An Evening of Storytelling and Stewardship: William Kent Krueger at Westwood Hills

On Tuesday, June 3, more than 100 supporters gathered at Westwood Hills Nature Center for Inspiration from the North Shore, an evening with New York Times bestselling author William Kent Krueger in support of Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and our mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. 

Krueger shared insight into the journey that has led him to the upcoming release of Apostle’s Cove, the twenty-first book in his beloved Cork O’Connor series. Throughout his thoughtful and engaging talk he reflected on the role of place in his writing and the enduring influence of the North Shore landscape. He described the region as the most beautiful place on earth and spoke about how, over time, he realized it was exactly what he wanted to write about. His connection to the land is central to his work, and he emphasized the importance of experiencing the places he writes about firsthand. His reflections highlighted our shared appreciation for the Northwoods and a belief in the transformative power of nature-based learning. In a lively Q&A, audience members had a chance to engage with Krueger directly about topics ranging from his connection to the Ojibwe community, to his writing process, and the place his characters inhabit not only in his novels but in the minds and hearts of his readers. 

Wolf Ridge is deeply grateful to William Kent Krueger for partnering with us on this event. His generosity, insight, and commitment to the Northwoods helped make the evening both memorable and meaningful. As he noted, the setting of his novels plays a central role in shaping the stories he tells, much like those same landscapes at Wolf Ridge shape the experiences of the thousands of students who visit each year. We left the evening feeling thankful for community members like Krueger who share our passion for the stunning landscape we call home, energized about Wolf Ridge’s bright future, and eager to dive into a Cork O’Connor mystery. 

We also want to extend a special thank-you to Russ Bierbaum, Trustee Emeritus of the Wolf Ridge Board, whose vision and dedication helped bring this event to life. Russ’s thoughtful planning and longstanding commitment to Wolf Ridge were instrumental in shaping a program that connected our mission with a broader community of readers, nature lovers, and supporters.

Proceeds from the event directly support Wolf Ridge’s work to connect young people with nature, science, and stewardship through hands-on, field-based learning. These experiences foster critical thinking, environmental awareness, and a lifelong connection to the natural world.

We extend our sincere thanks to our partners who made this event possible:

• Lake Country Booksellers for providing books and managing sales
• Westwood Hills Nature Center for offering such a welcoming and inspiring venue

And thank you to everyone who attended. Your presence and support help ensure that future generations can experience the kind of transformative outdoor learning that Wolf Ridge provides.

Couldn’t attend but still want to support our work?
You can make a gift here: https://wolfridge.campbraingiving.com/