From 1979 to 1982 an extension education program provided assistance to the tourism industry in rural communities adjoining northeastern Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). Program activities involved needs assessment, educational and technical assistance to communities and tourism-related firms, marketing programs, grants management assistance, applied research, and establishment of a communication network among area agencies, firms, and citizen groups. Tourism was found to be a major generator of the BWCA's economic base, but the tourism industry in the area was stagnating. Needed were identification of new markets, help with advertising and promotion, and technical assistance in construction, waste management, and conservation. Education and technical assistance to communities included town meetings to stimulate community-based development of tourism facilities and services, community cooperation in resource management, and visitor information center construction. Assistance to tourism-related firms included seminars and consultation on market development, physical plant improvement, business management, and food service management. Community grants encouraged local assumption of responsibility for area promotion. Research topics included market study of current resort, canoe outfitter, and non-outfitted guests, effectiveness of sports show marketing methods, and recreational properties use patterns. Program objectives, methods, and specific projects are described in detail. A list of marketing materials is appended. (LFL)