Nourishing Community: Thank You, Upper Lakes Foods
April 22, 2026
A Ridge Well Traveled
A celebration of legacy, leadership, and the paths ahead
After nearly four decades of leadership, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center is proud to honor the legacy of Executive Director Pete Smerud through a special spring event series: A Ridge Well Traveled.
This series brings together alumni, supporters, partners, and friends of Wolf Ridge to celebrate the journey that has shaped this place and to help ensure its future. Each event will offer time for community, shared stories, and reflection, along with opportunities to support Wolf Ridge’s mission during a pivotal moment of transition.
The Event Series
A Ridge Well Traveled will take place across three spring 2026 gatherings in Duluth, Minneapolis, and Savage — each offering a distinct format while sharing a common focus on community, reflection, and support for Wolf Ridge.
April 23
Duluth, MN
Clyde Iron Works
5:30-8:00 PM
Join us for a relaxed evening in Duluth at Clyde Iron Works. This casual, drop-in gathering invites friends of Wolf Ridge to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate Pete Smerud’s legacy in a welcoming brewery-style setting. The evening will include snacks, refreshments, remarks, and a fundraising moment in support of Wolf Ridge’s future. Come when you can, stay as long as you’d like.
More information to come!
May 5
Minneapolis, MN
Surly Brewing
6:00-8:30 PM
Join us at Surly Brewing for a Twin Cities celebration that blends a polished atmosphere with an easygoing flow. Remarks will be shared at several points throughout the evening, allowing guests to gather, connect, and enjoy the space at their own pace. The evening will include snacks, refreshments, remarks , and a fundraising moment in support of Wolf Ridge’s future, all within a flexible, drop-in format.
More information to come!
May 28
Savage, MN
McColl Pond ELC
6:00-9:00 PM
The final gathering in the series takes place at McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center and offers a more structured program in a relaxed setting. This evening will feature a full program with speakers (to be announced) focusing on the history and future of Wolf Ridge. Together, we’ll reflect on the impact of Pete’s leadership and look ahead to the next chapter for Wolf Ridge.
More information to come!
Why We’re Gathering
Pete’s tenure has helped transform Wolf Ridge into a nationally recognized leader in environmental education, expanding access, strengthening programs, and stewarding this place with care and vision. As Pete prepares to retire in spring 2026, A Ridge Well Traveled invites our community to:
- Celebrate the impact of decades of leadership and learning
- Reconnect with the Wolf Ridge community across the state
- Support scholarships, programs, and long-term sustainability
- Help carry Wolf Ridge’s mission forward into its next chapter
This series is both a thank-you and a looking-ahead; grounded in gratitude, rooted in place, and focused on what comes next.
Ways to Support
Whether you attend an event, make a gift, become a sponsor, or simply help spread the word, your support helps ensure that Wolf Ridge remains a place where nature teaches for generations to come.
Support Pete’s Legacy
A Ridge Well Traveled is also a fundraising series, with proceeds supporting Wolf Ridge’s core priorities, including:
- Scholarships that ensure access to outdoor learning for all students
- Program excellence and educator development
- Stewardship of Wolf Ridge’s campus and natural resources
- Long-term organizational resilience during leadership transition
You can help us kick off the giving with a gift today!
Sponsorship Opportunities
We invite businesses to support the series through event sponsorships. Sponsorships help underwrite event costs while maximizing the impact of every dollar raised.
Sponsorship benefits may include recognition across multiple events, on-site visibility, and acknowledgment in Wolf Ridge communications.
Interested or have questions? Contact Misha at misha.evertz@wolf-ridge.org.
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Stay Connected
This page will continue to evolve as event details are confirmed. If you’d like to receive updates about A Ridge Well Traveled, upcoming events, or ways to get involved, please check back or join our mailing list.
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Every journey leaves a trail of stories
This collection of images honors Pete’s enduring legacy at Wolf Ridge and the many lives touched along the way. Together they reflect years of dedication, shared experiences, and the community he helped shape.
