they align with your personal beliefs or priorities?
Rose: The values and principles of Voyageurs National Park align closely with my own personal beliefs. Spending time in nature, conserving resources, and protecting the environment for future generations are all things that I hold dear. Being a part of the Voyageurs Conservancy allows me to actively work towards these goals and ensure that this beautiful park remains intact for years to come.
Jackson: Being a steward of wild places and ensuring the species we are sharing the planet with have some room to exist. Access for all people to grand landscapes and ecosystems. Maintaining a spiritual connection to water. These are all values that resonate deeply with me, and I’m grateful to be able to support them through my involvement with Voyageurs National Park and the Voyageurs Conservancy.
Rose Carr Schwartz has served on the board of directors for the Voyageurs Conservancy since 2019 and is an active member of its Spring Thaw event committee. Rose recently spent six years at The Constellation Fund as their Chief Impact Officer developing a strategic grantmaking program to reduce the cycle of poverty in the Twin Cities. Jackson Schwartz is the owner of Glass House, an event and art space where he practices his craft as a glass artist. Glass House is also where Voyageurs Conservancy hosts its annual Spring Thaw, a landmark fundraising event in the conservation organization's calendar. Rose and Jackson are volunteers, monthly donors, and passionately committed to preserving and promoting the natural beauty of Rainy Lake and Voyageurs National Park.
Sustaining members are the bedrock of Voyageurs. With monthly giving, you expand our ability and resources to carry our work. For just $10 a month, you will restore biodiverse habitat, preserve starry skies, and support the next generation of park stewards.
Become an Evergreen Sustainer at www.voyageurs.org/sustainer
